Revelation 2:12-17 (Reconsidered)
“Have ears to hear what the Spirit says…………
Jesus Christ
An angel calling out in Pergamos, speaks to me the things that I write. “He who possess a keen, double-edged sword,* knows your toil and the location in which you dwell; where Satan (the accuser) sits on his throne and has his power.” *
“Seize hold of my name (authority)! Refuse to deny faith in me, as in the day in which Antipas, * my faithful witness, was put to death near you, in the place where Satan dwells”.
“Nevertheless, a few things are held against you.”
“Why, dwelling where Satan dwells, are you following in the footsteps of those who hold fast to the doctrine of Balaam? * Balaam, who openly taught Balac to throw stumbling blocks to sin in the face of the sons of Israel. Teaching them to eat food offered in idolatrous worship and to engage in fornication (unlawful sexual acts). In doing this, you are also holding on to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I detest.” *
“Repent! Otherwise, I will appear suddenly (by surprise) and engage in warfare amidst you, through the sword of my mouth.” *
Have ears to hear what the Spirit says to the called out. “Subdue yourselves. Depart from among them secretly and I will give you manna to eat. I will give you a white pebble* and on the pebble, a new name engraved that no one knows unless he accepts (takes) the stone.“
Double-edged sword
Keen means sharp and quick
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and joint and marrow and is discern-er of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Antipas
According to Eastern Orthodox traditions, it is believed that Saint Antipas was the Antipas referred to in Revelation 2:13. According to Christian tradition, John the Apostle ordained Antipas as bishop of Pergamon during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero. The traditional accounts go on to say Antipas was martyred during the reign of Nero (54-68)[1] or Domitian,[4] by burning in a brazen bull-shaped altar. Wikipedia
Doctrine of Balaam
Numbers 25:1-2 (NLT)
While the Israelites were camped at Acacia Grove, some of the men defiled themselves by having sexual relations with local Moabite women. These women invited them to attend sacrifices to their gods, so the Israelites feasted with them and worshiped the gods of Moab. In this way, Israel joined in the worship of Baal of Peor, causing the LORD’s anger to blaze against his people.
Numbers 25:16 (NLT)
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Attack the Midianites and destroy them, because they assaulted you with deceit and tricked you into worshiping Baal of Peor.
Numbers 31:16-17
The women of Moab caused the men of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit sin against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.
Nicolaitans
The doctrine of the Nicolaitans appears to have been a form of antinomianism, which makes the fatal mistake of teaching Christians they are freed by grace from the necessity of obeying the Mosaic Law. (freed from obeying the Father whom Jesus obeyed) The antinomians rejected the notion of obedience as legalistic. To them the good life flowed from the inner working of the Holy Spirit, not obedience to the Law. (www.britannica.com)
Any attempt to rationalize immorality by citing the “liberty” we have in Christ is abhorrent to God (and Paul Gal.3:21) and must be to us. True Christian love is never expressed by the tolerance of wickedness, whether it be a matter of what one believes or how one behaves.
the sword of my mouth
Rev 19:21 And the remaining remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the white horse, the sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Subdue yourselves
The Greek words used in this phrase are: autos and nikao. Autos is a reflexive pronoun meaning self; myself, yourself, itself, themselves, these things, etc. Nikao means subdue or overcome or conquer.
The combination of these two words makes the statement, “Subdue yourself/yourselves or subdue these things; or overcome yourself or overcome these things; or conquer yourself or conquer these things.”.
The commonly accepted interpretation of this statement is “he who overcomes (conquers), I will allow him to eat from the tree of life (give him eternal life). But with this interpretation we are left to wonder; overcome or conquer who or what? Conquer Rome but who is Rome today? Overcome the Nicolaitans but who are they today? Overcome the Balam worshipers or Moabites but, again, who are they today? We are left with no clear answer as to who or what we are to overcome or conquer to be able to eat from the tree of life. This interpretation creates confusion.
The main message of the ministry of Jesus was “repent for the kingdom of God is at hand”. His ministry was one of the heart; focused on the inside of a person, his soul and his relationship to the Father in heaven and the Father’s laws. Jesus’s ministry was not focused on conquering others.
For these reasons, I believe the correct interpretation of the statement, autos nikao, is “subdue or conquer yourself”. Autos nikao is found throughout Revelation.
James 4:7 (NLT)
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
1 Peter 3:4 (KJV)
The private, hidden man of the heart; inwardly immortal; meek, mild and humble; quiet, still and peaceable; this spirit is extremely precious in the presence of God.
white pebble
a white pebble means an acquittal verdict, a ticket of admission, a vote and/or a voice
Reconsider: Repent 