Revelation 2:12; The Sharp Sword with Two Edges

Revelation 2:12-13 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

The church of Pergamos was infested with men of corrupt minds, who did what they could to corrupt both the faith and manners of the church; and Christ, being resolved to fight against them by the sword of his word, takes the title of him that hath the sharp sword with two edges. [Matthew Henry]

Pergamos was a church with a hand in the world in that there was a group of ungodly people who crept into the church fellowship and Jesus hated their inconsistent lives, worldly and immoral.

Christ is portrayed here as Judge wielding a sharp sword to mete our judgment swiftly if they would persist in delving in falsehood and worldliness.

The word of God is a sword; it is a weapon both offensive and defensive, it is, in the hand of God, able to slay both sin and sinners.

It is a sharp sword. No heart is so hard but it is able to cut it; it can divide asunder between the soul and the spirit, that is, between the soul and those sinful habits that by custom have become another soul, or seem to be essential to it.

It is a sword with two edges; it turns and cuts every way. There is no escaping the edge of this sword: if you turn aside to the right hand, it has an edge on that side; if on the left hand, you fall upon the edge of the sword on that side; it turns every way. [Matthew Henry]

A very apt description of the Christian church of today!

Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Amen.