Jesus Christ Revealed: "To the Church in Pergamum"

Revelation 2:12 (GW):
“To the messenger of the church in Pergamum, write: The one who holds the sharp two-edged sword says": 

In the seven individual letters, we see the careful logic involved in deciding why each church received the section of the description that it did. Jesus Christ purposefully presented Himself to each of the churches in a way that would be historically and culturally relevant to them. The “self-descriptions” of Jesus Christ are not just general facts about His nature; they are specific pieces of revelation intended to deeply connect with the hearts and situations of these churches.

This is also how the Holy Spirit speaks to us through prophecy. In these letters, Jesus Christ delivers His prophecies in a very personal manner. He gives each church a piece of revelation regarding what He is like and who He is that is especially applicable to them in their situation.

Pergamum: "The One who holds the sharp two-edged sword"!

The city of Pergamum, the towering acropolis with its temples and altars; with its pillars of smoke and idols, must have seemed overwhelming and intimidating to the believers trying to stand up for Jesus Christ. Considering the creation of temples and altars to false gods, the emperor worship, and the presence of the Roman government itself, it is no surprise Jesus Christ describes Pergamum as the place “where Satan dwells.” In this environment, Jesus Christ describes Himself in a militant fashion: “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of Him who has the sharp, double-edged sword” {Revelation 2:12}. Jesus chooses to use this portion of His “self-description” from Revelation 1 here because it would have been especially relevant to the believers in Pergamum. 

Living in the Roman capital of Asia Minor, the people of Pergamum would have known and feared the power of the sword. The sword, a weapon capable of inflicting death would naturally function as a symbol of power. Roman emperors regularly carried a sword or dagger as a public sign of their power to rule and judge. Pergamum, as the capital city of the Roman province of Asia, was where the governor resided and from where he exercised the “right of the sword”, the power to rule over every area of life, including the right to execute enemies of the Roman Empire. Believers in Pergamum would have understood that Jesus Christ was declaring Himself to be the true authority in Pergamum. He is the one with the real power, holding the greatest sword. He is the King over all other kings.