Revelation 2:12
12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double- edged sword.
The Greek word translated here as Pergamum means "tower". Towers in these ancient cities were structures of authority and the last line of defense against an enemy. They represented the pride and strength of the people. Pride is usually involved in rebellion against God.
Chief among the Gods of this city was Aesculapius, the healing god. Here he was worshipped in the form of serpent. Satan's power and opposition to God was very evident. It was a stronghold of the evil one.
Jesus refers again to the sword of judgement in His hand, of the power of His word, likened to a sword in His mouth. His word is true and His judgement just. It will be brought against the strongholds of Satan and prevail.
Aesculapius was worshipped there under the serpent form; and Satan, the old serpent, as the instigator (compare Re 2:10 ) of fanatical devotees of Aesculapius, (JFB)
Also famous for the magnificent temple of Aesculapius, the healing god [TACITUS, Annals, 3.63]. he which hath the sharp sword with two edges--appropriate to His address having a twofold bearing, a searching power so as to convict and convert some ( Re 2:13 , 17 ), and to convict and condemn to punishment others ( Re 2:14 - 16 , especially Re 2:16; compare also see on Re 1:16 (JFB)
Isaiah 2:12-15
12 For the Lord of hosts will have a day of reckoning
Against everyone who is proud and lofty
And against everyone who is lifted up,
That he may be abased.
13 And it will be against all the cedars of Lebanon that are lofty and lifted up,
Against all the oaks of Bashan,
14 Against all the lofty mountains,
Against all the hills that are lifted up,
15 Against every high tower,
Against every fortified wall,
Hebrews 4:12-13
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double- edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Numbers 22:21-31
21 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials. 22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road.
24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again.
26 Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. 28 Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”
29 Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.”
30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?”
“No,” he said.
31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.
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