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EPISTLE TO PERGAMOS
IN a former epistle we have noticed, that the particular parts of our Saviour’s character, with which the different epistles are introduced, are suited to the subject matter of each. In this address to the Church in Pergamos, our Lord has occasion both for reproof and menace: and therefore he describes himself as “holding the sharp sword with two edges.” Now, according to the plan we have proposed, of investigating more minutely every distinct description of his person, I will now call your attention to,
I. The character with which our Lord is here invested—
The description here given of our blessed Lord frequently occurs in the Holy Scriptures; and, by comparing the different passages, we shall see that it holds him forth,
1. As a Sovereign—
[The word of a king, especially in despotic governments, goes forth with great authority: as Solomon has said, “Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou [Note: Ecc_8:4.]?” Now, by comparing our text with the larger description given of our Lord in the preceding chapter, from whence this smaller portion is taken, we shall see that this sword is his word, which proceedeth out of his mouth: “Out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword [Note: Rev_1:16.].” And “this word is indeed both quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword [Note: Heb_4:12.].” It is a law to every child of man: the greatest kings and princes, no less than the poorest of mankind, are bound by it, and must obey it at their peril. In reference to it there must be no demur, no hesitation, no delay. To question its authority, or to doubt its wisdom, is treason. As, in heaven, “the angels do his commandments, hearkening to the voice of his word [Note: Psa_103:20.],” so must it be with men on earth. There must be no resistance to him, even in thought: his word must be “mighty, to pull down every strong-hold, and to cast down every high imagination that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ [Note: 2Co_10:4-5.].”]
2. As a Conqueror—
[In this view the holy Psalmist addresses him: “Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most Mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty: and in thy majesty ride prosperously, because (or in the cause) of truth and meekness and righteousness: and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee [Note: Psa_45:3-5.].” Armed with this sword, he goes forth in the chariot of the everlasting Gospel, conquering and to conquer [Note: Rev_6:2; Rev_14:6.]. Hear the description given of him by St. John, towards the close of this prophetic book: “I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse; and he that sat upon it was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. … And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords. … And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse; which sword proceedeth out of his mouth [Note: Rev_19:11; Rev_19:15-16; Rev_19:21.].” Yes, verily, with this sword shall “he get himself the victory [Note: Psa_98:1.];” insomuch that “all kings shall fall down before him, and all nations shall serve him [Note: Psa_72:11.],” and “all the kingdoms of the earth become his” undivided empire [Note: Rev_11:15.].]
3. As a Judge—
[“The word that he hath spoken, the same shall judge us in the last day [Note: Joh_12:48.].” Amongst the books that shall be opened in that day, doubtless the sacred volume shall be one, and “according to what is written therein shall every soul of man be judged [Note: Rev_20:12.].” And so the Prophet Isaiah distinctly declares: He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears; but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked: and righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins [Note: Isa_11:4-5.].” Then those who have resisted his authority as King, and withstood his power as a Conqueror, shall be constrained to submit themselves to him as their Judge: for “he will then appear in flames of fire, to take vengeance on them [Note: 2Th_1:7-9.],” and “will consume them with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy them with the brightness of his coming [Note: 2Th_2:8.].”]
Having marked the character of our Lord, I will endeavour to shew,
II. The deep interest we have in it—
It is obvious, that to the Church in Pergamos it was a consideration of vast importance; for the Lord himself said to them, “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth [Note: ver. 16.].” And is it of less importance to us? Methinks every Church under heaven, and every individual in the Church, should take occasion to inquire,
1. What effect has the ministry of the Gospel produced upon us?
[The Gospel, by whomsoever ministered, is “the word of Christ,” which should dwell in us richly in all wisdom [Note: Col_3:16.]. And by all who hear it, it should be regarded, not as “the word of man, but really and truly as the word of God [Note: 1Th_2:13.].” Our Lord said to his Disciples, “He that receiveth you, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth Him that sent me [Note: Mat_10:40.].” On the contrary, “he who despiseth, despiseth not man, but God [Note: 1Th_4:8.].” Let me then ask, What reception has the Gospel found amongst you? If it have produced its proper effect amongst you, it has pierced your inmost souls: as it is written, “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 of the joints and marrow; and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart [Note: Heb_4:12.].” O brethren, inquire, I pray you, whether it have thus penetrated the inmost recesses of your souls, so as to discover to you the hidden abominations of your hearts, and to make you cry mightily to God for the pardon of them! See the three thousand on the day of Pentecost, when smitten with this two-edged sword: what cries there were for mercy! “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Believe me, brethren, this is the very first effect which it will produce on you; and it must have already produced it, if you have not “received the grace of God in vain.” “This is the fruit which it brings forth in all the world, wherever the grace of God is known in truth [Note: Col_1:6.].” But is there not, in too many instances, reason for God to complain, “I have hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth [Note: Hos_6:5.];” I have spoken to them the great things of my law; but they have counted them as a strange thing [Note: Hos_8:12.]:” yea, “though I called them unto the Most High, none at all would exalt Him [Note: Hos_11:7.]?” And shall this be accounted a light matter? It was not deemed so in the case of Zedekiah, of whom God complains, “He did evil in the sight of the Lord, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet, speaking from the mouth of the Lord [Note: 2Ch_36:12.].” Beloved brethren, though no prophet, I also have “spoken to you from the mouth of the Lord;” and ye must answer unto God for every word that has been delivered to you in his name. Now, our blessed Lord says to you, “I know thy works.” And he does know them, and record them in the book of his remembrance; and will bring them forth into judgment at the last day. Let not any of you imagine, that it is sufficient to yield an outward conformity, whether in sentiment or action, to the word of God. No, indeed; if you would really profit by it as you ought, you must be as sacrifices offered up to God upon his altar. The sacrifices, you know, were slain, and were so cut down as to expose to view their inward parts; and then were consumed on the altar, together with the meat-offerings and the drinkofferings that were presented on them. So must “you, to whom I minister the Gospel of God, be offered up as an acceptable sacrifice to God; being sanctified by the Holy God [Note: Rom_15:16.].” Judge, I pray you, whether this has ever been truly wrought in you: for if the word be not thus “a savour of life to your souls, it will be unto you a savour of death,” unto your heavier and more aggravated condemnation [Note: 2Co_2:16.].]
2. What do we expect from it in the time to come?
[The word, my brethren, is “the sword of the Spirit [Note: Eph_6:17.];” and is raised, not to slay you, but to defeat and destroy your enemies. And it is a two-edged sword: every truth in it has a double aspect; speaking consolation to the obedient, as well as terror to the disobedient. By means of it, the Lord Jesus Christ carries on his work of grace in the souls of men; subduing all their enemies before them, and making them triumphant over all the powers of darkness. It was by the word that Christ himself repelled all the assaults of Satan in the wilderness [Note: Mat_4:4; Mat_4:7; Mat_4:10.]; and by it he will “sanctify us throughout, in body, soul, and spirit [Note: Joh_17:17.].” We must therefore make use of it for this end; as it is said, “Having these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God [Note: 2Co_7:1.]. Regard not then our blessed Lord as an object of terror; but as “the Captain of the Lord’s host,” armed for your deliverance [Note: Jos_5:14.]. In the epistle before us, you will find a promise, as well as a threatening; and he will shew himself as mighty to fulfil the one, as to execute the other. Whilst, therefore, you fear him as an avenger, learn to confide in him as “able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by him.”]