Rev 2:12, 16, 19:15 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos . . These things saith he which hath the sharp sword etc. . Compare . Professor Stuart suggests that when the Saviour, as represented in the vision, "uttered words, as they proceeded from his mouth, the halitus which accompanied them assumed, in the view of John, the form of an igneous two-edged sword." It is more probable, however, that the words which proceeded from his mouth did not assume anything like a form or substance, but John means to represent them as if they were a sharp sword. His words cut and penetrate deep, and it was easy to picture him as having a sword proceeding from his mouth; that is, his words were as piercing as a sharp sword. As he was about to reprove the church at Pergamos, there was a propriety in referring to this power of the Saviour. Reproof cuts deep; and this is the idea represented here. (a) "saith he"

Revelation of John 2:12

Verse 12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos. Rev 1:20.

These things saith he which hath the sharp sword etc. Rev 1:16. Compare Heb 4:12, Eccl 12:11, Isa 49:2. Professor Stuart suggests that when the Saviour, as represented in the vision, "uttered words, as they proceeded from his mouth, the halitus which accompanied them assumed, in the view of John, the form of an igneous two-edged sword." It is more probable, however, that the words which proceeded from his mouth did not assume anything like a form or substance, but John means to represent them as if they were a sharp sword. His words cut and penetrate deep, and it was easy to picture him as having a sword proceeding from his mouth; that is, his words were as piercing as a sharp sword. As he was about to reprove the church at Pergamos, there was a propriety in referring to this power of the Saviour. Reproof cuts deep; and this is the idea represented here.

(a) "saith he" Rev 1:16

Revelation of John 2:16

Verse 16. Repent. Rev 2:5.

Or else I will come unto thee quickly. On the word quickly, Rev 1:1. The meaning here is, that he would come against them in judgment, or to punish them.

And will fight against them. Against the Nicolaitanes. He would come against the church for tolerating them, but his opposition would be principally directed against the Nicolaitanes themselves. The church would excite his displeasure by retaining them in its bosom, but it was in its power to save them from destruction. If the church would repent, or if it would separate itself from the evil, then the Saviour would not come against them. If this were not done, they would feel the vengeance of his sword, and be subjected to punishment. The church always suffers when it has offenders in its bosom; it has the power of saving them if it will repent of its own unfaithfulness, and will strive for their conversion.

With the sword of my mouth. Rev 1:16, 2:12. That is, he would give the order, and they would be cut as if by a sword. Precisely in what way it would be done he does not say; but it might be by persecution, or by heavy judgments. To see the force of this, we are to remember the power which Christ has to punish the wicked by a word of his mouth. By a word in the last day he will turn all the wicked into hell.

(a) "and will fight" Isa 11:4

Revelation of John 19:15

Verse 15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword. Rev 1:16. In that place the sword seems to be an emblem of his words or doctrines, as penetrating the hearts of men; here it is the emblem of a work of destruction wrought on his foes.

That with it he should smite the nations. The nations that were opposed to him; to wit, those especially who were represented by the beast and the false prophet, Rev 19:18-20.

And he shall rule them with a rod of iron. Rev 2:27; Rev 12:5.

And he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. This language is probably derived from Isa 63:1-4. See it explained in Barnes on "Isa 63:1", seq., and Barnes on "Re 14:19", Rev 14:20. It means here that his enemies would be certainly crushed before him--as grapes are crushed under the feet of him that treads in the wine-vat.

(i) "mouth" Rev 1:16 (k) "rod of iron" Ps 2:9