Revelation 2:12

 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, “These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:

·        The sword comes from Jesus’ mouth to release judgment on His enemies (Rev. 1:16; 19:15, 21).

·        Jesus uses the sword of His mouth to withstand the threats of evil governments such as ancient Rome and especially the Antichrist government at the end-of-the-age. He uses the sword of His mouth to war against sin and darkness anywhere that it is persisted in.

 Psalm 149:6  Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.

 Isaiah 49:2  And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword…..

 

Revelation 2:11

 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’

·        The second death is separation from God in the lake of fire forever (Rev. 20:1, 14).

·        The Judgment Seat of Christ and then the second death show forth the “great reversal” in history when righteousness is seen as wise and valuable and sin is seen as a terrible waste of life.

 Isaiah 48:16  “Come near to Me, hear this:  I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, I was there.  And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit have sent Me.”

 Zechariah 7:12  “Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets.  Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.

 

Revelation 2:10

 

“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.  Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days.  Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

·        Jesus wanted them to know that some would face prison and even death. Jesus said it would happen to prepare them.  They were imprisoned for refusing to worship the Emperor as God. History tells us that Jews reported Christians to the Roman authorities as being criminals of Rome.

·        I will give you the crown of life – this is not the same as the gift of eternal life that all born again believers receive by faith. This is a special reward specifically for enduring persecution that results in enabling one to experience more of God’s glory (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

 Deuteronomy 4:30  When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the LORD your God and obey His voice…

 Psalm 31:23    …For the LORD preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person.

Revelation 2:8-9

 

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the last, who was dead, and came to life:  “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of satan.

·        He is the “First” source of all blessing and is the “Last” to stand. This assures us that all His promises will come to pass.  The beginning and end of the His plan for our life are in His loving powerful hands.

·        Jesus saw their labors in ministry in the midst of on-going tribulation or persecution especially by the Jews.

 

Isaiah 41:4  Who has performed and done it, calling the generations from the beginning?  ‘I, the LORD, am the first; and with the last I am He.’

 Isaiah 48:12  “Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, My called:  I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last.

 

Revelation 2:7

 

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’

·        I will give to him to eat from the tree of life – In the midst of the Paradise of God –

 ·        In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits…The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations….14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life… (Rev. 22:2-14)

 

Genesis 2:9  And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.  The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

 Ezekiel 31:8 …No tree in the garden of God was like it in beauty.