Repent or Jesus Will Come Quickly Revelation 2:16

After John the apostle saw the vision of Jesus in chapter one of “Revelation”, he began to write to the “seven churches in Asia”. He started with the church located in “Ephesus”, then the “church of Smyrna”, and followed with the “church in Pergamos” where He told them, “But I have a few things against you, because you have there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication”, and he added, “So have you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” In chapter two and verse sixteen of Revelation, John shared how Jesus told them, “Repent; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will fight against them” where we read:

Repent; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

The verse begins, “Repent; or else I will come unto you quickly, ...” John began with the word, “repent” which means “change one's mind and amend with abhorrence of one's past sins”; “or else” or “if and weather” “I will come unto you” which means “Jesus will arise and appear to the church in Pergamos” “quickly” which refers to “speedily, readily and without delay”. Jesus' command and warning to the “church in Pergamos” was to “change their mind” or He would “appear” before them in a “rapid” manner.

The verse continues, “... and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” John added the words, “and will fight” or “Jesus carry on war and battle” “against them” which means “after the church in Pergamos” “with the sword” or “by the long Thracian javelin or a long and brought cutlass” “of my mouth” which means “pertaining to Jesus orifice in His face used for speaking and eating”. Jesus promised to “war” against those who did not “repent” with “the cutlass” within His mouth.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we understand how Jesus wanted the “church in Pergamos” to “change their minds” concerning “the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans”. Jesus already declared His displeasure with each of these “teachings”, and because God desires to have a righteous relationship with people through His Son Jesus, and these “doctrines” were antonymous to it. Let all who follow these “teachings and read these words hear and comply with Jesus' warning to “repent” lest He “be in battle” against them “with the sword of His word”.

Next time John writes how Jesus told the “church of Pergamos”, “to him that overcomes” Jesus will give “hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written in it”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.