th him a thousand years,"
Rev. 20:6. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and
murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars,
shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:
which is the second death," 21:8.

Epistle to the Church in Pergamos.

And to the messenger of the congregation in Pergamos write: These
things saith He who hath the sharp two-edged sword: I know thy
works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's throne is; and
thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in
those days in which Antipas was my faithful witness: who was slain
among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against
thee, because thou hast there those, who hold fast the doctrine of
Balaam, who taught Balak to cast an enticement to sin before the
children of Israel: to eat idol-sacrifices, and to commit
fornication. So thou hast also those, who hold fast the doctrine
of the Nicolaitanes, in like manner. Repent; or else I will come
to thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my
mouth. He, who hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to
the congregations: To him, who overcometh, I will grant to eat of
the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and on the
stone a new name written, which no one knoweth, but he, who
receiveth it.--Rev. 2:12-17.

"He which hath the sharp sword with two edges," is the one who walked in
the midst of the seven golden lamp-stands--out of whose "mouth went a sharp
two-edged sword," 1:16. This identifies him as the one who was followed by
the armies of heaven, when "the remnant were slain with the sword of him
that sat upon the horse: which sword proceeded out of his mouth," 19:21.
"The sword of the Spirit ... is the word of God," Eph. 6:17. "He shall
smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips
shall he slay the wicked," Isa. 11:4. The One who indites this epistle is
thus designated, probably, because, unless they repented of the things
alleged against them, he would fight against them with the sword of his
mouth.

The church of Pergamos had refrained from apostasy, although situated in a
wicked and corrupt city,--even where Satan reigned almost supreme and
received the obedience of its inhabitants. They had been faithful in those
days when Antipas, a faithful Christian, and p