Balaam

12Write this to the angel of the church in Pergamos. These are the words of the one who has the sharp sword with two edges.

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

NotePergamos was another city. Today people often spell the name Pergamum. A sword with two edges is sharp on both sides.

13I know where you live. Satan's throne is there. Still, you hold on tight to my name. You did not turn away from trusting me, even in the days of Antipas. He told the truth about me and stayed true. He was killed where you live, where Satan lives.

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

NoteA throne is the big chair a king sits on. Pergamos had huge temples where people worshiped idols. The King James calls Antipas a "martyr." In 1611 that word meant a witness, someone who tells what he knows. Antipas was killed for telling about Jesus.

14But I have a few things against you. Some of you follow the teaching of Balaam. He taught Balac how to trip up the people of Israel. The trap was to get them to eat food offered to idols, which are statues people worship. It was also to get them to do wrong things with sex.

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

NoteBalaam and Balac come from a much older story in the Bible. Balac was a king. He wanted Balaam to bring harm to the people of Israel. A stumbling block is something left in a path to trip people. Idols are statues that people pray to. Meat was often given to an idol first, then eaten.

15In the same way, some of you follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans. I hate that teaching.

So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

16So turn back. If you do not, I will come to you soon. I will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

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

NoteA sword coming out of a mouth is a word picture. It means his words do the work a sword does.