(12) And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; (13) 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. (14) 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. (15) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. (16) Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (17) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Pergamos, now called by the Turks Bergamo, appears to have been about threescore miles from Smyrna. The features a character which Christ here adopts, seem to have been with a design, to intimate that as the Impostor, which in after ages would arise, to oppose the truth of Christ, would accomplish his wickedness with the sword, the Lord would only oppose him, with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Ephesians 6:17. And it is worthy the Reader's remark, that in this Epistle, while the Lord is speaking of those in Pergamos, who held the doctrine of Balaam, and the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, and tells his people, that if they do not repent, that is, drive them out from their Churches, he will fight them not his people, but them, and by that sword of his mouth, namely, his holy word; convince them of their ungodly deeds, and of all their hard speeches, which they had spoken against him. See Jude 1:16, and Commentary.
Of the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, we cannot speak particularly. But we find great cause to thank God the Holy Ghost, for the light this passage, throws over the history of Balaam. We should not have known, as we now do, the full infamy of this wretch, but from this account. If the Reader will read the story in the book of N umbers, how this man hired himself out, to curse God's people, while God compelled him to bless them, he will discover some very sweet and precious things. He will see, how much the seed of the Serpent, as Balaam evidently was, may learn by head knowledge, the truths of God, while like him, in heart they abominate them. And the Reader will further learn, how the Lord is unceasingly watching over his people for good, when they themselves, are most unconscious of it. Balak and Balaam, were planning and contriving Israel's destruction, by all the mock services of religion; while Israel lay unconscious in their tents, either of the hatred of Moab, or the policy of Balaam. Reader! who shall say how often, in ten thousand instances, such things are going on now in the present hour! Precious Jesus! as oft as I think of it, how sweet is that scripture to my soul, and the assurance of its being minutely carried on, to my heart, Isaiah 27:2-3
I beg the Reader, before he goes further, to read the history of the Church, concerning this transaction, as it is recorded in the Book of Numbers. Moab saw Israel conquering the nations around. And under an alarm for his own safety, he sent for Balaam, a famous Magician from the East, to come and curse Israel. The great rewards Balak King of Moab offered him, soon prompted this man, to hasten to this employment, but be received continued checks from his conscience not to go. We have the account, the Book of Numbers, Numbers 22:1; Numbers 23:1; Numbers 24:1, and Numbers 25:1. But this relation of the Lord, in this Chapter of the Revelation, explains what those Chapter s in the book of Numbers, do not acquaint us with. We here find, that it was Balaam's advice to Balak, to entice Israel to get the displeasure of God, by first tempting their young men, with lustful desires to Moab's daughters; and, then, Moab's daughters to tempt Israel to their sacrifices. Reader! see what our corrupt passions tempt even God's children to commit. And see what a mercy it is, that Jesus watches over his people for good! Well might one of old cry out, and say, hold thou me up, and I shall be safe! Psalms 119:117. Oh! Sir! how sure a truth it is, that they who are kept, are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation, 1 Peter 1:5
I do not think it necessary, to the Reader of this Poor Man's Commentary, to swell these pages, by leading him into enquiries from Ecclesiastical History concerning Antipas. That he was a faithful servant of the Lord is certain, from the honorable testimony the Lord hath given of him, and a Martyr to the cause of Christ. I would rather raise up a prayer from his faithfulness, and beg of Christ to give to all his redeemed, the hidden bread which is Christ himself; and the white stone with the new name, Written therein, even the Lord our righteousness; to testify whose we are, and whom we serve in the Gospel of God's dear Son! Oh! for grace to hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.