Resource > Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable) >
Revelation >
Exposition >
II THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES chs. 2--3 >
C. The letter to the church in Pergamum 2:12-17 >
If the erring believers would not judge themselves and repent they could anticipate God's judgment (cf. 1 Cor. 11:31).
"Unwillingness to repent shows that a person is not a faithful believer."118
They would die by the sword proceeding from Christ's mouth. Balaam had died, ironically, by the Israelites' sword (Num. 31:8). This judgment would be by the unyielding standard of God's revealed Word that clearly condemns such behavior. Having taken sides with the enemy they could expect God to oppose them in His war against evil.
"The fault of Pergamum is the opposite of Ephesus where the heretics were rooted out but love was missing (2:2, 4)."119
