We often say, “The battle is the Lord’s.” And, to be sure, that is so true. However, if I’m picking up on what’s being laid down this morning, Jesus expects us to be on the front lines.

Reading in Revelation 2 this morning and hovering over what “the One who has the sharp, double-edged sword” (sounds like Jesus is battle ready) has to say to the church in Pergamum. First, He knows where they live, and it ain’t in no land of milk and honey. In fact, it’s where Satan lives. And not only where the devil resides, but where he rules as well — so much so that believers are being put to death for believing. And amidst this hostile culture, Jesus commends the saints for “holding on” and not denying their faith in Christ (Rev. 2:13).

“But,” says Jesus, “I have a few things against you.” Uh oh, listen up, church!

While the church at Pergamum had stood fast against the external persecution of the enemy, they had let down their guard and allowed in the internal prevalence of the enemy. They had in their midst some who were holding to the enemy’s teaching — the teaching of Balaam and the teaching of the Nicolaitans (2:14-15). While the church stood fast against the culture without, that had already allowed the culture to enter within as they tolerated idolatry and sexual immorality within the church. While they resolved not to waver in what they believed, it seems they were okay with compromising how they behaved. Not in the world, maybe, but acting way too much like the world.

So Jesus says to the church, “Repent, or else.” And it’s the “or else” I’m chewing on this morning.

“So repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of My mouth.”

(Revelation 2:16 CSB)

I will come to you quickly. Sounds like a good thing, right? Even so, come Lord Jesus! But remember the context, this is the “or else” part of the command to “repent.” This coming is not His coming again, but carries the sense of His coming against. S-T . . . those two letters make a world of difference! While we all want the Lord Jesus to come again, which of us wants Him to come against? Not this guy!

While the battle is the Lord’s, while it is His power which will ensure the fulfillment of His promise that “the gates of hell will not prevail” against His church (Mt. 16:18), His expectation is still that the church will “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). That she will “hold on” to the “pattern of sound teaching” she had received (2Tim. 1:13) and that she will watch out for those who preach contrary to sound doctrine (Rom. 16:17). That she will live in a manner worthy of the gospel (Php. 1:27), being holy as her Redeemer is holy (1Pet. 1:15). If she’s not doing that, then, says Jesus, “I have few things against you. Repent.”

The leaven of Balaam will be expelled, the tares of the Nicolaitans will be uprooted, the only question is whether the church will faithfully fight that fight until Jesus comes again, or whether Jesus will need to come against the church in the meantime and deal with false teaching and faithless living Himself.

The battle is the Lord’s. For sure!

We are to be on the front lines. Equally for sure!

By His grace. For His glory.