What do words and swords have in common? Both cut, and according to the Bible,, both apply to Jesus.
In Rev 2:12 Jesus introduces himself in the letter to the church in Pergamum by saying, “These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.” He finishes the letter by saying, “Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them (the ones who follow false teaching) with the sword of my mouth”
The sword of Jesus’ mouth is a metaphor for how his words will cut, strike down, and conquer. But it is also not a metaphor because Jesus’ words will literally cut. Jesus’ words have power. God, afterall, spoke the world into existence (Gen 1). Jesus is the Word (John 1), and the Word of God is a sharp double-edged sword (Heb 4:12), and is the Sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17).
Later in Revelation Jesus is portrayed as the conquering King who single handedly (or single tongue swordedly in his case) destroys the armies of the earth aligned against him. Rev 19:11-21 paints this powerful proclamation.
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
king of kings and lord of lords.
Align yourself with the conquering King and let his words penetrate, “even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow,” and let them, “judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.
Pastor John Riley