Seven Churches…Church #3
The third church of Asia Minor to which the Apostle John wrote, was the church of Pergamum. While Jesus spoke of their faithfulness to Him in the midst of being in a very bad environment, there were still some things He had ought with:
13 I know where you live—where Satan sits enthroned, yet you still cling faithfully to the power of my name. You did not deny your faith in me even in the days of my faithful martyr Antipas who was executed in your city, where Satan lives.14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you. There are some among you who hold to the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to eat things that were sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Furthermore, you have some who hold to the doctrines of the Nicolaitans. 16 So repent, then, or I will come quickly to war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 But the one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is presently saying to all the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will let him feast on the hidden manna and give him a shining white stone. And written upon the white stone is inscribed his new name, known only to the one who receives it. Revelation 2:13-17 (TPT)
While the church at Pergamum seemed to hold fast to their faith in one instance, there were other areas that were undeniably sin according to the laws of God.. Embracing the teaching of Balaam with an inclination toward eating things offered to idols and practicing sexual immorality, they were violating the very essence of what God despises. Secondly, they held to the teachings of the Nicolatians, which followed the teaching of Balaam and tried to mix Christianity with it – to compromise. In other words," it’s alright to …………., God doesn’t care what you do with your body."
John is urging the church at Pergamum to repent – because God does not want a people who compromise with the world and its’ doctrines and culture. In fact the scripture goes on to say that "anyone who is victorious" – who overcomes these habits, acts, and desires, will enter into a secret place where God Himself will provide their food and God Himself will inscribe their names on a white stone.
The temptation to compromise with the culture is no less today than it was for the church at Pergamum. We are urged to participate in cultural nuances to "get along with", or to not be "over spiritual". Like the church at Pergamum we also live in cities where satan lives. His influence is widespread, and because we live and work among his emissaries, it is so easy to try to blend in with them.
T’he choice is ours to make, the reward or consequence for our behavior is not –
The sins of some people stand out and are well known. Yet there are others whose sins are not as obvious, but the truth of who they really are will eventually be seen and will bring them judgment. 1 Timothy 5;24 (TPT)
Maria