◼︎ False teaching had compromised the church at Pergamum, and Christ was calling them to repent!

• (Revelation 2:14-15) But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
• “Some there who hold the teaching of Balaam … also some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.”

They are several theories as to what the false teaching of Balaam was but none really seem to be conclusive. And this is even more true concerning the false teaching of the Nicolaitans. So a good course of action would be to focus on what we do know.

◼︎ What we do know!

• One: False teaching is sin and tolerating false teaching is sin. Compromising the teaching of God’s word is always sin. Christ calls them to repent of their sin and confronts them with the gravity of their situation. They had better hear his words now as he stands before them with his double-edged sword.
• Two: As humans, our tendency is often to rationalize, especially in an attempt to avoid confrontation, especially in the church it seems. But “turning a blind eye” to any form of false teaching dishonors God and his word of truth.
• Three: God gives us windows of grace, windows of opportunity to make the right choice. But he will bring us to a moment of decision. For the church at Pergamum that time was now. God has recognized their faithfulness and loyalty but now is the time to deal with the false teachers if they are to remain faithful and loyal.
• Four: The people in the church at Pergamum were in imminent danger of a war with Jesus Christ.
• Five: This is a common challenge for the Church in all ages. Why do I say that? Because we are given this for an example and a warning. Our Lord specifically chose these seven churches in Revelation 2-3 for us to learn from.
• Six: Wonderful rewards come to the one who overcomes. One being, secret food—hidden manna. See John 4:32 for a possible hint.

• The church in every era has difficulty in dealing with heresy and immorality. A portion of the reason for this can even be remotely construed as noble. Often the church does not want to deal with those problems because most people in the church are very much aware of their own sinfulness and cite passages such as the instruction of Jesus “to take the plank out of your own eye” before you attempt to “remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:4). Who are we to sit in judgment on another? Furthermore, invariably dealing with either heresy or immorality in the church never wins friends, introducing as it does a measure of confrontation, conflict, and uncertainty into the life of the congregation. This may well have been exactly the case at Pergamum. Therefore, John characterizes the teaching and practices of these people as being that of Balaam and argues that the church must take action if it wishes to be the recipient of the blessings of God. [Patterson, P. (2012). Revelation. (E. R. Clendenen, Ed.) (Vol. 39, p. 106). Nashville, TN: B&H.]

Message Title: “Pergamum: The Faithful but Compromised Church!”

Message Text: Revelation 2:12-17

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