Revelation 2:12-17
The
Text
Rev 2:14 "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
Rev 2:15 "Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Rev 2:16 'Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
Rev 2:17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." '
Pray
Intro
√ Format of the letter
In our study last week we found that the church of Pergamos was commended by Jesus for their faithful witness in times past.
However, in spite of these many things which Jesus found to applaud at Pergamos, all was not well within the church. Thus, it is remembered as…
"the compromising church."
In our study this morning we’ll pick up the Lord’s thoughts regarding this church as we look at His…
Exhortation, correction & warning
Instruction
Promise
Bear in mind that that while the Lord has a strong rebuke for this church…
…it is because He loves the believers there that He takes the time to address the problems in their life.
Ap. Correction & discipline in our lives
Heb. 12:5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
Heb. 12:6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”
When you experience the Lord’s discipline – don’t resist it! Rather, receive it and make the changes that He requires. Remember that the motive for His discipline is love.
Exhortation, correction & warning (vs. 14-15)
Rev 2:14 "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
Rev 2:15 "Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Jesus takes note of two things which He will not tolerate in His Church…
Doctrine of Balaam
Doctrine of the Nicolaitans
Doctrine simply means = teaching, or instruction.
So, we understand then that there were people within the church at Pergamos who believed and taught things that were contrary to the doctrine of Christ.
The question of course that we want to ask is…
“what is the doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans?”
…that we might be sure that we do not teach or believe these things which Jesus hates!
√ The doctrine of Balaam
Jesus makes it pretty clear in vs. 14…
“who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.”
The story is from Num. 22-25; cursing Israel didn’t work so Balaam taught Balak how he could destroy God’s people by seducing into sexual immorality.
In that way the children of Israel would be reduced to the immoral worship of their false gods.
Num. 31 records the results of his counsel...
Num 31:15 And Moses said to them: "Have you kept all the women alive?
Num 31:16 "Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.
24,000 men of Israel died in one day as a result of their sin!
So the issue which Jesus had with some in the church in Pergamos was that they were involved in, and teaching others to participate in sexual immorality.
√ Sexual immorality defined
Many people today would like us to believe that there is no such thing as sexual immorality.
They suggest that two consenting adults can do whatever they want to and that no one has the right to label their behavior as “immoral”.
We really shouldn’t be surprised that those in the world would think this way. After all, they are spiritually dead and have nothing to guide their conduct except the lust of their flesh.
But, Christians should know better! Christians are spiritually alive and have both God’s Word and His Spirit to guide their conduct.
God’s Word clearly defines His plan for sex.
God’s Spirit bears witness to His plan.
Therefore, Christians should be surprised and alarmed when leaders in the Church begin teaching and promoting sexual expression that is contrary to God’s plan!
Ex. The Episcopal Church USA
They would be a modern day example of what Jesus condemned at the Church of Pergamos.
Ap. Guard yourself against sexual immorality – God takes it seriously, so should you!
1Th. 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;
1Th. 4:4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
1Th. 4:5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;
1Th. 4:6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.
Far too many Christians today treat God’s gift of sex with little or no regard to His Word.
From cover to cover the Bible holds up as a model for us God’s design for sexual expression – one man and one woman in marriage for life.
So, if someone comes to you in the Name God teaching something contrary to God’s design for sexual expression you know that they are teaching the “doctrine of Baalam”.
√ The doctrine of the Nicolaitans;
The exact teaching of this group is not known, though there is evidence to support the idea that this group was the first to introduce the idea of an elite priesthood in the church.
The name Nicolaitans means = "conquering the people".
They conquered the people by placing themselves in the unbiblical role of God’s sole dispenser of Grace.
Thus, creating a separation in the Body of Christ between the leaders of the church and the people.
Boosting the priest, or pastor to an unbiblical position of authority and robbing the people of their spiritual rights.
The result is that they could then control the people using fear.
Ex. Teaching which requires people to come to the priest/pastor for…
Salvation
Forgiveness
Communion
…whether it be Roman Catholic doctrine, or heavy handed Protestant legalism.
In contrast to this false doctrine we find that Jesus taught a personal relationship with Him as the One High Priest through which we come to God.
Ap. Only One Mediator
1Ti 2:5 For there is one
God and one Mediator between God and men, the
Man Christ Jesus,
Remember, when Jesus ministered on earth His strongest rebuke was held for the religious leaders who controlled His people through the wrong use of their spiritual authority.
Now, we find this same false doctrine in His Church.
√ The Lord’s response
Whatever the exact teaching was it is very important to note the Lord's response vs. 15...
"Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”
He hated it! And, He commended the church of Ephesus for also hating it! (Rev. 2:6).
Reminds us that true love for God involves a fervent hate of evil and anything that would distort or pollute the purity of God's Word.
But, please note…
…Jesus hates the doctrine, not the people teaching it.
Reminds us that we are called to love the sinner, while hating the sin.
Ex. I hate the cults - I get angry just driving by their buildings because I know that they are leading people straight into hell!
Some people would suggest that we shouldn’t point out the false doctrines the cults teach.
That to do so is somehow not appropriate because we might offend someone who believes and teaches these things.
Or that I shouldn’t mention the cult or false teaching by name from the pulpit because someone from that group just might be visiting!
Yet, may I point out that Jesus Himself is the author of this letter and that He told John to have it read aloud to those in Pergamos who taught it!
Therefore, as a minister of Jesus Christ you and I have the God-given responsibility and duty to faithfully communicate God’s Word…
…to those teach false doctrine.
Ap. People have a right to know the Truth!
They may…
Not like it
Reject it
Hate hearing it
…but they have a right to know the Truth and Jesus has given us the responsibility to communicate it!
Ex. You and me before we came to Christ
I didn’t like hearing the truth about my…
Lifestyle
Behavior
Thoughts about life
…and yet, I am forever grateful to those who were faithful to do what Jesus told them to do and tell me the Truth!
Aren’t you glad someone told you the Truth!?
So, Jesus warned the Church in Pergamos to clean house and rid themselves of these false doctrines.
Instruction (vs. 16)
Rev 2:16 'Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
√ Instruction
A sober warning - Jesus warns them that He will come with divine judgement against His own church…
…unless they repent of the false doctrines and the compromise they had become entwined in.
Reveals just how serious Jesus is about compromise.
That is, He will accept nothing less of His people than purity and a whole heart devoted to Him.
Unfortunately the history of the church is one filled with great apostasy through compromise with the world.
Ex. The “Church” of our day
Look at the behavior and the attitude of the so-called Christian Church in our own day. In many circles there is no distinction at all between those in the world and those in the Church!
Attitude and behavior toward…
Sex and marriage
Money and possessions
Holy and unholy
Choice of entertainment
Jesus’ warning to the church in Pergamos ought to shake us all out of our complacency and any compromise in our life. Especially in view of the judgement recorded in Revelation 17.
Where we find Jesus judging the apostate church of the End Times.
So, Jesus calls the Church in Pergamos and all His people to purify themselves of all that He hates.
Promise (vs. 17)
Rev 2:17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." '
√ Promise
"He who has an ear, let him Hear..."
Note that Jesus repeats Himself seven times. Remember when He would say…
"verily, verily" – KJV
“Truly, truly” – NKJV
Or as we like to say here in the South…
“Shew enuf, show enuf” – ASV
That meant folks were to pay extra special attention.
How much more when He repeats it seven times? Obviously He wants us to get the message!
√ Three-fold promise given....
Hidden manna to eat; in John 6...
Joh 6:51 "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."
Jesus promises intimate communion with all who overcome.
White stone; in the courts of law a white stone = acquittal, while a black stone = guilt.
Those who overcome will be found "guiltless" in Christ and be able to enter in to His eternal kingdom.
New name; perhaps like Peter, who received a new name when he came to Christ. Or a special sign of His unique love for each of us.
Ex. Nick names for those we love
Symbolic of our enrollment in heaven.
Close
√ Compromise
We’ve learned that Jesus takes compromise very seriously! He calls His people, you and me, to keep ourselves pure with regard to…
The Truth
Our representation of Him – in our conduct & in our speech
Why does He take it so seriously?
Because compromise weakens our testimony and a weak testimony cannot light the path of salvation for the sinner to follow.
√ He loves you!
So, He takes time to correct us.
Gives us time to repent.
Promises great reward to those who heed His warning.