LEARNING DAILY

 

Revelation 2:13-14, “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is.  And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.  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.”  Jesus

 

Revelation 2:16, Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.”  Jesus

 

Compromise!  Are there signs of compromise in the churches today?  Absolutely!  The church at Pergamos represents any church that believes it must look like the world to get people through the doors.  It is any Christian that walks as close as he can to the line that separates the Christian life from the worldly life.  It is trying to walk with one foot on the “broad way that leads to destruction and one foot on the narrow way that leads to God’s kingdom and eternal life with Him.”  Read Revelation 2:12-17.  Notice that Jesus introduces Himself as the One “who has the two-edge sword”.  Jesus is talking to a church that is facing judgment because of compromise.

 

The people of Pergamos faced great challenges from the pagan or nonbelievers that were around them.  Yet many had remained faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ; they had not denied His name even when a faithful witness, Antipas, was killed in their city.  

 

Obviously, the church was not perfect.  There were those who held the doctrine of Balaam which comes from Numbers 22-29.  Basically, the doctrine said “if you cannot curse them, corrupt them” (David Jeremiah) or get them to compromise on what God’s Word taught (religious compromise).  The Lord also stated there were those who followed the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which was about committing sexual immorality (moral compromise). 

 

Let me share a list of things that happened as a result of the compromise in the church at Pergamos.  This list was compiled from a study on the seven churches of revelation by David Jeremiah.  Pagan temples became churches.  Pagan holidays became Christian holidays.  Pagan priests slipped into positions of Christian influence.  The world entered into the church with the blessing of the emperor.  This was the beginning of the Roman Catholic Church.

 

The Lord Jesus Christ said to repent.  He desires purity from His followers and that false teachers be removed from the church.  If not, He is going to come and remove them; that was His promise to the church at Pergamos.  That is His desire from His Church today and what He is going to do at His Second coming!

 

 Here is the warning to us today.  Never bow your knee to anyone but the Lord Jesus Christ; never compromise your faith!  As Christians, we are facing greater challenges to our faith as the end of times approach.  Jesus’ promise to those who overcome is eternal life with Him!  Be an overcomer!  Do not compromise with what the world is offering you.  The reward is far greater than anything the world has to offer.

 

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