LEARNING DAILY

Revelation 2:14-16, 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. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

God is serious about compromising His Word, your faith, with any other philosophy of man or philosophy of the world. Read then entire passage written to the church at Pergamum. Several things were causing people in this church to live contrary to the Word of God. The church existed on a stronghold of Satan. Verse 13 states Satan had his throne in Pergamum; this may have been the altar of Zeus where the people worshipped Zeus. The people also worshipped the Roman emperor, Dionysius – the god of wine and vegetation, Athena – the goddess of Athens, and Asklepios – the god of healing. False worship and worshipping Christ at the same time did not work.

 Some people of the church followed those who taught it was okay to marry outside of the faith and worship idols (the doctrine of Baalam). Others (the Nicolaitans) taught there were no moral laws or restrictions for Believers; this teaching included sexual sins and idolatry. In this message to the church at Pergamum was to repent. If they did not, he would come quickly or suddenly and fight against the unrepentant members. God does not tolerate Believers who try to incorporate biblical teaching with corrupt doctrine or teaching and immoral living.

The world is teaching that it is okay to live anyway one wants to live. Children are being taught that immoral behavior is okay. Christian teachers are being fired when refusing to read books about gay and lesbian lifestyles; they are being fired for standing up for biblical teaching and truth. God is warning Believers today about compromise with the sinful practices being pushed upon them in every form of media, entertainment, and even in churches. Believers stay true to biblical values and beliefs. Temptations and distractions are being forced upon you, do not fall for the traps being set. Do not fall to justifying this or overlooking sinful behavior. Stay strong! Be in and stay in God’s Word! Be obedient to it! Repent when necessary; repentance is crucial – Jesus emphasized the need to acknowledge sin, seek forgiveness, and turn from it.

This is a letter of encouragement and guidance for Believers who were surrounded by the influences that were all around them. Believers must hold fast to Christ and His Word. Stay rooted in biblical values and faith when tempted. Seek God’s strength and direction in prayer when being pulled to follow wrong directions. Read and study God’s Word to gain an understanding of what He wants you to do, then apply it to your situation. Identify distractions that are trying to pull you away from biblical teaching and belief. It is so important for every Believer to prioritize your faith and leave everything behind that is trying to influence you to stray from the narrow way. The promise for doing so is eternal life, the approval given by the Lord Jesus Christ. To live with Him forever – what a celebration that will be!