Based on Revelation 2:12-17 (New King James Version)
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: ‘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. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. ‘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.’’”
Someone once said, “It doesn’t matter how you start, it’s how you finish that counts.” There is a general misunderstanding in many believers, that all that matters is just coming to Christ, and everything else is done and taken care of. That’s not entirely accurate. If that were the case, then we would have to ignore many passages throughout the Bible, particularly the New Testament. Why would God insist then that we have to pray for wisdom? Why would we be encouraged to study the Bible? Why be careful with anything? After all, if everything is set after accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior, why do anything else?
There is something that is crucial to understand. The Word of God is infallible, and it can never contradict itself. If it did, then we could not trust it. The answer is that it does not contradict itself. So if a teaching or doctrine goes against other passages in Scripture, then it should be discarded, or understood as incomplete. When a spiritual concept agrees with various parts of Scripture, then you have a solid and sound teaching. The answer is, though a person has come to Christ, and has been born again through Him, that is only the beginning. Now there is a path set before them where they have to make the decision of either following it or not. As a matter of fact, that is why there is even greater punishment for those that have been exposed to the Truth of God and turn away; because they have more than what is necessary to walk the Way, triumph over the weaknesses of their flesh, and do awesome things for the glory of God. A person, through Christ, gains a new beginning, and full access and understanding to the Word of God through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, as a person studies and applies the Word of God to their life, begins to equip them for every single experience they can encounter in their walk with the Lord. And of course, the Word of God says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31b. So what is happening with so many people that say that they believe in God?
One problem is that there is compromise in their relationship with God (because everything is still dependent on choice, even after coming to Christ). Some people may have called Jesus the Lord of their life, but that may not be a reality. Something else is running things in their life. In today’s passage, God warns through His angel a church (not unbelievers), and about how they have compromised their faith. They have allowed for themselves to be influenced, and they are warned that they must change their ways and overcome (it’s not all determined yet in each of our lives). People have to let God take full control of their lives, by letting go of the sin that still influences them. Each day that goes by, there must be a surrender and a letting go of that very thing that produces death.
In today’s passage, one of the compromises is related to loving more money and the things that come along with it, then remaining faithful to God, despite the environment that might surround them. We see that through the doctrine of Balaam, a prophet who allowed himself to be seduced by Balak (King of the Moabites) to curse the people of God for own personal gain and benefit, and by being weak before a person in a position of power. God was not in charge of this prophet’s life. Fear and greed was, and it nearly cost him his life. It is not very different today. Many believers unfortunately think more about the material world and not having any issues with the people that surround them then about God. Many people would rather “keep the peace” with their family, friends, co-workers, etc. and compromise their relationship with God, then stand their ground. People give into the various lifestyles and allow to be influenced by Satan in their own lives. So, they not only live in close proximity to evil, but begin absorbing and adopting what everyone else is doing because they want to fit in. They don’t want to stand out.
The other issue is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, those people who consider themselves religious leaders and impose their will upon the weak, lording over them, while intermingling the Word of God with carnal and human concepts. As opposed to teaching the “pure” Word of God, or a “sound doctrine”, they impose a muddled up gospel that is intertwined with things that don’t belong to God. They are usually people that exercise some sort of perceived power over those that are weaker, similar to the Pharisees. The Pharisees were the religious authorities of Jesus’ time where they would cast people out of the synagogues because they didn’t follow what they said, teaching human rules like if they were teaching God’s commandments. The Lord was very clear with keeping things straight as we read this: “And He said to them, ‘Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’” Matthew 22:21.
So, we should fear more God than man. We should be more zealous for the things of God than giving into sin that can still destroy us, if we allow it to. For It is also written: “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31.
So, are you compromising your relationship with God? Lord bless! John