TEXT: REVELATION 2:12-17
- The Condemnation Of The Doctrine Of Balaam. Revelation 2:14
This is Christ condemning the doctrines of Balaam. Some people only want to be positive preachers/pastors, they never want to mention negative things even if there is darkness and occultism festering in their churches. But our Lord Jesus mentioned and condemned the doctrine of Balaam. These people teaching this doctrine have forgotten all that they learned and were busy putting stumbling blocks on the way of others.
For example, I used to be a teacher and if I am called to come and teach those things I taught before, I cannot because I have not taught them in a long while. Out of sight is out of mind. Out of mind is out of brain. If you are not a teacher but you remember the maiden name of a sister but you have not seen her in a long time, and now she has been married for ten or twenty years. If someone asks you about the sister’s maiden name, you will not remember because you have not made use of the name for a long time.
If someone is a child of God called into ministry and has not had contact with false doctrines for ten, twenty years, how can he now teach what he has forgotten? Some people do not forget the doctrines of Balaam and those things they used to do: the works of the flesh, fornication and idolatrous ideas. If you have not been conversant with it, it will not be easy for you to practice and influence others. These people are backslidden and all they do was to mislead others. The Lord condemns such things because they will lead others astray.
- His Contempt For The Deeds Of Backsliders. Revelation 2:15
If you knew this pastor in Pergamos, you will pity him. He tried his best building up people, encouraging them, even sharing palliatives to help them but unfortunately, he was labouring for the wind and all he was doing were wasted because there were other people in the church preaching something else to counter the true words of life he was preaching.
My brother, are you a preacher, evangelist, pastor, and you are everywhere, too busy and full of activities that you are not able to check your congregation very well to see what is going on with them? Why not stop for a moment to look at what Christ is saying. Christ has confirmed their condemnation by saying He would destroy them. In an environment where such things are happening today, there ought to be repentance so that you look at the damage and havoc which the Nicolaitanes have done in the church. Then counsel and reverse all the effects of their teachings and doctrines on the people.
- Conformation Of Their Damnation With Burning. Revelation 2:16
It is very important for pastors to stop and take time to deal with the issue of the false doctrine in the church.
Maybe you are just a member, the Lord wants you to be a standing member who is committed to the words of Jesus Christ. If you see yourself as a blatant sinner, you must repent. If there is no repentance, there is going to be a fiery indignation and judgment at the end (Hebrews 9:27) Judgment is coming and no sinner will be spared (ch 10:27-31) The Lord will judge all those who contradict the doctrines of Christ and teach what He hates. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
- THE CONSECRATION AND COURAGE OF PREVAILING CHRISTIANS. Revelation 2:13
Those who prevail are those who say no matter what others do, I must stand firm. Those who say “Others may, I will not, I cannot, I must not”,
In conclusion, the Lord is telling the church, and the spirit of God is telling everyone who is hearing:
- The Praise For Courageous Heroes. Revelation 2:13
Even though satanic and Emperor worship was there, Antipas held on to the name of Christ. He was eventually martyred. He stood with his shoulders square and head up and maintained his stand in spite of all the corruption around him, just like a white lily growing in the mud, yet remained white and holy.
This reminds us of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who would not bow to the graven image despite the danger of burning in the fiery furnace. Also of Daniel who defied the order of not praying to God, but prayed all the same. How about Paul the apostle that would always stand on the word of God, or Peter and the other apostles who stood up to the rulers who commanded them to not preach in the name of Jesus. They said they would rather obey God than man (Hebrews 11:27) Moses fled and left Egypt, not fearing the wrath, brutality and sword of the king. He endured as seeing Him who is invisible.
Those are the heroes. The Lord wants you to be a hero too. If you cannot be an hero in the army, politics and sports, you can be an hero for the Lord, not compromising whatever wind blows or the challenges around you. The grace and power of God can make an hero out of you.
- The Practice Of Commendable Hearers. Revelation 2:17
The people who hear are those who when they are coming to the presence of the Lord, they pray that He would speak to them so that they will know whatever needs to be adjusted in their faith or spiritual life, people who want to make repairs where they have been negligent, people who want to do everything right (Mark 4:23-24).
