Revelation 2:12-17 The Letter to Pergamum 12 “Write to the angel of the church in Pergamum: “The One who has the sharp, double-edged sword says: 13 I know where you live—where Satan’s throne is! And you are holding on to My name and did not deny your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas, My faithful witness who was killed among you, where Satan lives. 14 But I have a few things against you. You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block in front of the Israelites: to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. 15 In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it. pas·sive pasiv/ adjective
In this day and age tolerance and acceptance are often spoken of, even demanded in some places in the name of diversity. Whether it's your school or the work place, everyone is effected to a certain degree. Mikki, who is a high school teacher, has had to endure gender diversity training which wasn't just informative it was mandatory and more a class on acceptance. As believers we sometimes think that loving our neighbor means letting them be, but the Bible tells us that part of loving our neighbor means calling their sin what it is. God instructed Moses to tell His people, "Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke (confront) your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." Leviticus 9:17,18 The church in Pergamum was not quite the polar opposite of the Church of Ephesus but they were, as the title says, The Passive church. Jesus said to the church in Ephesus ... "you cannot tolerate evil." and "You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." Yet to the church in our passage today He says... "You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block in front of the Israelites: to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. 15 In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans." Balak would not curse the people of God but he did put them in a place where they were bound to sin. The church in Pergamum was allowing the church in Ephesus would not- the teachings of the Nicolaitans. The Nicolaitans are mentioned only twice in the whole Bible. The only thing we do know about is their name which literally means conquerors of men. Jesus did have some positive things said about them. They lived in a toughest of places, permeated by Greek god worship, yet they stayed faithful to His name and did not deny Him even when they knew it would get worse for them. It is not enough for us to be a nice church, if we are to be a loving church that means we have to lovingly call people out and call sin what it is. This way we will not be putting people in a place where they are bound to sin like Balak. Always remember to speak the truth in love because we are all sinners in need of the Savior. We are beggars telling beggars where we found free bread. Have great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good!
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