The Church of Pergamum

The Church of Pergamum refers to the early Church that had its home in Pergamom, a wealthy city at the center of Roman government. It was a city known for it's beautiful art. But it was also known as a city that would worship pagan gods like Zeus, Athena and others who held strongholds in that area.

In fact, Jesus, through John's writings acknowledges that this church, was located where satan has his throne! Twice He points out that satan lives in the city.

To the Church of Pergamum, Jesus admits this - Revelation 2:12-17:

• I know where you live, and that Satan has his throne, yet you remain true to Me

• You do NOT renounce your faith in Me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-where Satan lives

However, Jesus points out that this church has allowed corruption into its temple. The title of this section of Revelation in my Bible is The Compromising Church.

Jesus, warns, BUT I have this against you:

• Some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.

• You also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

What is the teaching of Balaam? It seems that Balaam refers to the dangers of compromising true spiritual insight for greed, worldly gain and self destruction. According to the Book of Numbers, Balaam was a pagan prophet who genuinely heard from God but his heart was corrupted by greed, the love of money and status. He was trying to obey King Balak of Moab instead of God. Was he compromising faith in the one true God by trying to serve the king with ungodly intentions?

And what about the Nicolatians, what was the teaching held by them? It is believed these were folks who denied the true faith to follow the doctrine of Balaam. They perverted faith in Jesus to lead self-indulgent lives. They compromised their belief to take part in pagan feasts.

Church, do we compromise God given faith practices today to perform ungodly acts of worship? Where do we draw the lines in the sand?

As the enemy settles more and more into the life around me, I have to wonder about the compromises our churches of today make. What are the compromises we make? Are we turning a blind eye to the things that pollute the air around us? Are we stepping into political arenas to attempt to bring about change in our society? Are we giving up and throwing in the towel, as if to surrender to the evil that has bombarded us?

Where do you see negative changes that need to be addressed by one who has faith in their God, the One true God?

I have to wrestle with these questions daily. Change won't happen if we sit by idly watching evil enter our world, yet we do nothing.

Jesus calls us to; "Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."

"Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Everyone who is victorious will eat of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it." Revelation 2:17

The Lord calls us victorious when we keep His commands and stand for His principles. He promises that we will be fed manna that has been hidden away for each one who does not compromise. He promises us a white stone, engraved with our new name.

Church, we may live in this world, but we are not of this world. John 17:16

Dear Jesus, keep us free from compromise. Let us stand upon your statutes always. Let us believe in only You and let us be faithful to you. Keep us on the narrow path and guide us in all that we do. Let us not be found quilty of apathy and neglect. But call us to your principles of living. We surrender to You and Your ways. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.