THE COMPLAINT - Revelation 2:14-15

Revelation 2:14-15

THE COMPLAINT

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 (2:14).

Doctrine of Balaam – The story of Balaam (Not of the people), a notorious Old Testament prophet for hire, is found in Numbers 22-25. He tried to curse Israel unsuccessfully three times, and when that plan did not work, he plotted to use Moabite women to lure the Israelites into sexual immorality and idolatry. God intervened and severely chastened Israel, executing 24, 000, people (Numbers 25:9).

Like the Israelites who were seduced by Balaam’s false teaching, some in the church at Pergamum were lured to mix with the pagan system (Jude 10-11). Peter rebuked the Balaamites in 2 Peter 2:15-16. They believed one could attend pagan feasts with all their debauchery and sexual immorality, and still join the church to worship Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). The only time Christians have the unlimited power of the Holy Spirit at their disposal is when they are obedient to the will of God.

Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate (2:15).

Nicolaitans - Derived from two Greek words, (νικάω nikáō, Gk) meaning “to conquer, overthrow” and (λαός laós, Gk) meaning “the people, laity.” In the early days of the church the followers of Nicolai held two serious heretical views: They practiced sensuality by completely separating one’s spiritual and physical nature, thus giving them license to sin. In the second heretical view they also tried to establish an ecclesiastical order, which is known as “Nicolaitanism.” The second heresy reveals the Nicolaitans as the forerunners of the clerical hierarchy (bishops, archbishops, cardinals, and popes) superimposed upon the laity (pastors, teachers, evangelists) and robbing them of spiritual freedom. This is an unscriptural idea, which causes the local church to become enslaved by one man or a small group of men whose spiritual life can determine the spiritual success of the church. It is a most dangerous principle, since every human being is dependent on an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ to maintain their spiritual growth and vitality. Another evil of this practice is that it causes the local church to look to human beings for the solution to their problems rather than to the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus said that He would send the Holy Spirit, who “will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).What in Ephesus was “deeds” (Revelation 2:6) had become in Pergamos a “doctrine.” This teaching has ruined more churches and denominations than any other.