Contra

Jesus has just given an incredible commendation to this faithful church. A church unlike the ones we see here in our Western world. This church of Pergamos seems more like a church existing in the Middle East today. They know sacrifice like no other. They know martyrdom. They know how essential church really is. As with all of these seven churches, this one has it’s share of problems too. But don’t we all? If there was a perfect church then it wouldn’t have you and me in it. So there is no perfect church until we arrive around the throne in Heaven. For now, we ought to take what Jesus says here to Pergamos as critical information. Information to act upon immediately. In fact, we must see it as a command to change now. 

Jesus continues in Revelation 2 with verse 14— “But I have a few things against thee…” He is contra to this church in a couple of areas. If there was one thing then that’s one thing, but when someone says “a few things”, then we are in a whole other sphere. Let’s tackle them one by one. 

First, “…because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam…” This is not a good comparison at all! If you know the story, then you know the sting of that indictment. This one should hurt. They have some people in their church leading others the same way Balaam led. This is to be handled, and handled now. Today though, false doctrine is rampant and yet no one stands in the way of it, much less challenging the error with truth. Especially if it’s done so with subtlety and guile. This is exactly the case. Balaam’s story stretches in the Book of Numbers from chapters 22-24. Contrary to what you may be thinking, Balaam was not a false prophet, but a wicked one. He was a prophet for hire, but knew that no real power or cursing could work unless God did it. So he would ask God and God would tell him to do the opposite, upsetting Balac. It was a mess. Eventually Balaam found a way to appease Balac the Moabite king and get his reward. He told him to put his women in front of the Israelite men in such a way they would fall for it and do things they ought not do. In this case it was to eat things sacrificed to idols, while being transfixed in the arms of a women. They committed fornication twice; once with the women they were with, and secondly against God whom they swore their allegiance too. Notice the rest of verse 14— “…who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.” A Balaam like character in churches would be one who causes someone else to stumble and/or sin. This is a person who encourages the fringe and the ‘permissible’. They do not see a problem with doing this or that, and ‘oh by the way… you can too’. So I wonder if the same spirit of Balaam is in our midst as it was in Pergamos?

Secondly, “So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.” (verse 15). Here is the other of the “few things” Jesus has “against them”. When Jesus is “against” you, shouldn’t you be at least a little fearful? Do we forget who we are dealing with? I believe we have. Focusing on the “Nicolaitanes” in particular, He says that some “…hold the doctrine of…” There are people in the church who “hold” this doctrine or ‘system of teaching’. To “hold” means ‘to not discard or let go of; to keep carefully and faithfully’. They have no intention of letting this go. They have no intention of being swayed. This is their belief and they are not going to discard it. In other words, people in the church knew what these people believed and they let it go. What exactly? What was this teaching that everyone thought it ok to just let them be? The doctrine of the “Nicolaitanes” is one we have to take some time with because it is prevalent today. In fact, me addressing it will make me out to be a fundamentalist. Well, do as you must. But the history of the Nicolaitanes is in Jesus’ own words, something He “hates”. Clement of Alexandria (150–215 AD) said— “They abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats, leading a life of self-indulgence.” Their teaching perverted grace and replaced liberty with license. This is the same cheap and fast so-called ‘grace’ talk that permeates our churches today. It is believed by some commentators that this heretical sect followed the teachings of Nicolas, who was one of the deacons of the Jerusalem church mentioned in Acts 6.5. That is a sad betrayal if it’s true. Whichever origin it is, it’s certain that the “deeds of the Nicolaitanes” were an abomination to Christ. They abused, as those today do, the doctrine of grace (2 Peter 2.15,19; Jude 1.4). With great success today they have decimated the true meaning of grace and substituted it with license to do whatever makes your flesh feel better. We know that the scripture is clear concerning the consumption of alcohol. Yet people have encouraged others to be permissive as they are with something God says is a prohibition. Meanwhile brethren who are recovering from their own struggles with this are being stumbled by their very church family members under the guise of ‘liberty’. When God says “no”, leave it to other ‘spiritual’ people to twist the Word of God into something that takes the pressure off of you doing what you ought not to do. Watch out for this. It’s the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes and Jesus hates it! 

What does Jesus tell the whole church?— “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth” (verse 16). Those who are practicing and participating, are in a world of hurt. But wait! The letter is to the church not just those participating. If you know it’s happening, you must take a stand for Christ…now. Everyone. This, as with all of these letters, is provable in verse 17 again— “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches…” It is every member’s responsibility to raise a concern about what Jesus hates. There is no time to waste. 

Jesus then tells us about those who do succeed in dealing with these issues plaguing their church and perhaps ours— “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” An “overcomer” is what we want beloved friends. Not bound by these false notions and permissive sins. You get a few rewards for this. One is to “eat of the hidden manna”. This is in direct opposition to those who are eating meats offered to idols in this satanic world. It’s an offer to be fed by God rather than rioting with sinners. it is an offer to receive “a white stone” from Jesus as a gift. In the first century Pergamos, a winner in the games received a white stone as admission to a winner’s celebration after the awards ceremony. It’s a ticket into a celebration for those who overcome. Are you actively chasing Jesus and His will? Are you an overcomer? Last, but certainly not least, is the name on the stone. The name is a “new name” for those who overcome. It’s a name that only you and God knows; a personal message of love. It is so personal that only you know it. 

This begs the question— Why would anyone trade that kind of love and acceptance, to impress and feel connected to a temporary sinful crowd? Don’t sell out. Don’t quit when the finish line is so close. Overcome. Pick a side. Make a choice. I chose Jesus and His gifts of victory. What do you chose?