The Church of Pergamum..The Compromising Church

Word from the Lord:   "The Next Move of God will be the restoration                of 'THE FEAR OF THE LORD'.   Amen.                       October, 2023                                                

   So far, in the Revelation messages, we have been learning about standards which Christ evaluates His church.  We can't lose sight of why this 'Refiner's Fire is so urgent and important.  I, for one, do not want to stand before the Lord and say, "Lord, I didn't know you felt that strongly about all these things.  I thought it would please you if I did all these things on my own Christian bucket list.  Aren't they wonderful?  Didn't I do such great things in Your name?

Scripture...Revelation 2: l2-l7...'To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write: 'He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things:  I know your works and where you live, where Satan's throne is.  Yet, you hold firmly to My name, in the days of Antipas, My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.  But, I have a few things against you.  You have there those who hold to the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.  So, you also have those who hold the teachings of the Nicolaitans.  Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will war against them with the sword of My mouth.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To him that overcomes, I will give the hidden manna to eat.  And, I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows except he who receives it.'

   Through this study of the Church of Pergamum, we will discuss when Christian's compromise, Christ's call to Personal Holiness, and the Dangers of the Compromised Christian.  In the evil out there in these End Times, it is easy to find ourselves as just another compromised Christian.

   What exactly is a compromised Christian?  The Bible tells us that believers are compromised when they no longer are distinctively Christ-like.  Believers in Pergamum had blended right into the activities of the world around them.  They became no longer Christ-like.  Believers in Pergamum had blended right into the activities, language, and habits of the lost world and the world's ways had replaced God in their actions, words, and deeds.  Jesus speaks that what was needed was for them to 'repent' of their such close friendship with the world's ways and return and draw near to God through love and devotion.

   Christ's second expectation of His church was that to please God as His children, they must separate themselves from sin.

  II Corinthians 6: l6-i8 says, 'And, what agreement has the Temple of God with idols?  For 'you' are the Temple of the Living God.  As God has said, "I will  dwell in them and walk among them.  I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  Therefore, 'Come out from among them (and be ye holy), and be separate says the Lord.  Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.  And, you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.  Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all the filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting 'holiness' in the fear of God.  And, at the end of this scripture, we see 'after this comes the 'High Calling'in Christ Jesus, the very life transforming desire to be in each of us.

   II Corinthians 56:17 says - 'Therefore' come out from among them.  And be separate, says the Lord:  Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you. vs.l8 I will be a Father to you.  And, you shall be My sons & daughters, says the Lord Almighty.  Therefore, having these promises, behold, let us cleanse ourselves from the filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting 'holiness' in the 'fear of God'.

   Paul reminds us that God always desires that we constantly repent of contamination by the world and draw near to Him.  The only way to be fruitful in our lives is to please God by separating from personal sins that defile our hearts, mind, and spirits against you."

   The first thing was that they had received Balaam's doctrine.  Balaam tried unsuccessfully to prostitute his prophetic gift and curse Israel for money offered him by Balak, King of Moab.  So, he devised a plot to have a Moabite woman seduce Israelite men into intermarriage compromising their separation on the Father alone.  The result was the blasphemous union of Israel with fornication and idolator's feasts.  Balaam's doctrine is still here today.  People actually say they are Christians and yet live in sexual sins such as harlotry or pornography, etc.

   Secondly, the Nicalaitans...Yes, self-made prophets, building ecclesiastical kingdoms of wealth and power are sadly still with us today.  How did 'work' your way to heaven doctrine happen?  Balaam joined and defiled the church and the Nicolaitans lorded it over them.  

   So, what is the lesson?  The Church of Pergamum lost their 'purity, their 'intimacy' and their 'nourishment'.  How?  Because they got too close to the world by mixing with them, marrying them, and loving their way of doing things over the commands of God.

   But, Hallelujah!, God offers a solution:  l)  If you have lost your Purity, Christ says, 'Come back and I'll give you my white stone.  Do you want Christ's purity?  Let him wash and cleanse you and make you pure, as white as snow.  2) If you have lost your Intimacy- Christ says, 'Come back and I'll give you a new name.  Do you want intimacy with Christ?  Let him truly start drawing you to spend more quality time with Him. 3)  If you lost your 'Nourishment' - Christ says, "Come back and I'll give you new ears, LISTEN. '  Come back and allow Christ to speak to you.  In His Word, Christ says, 'My sheep hear my voice and they follow me!'

   God's great desire is for us to repent and take our place by His side in this hour.  The only way to be truly fruitful is by separating ourselves from personal sins and awaken to the refreshing that has always been awaiting us in Christ Jesus.  

CLOSING PRAYER:   Lord, for centuries, you have forever been calling us to desire closeness with you.  We always assumed to be holy as you are holy is just unattainable in our lives.  But, through your grace, you lead us back, cleansing us, making us clean in action, word, and deed once more and how you are showing us your true heart concern the need of cleansing of the Body of Christ in these End Times.  May we be open to listen and humble ourselves before you and be willing to repent and take our place by your side.  Hallelujah and Thanks Be To God...Make us ready by your standards and not our own and so we be ready for your return in spirit, soul, and body.  AMEN.