Compromise Where Satan Lives

Scripture: I know where you live—where Satan’s throne is. Yet 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 put to death among you, where Satan lives. 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. In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. So repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Revelation 2:13-16

Observation: The portion of this section directed to the church at Pergamum is very clear and direct. They live in a place overrun by the influences of Satan, yet to their credit they continue to declare their faith to Jesus. However, they have embraced compromise. The teaching of Balaam was one of compromise for the sake of practicality ... that the Israelites should eat food offered to idols because, after all, it is just cooked food, and the Israelites didn't participate in the sacrifice and worship. Meanwhile, the teaching of the Nicolaitans goes a step further, invoking the idea that there is no hard-and-fast morality for Christians since we are forgiven by faith for any and every act.

The end result of both of these teachings is that there are no truly forbidden acts for those who believe in the Lord and accept Jesus as Messiah. While there may be some level of morality necessary for a functional society, everything can be compromised so long as one holds onto their core faith. Jesus is clear to the church at Pergamum ... no, this is not correct. Repent! Otherwise, Jesus himself will fight against them with the "sword of my mouth", which is God's word.

Application: To the angel of the church in Rome ... to the angel of the church in Louisville ... to the angel of the church in Atlanta ... to each angel at every church in the denominations that have openly declared compromise with the word of God ... repent!

I do not want to see Jesus' Church requiring active correction from Jesus himself, and from the word of the Lord that they are ignoring. I want to see the Church as a light of both love and truth, able to declare both salvation by faith in Jesus, and joy by a relationship with the Lord.

Jesus knows where - and when - we live. He knows we live in the time of satan's authority over much of the world, and great influence through the culture he has corrupted. He knows we are holding onto his name, and not denying him as Messiah. But ... let's not hold to the teaching of Balaam and the Nicolaitans.

Prayer: Lord, Jesus, please correct your Church, and show us all how to repent. None of us want to fight you, for we do declare you as our Lord and savior, our Messiah and redeemer and protector. May we receive sound correction toward repentance in the areas we have compromised, and return to the full authority of your word. Amen.