Rev 2:12-13 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos
write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: “I know your
works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My
name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My
faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells."
Our Lord reminded
the church that He has the sharp two-edged sword, a symbolic representation of
the word of God. The sword is a weapon that can protect and help believers in
overcoming deceptions and attacks. Our lives will be transformed into His
likeness in the process.
Despite dwelling in the midst of demonic strongholds and persecutions, the church remained steadfast in their believe and in doing good works. Even the martyr of Antipas could not dim their staunch faith.
Doctrine of Balaam
Rev 2:14 "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."
Balaam who was a diviner was called upon by Balak, the king of Moab to place a malediction on the Israelites. Knowing that the Israelites were invincible because they were the people of God, Balaam told King Balak to connive a shady deal by giving their daughters for marriage with the Israelites. The Israelites began to worship Moabite's gods, eat food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Their sinful behaviour irked God to the extent of bringing death by plague upon themselves.
Heresies of the
Nicolaitans
Rev 2:15-16 Thus
you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I
hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them
with the sword of My mouth.
The doctrine of Nicolaitans is liberal with no distinction between biblical truths and paganism. Just as the rebellious Israelites in Moab who compromised idolatry, Nicolaitans are no different. Their open minded teachings lead Christians into worldliness, self gratification and sinful living. They propagate the false belief of 'once saved always saved', prosperity gospel, secret rapture and keeping of Jewish traditions and laws.
Doctrines of demons
I Tim 4:1-2 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter
times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in
hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
If you refuse to
repent from heresies or doctrines of demons, you have antagonized the Lord who
will turn against you with His sword - the word of God.
Rev 2:17 “He who
has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who
overcomes I will give some of 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 him
who receives it. ”
Heretics who teach
distorted truth are popular among carnal men because what they said are
pleasing to the ears, leading many astray.
Nonetheless,
believers who held on to sound doctrine will be rewarded with the food of
angels and be given an exclusively classified new name embossed on a white
stone for overcoming Satan's stones which are destructive heresies.
Mat 4:3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said,
“If You are the Son of God, command that these
stones become bread.”