Church in Pergamos
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 belief and in persisted 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 is 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.
True repentance comes with regret of past wrongs, which is followed by commitment to turn over a new leaf. The act of abiding in the word of Jesus and taking up the sword of His mouth will safeguard your salvation.
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 is 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."
