Revelation, The Church of Pergamos--Compromising with the Nicolaitans and Balaam.

Revelation 2; Romans 8:35; John 8:32

We are walking in today: Revelation, The Church of Pergamos--Compromising with the Nicolaitans and Balaam.

The Message to the Church of Pergamos

Paganism/religious--a religious spirit runs rapid. The Throne of satan is in Pergamos--they allowed pagan rituals, Resurrection Day--Easter bunny, Halloween, Christmas--santa and polity and government ruling presence in the church. Balaam & Nicolaitans--When Balaam counseled Balak, he taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel. The stumbling block was connected with idolatry (to eat things sacrificed to idols) and sexual immorality. If the church in Pergamos has those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, it shows they have tendencies towards both idolatry and immorality. Sexual immorality marked the whole culture of the ancient Roman Empire. It was simply taken for granted, and the person who lived by Biblical standards of purity was considered strange. To paraphrase the Roman statesman Cicero, cited in Barclay: “If there is anyone who thinks that young men should not be allowed the love of many women, he is extremely severe. I am not able to deny the principle he stands on. But he contradicts, not only with the freedom our age that allows such a thing, but also with the customs and allowances of our ancestors. When indeed was this not done? When did anyone find fault with it? When was such permission denied? When was it that what is now allowed was not allowed?” To keep from sexual immorality in that culture, you really had to swim against the current.
You also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans: In Revelation 2:6, Jesus praised the Ephesian Christians because they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans. But the Nicolaitans also have their doctrine, and some among the Christians held the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.
What is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans? The title Nico-laitans has the idea of a proud authority, and a hierarchical separatism. The name Nikao-laos literally means “to conquer the people.” God would not have us to be bound or controlled by men. He would not have us to be ignorant of satan's devices. According to ancient commentators, the Nicolaitans also approved of immorality. We must be aware of the leaven of the Pharasees--as Jesus warns in the book of Matthew 16 chapter. These non spiritual men made a public show with a form or humility with the purpose of only being seen of men. As Jesus teaches in Matthew 6 what these men did was for the people to take notice and view them as higher or more than they ought. That those who give and pray for show, receive their reward from men--they have nothing to receive from our Father in heaven. We are to be truly humble and sincere, really working and laboring before God's Almighty throne.
You have those there . . . you also have those: The rebuke is not only against those who hold the doctrines of Balaam and those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The rebuke is also against those in the church who allow them to continue, (you have there those . . . you have those).
The Christians of Pergamos were like the Christians of Corinth as Paul wrote to them in 1 Corinthians 5:1-9. They were too “tolerant” and “accepting” of false doctrines and immoral living, and Jesus had to rebuke them. Satan couldn’t accomplish much by persecution, because many did hold fast, like Antipas. So satan tried to accomplish his goals by using deception; first he used violence, then he used alliance.
Who were the NICOLAITANS? They wanted to conquer a people who were already free. Why did God HATE what they did and taught? "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, WHICH I ALSO HATE." (Revelation 2:6, NKJV) It is their deeds and doctrines, they develop your character. When our Lord Jesus Christ walked among men, He taught His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, whom He denounced as hypocrites. With them He classed the chief priests and officials of the temple, together with the recognized teachers, (scribes, or "professors", Ferrar Fenton Translation) in the synagogues. He declared they had so corrupted the truth of God, which they were supposed to preach, with the doctrines and ordinances of men, that the truth, as originally given, was no longer with them. That which these blind leaders of the blind were giving forth as truth of God was making their converts twofold more the children of hell than they were before accepting the schism by these corrupt teachers.
What is The Vanity of Church Leadership? (The Nicolaitans) Therefore, as a warning to those who were joining themselves to Him, the Lord said that these non-spiritual men made long prayers for a pretense, a public show which, while having a form of humility, was for the purpose only of being seen of men. What these men really loved were the highest seats in the synagogues; the uppermost rooms at the public feasts; the greetings they received in the market places from truly humble and sincere men, whom they hoped would esteem them as superiors, and who addressed them as "Rabbi, Rabbi," meaning "My master, My master": "Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: 'The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.'
"'For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by  but our Lord commanded: "But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren . . . And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. " (Matthew 23:8, 10-11)This was a double command for a double purpose: Do not allow men who are your brethren in Christ, and who compose the assembly of God, to call you Master, for One alone is your Master. Do not allow yourself to become possessed with such a carnal spirit that you want men who belong to the body of Christ to call you "Master."
What did Jesus teach about HYPOCRITICAL, self-centered leaders? (The Nicolaitans) Also, added to the carnal desire to be "uppermost" in the eyes of the Lord's people, these leaders were charged with extortion and accused of devouring the homes of widows, and of excess. Jesus accused them of being hypocrites who aspired to be regarded as dignitaries of the congregations of the Most High God. Such conditions as described exist only in the assemblies across whose ethical portals, before the God of Holiness, has been written the name, ICHABOD -- the glory of the Lord has departed. The word excess, as used above, means the carnal abuse of lawful things; things lawful and right carried to extremes. For it is true that there is a legal and God approved honor given to certain selected ones: "And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves." (1Thessalonians 5:12-13). "Let the elders who rule (guide, lead, preside) well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine." (1 Timothy 5:17).
What are the Deeds and Teachings of the Nicolaitans? In the book of Revelation it is both "the deeds" and "the doctrine" of the Nicolaitans, who affected two separate churches, that the Lord addresses: Ephesus/Pergamos. The Lord demands repentance on the part of those who hold and practice these things and He threatens drastic punishment if they do not obey Him: "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent." (Revelation 2:5)
"Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth." (Revelation 2:16).
What does the word Nicolaitan mean? The Greek word Nicolaitan is a compound word which is composed of THREE Greek words. The three Greek words used in the construction of the word Nicolaitan are:
1) NIKOS, defined as "a conquest; victory; triumph; the conquered; and by implication, dominancy over the defeated
2) LAOS, which means people. Another use of this word is found in NICOLAS, which is transferred and is composed of Nikos-laos and means one who is "victorious over the (minds of) people,”

*During this season of Christmas, God gives us the Revelation of this stumbling block we place at the foot of Jesus’ manger. The Lord “Hates” anything blocking His people from recognizing the deity of Him as Lord over His heritage. The Christmas holiday is inundated with distractions in the eyes of adults and children as it is associated to good Ol’ St. Nicolas. Adults break the bank to support the bondage of the stumbling block imposed by the illusion of Santa Claus (St. Nicolas). We teach these practices to our children and in turn place them in the same bondage and block their path to the true reason for this season.

3) TON is the third and last word entering into the construction of the proper name Nicolaitans.
We therefore have the English hyphenated word NIKOS-LAOS-TON, which, becomes the English name: Nicolaitans. In the book of Revelation God states clearly twice, in His address to the churches that He hates the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. This is just one angle of the dominion and power we submit to ideology and the stronghold of financial burden invoked in the doctrine. The ability for anyone to dictate what and when you should do anything as your worship or tradition of men is for them to have dominion over you. To juxtapose another reason for the season of Christmas is to place a stumbling block in the paths of children for generations to come. In our study of the book of Revelation, the gift God is giving us, as we examine what Jesus is saying to the churches is freedom to stand in the truth of the gift of Jesus Christ and only Jesus Christ!! We as the church now strive to see where we error and God is just and faithful to forgive us as we repent and turn from our pagan and religious ways which block us from experiencing the true, living and giving God. By no means are we encouraging you not to give gifts during the holiday season, but your reason for giving the gift should have nothing to do with St. Nicolas (the stumbling block of seeing Jesus Christ). We give gifts because the wise men gave gifts to place at the feet of the Savior who had come to save the world. When we present a gift to our children, grandchildren or anyone it should reflect why gifts are given, and that is to reflect and remember the glorious night God gave us our Savior because He so loves us (John 3:16)!! Now walk in your faith of the season and continue to use this season to witness like never before because, “Unto us a Child is born, and unto us a Savior is given.”
Is there a FULLER meaning to the word NICOLAITAN? The full meaning of Nicolaitans, in its ecclesiastical or church setting, is that the bishops and prelates of the Church have gained a triumphal victory or conquest over the LAITON, the laity, until they have been compelled to submit to the arbitrary dominion of men who have become that thing which God hates - 'Lords over God's heritage'--St. Nicolas in (1 Peter 5:1-3). "The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; NOR AS BEING LORDS OVER THOSE ENTRUSTED TO YOU-but being examples to the flock;" The evidence of this full meaning is found in all our common school dictionaries, among which we find the following definition of the term "hierarchy: the power of dominion, government by ecclesiastical rulers," to which the following is introduced in evidence: "If anyone shall say that there is not in the Catholic Church a hierarchy established by the divine ordination, consisting of bishops, presbyters and ministers, let him be anathema, (A formal curse by a pope or a council of the Church, excommunicating a person or denouncing a doctrine). Found in the Council of Trent (translation) XXIII 6." (Century Dictionary). In other words, let anyone who has the audacity to say there is not a hierarchy, not a collection of human beings who have been given the power by other men of dominion, as ecclesiastical rulers over churchmen who are declared God's heritage, let that man be ACCURSED --- let death and hell and the devil get him. Surely, the thing in which that ecclesiastical company is glorying is their shame! Should A Church be Ruled or Guided? Why guide and lead, instead of rule? Because those who are over us in the Lord are shepherds who must lead and guide, but not dominate. Rule is arbitrary government, and the Church may be subject to Christ only: "for One is your Teacher, the Christ" (Matthew 23:8). The following Divine instruction is from one of the inspired Spirit-filled elders: We read the role of the genuine elder (1 Peter 5:1-3). The "blind guides" would say, but not do. The Divinely anointed elder will both say and do, and thus be an example to the flock, whom the people will love and esteem very highly for his work's sake, and who in his heart will never desire to be lord over the heritage of his Master. It is this aspiration on the part of men to become lords over God's heritage that God HATES.
How Can Rank And Hierarchy Destroy a Church? The approbation of "ordinary elders" demands a set of elders who are extra special, thus creating "rank" (caste) in the otherwise Divine brotherhood, all of which DESTROYS holy fellowship, creates division and strife, and fosters envy. No marvel that our Lord should hate a thing like that, He likewise condemns it, and demand that those who are guilty repent. But will they repent? Yes, some will when the tribulation is on. Others, however, will stick to their ecclesiastical (church) crowd, vainly imagining that their boasted "superiority" will carry them through that time of the greatest trouble the world has ever known, or will know. They must go down with the rest of the hosts of Antichrist. And yet, one of the most unfortunate features of all this is that there are those in the Christian Church who do not hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, but who practice "their deeds" of dominating the laity by lording it over the Church of Jesus Christ, which should be subject only to one Divine Master. It is often true that these have assumed this lordship because they are esteemed very highly in love for their work's sake, but have become vainly puffed up in their fleshly mind. Beloved, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees." (Matthew 16:6).
Pergamos: Difficulty never justifies compromise. A difficult environment never justifies compromise. It is easy for a church in such difficulty to justify this compromise in the name of “we need all the help we can get.” But no church needs that kind of help. What Jesus wants the church at Pergamos to do: ‘Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. Repent: The simple word repent stands out. Five of the seven churches are commanded to repent. Repent is a command that applies to Christians, not only to those who first come to Jesus. A general exhortation to all whom will hear. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who has an ear: The danger of false teaching and immoral conduct still faces the church today. But so does the danger of allowing false teaching and immorality, as was the problem with the Christians in Pergamos.

*A note of encouragement in the knowledge of the book of Revelation from Rev. Christene Duncan. God bless you!

We will discuss the reward promised by Jesus on tomorrow if we repent and turn from our association of the doctrines and deeds of the Nicolaitans.

Hallelujah! Thank You God for the Revelation of the Church! You are gonna have to go back over this one!! There was so much for our hearing and learning!! We don't want any form, shape or the like of a stumbling block before us and our Lord! We are seeking after Him, for Him to be pleased with us. We must remove and shun anything that God tells us in His word that He hates!! On a thing such as this there is no compromise!  In Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  Thank You for the revelation of who we are in Christ! It is the Lord that makes us more than able--there is still time to turn it around. Help us to walk through it, Lord. We must hold on to His unchanging hand. Time to walk through this book of Revelation. We want to be found without spot or blemish when He comes back for the church. Who is the reason for the season?! It is NOT santa!! This is all about the love that God has for us to send His only Begotten Son unto us. To celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ! The one who has redeemed us and set us free! God is God all by Himself. He does not need nor want help!! Thank You Lord for revealing the truth to us, that we may stumble no more over devices of the devil!! Time is winding up--let those who have ears to hear, let them hear and walk in the word that God is revealing unto us!

He is doing a new thing--bless the Lord! We come to repent for our wicked ways. Whether we knew or not, it is not in line with Your word or what Your Son taught while walking this Earth. We repent and ask for forgiveness that we walk no more with those things and ideas of stumbling blocks or the ways of Nicolaitans. We lift up fiveamprayer, this morning for this revelation You have given us, let them know we must not let anything separate us from the love of God. Forgive us from bringing worldly things into the church. We must walk as You lead, line upon line, precept upon precept. Thank You for forgiving us with no condemnation. Continue to teach is the good and right way, as we learn how to forgive others like You have forgiven us, that we are not hindered. We are to repent for our wrongs everyday. We are walking toward Christ who is our perfection!! Repenting is not only for when you first believed.


We seal this prayer in His precious blood: 1 Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

Welcome to the overflow...

Get a revelation, fiveamprayer! Prayer changes things! We must pray without ceasing. We are the church that Christ came for, He was born, died and rose, that we would be saved and serve the True God, only. Praise the Lord, for unto us a Savior is born! Hallelujah! Christmas looks different this year! What a gift of revelation the Lord has brought us! The scales have fallen off of our eyes!! For God so loved the world that He gave, His only begotten Son! Get a revelation of the birth of Christ! We are unwrapping the revelation and God is reveling more and more truth to us. John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Amen!