3. Pergamos – False Doctrines. (Rev. 2: 12 – 17)
Christ is revealed to these believers, as their judge, with the authority of His Word.
`He who has the sharp two-edged sword.` (Rev. 2: 12)
He commends them for professing His name & not denying their faith in Him. However, in their midst are those teaching wrong doctrine.
The Doctrine of Balaam – Worldly (2 Peter 12 – 22)
`who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel,
to eat things sacrificed to idols, & to commit sexual immorality.`
(Rev. 2: 14)
Balaam was teaching Balak to corrupt God`s people by tempting them to defile their separation from the world & abandon their pilgrim character. Similarly certain people were teaching believers to behave like the world bringing them back into bondage. This is spiritual adultery. The Lord points out to the believers that they are `dwelling` in the world, `where Satan`s throne is.`
“I know ....where you dwell, where Satan`s throne is.” (Rev. 2: 13)
`the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.` (1 John 5: 19)
World – Gk. Word `kosmos,` meaning the moral system, order of the world.
The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans – Hierarchical Control (`lording it over,` 1 Peter 5:2 & 3)
What were `deeds of the Nicolaitans` in Ephesus, now became a doctrine in Pergamos.
The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans.
Nikolaos – Gk. Words, `nikao` to conquer, & `laos` the people. To conquer the people.
Instead of local groups in homes ministering to one another, certain elders began `lording it over` many of the believers. This eventually developed into a hierarchical system of control, which we can still see today. This is the way the world operates & the Lord told his disciples they must not behave so.
`You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,....
Yet it shall not be so among you;`
(Matt. 20: 25 & 26)
The Apostle Paul also saw this wrong behaviour of leaders & chastises the people for coming under such bondage.
`For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage,..` (2 Cor. 11: 20)
The solution is to repent & know Christ`s Character as exemplified by Paul who was -
`gentle among you, just as a nursing mother....`
& `we exhorted & comforted,...as a father..`
(1 Thess. 2: 7 & 11)
Christ is revealed to these believers, as their judge, with the authority of His Word.
`He who has the sharp two-edged sword.` (Rev. 2: 12)
He commends them for professing His name & not denying their faith in Him. However, in their midst are those teaching wrong doctrine.
The Doctrine of Balaam – Worldly (2 Peter 12 – 22)
`who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel,
to eat things sacrificed to idols, & to commit sexual immorality.`
(Rev. 2: 14)
Balaam was teaching Balak to corrupt God`s people by tempting them to defile their separation from the world & abandon their pilgrim character. Similarly certain people were teaching believers to behave like the world bringing them back into bondage. This is spiritual adultery. The Lord points out to the believers that they are `dwelling` in the world, `where Satan`s throne is.`
“I know ....where you dwell, where Satan`s throne is.” (Rev. 2: 13)
`the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.` (1 John 5: 19)
World – Gk. Word `kosmos,` meaning the moral system, order of the world.
The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans – Hierarchical Control (`lording it over,` 1 Peter 5:2 & 3)
What were `deeds of the Nicolaitans` in Ephesus, now became a doctrine in Pergamos.
The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans.
Nikolaos – Gk. Words, `nikao` to conquer, & `laos` the people. To conquer the people.
Instead of local groups in homes ministering to one another, certain elders began `lording it over` many of the believers. This eventually developed into a hierarchical system of control, which we can still see today. This is the way the world operates & the Lord told his disciples they must not behave so.
`You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,....
Yet it shall not be so among you;`
(Matt. 20: 25 & 26)
The Apostle Paul also saw this wrong behaviour of leaders & chastises the people for coming under such bondage.
`For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage,..` (2 Cor. 11: 20)
The solution is to repent & know Christ`s Character as exemplified by Paul who was -
`gentle among you, just as a nursing mother....`
& `we exhorted & comforted,...as a father..`
(1 Thess. 2: 7 & 11)
