Those Who Hold The Doctrine of Balaam

“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. 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.
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.
[Revelation 2:13-16 NKJV]

This letter, at first reading, seems difficult to get a hold of; it needs some cross-referencing to other scriptures to understand what the doctrine of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans means. As written, John clearly expects that this is something we know about, and it must have been generally understood within the early church.

In 2 Peter, Balaam is mentioned in a section entitled “Depravity of False Teachers”:--
They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet.
[2 Peter2:15-16 NKJV]

There is also mention of speaking falsely for financial gain and being filled with deception. Putting it mildly, the Church at Pergamos was compromising their faith; and add to that the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, who supported the persecution of the people. No wonder Jesus hated them - a strong sentiment indeed.

The only true response to such an accusation from on High is repentance, for that is the first step in the road to deliverance. Sadly, the church at Thyatira did not follow that course as we shall see.

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STEVE GREEN — “I Repent”

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OSWALD CHAMBERS -- RUN TODAY'S RACE
Tuesday 1st September 2020
If you only know what God has done for you, you have not a big enough God; but if you have had a vision of Jesus as He is, experiences can come and go, you will endure, “as seeing Him Who is invisible.”

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