Raising the Standard of Absolute Truth (Rev. 2:12-17)

We are in great company when we raise the standard of absolute Truth. The Lord Jesus is the One who consistently did it. We learn from Him. In Revelation 2:12-17 He addresses the church of Pergamos and identifies Himself as the One who "hath the sharp sword with two edges." In 1:16 that sword comes out of His mouth. This would be grotesque if taken literally. It is God's symbolic way of describing His holy Word coming out of Christ's mouth with power (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12). God's Word is extremely sharp and, when used defensively, it protects the Christian against Satan and false teachers. But it is used offensively too, cutting down enemies and destroying them and their principles. This application of God's Word was what was needed by the congregation in Pergamos for they were tolerating false teaching. In applying His Word, Christ was raising the standard of absolute Truth (John 17:17). It is what we need to do in our day of religious pluralism.

In Rev. 2:13, then, His Word is encouraging. (1) He knew that they lived in a hostile and difficult place - "even where Satan's seat is." Pergamos was an idolatrous center; and to declare oneself in that place a Christian who worships the one true God and Savior, Jesus Christ, would certainly provoke hostility. (2) Also He commended them for their loyalty to His "name." His name refers to all that He is revealed to be. In this context the name of the martyr Antipas (lit. "against all") is brought up. He is mentioned between the two references to Satan, indicating that his death was instigated by the enmity of pagans in Pergamos. On the one hand Satan persecutes the saints to undermine their loyalty to Christ; but on the other hand, Christ's Word strengthens that loyalty by commending those who are true to Him and by exposing those who are deceitful. God's Word does that. It is meant to encourage us.

In Rev. 2:14-15 His Word is rebuking. Although some in the church had followed Antipas and did not deny Christ's name, others followed a different path. They held to the teaching and practice of the Balaamites and Nicolaitans that Christ hates (2:6). These two doctrinal systems could very well be the same. Their names mean the same. "Balaam" can mean to "conquer the people" (Heb. ba'al'am), which means the same as Nicolaitans. And they are mentioned together in this letter. In fact, the error in the church at Thyatira through the teaching of the woman Jezebel may also be similar to this one. In both letters the compromising practices of fornication and idolatry are named as the deadly effects of the false teaching (Rev. 2:14, 20). Like Israel in the days of Balaam and Jezebel, the church in Pergamos was being deceived; it was an unconscious revolution. Apparently some Christians at Pergamos were still participating in the pagan, holiday festivities and saw no wrong in indulging in the "harmless" beds in the temples and the sexual excitement everyone else was enjoying. Since Satan's chief method is deception , his devices are not known until they are clearly pointed out. The Word of Christ does just that (2 Cor. 4:2-4). He clearly points out their sin; He rebukes them; He exposes sin. When the Word of God is faithfully taught, Christians will be encouraged and sin will be exposed.

In Rev. 2:16 His Word is correcting. The Word of God tells sinners that they must "repent." The saints in Pergamos must repent or the Lord would come in personal judgment. They were to turn about from their evil practices, repudiate their wrong and practice the right. Since those who did not indulge in either religious fornication or idolatry tolerated their practice among them, they, too, along with the guilty, needed to repent. The Lord would "come unto thee quickly." This is not His Second Coming but a personal visitation of judgment on the church. Those who taught and practiced evil would suffer the consequences. Here again the Word of God shall be used, for the Savior said He would "fight against them" with the sword of His mouth. Men may deny absolute Truth today but they must deal with it in the day of accounting (John 12:48).

Finally in Rev. 2:17 His Word is challenging. Using three symbols of "hidden manna," "a white stone," and "a new name," Christ offers Himself to Christians who are tempted to compromise their loyalty to Him in order to gain the favor of the pagan gods. The Bible is filled with promises and invitations to lure Christians from the world to receive Christ as the power needed to overcome.


The Bible Verses for Today: 2 Tim. 3:16-17: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. "



Your Step for Today: Write down any sin that the Lord is now exposing in your life. Name ways that he wants you to correct it.



Prayer for Today: Father, your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Guide me in the ways of holiness that you my be pleased in me.

Lowering the Standard of Bible Truth (Rev. 2:12-17)

Lowering the Standard of Bible Truth (Rev. 2:12-17)

Lowering the Standard of Bible Truth

Experience, relationships and Christian living are more important to many people than Bible teaching. In fact, it appears that the standards of Bible Truth are being lowered to make life more acceptable to everybody. The cry is that we should not press the deity of Christ, His sacrificial atonement or His bodily resurrection if any or all of them upset people. After all, isn't our personal living more important than creeds? Tolerance of all beliefs for the sake of peace and joy is what is needed in our churches. Of course, this is not what faithful followers of Christ believe, but many who call themselves Christians do. To allow the world to have access into the church becomes the death of the church. Not to practice discipline after it is found in the church is equally wrong and fatal.

In Revelation 2:12-17 the Lord Jesus saw this problem in a church in the city of Pergamos. The church in Pergamos believed that conduct was more important than creed. They could say that it was not what they believed but how they lived that counted. Note His references to “the doctrine of Balaam” (v. 14) and to “the doctrine of the Nicolaitans” (v. 15). How relevant is that for us today! Both doctrines emphasize conduct over creed. That church in Pergamos fathered many churches just like it and we have them throughout our country and the world today. They believe those same doctrines which have revived in our day. Conduct is important. We don't downplay it. But so is creed. Both creed and conduct are important. The Lord lays great stress on conduct but He also lays stress on doctrine in His letter to the church in Pergamos. We need to be reminded that a person cannot live right without knowing right. To tolerate the world's views in our churches is to allow the world an upper hand in what is precious to our Lord.

The city of Pergamos openly mixed paganism and politics. 200 years later it would happen again. In A.D. 313 King Constantine declared himself and his armies to be Christian. The troops were baptized by marching into the river. The pagan priests, who had been paid from the Roman coffers, became “Christian” too so that they could continue their positions and their salaries. Is this not what unsaved people do today? Listen, churches should never lower the standards of God’s Word to bring in kings or troops or religious leaders. The world will never be friendly to the gospel (John 15:18). We should not imagine that they are and then let them teach what they want to. We respect the right of people who are not of the same faith as we to practice theirs and we should learn to live side-by-side with them. But we also live in a postmodern culture which teaches us that we should tolerate all kinds of beliefs in Christian circles. That is error! The Bible is the only standard by which we judge between Truth and error.

The Bible Verse for Today: 2 Corinthians 6:14, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness?"

Your Step for Today: Have you ever had to determine whether a belief or an activity was worldly? List the ways that you used to make your choice.

Prayer for Today: Holy Father, You want holiness in your congregation. Keep me walking in the ways of your Word and help me to avoid the trappings of the world.