The One who has the sharp two edged sword says this:...I have a few things against you.

Revelation 2

¹² “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:

¹³ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. ¹⁴ But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. ¹⁵ So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. ¹⁶ Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. ¹⁷ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’

As we continue to look at the messages to the 7 churches in Revelation, let's again try to hear what the Spirit is saying to us and to the church today through these messages directed to these specific churches. The focus today is on the message to the church in Pergamum. The letter says Pergamum is located where satan dwells. Pergamum is located geographicly in modern day Turkey near the Turkish city of Bergama. In the days of the early church this region was heavily influenced by both Greek and Roman culture. There were many temples built to the Greek gods as well as things honoring the Roman emperor. In many ways this, existing where satan dwells, could be said of many perhaps even most churches today. The culture,  society and now even the political forces throughout much of the world have moved away from Christian values toward many or any other belief system. Remember that any spirit that denies Jesus is the Christ is an anti-Christ spirit. Jesus commendation then of the church at Pergamum,  "you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith" is also a commendation for those who hold fast to the name of Jesus today.

Let's look now at the caution or rebuke that Jesus has for the church. " But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. ¹⁵ So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans." We looked at the teaching of the Nicolaitians yesterday when Jesus commended the church at Ephesus for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitians. Basically the Nicolaitian doctrine had gone far toward the message of grace to the point where they tolerated and even promoted immorality. The teaching of Balaam mentioned here also talks of a teaching that promotes commiting acts of immorality.

It is important for us to recognize and understand the difference between falling into a sin, for which there is forgiveness, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.( 1 John 1:9), and holding to a  false teaching which leads us to embracing sin. Jesus message to those who hold to these false teachings is to repent. Here is where it can be difficult for us today. Because of media and the internet along with thousands of books that are written each year, there are so many voices and teachings out there. It can be difficult to discern truth, since many false teachings are built around biblical truth. Each one of us is responsible to discern truth for ourselves. False teachers will suffer a greater punishment for leading other astray but each one of us will answer for our own actions. 

The best way for us to guard against being lead astray is to know truth. Jesus says   “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.(John 14:6) When we know Jesus we know Truth. Some one once said something to the effect of I would rather read the one book written by God than a hundred written about Him. I couldn't find the exact quote or who said it, but the message is pretty clear and I would say very good advice also. One of the best defences we can have against being lead astray by a false teaching is to know God's Word. Remember, John 1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. When we know the Word we know Jesus, the Word made flesh, then we know Truth.

Still it can be intimidating for us to know that we are responsible to know and follow truth for ourselves. Be encouraged though you are not alone. You have within you the Spirit of Truth. Jesus says when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;(John 16:13). The Holy Spirit within us will guide us and teach us truth. The Spirit of Truth teaching truth. If you hear a teaching that just doesn't sound right it probably isn't. James 1:5 says  But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. Teachers can lead us astray intentionally or unintentionally, but the Holy Spirit will always lead us to and in truth if we ask Him.

If you have been lead into a false teaching don't despair, remember there is forgivenss for our sin when we confess and repent as Jesus called the church at Pergmum to do.  

Therefore repent; ... He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’ 

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ the Word, Holy Spirit of Truth thank You for all that You have done to  redeem and restore me to right relationship with You. Guide me and help me to know Truth and to walk in that Truth.  Amen