By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

In his letter to the church in Pergamos, Christ condemns the corruption that had infiltrated the church, and called on both ministers and members to repent including those who claim to belong to Him.Specifically, He rebukes the minister of the church who, despite serving the people, tolerates and ignores the erroneous teachings of some leaders in his congregation who held to “the doctrine of Balaam,”that promoted backsliding and sinful behaviour, and earned the condemnation of the Lord.

Christ condemned the doctrine of Balaam, highlighting the negative practices in the church in Pergamos. Some members of that church had backslidden and forgotten the teachings on the new life in Christ. They learned to place stumbling blocks before faithful believers, teach them to “eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”Christ condemned these practices then and He still condemns them today. The doctrine of Balaam is, in fact, the doctrine of the devil, designed to mislead people and cause them to slide back into their old, sinful habits. Therefore, believers should not emulate “positive preachers” who focus solely on uplifting messages while neglecting to address the evil prevalent in the lives of their members.

Christ hates the deeds of backsliders.Despite the efforts of the minister in the church at Pergamos, there were leaders who clung to “the doctrine [and deeds] of the Nicolaitans.” They subtly injected their corrupt and evil practices into various aspects of the church activities, influencing others to backslide. Similarly, today, some people labour diligently, but neglect to monitor their congregation’s spiritual state and fail to address the spread of evil within the church. Despite your busy schedule as a minister in the church, you must beware of the spread of corruption in the church and take action to stop it.

Christ confirms the impending judgment on the backsliders in the church of Pergamos, warning them of the damnation of burning in hell. He urges them to repent and embrace the convicting Word that rescues from eternal condemnation. Today, Christ’s ministers must preach the uncompromising Word, intercede for backsliders, counsel them and reverse the influences of the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans in their minds, so as to rescue backsliders from a regrettable eternity. Christ desires that His followers should repent from all evil ways, consecrate themselves and live in holiness. This is essential to avoid His wrath on the final day.

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” The Lord calls out everyone who has an ear to hear. He wants us to be consecrated, courageous and to prevail despite the corruption in our environment. He desires us to hold fast to His word and name, and not deny the faith we have received from Him, so that we can overcome on the last day. One man in the church in Pergamos who stood out by Christ’s reckoning was a man called Antipas.

Christ testifies of him as a courageous hero, who did not deny the faith in the face of martyrdom in a community where Satan manifests brutal authority. Anyone who stands firm and maintains spiritual integrity amidst persecution, contradiction, error, corruption and the devil’s crushing power, is a courageous hero before Christ. Such were Bible personalities like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Daniel, Paul the apostle, Peter, John and other apostles, as well as those before them, like Moses. “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” The Lord desires to make each of us a hero that stands firm on God’s word, uncompromising regardless of challenges. Christ commends them for taking to heart what they had been taught.

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Commendable hearers are characterised by readiness to hear from God. They ask Him to correct areas in their lives that displease Him, desiring a heart that obeys God and pleases Him in all things. The outcome of true hearing is not just receiving information, but taking heed to what we hear. We take heed to what we hear when we obey it fully, correct our ways and walk in the narrow path that leads to eternal life.

Christ promises a concealed heritage to those who overcome the influences of erroneous preachers like Balaam, seducers, temptations, works of the flesh, contradictory doctrines and sinful propensities that can cause us to stumble. Those who practice Christ’s message of righteousness will receive this reward.

• Further Reading (King James Version): Revelation 2:12-17. Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12,13; John 8:7-11. Isaiah 27:1; Daniel 7:26; 8:25; 11:45; 2 Thessalonians 2:8,9; Revelation 19:15,16,19-21, Revelation 2:14-16. Hebrews 9:27; 10:27-31.Revelation 2:13,17. Hebrews 11:27.Revelation 2:17; Mark 4:23,24. Revelation 2:17.