COMPROMISING WITH CORRUPTION
Revelation 2:12-17

Introduction:     Each of these seven churches addressed here in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation had a particular need. For instance, the Ephesian church needed revival. The church at Smyrna needed encouragement. The church at Pergamos has another need (expound how the devil hates a Gospel Preaching Church ). The church that steps out and preaches the Word of God is going to be challenged by the devil every step of the way. First the devil tried to stop the church with outward persecution ( Smyrna ). The church at Pergamos pictures the worldly church and the persecution that comes to the church from within. Pergamos was the first place in Asia to construct a temple totally dedicated to the worship of creaser (expound). It was in this wicked place (the seat of Satan v.13) that God raised up a church. The Lord has not called us to build walls and hide behind them; He has not called us to withdraw from the world but to step out into the world and be salt & light. Too many churches today accommodate evil; they begin to compromise with corruption and suddenly they become so much like the world that the world says, “why do I need the church.” Three things to notice as we think about how sometime the church compromises with corruption.

 

I.          THE LORD’S APPROVAL (V.13)

You cannot please people. The One we ought to please is Jesus!

A.                 Their Trial Was Difficult

Worldliness corrupts a church and this church was guilty. Jesus addressed Himself as having a sharp sword with two edges. The sword of His mouth means:

·        His Word – The Word of God is the one thing a worldly church needs.

·        The Power and Judgment of His Word - Officials were misusing their power and Jesus is proclaiming that the power of His (sword) Word is far greater than man’s.

·        The Comfort of His Word - His Power is able to strengthen, deliver, and save us.

B.         Their Testimony Was Definite

·        The church was loyal to Christ’s name despite the environment. “Satan’s Seat” (Illus: once a year to creaser’s temple to declare “creaser is lord”). It would have been easier to remain silent in public but these believers wanted their loved ones and others to know their Savior!

·        The church was pure in doctrine – They had not denied the faith of Christ. They had not denied Christ or His Word. They believed the Word of God. It was studied, preached, and taught from their pulpit.

·        The church was standing fast in persecution – at least one believer had been martyred Antipas (Illus: tradition says that he was place inside a brass bull and slowly roasted to death). Note: the Greek word for “martyr” (martus) is the regular Greek word for “witness.”

 

II.         THE LORD’S ATTACK (VV.14-15)

The church was guilty of false doctrine and gross worldliness. The Lord attacks two things in this church.

A.                 Corruption In The Membership (v.14)

·        The Worldly Church Is Guilty Of The Doctrine Of Balaam – Balaamism is a mixture of religion and worldliness. (Illus: a Moabite king, Balac, feared Israel and hired a prophet, Balaam, to curse them. After three unsuccessful tries he devises a plan to use Moabite women to marry Jewish men and seduce them to worship their pagan gods – and it worked. Israel , though rooted in God became unequally yoked together with worldliness and was thereby corrupted (Num.22-25).

·        How Could This Happen? – Apparently the church had: (1) baptized those who had never repented of their sins and had forsaken the ways of the world. (2) Had allowed some of the worldly to teach in the church (3) Had allowed a mixed membership of believers and unbelievers – some were living separated lives of holiness and sacrificial commitment and others were living worldly lives seeking the pleasures and possessions of the world.

·        The Results were Tragic – there were some within the church committing fornication, some were participating in the drunken parties of the world, and participating in the feast of idolatrous worshippers.

B.                 Confusion In The Leadership (v.15)

·        The Worldly Church Is Guilty Of Making The False Profession Of The Nicolaitans.

·        The Doctrine Of The Nicolaitans = (1) Christ did away with the O. T. Law and instituted the law of Christian liberty. (2) The Soul and Spirit of a man is far more important than his body.

·        The Results Of This Doctrine – with no law to govern us we can do as we wish as long as we profess to believe in Christ. Think of how many believe that if they come to church on Sunday (once in a while) they can live any way they desire Mon.-Sat. Think of how many that think they are eternally secure because they say they believe in Jesus, were baptized in water, and joined a church, but live so worldly with no evidence of repentance or a changed life. (Expound: Jesus fulfilled the law & our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost).

 

III.       THE LORD’S ADVISE (VV.16-17)

A.                 The Rule (v.16)

·        Involves Repentance - The Lord’s counsel is to repent. Deal with the worldly and lead them to repentance.

·        Involves A Warning – With the power of His Word. His Word is strong enough to judge corruption no matter who or how many.

B.                 The Reward (v.17)

·        The Bread of Life - To those who stop feeding on the world (and trust Jesus as Savior) are given the Bread of Heaven (Jesus). The Bread of Heaven is hidden to unbelievers.

·        An Engraved Invitation – No other way to gain entrance into heaven (Jn.14:6). The church member that has an ear must hear this message to the worldly church. Hearing and heeding is the only hope for ever conquering the seductive worldliness of this earth.

 

Conclusion:       Today as never before God’s people need to faithfully serve Him and avoid compromise with this wicked world. You need Jesus’ help to avoid the traps of Pergamos and gain the strength needed to walk faithfully with our Great God!