In full View

In full View
In the book of Proverbs we read,

“For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, 

and he examines all his paths.” 

                                           Proverbs 5:21.

Here is something even Christians seem to forget many times. We fail to remember that God is watching us.
I firmly believe that if we remembered this more often Christians would not say and do many of the things they do.
That’s not to say God is ready to bash us with a big stick every time we do something He disapproves of. Quite the contrary God is a loving God, who cares for us.
In Deuteronomy we read,
"For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath." Deuteronomy 4:31.
The apostle John writes,
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1John 4:7-10.
Sin is falling short of God’s ideal for your life. Sin is doing things wrong deliberately and refusing to admit to those sins before God.
God give everyone a lifetime to come to repentance. To admit we are sinners and turn to him. The apostle John stating,
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.
The apostle Peter writes,
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.
Thus my question to you, especially if you are a believer in Christ Jesus; Have you any unrepentant sin in your life?
Please think about it.

Do your pray for

Do you pray for
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
       But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”Matthew 5:43-45.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  
This is good, and pleases God our Saviour,  who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."  1Timothy 2:1-4.
Someone once said to me “why should I pray for a dictator who brings hardship on people? Why should I pray for rulers that live unethical lives? Leaders who are immoral?
Especially why should I pray for my enemies?
Paul makes it clear why we should pray for those in authority. He states, “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives” When we live peaceful and quiet lives it is easier to spread the gospel.
We should also be praying for the salvation of our political leadership.
As for praying for our enemies. We should be praying for their salvation. That God will change their heart. That they would let us live our lives in peace.
The apostle Paul writing about Jesus said,
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” Philippians 2:9-11.
Every leader of every country like every other person that has ever lived will one day bow before Jesus and confess that He is Lord.
Every leader, as will every person will be judged by God for their deeds in this life. The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
As Christians we have a duty to tell the world about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. That extends to all walks of life from the poorest person living on the street, to the richest man in the world, to all those in authority over us.
Thus my question to you the reader. If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus;
Do you pray for your political leaders?
Do you pray for your boss at work?
Do you pray for your enemy?
Do you pray for peace and freedom that the gospel of Christ may spread more easily?
Please think about it.

One Law Giver

One Law Giver
James the half brother of Jesus said,
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. 
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.  
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbour?” James 4:10-12.
James here makes it clear we are not to sit in judgement of anyone. He makes it clear that there is “only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.” that person being God.
The reason we have no right to judge someone, particularly when it comes to where they will spend eternity, is we do not know why a person is the way they are. We do not know what is truly on a persons heart.
Jesus himself said,
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."Matthew 7:1,2.
Judgement is a two edged sword. If we pass judgment on others we are giving them the right to judge us. After all Jesus told us,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
If you believe what Jesus is saying. In judging someone you are giving them the right to judge you.
Please think about it.

My job is to love

My job is to Love
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.  
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. James 3:5-10.
As believers in Christ Jesus we need to be careful what we say. What we say has the power to bring people closer to God or push them away.
When the gay pride parade was on in Toronto I was at a meeting of Christian believers unrelated to the pride parade. At the meeting someone got up and started to put down the LGBTQ community. The way it was said made it sound that if they didn’t aline their way of life with Christians it was wrong. It made it sound that they had a ‘special sin’.
With people saying this kind of thing is it any wonder members of the LGBTQ community are reluctant to enter a church?
The whole incident left me shaking my head.
We here in Canada live in a multicultural secular democracy that allows all faiths and lifestyles to exist in harmony along side one another.
In many ways we are like the Roman empire that embraced many cultures and faiths. That allowed people of different beliefs to interact. A good example of this was the apostle Paul speaking in the Areopagus in Athens.
The people who invited Paul to speak did not believe as Paul did. Yet they heard him speaking about his faith in the market square and asked him to speak.
They, I’m sure did this because Paul was not speaking out against their faith or their lifestyle. Paul was simply presenting the gospel message in as pure a way as he knew how to.
So it should be today in 2020.
The way I see it a great light is shining on those who believe in Christ Jesus. The world is watching and we need to tame our tongue.
The writer of Proverbs tells us,
“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4.
Jesus said,
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."Matthew 28:18-20.
He did not tell us to judge and condemn anyone who’s faith or lifestyle was different from ours. He said make disciples. Teach them to obey everything he as commanded us to do.
Billy Graham the late American Evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                         Billy Graham.

If we remember this and present to gospel of Christ in a loving way we will win far more people to Christ than we will condemning someone because of their faith, their way of life, or their lifestyle.
  Please think about it. 

What good is it?

What good is it?
James that half brother of Jesus wrote,
"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" James 2:14-20
What does your faith produce?
Do you do your best to help those around you?
Have you ever helped in a homeless shelter, a soup kitchen, a food bank?
Have you ever put a money into the hat of someone begging on the side walk?
I know not everyone is cut out to help in homeless shelters, soup kitchens or food banks, but we can all do something. It takes very little effort to drop some money into the hands of someone begging on the street.
I know some people say giving to someone begging on the street encourages them to continue to do it, or worse they’ll only spend it on drugs.
While that may be so. There are those who are homeless that will use the money they receive for food and essentials.
Homelessness is a world wide phenomena. While we hear about the famine and refugee crisis around the world, which we should try to help if we can. We also need to remember those who are near to us.
Every major city in the world has people who live on the streets for a myriad of reasons. Many who live and work in the cities of the world pass them without a thought.
As believers in Christ Jesus we should however notice them and do what we can for them.
Now I’m not saying drop a dollar or two into the hat of everyone you see begging on the street. Most people can’t afford that. But every bit helps. Give a dollar hear and there. Give to reputable charities who help the needy. Encourage your church congregation to at the very least give something to the needy.
Please think about it.

Speak and Act

Speak and Act
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2:12,13.
We as believers will be held accountable to God. God expects us to live up to His standards. We must always remember that God will judge us.
We must remember that if we judge someone without showing mercy we will not be shown mercy by God. As Jesus said,
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."Matthew 7:1,2.
We must remember what the apostle Paul said,
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:4,5.
God showed his kindness and love to us and this is the same way we must be. We must love all those we come in contact with.
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment. 
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus also told us,
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.'  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Matthew 5:43-47.
It all boils down to, the words of Jesus who said,
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12.
Think of it this way. If you are a Christian knowing what you as a Christian about Christ, would you, if you didn’t know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Would you not want someone to tell you about Jesus and the consequences of not knowing Him?
Please think about it.

Put it this way

Put this way
Jesus taking to His disciples and through them to us, said,

“So in everything, do to others 

what you would have them do to you,

 for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” 

Matthew 7:12.

Put this way in the year 2020 this means,

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

Put it this way in the year 2020 this means,

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

Put it this way in the year 2020 this means,

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.

Put it this way in the year 2020 this means,

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

And you might not like their faith.

Put it this way in the Year 2020 this means,

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

Put it this way in the year 2020 this means,

If you 

are telling the world you are a Christian

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,

unconditionally!

Jesus when asked,

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 

Jesus replied: 

“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart 

and with all your soul 

and with all your mind.’ 

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

And the second is like it: 

‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

                                                                                      Matthew 22:36-40.

Jesus also said to all who believe in Him,
“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.  
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.  
Do to others as you would have them do to you. 
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them.  
And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that.  
And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full.  
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.  
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:27-36.
Please think about it. 

The Lukewarm Church

The Lukewarm Church
The book of Revelations records Christ speaking to the Church at Laodicea. A Church referred to as the Lukewarm Church.
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.  
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  
So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  
You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.  
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.  
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelations 3:14-22
Here Jesus addresses a church that thinks it is doing well. It is a rich church that thinks it needs nothing. In reality it is as Jesus puts it, it is,
“Wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”
As someone once told me Laodicea was “in deep need of spiritual healing.”
The call of Jesus is to turn to Him that they may receive that healing.
Churches and individuals today especially I find here in North America think they are rich. They may be in a material sense rich. They are however if you look closer at them spiritually “Wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” They need deep spiritual healing.
They need to turn to God. To pray and study God’s word as often as they can. They need to take the teachings of the Scriptures to heart.
Jesus tells us,
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelations 3:20.
One thing I have learned over the years is that no matter how close we think we are to Jesus we can get even closer. We must never think because we appear to be rich that we are.
Just because we may appear to be rich especially in a material sense does not mean we are spiritually rich.
Our cry to God should always be “Draw me closer to you Lord.”
Please think about it.

The Faithful Church

The Faithful Church
In the book of Revelations we see Jesus speaking to the church in Philadelphia saying.
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.  
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  
I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.  
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  
Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.  
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelations 3:7-13
Here we have what scholars call the faithful church. Jesus says to this church,
“I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” Revelations 3:8
Jesus tells this church
“I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.” Revelations 3:9.
Jesus tells them,
“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.” Revelations 3:10 
He tells them the reward for their faithfulness. Saying
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  
Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.”  Revelations 3:11,12.
The message of Jesus here to faithful believers is,
1. That those who oppose them will one day fall at the feet of the faithful believer and acknowledge that Christ has loved them.
2. That the true believer will be kept from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the world.
3. That the true believer will become a pillar in the temple of God. The strongest part of the temple.
4. That they will never leave it.
5. That Jesus will write on the faithful believer, the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.
The question is are you such a believer?
Many in the Christian world would like to think that they are like the church at Philadelphia but in reality they are not.
The key however here is to know that we can be like the church of Philadelphia. In order to do so we must put Christ first in everything we do.
Jesus acknowledged that the Philadelphia church had little strength yet they remained faithful. Thus if they can do it. We can also.
Please think about it.

The Dead Church

The Dead Church
The book of revelations speaks of the Church at Sardis. It states,
“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: 
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  
Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.  
Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  
He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.  
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelations 3:1-6. 
Here is a church that appears to be alive but is in fact dead.
It is possible for a church to seem to be doing all the right things yet not be doing what God wants them to do.
There are many churches that hold great orchestrated praise and worship services. That follow a systematic study of the Bible. That even have prayer meetings. These churches on the outside look fine but all they are doing is following an empty scripted program. They are ministering to their congregation but not doing what God wants them to do.
That’s true for people to. An individual can seem like they have got it all together. They attend church both on Sunday and during the week. They go to prayer meetings even go to other Christian events. The trouble is they are simply doing it because they feel this is what a person should do. They are not doing what God wants them to do.
Matthews Gospel records,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
    Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
The church has a duty to perform. That is presenting the gospel to all the world and to teach new converts all that Jesus taught them.
If a church or individuals are not doing so they are dead. Thus the  call of Christ to such churches, is to waken up and serve Him to the fullest.
We must always remember that the job of evangelism will not end until Christ returns to earth. That we must continually work for Christ until His return. We must strive to reach people with the message of salvation. We must make disciples of people not only on the outside of the church, but those who are inside the church and not saved.
Thus my questions.
Are you dead or alive in Christ?
Are you doing what God wants you to do?
Please think about it.

On Immorality

On Immorality
Here in the book of Revelations we read a letter to the church at Thyatira
“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.  
I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 
Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  
I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.  
So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.  
I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.  
Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): Only hold on to what you have until I come. 
To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’— 
just as I have received authority from my Father.  
I will also give him the morning star.  
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelations 2:18-29
The churches in the book of Revelations as I have said in previous blogs can be taken as relating symbolically to individual church congregations, denominations, and Christian movements today and throughout history.
The church at Thyatira is commended for their love, faith, service and perseverance in the faith. That they were even doing more that when they first believed in Christ.
That being said, Jesus states,
“...I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality...” 
This church is tolerating a woman named Jezebel. Some say that may be a real name or a nickname equating her to Jezebel in first and second Kings in the Old Testament. Either way it doesn’t matter if it was her name or a nickname. What this person is doing is teaching leading people into sexual immorality.
As believers in Christ Jesus we cannot tolerate sexual morality in any form.
Sadly for many years churches and denominations have covered up sexual immorality in their ranks. This should not be so.
Our church congregations, denominations, our pastors, evangelist and teachers should as far as is humanly possible be examples of good moral behavior.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15.
The apostle Paul also makes it clear,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. 
  Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:21.
The reward for following the moral path and keeping our faith strongly rooted in Christ Jesus is that we will rule with him. Jesus saying the Church at Thyatira
“To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations” Revelations 2:26.
Thus I would ask this question.
Do you or your church tolerate immorality in any form?
Please think about it.

The compromising Church

The compromising Church
The book of Revelations states,
“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
“These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.  
I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 
Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.  
Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.  
Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” Revelations 2:12-17.
As I have said in previous blogs many scholars say that the churches in Revelations can be taken several ways. They can represent symbolically, various churches or denominations throughout history and even today. They can also be seen as speaking to individuals.
Here Christ realizes that the Pergamum church “where Satan has his throne”. That they did not renounce their faith even when Antipas a member of their congregation was put to death.
Still this church has a problem they had people in their midst that believed the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans both heretical groups.
As believers in Christ Jesus we cannot compromise our beliefs. We must live by what the scriptures teach. Not what we or anyone else wants them to say.
Today in the twenty-first century the Nicolaitans and believers in Balaam are not much of a threat to the church. They are however symbolic of false teachings that have entered the church quietly. As someone once said,
“Satan is not fighting churches; he is joining them. He does more harm by sowing tares than by pulling up wheat. He accomplishes more by imitation than by outright opposition.” Author unknown
It is the duty of church leaders to make sure false teaching does not continue in the church. To speak out against false teaching. The apostle Paul stating.
"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13
I firmly believe we are in the time the apostle Paul warned against when he wrote to Timothy saying.
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2Timothy 4:3,4.
It is very easy to use the Bible to say what you want it to say. To take things out of context which is what the Nicolaitans were doing.
The call of Jesus to the church at Pergamum and to any who would call themselves followers of Christ Jesus is to turn away from false teaching. To as the apostle Paul said,
“expel the wicked from among you.”
To stand firm on the teachings of the scriptures, of the apostles and of Jesus. To heed the warning of Jesus who said,
“Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”
Thus the questions for all those who would call themselves believers in Jesus Christ is:
Am I listening to false teachers?
Am I standing up to them?
Are we expelling false teachers from among us?
Please think about it.