SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES
DATE: 12TH JULY, 2020
LESSON: 957
TOPIC: DANGER OF COMPROMISE
IN THE CHURCH
MEMORY VERSE: “Repent; or else I will
come unto thee quickly, and will fight
against them with the sword of my mouth"
(Revelation 2:16).
TEXT: Revelation 2:12-17
General format for the seven churches in Asia Minor. There is the mention of the addressee (the angel of the church), self-disclosure in relation to the message,
commendation, diagnosis of inherent problems, prescription of solutions, promise of reward for overcomers and exhortation to everyone to hear and
utilise the message from the Spirit of God. The Lord's message to this church confronts the corrupting influence of compromise in it and, by application, in all churches.
When the book of Revelation was written, Pergamos had been Asia's capital for almost 400 years. This pagan city, an acclaimed cultural centre, was famous for its library which contained 200,000 volumes. Christ said that Satan's seat or throne was there. While Smyrna had a synagogue of Satan, Pergamos was reputed to have the seat or throne of Satan. Thus, compromise became a great problem in the church there.
In Scripture, to compromise is to do something that is demeaning or contravenes the Christian faith and
principles of righteousness or be "conformed to [the]world (Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15-17). Christ wants every Christian and church that has compromised with
Ein to regain spiritual health and abide in holiness till the end. Thus, He commands the compromising church to repent and be steadfast in the faith with promise of
rewards for victorious saints.
QUESTION 1: WHAT IS COMPROMISE?
REVELATION OF CHRIST'S JUDICIAL AUTHORITY AND COMMENDATION OF THE PERGAMOS CHURCH
(Revelation 2:12,13; 1:16; 19:15,21; 2:16; Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:13,14; Hebrews 3:6,12-14; Philippians 1:27; 2 Peter 3:17; Jude 1:3,4; 2 Corinthians 4:1,16-18; Matthew 24:13; Acts 20:17,27-32; 2 John 6-11)
"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest
fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth".
Christ introduced Himself to the church in Pergamos
as "he which hath the sharp sword with two edges". Here is His first negative self-disclosure to this church for tolerating evil, error and sin in their midst. His introduction reveals Him as a firm and frightening Judge who will not spare any compromising church or believer.
He speaks with judicial authority to compromisers. The sharp two-edged sword from His mouth is the stern word of judgment that would fall on sinners, backsliders and compromisers. Like this church, all compromising churches stand in danger of imminent judgment. Before pointing out areas of compromise in this
church, Christ commended its faithfulness in the city "where Satan's seat (throne) is”. The city was the centre of Caesar's worship with an altar built for Zeus, a massive
idol. Though Satan was enthroned there, believers there were steadfast in upholding Christ's name and cause; they did not deny their faith even in the face of opposition and martyrdom.
Believers learn from Christ's introduction and commendation that, one, He always has a message for
every church or believer. Two, He is the Judge of all. Three, all judgments will be based on His word, the sharp sword with two edges. Four, He is omniscient and
knows not only our works but also where we live and the prevailing conditions in our environment. Five, every good work done by believers noticed or unnoticed by
men will be commended and rewarded by the Lord. Six, leaders over His flock should always seek Him for true assessment of the state of the church. Seven, before corrections or rebukes are made, it may be necessary to recognise area(s) a person is doing well. Eight, a believer should hold on to Christ despite trials, temptations, persecutions or martyrdom. Nine, believers
who are determined, prayerful and watchful can still be righteous and keep the faith in a sinful and demon-inſested environment.
Christ takes notice and commends the believer who remains steadfast in the faith and spiritual service in spite of pressures and trials from the devil, his cohorts and agents. God requires consistent obedience and holy living in our walk with Him. “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end" (Hebrews 3:14). We must not
deny His holy name and the faith.
QUESTION 2: STATE SOME LESSONS FROM CHRIST'S
INTRODUCTION AND COMMENDATION OF THE CHURCH IN PERGAMOS.
(Revelations 2:14-16; Galatians 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:5-13; 2 Peter 2:1-3,12-18; Jude 1:10-13,16; Numbers 31:8,15-17; Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Acts 3:19; 17:30)
"But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."
Christ's evaluation, not self-praise or commendation of others should matter to the believer or church. Though bold and steadfast in the faith in a sinful, idolatrous,
perverted city where Satan had a seat or throne, this church tolerated the disciples of Balaam with strange doctrine of casting stumbling blocks before the church
members and leading them into idolatry and fornication. The church also had among the membership and leadership those who held the doctrine of the
Nicolaitanes, a doctrine of perverted grace, which Christ hates. Compromise makes a church or Christian soft and tolerant of heresies. Balaam was a prophet for hire who tried to curse Israel but failed. For filthy lucre, he gave counsel that caused the women of Moab to seduce the Israelites into
fornication and idolatry. The doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans taught and encouraged freedom and liberty to sin while professing to remain believers in
Christ. Christ expects believers to love what He loves and hate what He hates. He hates idolatrous image and worship, violence, divorce, friendship with the world and
false doctrines (Deuteronomy 12:31; Psalm 11:5; Malachi 2:16; James 4:4; Revelation 2:6,16).
QUESTION 3: MENTION SPECIFIC AREAS OF COMPROMISE IN THE PERGAMOS CHURCH.
Some of the causes of compromise in Christian churches today include: love of the world - lust of the eyes, flesh and pride of life; unequal yoke in marriage, business, friendship and worship; divided loyalty,
commitment and consecration; irregular intake and lack of meditation on God's word; disobedience to the revealed will of God; love of money, material things and
privileged position of honour; fear of man; carelessness and cares of life; absence from fellowship of believers; and prayerlessness: To sin and influence others to do same attract divine judgment (Ezekiel 44:12,13; Malachi 2:11,12; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12).
God does not want anyone to perish; He wants all who have compromised their Christian convictions to repent and be restored to fellowship with Him. Christ
commands the church in Pergamos to "Repent" (Revelation 2:16). This is similar to the instruction to the permissive church of Thyatira where He gave Jezebel and backsliders there enough time to repent”. The call to repentance is in view of the dangers of compromise which include: loss of spiritual life, light and relationship with the Lord (Revelation 2:5); unanswered prayers; lack of spiritual growth; fruitlessness in evangelism; divine
wrath as the loving Christ will directly fight against the compromising, unrepentant church; premature death; intense suffering during the Great Tribulation; and
eternal punishment in hell.
Repentance is a complete turning away from sin to the Lord with a penitent heart, plea for forgiveness and resolve to abide in Him. Balaam had the opportunity to repent but lost his life in obstinacy (Numbers 22:22- 35; 31:8,16). All backsliders, false prophets and teachers who teach or influence others to sin and all who had
been led into sin but refuse to repent will be judged severely by the Lord (Hebrews 10:26,27).
QUESTION 4: WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF COMPROMISE AND CHRIST'S PRESCRIBED SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM?
REWARDS FOR THE OVERCOMING AND
RAPTURABLE CHURCH
(Revelation 2:17; 22:7, 12-14; Isaiah 40:9,10; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Hebrews 6:10)
Christ's desire and expectation is that His Church be holy, pure and spotless. He sacrificed His life to cleanse, sanctify and make it rapturable (Ephesians 5:27). To meet this divine expectation, the leadership of the early church dealt with sin and stood against false teachers and preachers with derailing influence on other believers (1 Corinthians 5:11-13; Titus 1:10,11). The
Lord's desire for the church to be steadfast and rapturable is the reason for His commendation, rebukes, corrections, threats of imminent judgment, admonition,
encouragement, challenge and promised rewards. A steadfast and rapturable believer or church must, one, maintain consistent lifestyle of holiness, love, obedience and submission to Christ. Two, be committed to Him without allowing family relationship, friendship, business, career, education, persecutions, trials of faith and temptations to come in-between. Three, be fearless in maintaining Christian conviction during temptations, persecutions or trials. Four, continue to display Christ-like hatred for false doctrines and their peddlers. Five, watch against ungodly relationship with the opposite
sex and avoid seducers and other objects of temptation. Six, flee all forms of idolatry, including deifying money, physical or material things or seeking knowledge of
satanic or diabolical mysteries. Seven, persevere in holiness in a corrupt and demon-infested environment. Eight, prioritise on hearing and obeying the Spirit-
inspired word of God (Revelation 2:7,11,17,29).
QUESTION 5: WHAT CAN BELIEVERS DO TO BE STEADFAST IN THE FAITH UNTIL THE END?
From the words of Jesus, there are rewards for the overcoming church or saint. Triumphant believers will be given the "hidden manna" specially reserved for them to eat. They will also receive a gift of a white stone medal for victors, etched with a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it".
The truth about the hidden manna and unknown name is
clear in Scripture: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him ...an
inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Peter 1:4). The Scripture also affirms that overcomers will be blessed with preservation from the second death, coronation with a crown of life,
privilege to eat of the tree of life located in the midst of the paradise of God, power over the nations, and the morning star. While still on earth, uncompromising saints will enjoy the divine presence and protection, favour with God and men, answers to prayers, boldness
in preaching, fruitfulness in evangelism, provisions and honour from the Lord.
QUESTION 6: MENTION SOME OF THE REWARDS FOR UNCOMPROMISING CHURCHES AND SAINTS.
Believers who pay attention to the concerns of the Lord, "...hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches", make necessary amends and remain faithful and steadfast in holiness and sound doctrine until the end will be raptured, receive rewards and reign with Christ forever.
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