Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Rev. 2:17)
The church at Pergamos had some within it who held to the doctrine of Balaam, teaching believers it was ok to eat things sacrificed unto idols and even to commit fornication.
The church also had some that held with the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, a thing that the Lord declared He hates.
The first theory of who the Nicolaitans were has been discussed in an earlier posting regarding the church at Ephesus. But the second theory is best described by Zola Levitt in his small booklet titled The Seven Churches, published in 1980:
...comes from a literal translation of the word Nicolaitane, which means 'to conquer the people'. This may refer to the establishing of a hierarchy or a priestly order in the early church, dividing the believers into superior and inferior ranks. In reality the brotherhood of Christians is an equal one (Matthew 23:8) and we are all level at the cross. There are no important Christians. The Church is entirely a group of convicted sinners. In reality the leadership of a proper church are servants of the people; pastor means shepherd, and the pastor is commissioned to 'feed the flock'; elders and deacons were to serve the people in spiritual and administrative roles respectively. There is no man after the cross who is spiritually superior to any other man. Those churches who establish an order of ranks and levels of importance among their clergy are guilty of this very heresy. It is perfectly correct, of course, for those in the church with spiritual gifts to exercise those and to lead the brethren in those areas. Teachers teach, administrators administrate, and givers give. Because of the way the gifts have been distributed by the Holy Spirit certain brethren will predominate in certain areas. The idea, however, of an Christian bowing down to any other Christian is abhorrent to the true Gospel. Peter displayed a fitting Christian humility on the occasion of the salvation of the first Gentile:
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man (Acts 10-25-26).
Jesus tells the church that these false doctrines need to be removed from the church, and quickly, or he will fight against them [the unrepentant sinners] with the sword of His mouth.
And He had in HIs right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength. (Rev. 1:16)
And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (Rev. 19:15)
And the remnant [of the unrepentant ones] were slain with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of His mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. (Rev. 19:21)
If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. (Deut. 32:41)
The church at Pergamos had some within it who held to the doctrine of Balaam, teaching believers it was ok to eat things sacrificed unto idols and even to commit fornication.
The church also had some that held with the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, a thing that the Lord declared He hates.
The first theory of who the Nicolaitans were has been discussed in an earlier posting regarding the church at Ephesus. But the second theory is best described by Zola Levitt in his small booklet titled The Seven Churches, published in 1980:
...comes from a literal translation of the word Nicolaitane, which means 'to conquer the people'. This may refer to the establishing of a hierarchy or a priestly order in the early church, dividing the believers into superior and inferior ranks. In reality the brotherhood of Christians is an equal one (Matthew 23:8) and we are all level at the cross. There are no important Christians. The Church is entirely a group of convicted sinners. In reality the leadership of a proper church are servants of the people; pastor means shepherd, and the pastor is commissioned to 'feed the flock'; elders and deacons were to serve the people in spiritual and administrative roles respectively. There is no man after the cross who is spiritually superior to any other man. Those churches who establish an order of ranks and levels of importance among their clergy are guilty of this very heresy. It is perfectly correct, of course, for those in the church with spiritual gifts to exercise those and to lead the brethren in those areas. Teachers teach, administrators administrate, and givers give. Because of the way the gifts have been distributed by the Holy Spirit certain brethren will predominate in certain areas. The idea, however, of an Christian bowing down to any other Christian is abhorrent to the true Gospel. Peter displayed a fitting Christian humility on the occasion of the salvation of the first Gentile:
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man (Acts 10-25-26).
Jesus tells the church that these false doctrines need to be removed from the church, and quickly, or he will fight against them [the unrepentant sinners] with the sword of His mouth.
And He had in HIs right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength. (Rev. 1:16)
And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (Rev. 19:15)
And the remnant [of the unrepentant ones] were slain with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of His mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. (Rev. 19:21)
If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. (Deut. 32:41)
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