-PART 3 OF 7-
 “THE COMPROMISING CHURCH”

“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.  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to 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.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;  To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”  (Rev 2:12-17)

The third letter was written to the believers at “Pergamos”.  Pergamos was the ancient Capital of Asia and located 50 miles north of Smyrna.  This church was apparently in the heart of all manner of evil as The Lord described it as being a place where “satan dwells”, and yet, though being in the midst they did not deny the faith, nor the name of The Lord.  But, despite their faithfulness in these areas, there was yet still found by The Lord fault in them.  In this letter, they are known as “The Compromising Church”.

This church was such that they believed and spoke the truth, but yet COMPROMISED IT by allowing those who held firm the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans to enter in and dwell amongst them.  These were indeed false and evil doctrines that had NO place among the believers on The Lord Jesus Christ. 

Balaam was a false prophet who was deeply involved in “animal divination”.  It was assumed by those who worshipped “other gods” that there was some “power” in this practice, and that through his (Balaam’s) animal rituals, he could influence the actions of “their gods”.  Now, Balak (King of Moab) saw how the Lord God had blessed Israel, and he was indeed afraid of the people fearing they would overtake the Moabites and dwell in the land.  Thus, he sought out the false prophet Balaam believing he had the power to bless and curse and what he spoke would be so.  His desire was that Balaam would curse Israel, and persuade The Lord God, The God of Israel to remove his blessings from them.  But instead of curses, Israel received even GREATER blessings.  In like manner, the doctrine of the Nicolaitans was against the teachings of The Lord, in that their practice was extremely immoral and idolatrous.  The Lord despised of these doctrines, and he give stern warning to the believers at Pergamos to REPENT.  For they had involved themselves in pagan feasts where the food had been sacrificed to idols, and committed all manner of sexual immorality (common practices of the Nicolaitans).    These believers were WITHOUT excuse, for KNOWING those things the Lord hate, they yet still participated in them.  They KNEW the truth and yet compromised it by receiving a lie, and indulging in it.

The same it is today.  While the believers at Pergamos were without excuse, EVEN MORE SO are those who profess to be believers and yet close their eyes and shut their ears to all manner of sin and evil WITHIN the church, and those who even engage in such behavior many deeming it as “harmless”.  It truly amazes me how “the church” can become so actively, and vocally involved condemning the sins of those of the world, yet turn their face away from the blatant and UNHIDDEN sins within the church pretending all is well.  We can condemn the sexual immorality of the world, but yet REFUSE to deal with this sin within our OWN members (The Body of Christ).  We can condemn those of the world who hate, but yet REFUSE to remove this cancer from parts and members of the Body of Christ.  We speak against segregation and separatism in the world, while the church has the GREATEST amongst the two within it’s members.  White church, black church, protestant and Catholic church, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, and so on…Where did all this foolishness come from?  Certainly this is NOT the will of our Father.  For such have been proven to ONLY keep separatism ALIVE within the Body of Christ.  These denominational walls (which we’ve ALLOWED the enemy to bring in) will continue as long as they are STANDING, to DIVIDE THE CHURCH!  Thus, how are we qualified to judge the world and their evil, while our own house remains dirty, unswept, and unclean?   We KNOW what the word of God has taught concerning the Body of Christ in that we are ALL parts and members of one another, thus when parts are JOINED they are to become ONE, yet we continue to dismember ourselves desiring rather to enter into the kingdom as GROUPS, rather than as ONE.  But there shall be NO groups of individual beliefs within the Kingdom of Heaven.  ALL who shall enter in, will enter in having the SAME heart, the SAME mind, the SAME faith, in ONE ACCORD and it will be done so FIRST, in this life, within the TRUE church, “THE BODY OF CHRIST”.

Therefore, it is imperative that WE do NOT compromise that which we know to be the TRUTH according to The Word of God by receiving and/or participating in the doctrine of lies.  Before we can condemn homosexuality in this WORLD, let us REMOVE sexual immorality within the church!  WE KNOW it’s there, as it has NOT remain hidden and although the church may attempt to cover the sin and pretend it’s not visible, it HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO THE WORLD and we are to them as HYPOCRITES while judging them, the sin remains in us!  I know that many within the church may feel those who continue in sin, those who openly and viciously hate their brother, etc. it is their problem, their sin, what does their sin have to do with me?   Do you still not know that a little leaven, leavens the WHOLE LUMP, and all we need to do is scratch the wound and it will bleed, become infected, and SPREAD?   The Lord COMMANDS that we be Holy.  He is not coming back for a dismembered, barely able to stand body, but IS coming back for a body that IS COMPLETE…WITHOUT SPOT, WITHOUT WRINKLE!  IF we truly love Him, we will strive to follow HIS commandments, and seek to be as He is.   We would LOVE one another as HE commanded that we should.  We would submit to and follow the Spirit and reject those things of the flesh.  We would NOT for ourselves or ANYONE compromise the truth for the sake of momentary pleasure, but will STAND FIRMLY on the Truth, speaking and LIVING the Truth of the Word of God EVERY DAY of our lives!   We must FIRST cleanse ourselves before we can even attempt to address the sins of the world, for WE are to be THE LIGHT unto THE WORLD.  If inwardly there is darkness, how then can the light be exposed? 

Be NOT of “The Compromising Church”.  Remember that everything we do, has CONSEQUENCE!

I Love you all so very much.  Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember:  Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

The Lord be with you this day and always!  Shalom Uvracha (Peace and Blessings)……..

Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh,
Adonai Elohim Tzeva-ot
Asher Hayah Va-ho-veh VaY’vo

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come!

May the peace of the Lord be with you today and always……

Khandielese
Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God