The Altars of Self, Convenience and Compromise

Dear Saints:

Imagine living where it is known that Satan lives. Most of us will take to our heals from such a city of Satan’s throne.  I don’t know which city can be likened to such a description in the USA; may be Las Vegas, New Orleans or Washington DC? I don’t know. In fact, it can be any city in this day and age.

The church at Pergamos lived at the throne of Satan; probably because the city had the great altar of Roman god Zeus and many other gods; and it was the seat of the Roman idol worshiping government.  And guess what, Jesus said to them, I know that you live where Satan lives. We must not run from the dark world around us but be the light in the dark.

In the midst of their difficult location, Jesus commends them for “holding fast to My name, and did not deny My faith”.  Please note that it is not your faith but “My [Jesus] faith]; so do not brag about it but give it out as you have freely received through His Word (faith comes by hearing the word of God).

Let’s read about the Pergamos church (please read entire chapters 2-3 of Revelation):

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,

‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: ¹³ “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 

¹⁴ But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 

¹⁵ Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. ¹⁶ Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

¹⁷ “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 to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” Revelation 2:12-17.

What we believe and teach is very important because it controls our behavior and what we do.  Jesus’ chief complaint about the Pergamos church was on the doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. In sum, both are doctrines of idol worship and self-worship; convenience and compromise that will delay or cause people to miss their destinies. The same is present in our day and in our churches and lives. It is very subtle and it asks you to blend in with the culture and relax the rules and norms to water everything down.

Check out Balaam and Balak in Numbers 22-24 and 31; how they wanted to derail Israel from entering the promised land. When Satan can’t get you through trials and persecutions, he goes for the subtle means of deception/seduction leading to idolatry and immorality. Let’s watch out; that is where we are now as a church.

There is no more restraints. Now you can choose up to four or more genders categories; cohabit with an unmarried boy/girlfriend; and hook up with anyone. Then, it was the altar of convenience where they sacrificed their living children.  Now we surgically kill them in the worm before they are born and we call it pro-choice. Choice to kill?

The compromise has gotten to the point where the people of God no longer open their mouths and proclaim Jesus to friends and family in fear that they may offend someone. The cancel culture and the awoke culture doesn’t want you to say anything about Jesus, the only savior of the whole world. The present message is tolerance as long as you don’t mention the “faith” of Jesus.

Jesus’ solution – “Repent” before it is too late. We must take our stand. It begins with the right doctrine of Jesus. Hear Jesus, “These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword”. Jesus is the Word of God who became human so He can relate to us and redeem us from our sins (John 1). “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth”. You don’t want Jesus fighting you. Do you?

What can we do differently as we learn from the Pergamos church? We must stand and be light in darkness. We must watch and pray and proclaim that Jesus is the only answer to the sins of the whole world. We must not compromise the truth and lifestyle of the Gospel.

Is Jesus costing you to give up self, convenience and compromise for His Name sake? May the Holy Spirit help us. Amen.

Who are you worshiping? If not Jesus Christ, I invite you to repent of your sins and put your trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. May the Holy Spirit reveal Jesus to you. Amen.