November 12
________________________________________
MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH IN PERGAMUM
A poem by ILMA
This is the message to the Pergamum church
It came from the one with the two-edged sword
“I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne
And yet, you have remained loyal to me, your Lord
You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my witness was killed
He was martyred among you there in Satan’s city but you stayed faithful.
“But I have a few complaints against you in your church
You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam,
You were taught how to trip up the people of Israel
You were told to eat food offered to idols and to commit sexual sin
You you have among you who follow those evil teachings.
“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit, repent of your sins.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
“But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin.
– Revelation 2:14
Read: Revelation 2:12-17
Jesus had a complaint against the church in Pergamum. This message speaks of the strength of this church, which is loyalty. They were loyal to the Lord in the midst of someone being killed because of his faith in Jesus. The Lord does not tolerate hypocrisy and sins either, so this church was confronted with wrong things they listen to and their sins. He does not tolerate false teachings and defiling the Lord’s commands. Even though they were faithful, they were allowing these false teachings and sins to thrive.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why are we challenged to confront false teachings and sin?
• What happens when we don’t recognize wrong teachings in our church?
• Why can’t we cover up sins with some of our strengths?