Come Out From Among Them!

Revelation 2:12-17

Ground Work Rule:

Leviticus 18:1-5, you are not too ...

Live like those who were in Egypt (false god’s, false practices, false worship) where you were.

Nor like those who are in Canaan (false god’s, false practices, false worship) where you are going.

Sexual sin and child sacrifice are the inherently evil sins taking place in these places.

So too is the land in which the church of Pergamos/Pergamum finds itself.

Pergamos/Pergamum:

The Compromised Church

Dwelling where Satan’s throne is (v.13): Pergamos was a center of pagan worship, especially of Zeus and the imperial cult. The church lived in a spiritually hostile environment.

Faithfulness under persecution: They held fast to Christ’s name, even when Antipas was martyred.

Compromise and corruption: Some held to the doctrine of Balaam (idolatry and immorality) and the Nicolaitans.

A body that stood strong in persecution but weakened by tolerating false doctrine. That tension makes it relatable today: holding fast to Christ while resisting the subtle pull of cultural compromise.

Doctrine of Balaam:

Balaam’s First Mention:

First biblical mention of Balaam Numbers 22:5, when Balak, king of Moab, sends messengers to summon him from Pethor by the Euphrates River to curse Israel.

Balaam is introduced as a diviner/prophet with a reputation for effective blessings and curses, though he was not an Israelite.

Balaam’s Sin:

Although Balaam initially spoke only what God allowed (blessing Israel instead of cursing them), his heart was corrupt.

Greed and covetousness: He longed for Balak’s reward, described in the NT as “the wages of wickedness” (2 Peter 2:15).

Compromise and corruption: When he couldn’t curse Israel directly, Balaam advised Balak to entice Israel with Moabite and Midianite women, leading them into sexual immorality and idolatry (Numbers 25:1–3; Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14).

Result: Israel worshiped Baal of Peor, and God judged them with a plague that killed 24,000 people (Numbers 25:9).

Balaam himself was later executed by Israel during their war against Midian (Numbers 31:8).

Summary of Balaam’s Sin:

Externally: He appeared obedient, blessing Israel when God commanded.

Internally: He was greedy, manipulative, and willing to corrupt God’s people for personal gain.

Biblical verdict: His name became synonymous with greed, false teaching, and compromise (see Jude 11; 2 Peter 2:15; Revelation 2:14).

The Letter:

Verse 12:

To the angel of the church, either an angelic being, or earthly messenger such as the Pastor/Elder of the church who would read the letter.

Again to a church, an actual first recipient is the first context.

This time there is no comforting greeting. Here Christ introduces himself as the one who has the sharp double edged sword.

It will become clear that Christ means to make war on the disobedient in this church.

They stand threatened not just by idolatry, sin and the persecution of the world. But they stand threatened by the Lord himself .

Verse 13:

Again he knows their works. There is not a church that will fool Christ. There is not a congregation that the wicked can hide in. And Pergamos is about to find out this stark reality.

He also knows where they dwell and that is where Satan himself dwells. In an evil and wicked city. One that is enticing to them, who’s allure and charm is drawing some to compromise.

Yet they do have a few positive qualities and the Lord’s shows them those things in which they are solid.

They hold fast to the name of Christ, even in persecution and even in the midst of a wicked and idolatrous city.

They also have not denied the faith, even in the midst of persecution where some have been martyred like Antipas.

Early Christian tradition says that Antipas was a Bishop of Pergamos (Pastor), ordained by the Apostle John.

According to tradition, Antipas is said to have been roasted to death in a brazen bull-shaped altar.

Despite the torment, Antipas remained serene, praying for his executioners, as Christ did at his death.

Verse 14:

Here we see this churches errors.

The Doctrine of Balaam.

Idolatry, probably worship of Zeus or Emperor worship.

Sexual immorality.

Verse 15:

Doctrine of Nicolaitans is similar to that of “Balaam”. It was a doctrine of compromise, promoting idolatry, sexual immorality, and abusing Christian liberty by turning grace into a license for sin.

What we know about them:

Mentioned in Revelation 2:6, 15: Jesus says He hates their deeds and rebukes Pergamos for tolerating them.

Name meaning: From Greek nikos (“to conquer”) and laos (“people”), suggesting “conquerors of the people”.

Possible founder: Some early writers (Irenaeus, Hippolytus) linked them to Nicolas of Antioch, one of the seven deacons in Acts 6:5, who allegedly fell into apostasy.

Their Doctrine and Practices:

Idolatry and immorality: Closely tied to Balaam’s teaching—encouraging believers to eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.

Self-indulgence: Clement of Alexandria described them as living “like goats,” abandoning themselves to pleasure.

Abuse of grace: They twisted Christian liberty into license, much like later Gnostic groups, promoting a lifestyle of unrestrained indulgence.

Control over people: Their name itself suggests domination or subjugation of the laity, possibly through false teaching and spiritual manipulation.

Verse 16:

Call to Repentance.

The Warning, he will come upon them quickly and make war against them with the sword of his mouth.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Verse 17:

The promise the faithful, who can both hear and overcome:

Hidden Mana, the True bread of life, which can sustain one eternally.

A white stone -

In ancient courts, jurors cast stones to vote: a white stone meant acquittal, a black stone meant guilt.

Victors in athletic contests were sometimes awarded a white stone as a ticket of admission to a celebratory banquet.

In some cultures, a host gave a white stone to a guest as a token of friendship and welcome.

A New Name -

The stone bears a new name known only to the recipient.

This points to the believer’s unique, eternal identity in Christ, sealed and personal.

Application

As God’s chosen people in Christ, we are to be separate the world, not compromise with it. We are to live as Christ in the New Testament dictates and not as the world we live in does.

We are to be very vigilant against idolatry and sexual immorality of every kind. Christ takes the purity of His church very seriously, Christians need to reclaim and reestablish the same concern for purity personally and corporately within the church.

Cling to Christ’s word and His promise. Those who repent and remain faithful are promise mana and a new name, eternal life and a new identity in Christ.