ESOCS Devotional 19 December
TEXT: REVELATION 2:13-29
MEMORY VERSE: “Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.” 2 Peter 2:15 KJV
In our text today, the Lord’s assessment of the church in Pergamos attracted kudos, for the church managed to keep her faith even in the centre of high religious and political hostility against the truth – “where Satan dweleth.” (v 13). The intimidating presence in the city of Pergamos, of pagan god temples, such as Zeus, Athena, Asclepius, and Dionysus, could not weigh down the church, or cause her to deviate.
However, what would eventually happen in the years to come would be an apostate church that would be brought into conformity with the function of pagan religiosity, due to the heavy presence of traditional idolatry and Roman Emperor worship. Hence, the Lord expressed some disappointments against the church for harbouring, and not cautioning those of them there who, though members of the church, held strongly to the “doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balaak” the corrupt way of life against the ways of the Lord (Num. 3:16). There were also in the Pergamos church some make-believe Christians (Nicolaitanes), whose doctrine the Lord hates.
There is no gain-saying that this type of Christians abound today in the midst of the congregation. The Lord cautions that such should repent, or else He would come quickly, to fight against such with the sword of His mouth (Word of God), (v 16).
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
CHALLENGES
In Rev. 2:13, the Lord was full of praises for the Pergamos church, which, despite the intimidating presence of Satan and his agents, held on to their faith. What about you?
PRAYER POINT
Lord Jesus, I need your all-sufficient grace to forge ahead, in spite of all odds. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 17:1-8; 18:1-11; Revelation 4:1-11
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ESOCS Devotional 19 December
