Book of Revelation - Chapter 2 - Verse 14

The verse addresses a reprimand from Jesus to the church in Pergamos for allowing individuals within the church to follow the teachings of Balaam. Balaam was a prophet in the Old Testament who was hired by the Moabite king, Balak, to curse the Israelites. However, God prevented Balaam from cursing them and instead, he blessed them. Despite this, Balaam advised Balak on how to lead the Israelites astray by enticing them with idolatry and immorality, causing them to sin against God. In a similar manner, the church in Pergamos had individuals promoting teachings that led to spiritual compromise and moral corruption. By referencing the story of Balaam, Jesus was warning the church about the dangers of tolerating false teachings that could lead believers away from God's truth and into sin. This serves as a reminder for all believers to be vigilant and discerning in guarding against false doctrines that can weaken their faith and compromise their commitment to following Christ.

In this verse, the mention of the doctrine of Balaam refers to a story from the Old Testament where Balaam, a prophet, was enticed by the king of Moab, Balak, to curse the people of Israel. When Balaam could not curse them, he advised Balak to lead the Israelites into sin by seducing them with idol worship and sexual immorality. This led to the downfall of many Israelites. This passage serves as a warning to the church in Pergamos about the danger of allowing false teachings and practices to infiltrate the church, leading believers astray. By mentioning the doctrine of Balaam, the verse highlights the importance of holding fast to sound doctrine and avoiding worldly influences that may lead to spiritual compromise. It calls for a discerning and vigilant approach to safeguard the integrity of the church and the faith of its members.