Church at Pergamos

In the 2nd Chapter of Revelation, we have the letters to the Churches.  Many teachers and preachers just zip on past the letters to the churches and go right to the time after the churches. (Rev 4:1) But I feel these letters are very important to see what the church will be like in the end times.  

The Church at Pergamos is a prime example.  Of the praise and admonishment it receives in Revelation 2:14-17 (KJV)

¹⁴  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
¹⁵  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
¹⁶  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
¹⁷  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

I'd like to mention first off verse 15, the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.  Most of us know the Roman Church hierarchy is set up this way, priests, bishops, archbishops, cardinals, etc.  Jesus hates this.

Even some protestant denominations also have their bishops.  TD Jakes stands out as one person calling himself a bishop. Jimmy Swaggart in his book "The Prophesies and Symbols of Revelation" on page 20, states that these individuals were followers of Nicolas of Antioch (Acts 6:5).  This man is supposed to have given his name to a group in the early church who sought to work out a compromise with paganism, to enable Christians to take part without embarrassment in some of the social and religious activities of the close-knit society in which they found themselves.  The Lord told this church to "Repent; or else" (Rev.2;16)."

The Doctrine of Balaam answered on this link: What is the doctrine of Balaam? |  https://www.gotquestions.org/doctrine-of-Balaam.html.

In a nut shell, King Balak of Moab offered Balaam money to curse Israel.  Balaam leads a campaign of seduction against them.  

Other scriptures describing the wickedness of this doctrine:

2 Peter 2:15 (KJV)
¹⁵  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;

Jude 1:10-11 (KJV)
¹⁰  But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
¹¹  Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 

There is a Lutheran Church in Edina, a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Martin Luther would be rolling in his grave if he knew what was happening in some of these churches.  This church, led by  Pastor Anna Helgen and written by Rev. Rachel-Small Stokes recite what she calls the "Sparkle Creed".  This was a Facebook post, I didn't make it up.

I believe in the non-binary God whose pronouns are plural.

I believe in Jesus Christ, their child, who wore a fabulous tunic and had two dads, and who saw everyone as a sibling child of God.

I believe in the rainbow Spirit, who shatters our image of one white light and refracts it into a rainbow of gorgeous diversity.

I believe in the church of everyday saints, as numerous, creative and resilient as patches on the AIDS quilt, whose feet are grounded in mud and whose eyes gaze at the stars in Wonder.

I believe in the calling to each of us, that love is love is love, so beloved, let us love.

I believe, glorious God.  Help my unbelief. 

I have no words to describe this... Have a great week...... Dave