When There Is Slippage

But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.  Revelation 2:14

No one would pay attention to a teacher who was obviously corrupt. Er, unless one wanted to learn corruption that is. What we have today in our verse is a moral slippage in Pergamos, known to us as the compromising church. The church there did not start out corrupt, and the change likely was not obvious. They quite likely slipped down through some layers until they were teaching corrupt doctrine. When the Lord brings up Balaam, we know that money is part of this slippage, and He further mentions idolatry and sexual immorality. 

It happens in our day as well. You probably don't have to think hard to recall a church scandal in the news. Whatever sin ended up making the headline, it began with moral slippage, probably in several areas. In the old days they called it backsliding, but it comes to the same thing, a compromise with the moral laws from way back in the Old Testament. 

So, watch out! 

Bucky