Many churches and denominations have embraced a progressive sexual ethic in keeping with the spirit of our age. Behaviour and practices that have for hundreds of years been considered wrong, are now being condoned and celebrated, particularly in the sexual arena. Cohabitation, same-sex unions and transgender ideology, to name a few.
In the name of love and claiming to be led by the Spirit, many churches and denominations are rejoicing in what the Bible regards as sin.
Jesus wrote seven letters to seven churches in Asia Minor, recorded in Revelation 2-3. These letter are for all churches through all the ages. The letter to the church in Pergamum is of particular relevance.
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’
Revelation 2:12-17 ESV
The teaching of Balaam
Balaam’s story (Numbers 22-24) is a very interesting one. The account of Balaam occurs during the journey of the Israelites in the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, at the close of forty years of wilderness wanderings. The Israelites had already defeated two kings in Transjordan: Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan. Balak, king of Moab, was alarmed and sent envoys to Balaam to induce him to curse Israel.
However, the true God, the God of the Bible, speaks to Balaam and forbids him from cursing His people. Balaam informs Balak that he cannot curse those whom God has blessed.
However, Balaam then came up with a sneaky strategy. He advised the King of Moab to send young Moabite women among the Israelites to tempt them with sexual immorality and the worship of foreign gods, that went hand in hand. The devious deception worked. (cf. Numbers 25:1-3)
Balaam could not curse God’s people, but God’s people disadvantaged themselves. They dishonoured God with their sexual immorality and their hearts were led astray.
Balaam cast a “stumbling block” (Revelation 2:14) before God’s people and, as a result, Balaam and the offending Israelites bore the deadly divine judgement. (cf. Numbers 25:9, 31:8)
The teaching of the Nicolaitans
We’re not exactly sure of the Nicolaitan’s teaching, but they very definitely promoted, like Balaam, a “progressive”, different, unsanctioned sexual ethic accompanied by the worship of created things rather than the Creator.
The Nicolaitans probably said something similar to what the Archbishop of Canterbury said about the Church of England’s decision to bless same-sex unions: “We need to move with the times and be led by the Spirit.” By implication, “We should not be old-fashioned and restricted by the Bible.”
Some in the church in Pergamum, like today, were holding to the teaching of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. They were embracing a different sexual ethic.
Roman culture
Contemporary first century Roman culture insisted that married women of social status abstain from sex outside of marriage, but it was expected that men (also married men) would have sex with people lower on the status ladder, sex with slaves, prostitutes and even children. This wasn’t only allowed; it was regarded as unavoidable. Sex was seen as a mere physical appetite that was irresistible. Cf. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/5-features-early-church-unique/”
Like today, the culture said that if it feels right, do it because it must be right.
The gospel
Into this world came the gospel of Jesus about how we can be right with God. The gospel about Jesus who came as king, died to save us from our sins, rose to rule and will one day return to judge.
The gospel that says that we are not God. God is God. Therefore the best way to live is not my way, but God’s way.
God’s word teaches that the only place for sexual union is in marriage between one man and one woman. Any other sex, sexual intimacy or sexual practice outside of that is sin, is wrong, is harmful to us and is an offense to God.
The Bible’s teaching about sex is not difficult to understand or comprehend.
Sexual hypocrisy
However, some members of the church in Pergamum claimed to hold fast to Christ while holding to the teaching of Balaam. And as they disobeyed the Word of Christ (cf. Revelation 2:12; Hebrews 4:12), their hearts were drawn away from Christ.
They preached in the cathedral on Sunday, but lived like the Nicolaitans on Monday.
They shared great insights at small group on Wednesday, but visited a prostitute on Thursday.
They prayed at the prayer meeting on Friday, but committed adultery on Saturday.
They wanted all the benefits of Christ, but they refused to live under the Word of Christ, which is pictured as a sharp two-edged sword. (Revelation 2:12)
Satan’s two strategies to destroy the church is persecution and seduction. When persecution doesn’t work (Revelation 2:13), seduction comes next. Balaam’s deception all over again.
What does Christ command for his church?
It’s very simple.
v16 “Therefore repent“
Repent
Repent, turn around, stop sinning and start honouring God.
Jesus calls the Archbishop of Canterbury to repent.
Jesus calls the leaders of the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa who have embraced same-sex relationships as honouring to God to repent.
Jesus calls the churches and denominations that have forsaken the Word of Christ and are allegedly following the “Spirit” of Christ to repent.
Jesus calls us if we are engaging in sexual intimacy outside of marriage, which includes pornography, to repent.
Love the sinner, hate the sin
Jesus commended the church in Ephesus for hating the “work of the Nicolaitans” (Revelation 2:6). Jesus hated the works of the Nicolaitans, but not the Nicolaitans.
We too are called to hate sin, but love sinners.
Therefore, we love adulterers, pornographers, cohabitators, and those who are in same-sex partnerships attending our church.
But our message is the same message that Jesus had for sinners, epitomized in his response to the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11.
Jesus did not condemn her. He welcomed her and said, “Go and sin no more”.
Jesus didn’t condone her sin. He loved her enough to tell her the truth about sin. He forgave her sin and told her to stop sinning.
If we repent from sin and put our trust in Jesus, God will forgive us, save us and welcome us into his family. Then, as Christians, God calls us to live under his Word. Not only sexually, but in all areas of our life.
When we fall and fail, we keep repenting and turning to Jesus.
What if there is no repentance?
The warring sword of Christ
V16…”If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.“
The sharp, two-edged Word of Christ (cf. Hebrews 4:12) penetrates deep, cuts, convicts and saves. But if we reject that word that same word will war against us.
Just as in the days of Balaam, God will bring his divine judgment. Perhaps in this world. Definitely in the world to come.
Judgement begins with the household of God.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 2:17)