Church in Pergamum

THE SEVEN KINDS OF MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST (Part 3)

What is another kind of members in the Church according to our Lord Jesus Christ?

Revelation 2:12-17 NIV

“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live — where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”

Another kind of member in the church is similar to the brethren in Pergamum; they firmly hold on to their election in the Church of Christ but, still abide other teachings or beliefs and wrong ideas. They live without firm conviction as they have neither rejected nor renounced their offensive deeds. They are still associated with their past wicked deeds. Therefore, they are not truly upholding their lives in accordance with the words of God. To what were church members in Pergamum likened to, according to Apostle Peter?

II Peter 2:12-17 RSV

“But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and killed, reviling in matters of which they are ignorant, will be destroyed in the same destruction with them, suffering wrong for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their dissipation, carousing with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way they have gone astray; they have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a dumb ass spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm; for them the nether gloom of darkness has been reserved.”

The ministers and overseers who are not performing their duties devotedly and prioritize worldly gain are likened to the members in Pergamum. They are neglectful of their duties, often looking for personal gains. Although they see the wrongdoings, they do not rebuke them because they gain benefits from those who live sinfully. Their lips are sealed and they turn a blind eye; they even join in these worldly pleasures and in committing sins.

There are brethren under their care who still dwell in satan’s dominion, and were never admonished. They simply overlook them for they do not uphold the truth. Those who are like the church members in Pergamum are tainted with wrong ideas and beliefs from false religions.

Although they know who the one true God is, they still worship idols. In our previous discussion about the different types of idols, we have learned that the worship of idols also refers to the idol inside the heart and the idol in the stomach. The idol inside the heart pertains to the wills and desires of the flesh. The worship of the idol of the stomach is also an abomination before God, which is arrogance and the act of giving excessive importance to worldly things. How are these kind of ministers regarded by our Lord Jesus Christ?

John 10:12-13 NIV

“The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”

Our Lord Jesus likened these types of ministers to hired hands. They seek pleasures and do not truly have concern for church members under their care. They are insatiable with sin while they commune with the brethren, their eyes filled with infidelity and their hearts with greed for they follow the path of Balaam. They did not join the ministry for duty’s sake but for personal gain.

God is merciful because He is still giving us an opportunity to acknowledge our sins. So let us repent and renew our lives while our Lord God still gives us a chance. Let us care for our brethren, who, due to the rampant forsaking of God’s teachings, have become indifferent and have gone along with it. Let us follow the pristine teachings and commandments of God that has been taught to us. Let us not be enticed by worldly pleasures and indulgences. Let us not waste our right in inheriting the true eternal life.