Let us Discern the Teaching of the Nicolaitans

Revelation 2:12-17

Today, we will reflect on the message the Lord gave to the angel of the church in Pergamum and what it means for us. Pergamum was a place where Satan’s throne was located, making it a challenging environment for believers to live out their faith. In this church, a faithful servant of the Lord, Antipas, was martyred for his faith. Even in such a difficult situation, the church held onto their faith in Jesus. However, after the death of Antipas, they began following the teachings of the Nicolaitans. The Lord called them to repent, promising that if they did, He would give them hidden manna and a white stone. Based on this passage, I will explore three key points:

First, the faith that the church of Pergamum held onto in the midst of challenging circumstances—what kind of faith was this?
Second, the rebuke given to the church concerning those who held to the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans—what were these teachings?
Third, the promise of manna and a white stone given to those who repent—what do these symbolize for us today?

First, the faith of the church in Pergamum despite difficult circumstances.
Pergamum was a city deeply rooted in Greco-Roman culture. In modern terms, it was a place dominated by anti-Christian values. It was here that the Lord’s faithful witness, Antipas, was martyred. Despite this, the church did not renounce their faith in Jesus. What kind of faith did they hold onto? To understand this, we must first unpack what is meant by “Satan’s throne.” Satan is referred to as the ancient serpent, the devil. His throne represents the authority he exercises over the world. According to Revelation 12, Satan and his forces were cast out of heaven after losing the battle to Michael’s army and were given power over the earthly realm. He rules over darkness, which represents everything that brings misery to humanity. Politics, economy, education, and culture—all of these areas are meant to bring happiness, but instead, they are sources of sorrow. That’s why it matters who governs these spheres.

To hold onto faith in such an environment means more than simply having personal salvation; it means having faith that seeks to save those trapped in darkness. Our faith should have a positive influence on the world because faith is testified through life. As those who confess Jesus as our King, we are citizens of the Kingdom of God. God’s people live as sojourners on this earth, following the laws of His Kingdom and resisting the temptations of this world. Though we may face trials and persecution, the message of Revelation calls us to patiently endure and hold onto our faith, knowing that we are waiting for the Lord’s return to judge the world. The danger lies in straying from this faith, which is why the Lord rebuked the church.

Second, the Lord’s rebuke of the church for following the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans.
What were these teachings? The teaching of Balaam was one that led people astray into sin, encouraging them to pursue material gain and moral corruption. In the Old Testament, Balaam was hired by King Balak of Moab to curse the Israelites. Although he initially refused because God told him not to, Balaam eventually gave in to the temptation of wealth and set out to curse Israel. Three times, Balaam attempted to curse Israel, but God turned his words into blessings. However, Balaam later advised Balak to lead the Israelites into sin by enticing them with Moabite women, leading them to commit sexual immorality and idol worship. This caused God’s judgment to fall upon Israel.

In the same way, there were those in Pergamum who followed the teachings of the Nicolaitans, which were similar to Balaam’s. Today, the teachings of the Nicolaitans can be seen in the rise of secularism, pluralism, and postmodernism.

Secularism seeks to exclude religious beliefs from the public sphere, reducing faith to a personal, private matter. Christianity is often criticized and marginalized in the public square, while other religions are treated more leniently. Behind this, it is clear that Satan is at work.
Pluralism teaches that all religions and philosophies are equally valid. This directly contradicts Christianity’s claim that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ. In a pluralistic society, Christian exclusivity is seen as narrow-minded. Satan is undoubtedly behind this deception.
Postmodernism denies absolute truth and promotes the idea that all truths are relative. This undermines the Christian belief in the singular truth of Jesus Christ, leading many to view Christianity as outdated and intolerant. Once again, we see Satan’s influence in these ideologies.

These teachings have contributed to the rise of anti-Christian sentiment. In the U.S. and other Western nations, Christian symbols are being removed from public spaces, and Christian values are being sidelined in schools and government institutions. In contrast, other religions are often portrayed positively in the media. This spiritual battle against the forces of darkness is what Christians must be aware of, and it is what the Lord rebuked the church for not recognizing.

Third, the blessings of manna and a white stone given to those who repent.
What do these represent? The Lord warns that if the church does not repent, He will come and fight against them with the sword of His mouth. No one can stand against the sword of the Lord. Therefore, we must repent of the teachings of the Nicolaitans, which have subtly infiltrated our faith. Through secularism, pluralism, and postmodernism, Satan has caused Christians to compromise their faith. Even some scholars within the church have embraced these ideologies, distorting the love of Christ into something worldly.

But the Lord promises hidden manna and a white stone to those who repent. Manna represents the Word of God that sustains us. The white stone, given by the righteous Judge, signifies that we are declared righteous in His sight. It carries the name of the Lamb, showing that we belong to Christ, purchased by His blood. Receiving the white stone means the Lord acknowledges that we have lived faithfully for His name.

In conclusion, the message to the church of Pergamum contains three key lessons for us today.
First, despite being in a difficult environment where Satan’s throne is, the church held onto their faith in Jesus. This faith is about maintaining the purity of the gospel and being a light in the world.
Second, the Lord rebuked the church for following the false teachings of the Nicolaitans, which led to moral and spiritual compromise.
Third, the blessings of repentance include receiving God’s Word and being declared righteous by the Lord. Let us resist the temptations of this world, hold fast to our faith, and look forward to the Lord’s return, living with hope in His promises.

May we all receive the hidden manna and the white stone from the Lord. Amen.