How can we resist the seduction of the devil?
Gregory Bishop
(Audio: Spanish)
SUMMARY: The letter to the church in Pergamum in the book of Revelation emphasizes the importance of being a winning church in the face of spiritual warfare. Pergamum was a major city in the Roman empire and a spiritual center that was home to the throne of Satan. The devil used direct and indirect tactics to neutralize the church, including the seductive teachings of Balaam. Balaam was a spiritualist in the Old Testament who combined faith in God with other spirits and was asked by King Balak to put a curse on Israel. Despite God telling him not to curse Israel, Balaam was seduced by the promise of money and power and ultimately failed. The lesson for the church in Pergamum and for us today is to resist the seductive and compromising teachings of the devil and remain faithful to God.
The story of Balaam teaches us that God's people cannot be cursed by man because they are blessed by God. However, the devil can seduce us and tempt us into sin, which can lead to God's discipline. Balaam tried to curse God's people but ended up blessing them because God had already blessed them. Balaam's strategy was to make idolatry attractive and delicious, using food and sexuality to tempt people. Greed is a form of idolatry, and we must be careful not to fall into the devil's seduction. The gift of repentance is always available, and we can come out of hiding and into the light to be healed. We don't have to do it alone, as this church is a hospital where sinners can be healed. The best antidote to the devil's seduction is the hidden manna, which is better than any tempting food or pleasure. In the end, we will eat well with Jesus in heaven.
The speaker talks about the story of the Israelites who ate miraculous bread in the desert and how it symbolizes the heavenly food that we will eat in the resurrection. He encourages listeners to say no to the devil's temptations and instead focus on enjoying the presence of God. He also talks about the white stone with a written name that will be given to us in heaven, which he believes is an invitation to a special banquet. He encourages listeners to confess their sins and participate in the sacrament, which is a symbol of the heavenly banquet.
The story of Balaam teaches us that God's people cannot be cursed by man because they are blessed by God. However, the devil can seduce us and tempt us into sin, which can lead to God's discipline. Balaam tried to curse God's people but ended up blessing them because God had already blessed them. Balaam's strategy was to make idolatry attractive and delicious, using food and sexuality to tempt people. Greed is a form of idolatry, and we must be careful not to fall into the devil's seduction. The gift of repentance is always available, and we can come out of hiding and into the light to be healed. We don't have to do it alone, as this church is a hospital where sinners can be healed. The best antidote to the devil's seduction is the hidden manna, which is better than any tempting food or pleasure. In the end, we will eat well with Jesus in heaven.
The speaker talks about the story of the Israelites who ate miraculous bread in the desert and how it symbolizes the heavenly food that we will eat in the resurrection. He encourages listeners to say no to the devil's temptations and instead focus on enjoying the presence of God. He also talks about the white stone with a written name that will be given to us in heaven, which he believes is an invitation to a special banquet. He encourages listeners to confess their sins and participate in the sacrament, which is a symbol of the heavenly banquet.
Revelation 2. As you know we are studying the letters of Jesus to the churches in Asia at the time of the early church. Jesus himself wrote some messages through the Apostle John who was in exile on Patmos looking at the coast of modern Turkey, and the Lord spoke to him. Some messages for churches under persecution, churches suffering hard to be Christians and the messages are 7 on how to be a winning church. And today more than ever the modern church needs to hear that, because there are different pressures against us than in other years, and we want to be a winning church. So it is convenient for us if we have ears to hear what the spirit says to the churches and. and today we are going to read the letter of Jesus to Pergamum, beginning in Revelation 2, verse 12. And write to the angel of the church in Pergamum:
“He who has the sharp two-edged sword says this, 'I know your works and where you dwell, where the throne of Satan is, but you hold fast my name and have not denied my faith even in the days when Antipas, my witness faithful, was killed among you where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you that you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam that taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. And you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I hate. Therefore repent, otherwise I will come to you soon and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Let him who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat and I will give him a white stone and on the stone written a new name, which no one knows except the one who receives it.’”
“He who has the sharp two-edged sword says this, 'I know your works and where you dwell, where the throne of Satan is, but you hold fast my name and have not denied my faith even in the days when Antipas, my witness faithful, was killed among you where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you that you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam that taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. And you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I hate. Therefore repent, otherwise I will come to you soon and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Let him who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat and I will give him a white stone and on the stone written a new name, which no one knows except the one who receives it.’”
