The Church in Pergamum was initially given the opportunity to get its house in order. It was given the opportunity to repent, and to call the followers of the teaching of the Nicolaitans to order. That is the biblical way.
He who has an ear, let him hear. People in the church of Pergamum would have undoubtedly understood what He meant. There are expositors who say that the teaching of the Nicolaitans also brought a development into the church, dividing it into ‘lay people’ on the one hand, and office holders, elders, bishops, theologians, priests, pastors, and ‘experts’
Thyatira was the least important city of the seven, not a religious or political center, but a place of trading and commerce. It is apparent from inscriptions that guilds flourished there. The members of a guild ate meals together that they dedicated to one or other god—and that was what caused the Christians difficulties.
The woman Jezebel1 was the wife of King Ahab, the daughter of Ethbaal, the king of Sidon. She took her own gods, the Baals and Ashtaroth, with her from the heathen land. Ahab, insensitive to religious matters as long as power and wealth were maintained, took no interest and let her have her way.
God gives time for people to acquire insight and to come to repentance and conversion. Esau made no use of this1 because of indifference, and then it was too late. Jezebel was also given time, as were all who came after her. God wants to grant conversion,2 change of heart and mind, and He is patient.
There is a difference between those who commit adultery with ‘Jezebel’ herself and her practices (v.22) and her children. The former are lead into great trials and tribulation so they have a chance to be converted.
What is meant by the threesome Nicolaitans–Balaam–Jezebel is becoming increasingly clear. What God is against is not only about sacrifices to idols and whoredom, separating doctrine from life as well as carrying on with the world to safeguard financial gain, but also about special spiritual—or rather spiritualist—experiences.
What is meant by the threesome Nicolaitans–Balaam–Jezebel is becoming increasingly clear. What God is against is not only about sacrifices to idols and whoredom, separating doctrine from life as well as carrying on with the world to safeguard financial gain, but also about special spiritual—or rather spiritualist—experiences.
The victors are given the morning star. This is closely linked to the previous promise: ruling over the Gentiles. They share in Christ’s messianic rule over the nations. They are called a Kingdom because they will share in Christ’s Kingdom.
