Revelation 2:13 “You Are Holding Fast to My Name, And You Did Not Deny Your Faith in Me...”[1]

FAithfulness (Consistency, Endurance, Perseverance)

Denial (Excuse, Refuse, Rejection) 

 

3. The Commendation (v.13).[2]
D.  The Message to Pergamos: The Church That Is Corrupted & Married to the World, 2:12–17
1.   The Recipients’ a.   The messenger of the church b.   The Pergamos church DS1 2.   The Speaker: Jesus	12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
3.   The Commendation a.   For loyalty to Christ’s name b.   For doctrinal purity c.   For facing martyrdom	13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
4.   The Complaint: False doctrine & worldliness a.   The teaching of Balaam: False worship, idolatry & immorality, see Nu. 22–25	14 But I have a few things against thee because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
b.   The teaching of the Nicolaitans: Demanding liberty without law, leading to license & indulgence, v. 6	15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
5.   The Counsel: Repent 6.   The Warning: God will come, oppose, & execute judgment	16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
7.   The Promise: To the overcomers a.   The hidden manna, Christ Himself b.   A white stone with a new name written on it, a passport into the presence of God	17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna and will give him a white stone and in the stone, a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.[3]

3. The Cognizance (Revelation 2:13)

Here we look at some important things which Christ knows about the church at Pergamos.

• The cognizance of their service. “I know thy works” (Revelation 2:13). Christ was cognizant of their service. Many may not be aware of your service, of your faithfulness and fidelity in service, but Christ knows. You may be unrewarded by the world, but Christ knows, which means that in due time, you will be duly recognized and rewarded for your good service regardless of how obscure and unimportant your service has been to the world.

• The cognizance of their site. “I know … where thou dwellest” (Revelation 2:13). Christ knows where they live—this knowledge can be encouraging to the faithful but very upsetting to the disobedient who may be dwelling in some place where he ought not to be. In the case of the church of Pergamos, Christ knew the great difficulty they had living in Pergamos because it was “where Satan’s seat [throne] is” (Revelation 2:13). Some churches are not located in the best of situations. The Lord knows that. Church members will have to work harder, sacrifice more, and be more faithful in some circumstances.

• The cognizance of their steadfastness. The third thing Christ was cognizant of regarding the church was some commendable steadfastness. First, they were steadfast in devotion. “Thou holdest fast my name” (Revelation 2:13). The “name” represented everything involved in Jesus Christ. This commendation says they were devoted to Jesus Christ. They would not deny Him. Second, they were steadfast in doctrine. “Hast not denied my faith” (Revelation 2:13). There was doctrinal fidelity in the church. Obviously, as we learn shortly, all were not faithful, but the Lord commends those that were. Third, they were steadfast in danger. “Even in those days wherein Antipas was … slain” (Revelation 2:13). When persecution began to kill the righteous, there were those in Pergamos who refused to be cowardly about their faith in the face of great life-or-death danger. They would be faithful to death.^[4] 

3 (2:13) Church—Believers: there is the Commendation. The church is commended for three things. 

1. The church was loyal to Christ’s name despite the environment. The church had been established in a cesspool of worldliness, a city of people who were consumed with the pleasures, possessions, and comforts of the world. Note: Christ refers to the city as the seat of Satan. However, the believers were refusing to deny Christ. Once a year, they could have easily made their public confession that Caesar is Lord, but they refused. They knew better; they knew that Christ, and Christ alone was Lord. They could have gone quietly about their affairs and never mentioned Christ except when they met for worship. But this they refused to do. They wanted their loved ones, neighbors, and friends to know the salvation and hope of eternal life that was now available in Christ. Therefore, they bore testimony to Christ. They refused to deny Him. They refused to bow their knee and make a false profession to a false god, even if that god was Caesar, the state religion. They held fast to the only name that could really save them, the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men; him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Mt. 10:32–33).

“Whosoever, therefore, shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mk. 8:38).

“Also, I say unto you, whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God” (Lu. 12:8).

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation” (Ro. 10:9–10).

“And every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Ph. 2:11).

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us” (2 Tim. 2:12).

“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [but] he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also” (1 Jn. 2:22–23).

“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God” (1 Jn. 4:15). 

2. The church was pure in doctrine. They had not denied the faith of Christ. They believed in Christ and the Word of God and studied and taught it. They had neither denied Christ nor His Word. The Word of God was preached and taught every week from the pulpit and classes of the church.

“But even after that, we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: but as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so, we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: nor of men sought we glory, neither of you nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ” (1 Th. 2:2–6).

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained” (1 Tim. 4:6).

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:1–2).

“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Tit. 1:9).

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (Tit. 2:1). 

3. The church was standing fast in persecution. At least one believer had been martyred, Antipas. Nothing is known about this dear believer other than what is recorded here. Tradition says that he was placed inside a brazen bull and slowly roasted to death (A.T. Robertson. Word Pictures In the New Testament, Vol.6. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933, p.305).

Note: the word “martyr” (martus) is the regular Greek word for witness. A.T. Robertson says that Antipas was a witness just as Jesus said we should be (Ac. 1:8). Christ gave this dear man His own title: “my faithful one” (see Re. 1:5; 3:14). He was faithful unto death.

Thought 1. This is a sharp rebuke to us today. Just think: the word “witness” and “martyr” mean the same thing. The early believers knew exactly what it meant to become a follower of Christ: it meant the commitment of all they were and had. It meant the possibility of death. As William Barclay says:

In the early Church, to be a martyr and to be a witness were one and the same thing. Witness meant so often martyrdom. An early Christian knew quite well what he was doing as soon as he became a Christian, he had made himself liable to death. Here is a rebuke to us. There are so many who are prepared to demonstrate their Christianity in Christian circles but who are equally prepared to play down their Christianity in circles where Christianity is met with ridicule, with contempt, with indifference, or with opposition. The Christian must remember that the word martus means equally martyr and witness and that Christian witness can be, and often must be, a costly thing (The Revelation of John, Vol.1, p.113f).

“But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles” (Mt. 10:17–18).

“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake” (Mt. 24:9).

“But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake” (Lu. 21:12).

“Remember the word I said unto you. The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me” (Jn. 15:20–21).

“They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service” (Jn. 16:2).

“For unto you it is given on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake” (Ph. 1:29).

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).

“For consider him that endured such contradiction [hostility] of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (He. 12:3).

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Pe. 4:12–13).^[5] 

“I know where you are living, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas, my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives.” ^{2:13 NRSV} As the center for four idolatrous cults (those of Zeus, Athene, Dionysius, and Asclepius), Pergamum was called the city where Satan’s throne is. Idolatry is satanic. Surrounded by the worship of idols and of the Roman emperor as a god, the church at Pergamum refused to renounce its faith. The believers held fast to the name of Christ, even after Satan’s worshipers had killed one of their members.

It was not easy to be a Christian in Pergamum. Believers experienced great pressure to compromise or leave the faith. Nothing is known about Antipas except that he did not compromise. He was faithful as a witness for Christ (see 1:5), and he was killed for his faith.^[6] 

Faithfulness (Consistency, Endurance, Perseverance)

What examples of faithfulness do we find in the Bible?

bible reading: Lamentations 3:1–66

key bible verse: The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies, we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. (Lamentations 3:22–23)

In the midst of despair, Jeremiah clung to God’s faithfulness. Jeremiah saw one ray of hope in all the sin and sorrow surrounding him: “The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies, we have been kept from complete destruction.” Jeremiah knew from personal experience about God’s faithfulness. God had promised that punishment would follow disobedience, and it did. But God also had promised future restoration and blessing, and Jeremiah knew that God would keep that promise also. Trusting in God’s faithfulness day by day makes us confident in his great promises for the future.

God willingly responds with help when we ask. Perhaps there is some sin in your life that you thought God would not forgive. God’s steadfast love and mercy are greater than any sin, and he promises forgiveness.

bible reading: 1 Kings 19:1–21

key bible verse: Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I alone am left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” (1 Kings 19:10)

God always has a remnant of faithful followers. Elijah thought he was the only person left who was still faithful to God. He had seen both the king’s court and the priesthood become corrupt. After experiencing a great victory at Mount Carmel, he had to run for his life. Lonely and discouraged, he forgot that others had remained faithful during the nation’s wickedness. When you are tempted to think that you are the only one remaining faithful to a task, don’t stop to feel sorry for yourself. Self-pity will dilute the good you are doing. Be assured that even if you don’t know who they are, others are faithfully obeying God and fulfilling their duties.

bible reading: Mark 9:42–50

key bible verse: Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other. (Mark 9:50)

Faithfulness should be characteristic of God’s people. Jesus used salt to illustrate three qualities that should be found in his people: (1) We should remember God’s faithfulness, just as salt used with a sacrifice recalled God’s covenant with his people (Leviticus 2:13). (2) We should make a difference in the “flavor” of the world we live in, just as salt changes meat’s flavor (see Matthew 5:13). (3) We should counteract the moral decay in society, just as salt preserves food from decay. When we lose this desire to “salt” the earth with the love and message of God, we become useless to him.

Related Topics: Consistency, Endurance, Perseverance^[7] 

Denial (Excuse, Refuse, Rejection)

How are Christians tempted to deny Jesus?

bible reading: Matthew 26:69–75

key bible verse: Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went away, crying bitterly. (Matthew 26:75)

Denial usually isn’t a sudden act. There were three stages to Peter’s denial. First, he acted confused and tried to divert attention from himself by changing the subject. Second, he denied that he knew Jesus, using an oath. Third, he began to curse and swear. Believers who deny Christ often begin doing so subtly by pretending not to know him. When opportunities to discuss religious issues come up, they walk away or pretend they don’t know the answers. With only a little more pressure, they can be induced to deny flatly their relationship with Christ. If you find yourself subtly diverting conversation, so you don’t have to talk about Christ, watch out. You may be on the road to disowning him.

Denial comes when we don’t anticipate its effects on us. Peter wept bitterly, not only because he realized that he had denied his Lord, the Messiah, but also because he had turned away from a very dear friend, a person who had loved and taught him for three years. Peter had said that he would never disown Christ, despite Jesus’ prediction (Mark 14:29–31; Luke 22:33–34). But when frightened, he went against all he had boldly promised. Unable to stand up for his Lord for even twelve hours, he had failed as a disciple and as a friend.

We need to be aware of our own breaking points and not become overconfident or self-sufficient. If we fail him, we must remember that Christ can use those who recognize their failure. From this humiliating experience, Peter learned much that would help him later when he assumed leadership of the young church.

Related Topics: Abandon, Faithfulness, Suffering^[8] 

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 Revelation 2:13 “You Are Holding Fast to My Name, And You Did Not Deny Your Faith in Me...”[1]

^[1] Barton, Bruce B. 2000. Revelation. Edited by Grant R. Osborne. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

^[2] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

^DS Deeper Study

^[3] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

^[4] Butler, John G. 2010. Analytical Bible Expositor: Revelation. Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.

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^[5] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

^NRSV Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyrighted, 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America, and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

^[6] Barton, Bruce B. 2000. Revelation. Edited by Grant R. Osborne. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

^[7] Wilson, Neil S. 2000. In The Handbook of Bible Application, 208–9. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

^[8] Wilson, Neil S. 2000. In The Handbook of Bible Application, 143–44. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Balaam: An Example of The Compromising Church That Is Lenient, Defiled, Corrupted & Married to the World

The Protecting of Gilead 

Satan is always trying to take away from God’s people the things which God gives them. He did this in regard to Israel and Gilead. Satan tried to dispossess Israel of the land of Gilead shortly after they had won victories over Sihon and Og. In trying to dispossess Israel of Gilead, Satan particularly worked through the Moabites and the Midianites; but Israel’s land was successfully protected from this attack. To study the protection of Gilead, we will divide our study into four parts: Balak, Balaam, beauties, and battle.

1. Balak

“And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was sore afraid of the people because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel” (Numbers 22:2, 3). Balak was the “king of the Moabites at that time” (Numbers 22:4), and he and the people were very upset and fearful about the great victories Israel gained over Sihon and Og. Balak’s desire about Israel was to “drive them out of the land” (Numbers 22:6) of Gilead. He was the human kingpin in the effort to dispossess Israel of Gilead. To examine Balak’s attempt to get Israel out of Gilead, we will note the advantage, attitude, ally, and appeal of Balak. 

The Advantage of Balak.

Satan is clever. In his effort to dispossess Israel of Gilead, he began his attack through a nation that Israel was forbidden to war against (Deuteronomy 2:9). Frequently, Satan attacks this way. It is like the Viet Cong soldiers in the Vietnam war who would grab a woman or child and hold the woman or child in front of them as a shield so our troops could not shoot at the Viet Cong soldiers without killing a woman or child. Satan attempts to shield many of his schemes with that which is good. Hence, if we attack ecumenical evangelism, we will look like we are attacking evangelism. Dissidents in the church know how to work this advantage to perfection. If we attack them, we will be accused of attacking some good cause under which they have hidden their attack. For example, they will oppose some proposed new local ministry under the guise that we must do more for missions. So, if you attack them, you are attacking missions. God’s people need to be alert to this devious method of Satan. 

The Attitude of Balak.

Balak’s attitude towards the Jews was fundamentally wrong. He wanted Israel to be cursed (Numbers 22:6, 17; 23:7, 11, 13). He wanted Israel dispossessed from the land God had given Israel. We have had many Balaks in our world over the years. They have cursed Israel and do not want Israel to have the land God gave them. This is a fatal attitude. No nation will prosper whose attitude towards Israel is like Balak’s attitude. World War II saw terrible destruction upon Hitler and Germany because of this attitude. Many nations over the past, in both ancient and present history, have experienced God’s judgment because of Balak’s attitude. Today, we witness Balak’s attitude towards Jews in our own country and in the United Nations, and among the Arabs. Such an attitude, if not checked, will ultimately end in judgment from God. Israel is God’s chosen people. God has given them the land of Palestine. Those who oppose Israel oppose God. This does not mean we should sanction the unsavory conduct of the Jews, nor does it mean we must sanction their rejection of Christ. What it means is that we must honor the Word of God regarding Israel, or we risk the anathema of God. 

The Ally of Balak.

Balak and the Moabites had the Midianites as an ally. They were very close allies. This is seen in several ways. It is seen in the fact that when Balak became upset about the Israelites, he and other Moabite officials quickly counselled with the Midianites. “And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us” (Numbers 22:4). It is also seen in the fact that when Balak sent to Balaam to try and obtain his prophetic services to curse Israel, Balak sent both “the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian” (Numbers 22:7) to visit Balaam. The ally arrangement between Moab and Midian was an especially bad arrangement for the Midianites. Because of their involvement in this animosity towards Israel, the Midianites later suffered a terrible slaughter from the Israelites at the command of God—a slaughter we will look at in more detail later in this chapter. The lesson is that the Midianites were allies with the wrong people. Take care, therefore, whom you chose as friends and close companions. A bad friend can be your ruin as it was with the Midianites. 

The Appeal of Balak.

Balak’s scheme to dispossess Israel of Gilead was to first get the prophet Balaam to curse Israel for him (Numbers 22:6). Balaam, whose home was in Pethor (Numbers 22:5) by the Euphrates River in Mesopotamia, was a famous prophet in that day (we will see more about him shortly); and Balak felt confident that Balaam could help Moab get rid of the Israelites. So he sent a delegation to Balaam to request his services. The delegation was made up of elders from both Moab and their ally Midian (Numbers 22:7).

Balak’s Appeal to Balaam 

Is a Good Picture of How Temptation Works.

Therefore, to examine this appeal, we will view it from the standpoint of temptation. We will note eight similarities between the appeal by Balak and the temptations of sin. 

First, the Dignity of the Appeal.

Balak sent honorable messengers to Balaam to try and convince him to come and curse Israel. He sent the “elders” of Moab and Midian (Numbers 22:7); and when that failed, “Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they” (Numbers 22:15). Temptation also works this way. It likes to solicit from an impressive position in society. Advertisers illustrate this practice; for they use the famous and those in high positions of the land to advertise their product because it gets people to buy the product quicker than if some lowly, unknown person advertised it. So evil uses professors with a string of degrees behind their names to advocate evolution, churches are used to approve of homosexualism, governments are used to approve of gambling and abortion, and fundamental preachers are used to promoting divorce. All of this makes temptation effective. 

Second, the Flattery of the Appeal.

Balak flattered Balaam in trying to obtain his services. He said, “I wot [know] that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed” (Numbers 22:6). The statement told Balaam that he was very esteemed by Balak. The statement was a very high compliment, and it would cause him to give Balak’s envoy a more welcomed reception. Evil often uses flattery when it wants to seduce you. The writer of Proverbs notes this, especially about the harlot. “With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him” (Proverbs 7:21). Since “a flattering mouth worketh ruin” (Proverbs 26:28), we should be very cautious when people flatter us and put no stock in their words. 

Third, the Rewards of the Appeal.

Balak offered some impressive rewards. He sent his envoy with “rewards of divination [fees for prophesying] in their hand” (Numbers 22:7) and promised to “promote thee unto very great honor” (Numbers 22:17). Temptation likes to work this way, for it often offers rewards of possessions and positions, and it causes many to yield to the temptation of sin. An increased salary and higher position on the job have caused many to decrease their attendance at church. Many are the sports heroes who have ditched worship on Sundays for games and money. But the rewards of sin are not lasting and only defile and destroy. 

Fourth, the Persistency of the Appeal.

Balak was very persistent in appealing to Balaam. The persistency of the appeal is seen in several ways. It is seen first of all in the repeating of the invitation. Balaam did not at first accept the invitation from Balak. But Balak did not give up. Instead, “Balak sent yet again princes, more and more honorable” (Numbers 22:15) to Balaam to try to get him to accept the invitation to curse Israel. The persistency of the appeal is also seen in the changing of the views Balak gave Balaam of Israel after Balaam had accepted Balak’s invitation to come to Balak. When Balaam came to Balak, he was taken to Kirjath-huzoth (Numbers 22:39) to view Israel. When this did not cause Balaam to curse Israel, then Balak took him to the top of Pisgah (Numbers 23:14). When this did not work either, Balak then took Balaam to the top of Peor (Numbers 23:28) to view Israel from still another place. To defeat temptation, you will be required to say, “No, repeatedly!” If you are going to walk victoriously against sin, you will have to be as persistent as sin. Dedication wins the victory, but lack of dedication will soon lead to defilement. 

Fifth, the Rebuke of the Appeal.

“And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether” (Numbers 23:11, cp. Numbers 22:37 and 24:10). When Balaam did not perform in the way Balak wanted him to perform, Balak severely rebuked Balaam. No one likes to be rebuked or criticized. Temptation knows that fact and uses it at times to try and coerce the tempted into yielding. If compliments do not seduce, then criticism is tried. Balak tried several times through sharp criticism to cause Balaam to yield to Balak’s wishes. Many folks have capitulated to temptation when the barbs of rebuke and criticism have been jabbed at the tempted. 

Sixth, the Compromise of the Appeal.

“And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all” (Numbers 23:25). When Balaam kept blessing Israel instead of cursing them, Balak resorted to compromise. If Balaam will not curse Israel, then Balak asks that he not bless Israel, either. It is the practice of sin that says if you will not criticize godliness, don’t praise it, either. Of course, if we cease to praise goodness, we will eventually end up criticizing it. But temptation does not tell you that fact. 

Seventh, the Ostracizing of the Appeal.

When Balaam still refused to do as Balak said, Balak then said to Balaam, “Therefore now flee thou to thy place” (Numbers 24:11). Rejection is often an effective tool of temptation. Many folks have given up the fight against evil in a church when threatened with ex-communication. Some have yielded to sin when loss of friendship is threatened. Others have given up the fight against evil when they have been threatened with being kicked out of their home. 

Eighth, the Mixing of the Appeal.

Balak tried to associate God with his evil in his attempt to get Balaam to curse Israel. This is especially seen in Balak’s statement, “I thought to promote thee unto great honor; but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honor” (Numbers 24:11). Because Balaam would not curse Israel, Balak claimed that God would now not honor Balaam. What a wicked mixing of God with evil this was! But this is the habitual practice of sin and temptation. It craftily mixes evil with religion to make evil look acceptable. The German Nazis, as an example, had “God with us” inscribed on their belt buckles in an attempt to mix God with the vileness of the Nazi creed to make it look acceptable. In our churches, mixing is a common method used to seduce churches into corruption. Ecumenical evangelism would mix apostasy with fundamentalism which, of course, will only corrupt fundamentalism. Large and impressive movements rise up periodically under the guise of spiritual renewal, which in truth, are only movements to mix truth with error, to mix bad doctrine with good doctrine. Many are deceived by this crafty and destructive mixing practice.

2. Balaam

Balaam, the prophet that Balak hired to curse Israel, has a good bit of interesting and instructive material written about him in Scripture. Three chapters of Scripture are written about Balaam in the book of Numbers, and he is spoken of three times in the New Testament in a significant way besides being mentioned in some other places in the Old Testament. Balaam could be an extended study by himself, but our look at him will, of necessity, be brief. We look at him because of his involvement in the need Moses had for protecting Gilead from the enemy. In our study of Balaam, we will look at his desire, donkey, declarations, doctrine, and death. 

The Desire of Balaam.

Balaam had two strong desires. They had to do with gain and the grave, and they were very opposed to each other. 

First, the Desire for Gain.

When Balak invited Balaam to come to Moab to curse the Israelites, the Numbers’ account hints that Balaam did some squirming. He tried to make it appear that he was not interested in money (Numbers 22:18; 24:12, 13), but actually, he was very interested in money. We are plainly informed in 2 Peter 2:15 of that desire. Peter said Balaam “loved the wages of unrighteousness.” Balaam wanted to appear to have high standards, but when you flashed money in front of him, he was moved inside. Many are like that in every age. They have a price, but they do not have principles. They talk about principles, but when the price is right, they give priority to price, not principles. 

Second, the Desire for a Respectable Grave.

In his first prophecy before Balak, Balaam said, “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!” (Numbers 23:10). These are noble words indeed. But Balaam had a problem here—though he wanted to die like the righteous, he did not want to live like the righteous. Dying like the righteous, however, is inseparably related to living like the righteous. “A man’s death is in keeping with a man’s life. You cannot have a tropical sunset in an arctic zone” (D. Davies). You cannot live a life of vice and expect to die the death of the virtuous. To die in honor, you must live honorably.

Balaam’s opposing desires are seen in many folks who come to church. They want to appear pious and gain the blessings of piety, but they do not want to subdue the passions of the flesh. They want to get the best of both worlds; they want to play both sides of the street. But it is an impossible act, for “no man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24). 

The Donkey of Balaam.

Probably the most famous incident in Balaam’s life had to do with his very unusual donkey ride. It occurred after the second invitation from Balak. Balaam had turned down the first invitation from Balak; but when a second envoy was sent to him, and they were higher ranked men (Numbers 22:15), Balaam said he would pray about the matter again (Numbers 22:19). His wanting to pray about the matter gave Balaam’s heart away. God had already told him in no uncertain terms that what Balak wanted Balaam to do was evil (Numbers 22:12). You do not have to pray again about something that is evil. But the appeal of earthly honor and monetary gain was too much for Balaam to refuse, and so he again went to the Lord—obviously hoping the Lord would change his mind.

God answered Balaam’s prayer by giving Balaam permission to go. This answer did not sanction evil but was another case where God, in judgment, gave a person what they wanted. Then came the incident with the donkey. Shortly after Balaam began his trip, he met up with “the angel of the Lord” (Numbers 22:22) with a sword in his hand; for “God’s anger was kindled because he went” (Ibid.). The donkey saw the angel and the sword, but Balaam did not. The donkey refused to continue on the path, which caused Balaam to do some smiting of the donkey. The donkey then talked to Balaam. Eventually, Balaam got his eyes open to what the donkey was seeing. Peter said, “The dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet” (2 Peter 2:16). The donkey had more sense and discernment than did Balaam. But when a man is blinded by a passion for the things of the world, he will lose much discernment and act worse than animals. Jeremiah said that the people of his day were this way. “Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle [dove] and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord” (Jeremiah 8:7).

After getting his eyes opened, Balaam acknowledged his sin (Numbers 22:34). But notice the remark Balaam made after his acknowledgment of sin, which revealed that his acknowledgment of sin was not a sincere repentance of his sin—“If it displeases thee, I will get me back again” (Ibid.). Of course, it displeased the Lord—that was the reason for the angel of the Lord and the sword! Balaam’s question was so stupid. But that comes when the heart is set on doing evil. In judgment upon Balaam, God let Balaam go on to Balak. This led to Balaam’s ruin. God judges many folks in this way. Beware that you do not get so persistent in your disobedience that God lets you have your way, for it will not be long before you will loathe your way, and it will ruin you. 

The Declarations of Balaam.

Scripture records four separate prophetic declarations that Balaam gave to Balak. One declaration was given at Kirjath-huzoth, one from the top of Pisgah, and two from the top of Peor. These declarations are filled with great and wonderful truths which could be a great study in themselves. They spoke of such things as Israel’s protection, Israel’s great future, and Israel’s coming Messiah. “How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? (Numbers 23:8); “He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him” (Numbers 23:21); “Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee” (Numbers 24:9); and “There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel … Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion” (Numbers 24:17, 19) are a few of the great statements in Balaam’s declarations.

Yes, Balaam had quite a message. But he is a great warning for us; for while he sounded so wonderful at times, yet his message was not genuine in his heart. He just mouthed words. We see the truth of this insincerity next as we look at his doctrine. 

The Doctrine of Balaam.

What did Balaam really believe? His real creed was corruption. His high-sounding declarations were not his creed at all. After the great prophetic declarations, Balaam gave some advice to Balak on the side. It was terrible advice. It was immoral advice. It was the doctrine of Balaam. “The doctrine of Balaam … [which he] taught Balak [was] to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication” (Revelation 2:14). Moses’ comment about this doctrine and its great peril was as follows: “These [women] caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord” (Numbers 31:16). Balaam’s doctrine was the doctrine of the lust of the flesh. It was to be the rule of one’s life. The stomach and sex were the two appetites of the flesh especially cited in the Revelation text that Balaam stressed.

We have many today, even in church circles, who embrace the doctrine of Balaam. In apostate circles, this doctrine of the flesh advocates acceptance of such perverted fleshly appetites as homosexuality. In fundamental circles, this doctrine advocates acceptance of divorce, which is nothing but giving way to the lust of the flesh. And all it does is destroy. Like Balaam, many pulpits of our fundamental churches give forth some wonderful declarations. But when they start counseling, divorce is accepted, and unsavory marriages are encouraged. 

The Death of Balaam.

Later we will see Israel going to battle against the Midianites to help protect Gilead. When they did, “Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword” (Numbers 31:8). Though Balaam wanted to die the death of the righteous, he died the death of the reprobate. He died in ignominy. There was nothing honorable about his death. He kept company with the wicked and received wages and honor from them. When judgment came upon the wicked, he was included in it. What a shameful life was the life of Balaam. His life has been held up for some three millenniums ever since as an example of how not to live. In our day, there is a multitude of people just like him. They are the darlings of the world, famous and talented, and the world has paid them big money to perform. But when it is all over, they will be an illustration of shame, not nobility.

3. Beauties

“And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab” (Numbers 25:1). The attempt to dispossess Israel of Gilead takes a different approach now. Balak could not get Israel cursed by Balaam’s prophetic utterances, but he did get Israel corrupted by following Balaam’s advice (Numbers 31:16). It was an indirect method of cursing Israel. To examine this scheme, we will note the seduction by women, the sacrificing to idols, the sentencing for sin, the scorning by sinners, and the spearing of evil. 

The Seduction by Women.

After his prophetic utterances in which he failed to curse Israel, Balaam, who had his eye on those rewards of Balak, instructed Balak on how to corrupt Israel, as we noted above. He “taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication” (Revelation 2:14). The plan to corrupt Israel was to have Moabite girls seduce the Israelite men into immoral conduct (and to idolatry which we will note next). Unfortunately, the plan worked very well. Many Israelite men fell for the trap and “began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab” (Numbers 25:1).

This failure of Israel certainly gives a strong warning to God’s people about the peril of courting the unsaved. The devil will always see to it that there are plenty of attractive men and women available for God’s people if they want them. Christian young people will seldom be without the temptation to go with an unsaved person. But once a Christian starts going with an unsaved, he is walking on very thin ice morally. It has been the ruin of multitudes. Going with the unsaved is to date with defilement, court with corruption, romance with ruin, and flirt with foulness. 

The Sacrificing to Idols.

“They called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods, and the people did eat and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baal-Peor” (Numbers 25:2, 3). As Balaam had taught Balak to counsel his people, the Moabite women not only got the Israelites to commit “whoredom” with them, but they also got the Israelites to worship with them. Bad women lead to bad worship. King Solomon is a notorious example of one being led away from God this way. Solomon had many women who were idol worshippers, and they “turned away his heart after other gods” (1 Kings 11:4). But though the illustrations and commands are plain and frequent in Scripture, many of God’s people still ignore the warnings, and go after the unsaved. The results are tragic, both morally and spiritually. 

The Sentencing for Sin.

“The anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel” (Numbers 25:3). The anathema of God was upon Israel for their unholy morals and unholy worship. Therefore, “the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel” (Numbers 25:4). We can just hear the compromisers gasp at the severity of the sentence. But holiness will not gasp. It knows how destructive sin is, that hell is the destiny for multitudes because of this sort of evil, and that firm action must be taken to stop it. Moses did not argue with God, for Moses knew God well, and he also knew the work of sin well. Therefore, “Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-Peor” (Numbers 25:5). The sentence on the sin was severe, but the sin was very serious and deserved it. Literally slaying people is not always necessary in order to combat these evils earnestly, but earnestness is always necessary if we are going to combat them successfully. 

The Scorning by Sinners.

“And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation” (Numbers 25:6). We never cease to be amazed at the shamelessness of sinners. When many of the Israelites came to the Tabernacle to mourn over the corruption which had come in Israel, one of the offending Israelites brashly brings his unholy woman with him to the area. You would think that sinners would keep their shameful conduct behind closed doors. But that is not the nature of gross evil. This couple in our text and many in our day are like the Israelites in Jeremiah’s day of whom Jeremiah said, “Were they ashamed when they had committed abominations? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush” (Jeremiah 8:12). Sinners often seem to take pride in how far they can go in strutting their shameful living. Unholy couples often come to church services together in defiance of opposition to their dirty living. In society, we witness more and more “gay” parades in which homosexuals, in utter shamelessness, strut their perverted morals. How terribly sin debases the sinner. 

The Spearing of Evil.

“When Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel” (Numbers 25:7, 8). Phinehas was the hero in stopping evil. His actions were really pronounced, but they were needed. The value of this action by Phinehas, though criticized by the carnal crowd, was that it stopped the plague that had come upon the Israelites for their sin. Twenty-four thousand Israelites had already died in the plague (Numbers 25:9). While people who would go easy on sin stand in horror of Phinehas’ actions, they need to be reminded that it stopped the plague that was killing thousands.

We need a lot of spearing in our land today. We are not talking about literal spears but about spears of laws, punishment of criminals, and discipline in the home and church. If we did some sanctified spearing of such things as homosexualism, we could stop the plague of AIDS. But the powers that be are not about to take any action against homosexualism. Hence, AIDS continues to kill multitudes. If we speared abortion, criminals, juvenile delinquents, the immoral, and other evils through laws, better court decisions, etc., we would stop a lot of evil and stop the plagues that curse our society. Those who oppose strong action against sin simply refuse to recognize that either we spear sin or sin spears others. Either we kill the murderer, or he will kill others.

Phinehas was rewarded by God for his strong stand against sin by being given an “everlasting priesthood” (Numbers 25:13). The world may criticize Phinehas, but God will compliment him. The world may abhor, but God will applaud. The world may rebuke, but God will reward. Let our actions be the kind that pleases God and the kind that God will honor. 

4. Battle

“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Vex the Midianites, and smite them; for they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you” (Numbers 25:16–18). This is the battle to protect Gilead for Israel, and it is the last battle that Moses will oversee, for Scripture says, “Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people” (Numbers 31:2). To examine this battle, we will note the people to battle, the problem in battle, and the prey from the battle. 

The People to Battle.

It is instructive to note that God said to fight the Midianites, not the Moabites, though the Moabites were the main cause of the problem that necessitated the battle. But God had earlier ordered Israel not to fight with Moab and that order still held. The Midianites were so intermingled with the Moabites that, at times, they seemed to be one people. Being so close to the Moabites caused great trouble for Midian, however. It is a good lesson about the peril of bad friends and associates, a lesson we noted earlier.

This is the first of several significant battles by Israel against the Midianites. The next great battle was during Gideon’s time, in which Gideon led Israel to a miraculous and mighty victory over the marauding and murderous Midianites. We will discover in our Christian lives that there are many Midianites we must occasionally fight. The Midianites represent a host of different evils. We must fight these evils not only in our personal lives but also in the church. Failure to fight these evils as God instructs us to fight them is a sure way to defilement and defeat. 

The Problem in Battle.

“And they warred against the Midianites, as the Lord commanded Moses; and they slew all the males. And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain … Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword. And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives” (Numbers 31:7–9). Israel did a good job, for the most part, in battling the Midianites, but they were not willing to do a complete job. They killed the evil leaders, and they also killed Balaam, who advocated the evil. But they went easy on the women. This upset Moses and justifiably so. He said to the soldiers, “Have ye saved all the women alive? Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord” (Numbers 31:15, 16). Moses was probably not the most popular person in camp when he railed against this saving of the Midianite women. The Israelite soldiers liked these women. They did not want to get rid of them in battle. But Moses ordered the soldiers to get rid of these women. He only let the soldiers save the virgins among the women (Numbers 31:18). None of the whores, as an example, who had seduced Israel, were permitted to live. It is always difficult for the flesh to give up everything. It cries out to spare some lust, some evil habit, or some pet sin. But victory cannot be complete if we allow some seeds of evil to remain. 

The Prey from Battle.

When the battle was finished, Israel had gained much booty. God gave orders to Moses on how to divide it. The prey was divided significantly. We note this in the way it was divided among the people and among the priests. 

First, the Distribution to the People.

“And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation” (Numbers 31:27). The soldiers did not get all the spoils. They must share with the rest of the congregation. This is not unjust. It is the same practice that David exhorted many years later. He said, “As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike” (1 Samuel 30:24). The support crew gets recognition by God just as much as those that go out into the actual battle. Many cannot preach or go to the mission field, but they can provide the means whereby others can. And those who provide the support will be recognized by God as well as those who go to the battlefield. 

Second, the Distribution to the Priests.

“And levy a tribute unto the Lord” (Numbers 31:28). Both the soldiers (Numbers 31:28, 29) and the congregation (Numbers 31:30) were told to give part of their gain to the work of the Lord (in this case, it would go to the priests who served the Tabernacle, see Numbers 31:29, 30). When God has blessed us, we have an obligation to give to Him. God does not bless us, so we can use it just for our own personal interests. He blesses us so we can promote the service of God. And giving to the Lord has a high priority. The priority of giving to the Lord is emphasized in that this giving to the Lord was mentioned right after the prey was divided. God’s part must be taken off the top. Some want to wait until all their expenses and bills are paid, and then if anything is left, give some of that to the Lord. But that is not God’s policy. We first give to Him; then, we get along on what is left.^[1]

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Balaam: An Example of The Compromising Church That Is Lenient,

Defiled, Corrupted & Married to the World

Pics by The Ansel Adams Gallery https://www.anseladams.com

^[1] Butler, John G. 1996. Moses: The Emancipator of Israel. Vol. Number Twelve. Bible Biography Series. Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.