Revelation 2:12-13 (NIV)
“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who hs 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.”

“Where Satan has his throne” and “where Satan lives.”

Revelation 2:14-16 (NIV)
“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.”

Jesus references two things: Balaam, a character in the Old Testament, and the Nicolaitans, a heretical teaching among the first century church. Both representing the same issue… Compromise.

Numbers 25:1-3 (NIV)
While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. So Israel joined in the worshipping of Baal of Peor. And the Lord’s anger burned against them.

Numbers 31:16 (NIV)
The [Moabites] were the ones who followed Balaam’s advice and were the means of turning the Israelites away from the Lord…

2 Peter 2:14-15 (NIV)
With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed – an accursed brood! They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam…

The Israelites had become so comfortable in the blessing that they became vulnerable to compromise… and Jesus acknowledges this same spirit among the Pergamum Christians… your confession is still the same, “Jesus is Lord”, but you have compromised in your lifestyle. Even embracing the cultic practices of the Nicolaitans…

• When We Compromise, We Make Concessions
• When We Compromise, We Lower Our Standards
• When We Compromise, We Embrace Reckless Behavior

How does the Lord view the compromised life?

How will the Lord expose the compromised life?

Revelation 2:17 (NIV)
“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.”

Revelation 19:9 (NIV)
Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’”