“Write this to the angel of the church in Pergamum:
These are the words of the one who has the sharp, two-edged sword: I know that you are living right where Satan’s throne is. You are holding on to my name, and you didn’t break faith with me even at the time that Antipas, my faithful witness, was killed among you, where Satan lives. But I have a few things against you, because you have some there who follow Balaam’s teaching. Balaam had taught Balak to trip up the Israelites so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. In the same way, you have some who follow the Nicolaitans’ teaching. So change your hearts and lives. If you don’t, I am coming to you soon, and I will make war on them with the sword that comes from my mouth. If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. I will give those who emerge victorious some of the hidden manna to eat. I will also give to each of them a white stone with a new name written on it, which no one knows except the one who receives it.
“Write this to the angel of the church in Thyatira:
These are the words of God’s Son, whose eyes are like a fiery flame, and whose feet are like fine brass. I know your works, your love and faithfulness, your service and endurance. I also know that the works you have done most recently are even greater than those you did at first. But I have this against you: you put up with that woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. You allow her to teach and to mislead my servants into committing sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to change her heart and life, but she refuses to change her life of prostitution. Look! I’m throwing her onto a sickbed. I am casting those who have committed adultery with her into terrible hardship—if they don’t change their hearts from following her practices— and I will even put her children to death with disease. Then all the churches will know that I’m the one who examines minds and hearts, and that I will give to each of you what your actions deserve. As for the rest of you in Thyatira—those of you who don’t follow this teaching and haven’t learned the so-called “deep secrets” of Satan—I won’t burden you with anything else. Just hold on to what you have until I come. To those who emerge victorious, keeping my practices until the end, I will give authority over the nations— to rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like pottery— just as I received authority from my Father. I will also give them the morning star. If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. (Revelation 2:12-29, CEB)
The common thread from these two sayings in Revelation is food to idols and sexual immorality.
Paul said not to eat food sacrificed to idols if it would lead others astray, and to do things to help others see God’s love. Sexual immorality needs further deep dives. This is not what Christian Nationalists in the USA say is sexual immorality; it is not being queer or part of the LGBTQI2S+ community. It has to do with power yielding over some of the younger age or status.
We need to show our understanding of following God in everything we do and everything we say. We can not say we are pro-life and then burn food, or not provide health care for all people.
Do not simply go along with what the world around you is doing. Stand strong in the faith and be willing to speak against powers that use scripture to maintain their power and keep people in line.
God’s love will lead us and keep us, even through Satan’s lies and wars.
aSacredRebel 