Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL 

DATE: FRIDAY AUGUST 12TH 2022

THEME:  LETTER TO THE CHURCH OF PARGAMOS

MEMORISE:  

Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 

1 Corinthians 5:6

READ: Revelation 2:12 -17

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

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.

14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

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.

MESSAGE 

The church in Pergamos was standing firm. They did not deny the faith even with so much decadence around them. The only thing God had against them however is that they accommodated sinners in their midst without cautioning them that they were doing the wrong thing. It is not enough to live holy; you must also be concerned about the holiness of the entire Church. You must not be slow to call to correction those who are doing it wrong within the body of Christ. I am not saying that you should confront anyone but make it clear to anyone that there is the fake and the original. State the attributes of the fake and those original. You don't have to mention names, the people will know who and who you are talking about. It will be clear that you are not in support of their actions. 

“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an isolator, or a railed, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” 1 Corinthians 5:11

In many Churches today, the line between the Church and the world is blurry. During praise and worship, they are singing songs and drumming just like the people of the world. Members of the congregation are dancing the latest dance steps in the world. You see ladies exposing their bodies and wearing very tight clothes. Choristers make their faces up so much that when you see them coming, you know they pay more attention to adorning the flesh than the spirit (1 Peter 3:3-4). The Bible says, "Be ye separate" (2 Corinthians 6:17). If light is beginning to look like darkness, then you can be sure it is no longer light but darkness.

We now have amongst us also, people who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans saying "As long as you have given your life to Christ, then you can go ahead and commit sin; grace will cover you". Now, because some of these people are big men of God, the other Pastors who know the truth are too afraid to speak up. Don't keep quiet! Speak up and tell whoever will listen to you that the Nicolaitans doctrine is of the devil and Jesus hates it (Revelation 2;15).

REFLECTION 

In Revelation 2:15, Jesus said He is coming to fight those who follow wrong doctrines within the church. Check carefully: are you one of them?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 20-24

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE 

HYMN 28: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD 

When we walk with the Lord 

in the light of his word, 

what a glory he sheds on our way! 

While we do his good will, 

he abides with us still, 

and with all who will trust and obey. 

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there's no other way 

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 

2 Not a burden we bear, 

not a sorrow we share, 

but our toil he doth richly repay; 

not a grief or a loss, 

not a frown or a cross, 

but is blest if we trust and obey. 

3 But we never can prove 

the delights of his love 

until all on the altar we lay; 

for the favor he shows, 

for the joy he bestows, 

are for them who will trust and obey. 

4 Then in fellowship sweet 

we will sit at his feet, 

or we'll walk by his side in the way; 

what he says we will do, 

where he sends we will go; 

never fear, only trust and obey.