RJ Hamster
Revelation 2:14-15 – Unmasking Antinomianism: Balaam, Nicolaitans, and Lawlessness…
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Revelation 2:14-15(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 Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. King James Version Change email Bible version The structure of this paragraph ties together the doctrine of Balaam, the sins of eating things sacrificed to idols and committing sexual immorality, and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. Christ implies that all three are the same basic heresy under different guises. This antinomian teaching affected the church in Thyatira as well (Revelation 2:20-21).Moses records Balaam’s story in Numbers 22-25, 31. Balak, king of Moab, hires Balaam to curse the Israelites, but every time he tries, Balaam instead blesses them. He then counsels Balak to send Moabite and Midianite women into the camp of Israel to seduce the men and invite them to the sacrifices of their god (Numbers 25:1-2; 31:16). Clearly, Balaam’s instruction included getting the Israelites to commit idolatry and sexual immorality.Interestingly, these two practices arise in the Jerusalem Council in AD 49. Paul and Barnabas, with Peter’s help, convince the assembled elders that Gentile converts to Christianity should not be required to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses, Judaism’s rigorous “yoke” of picayune laws (Acts 15:10). However, the Council enjoins the Gentiles on four points of typical Gentile religious practice:For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. (Acts 15:28-29)Obviously, the Council’s decree does not exempt Gentiles from keeping the Ten Commandments, for it is clear from many New Testament passages that Jesus and the apostles taught them to both Jews and Gentiles (e.g., Matthew 19:17-19; Romans 13:9; etc.). These two issues—idolatry and sexual immorality—became a flashpoint in the conflict between true Christianity and Hellenistic Gnosticism, and a person’s stance on them exposed which side he favored. Thus, Nicolaitanism and Balaamism are biblical symbols or representatives of the larger Gnostic, antinomian influence on Christianity.Is Nicolaitanism passé? Evidently not, for Jesus’ admonitions in Revelation 2 indicate that this antinomian influence will remain until His return. Notice His warnings to Pergamos and Thyatira:Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. . . . But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan [another allusion to antinomianism], as they call them, I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come. (Revelation 2:16, 24-25)This does not mean that the particular sins of eating meat sacrificed to idols and sexual license will pervade the church until the end, although idolatry and sexual sins will certainly exist in it. He is more concerned about the antinomian spirit, the attitude of lawlessness, that allows these sins to infest the church. When members of the church teach and practice that they are not obliged to keep the laws of God, sin will inevitably break out vigorously. When this occurs, Christians are no longer under grace but under the penalty of the law and the wrath of the Judge (Romans 6:11-23; Hebrews 10:26-31; 12:25).Jesus, Paul, Peter, Jude, and John warn against the encroachment of antinomianism or lawlessness. In His Olivet Prophecy, Jesus says: “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:11-12). What will happen to such lawless people? Jesus Himself answers:Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:22-23)Among Paul’s end-time prophecies is his prediction of a great apostasy that results from the unrestrained assault of “the mystery of lawlessness” (II Thessalonians 2:1-7). This comeswith all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. . . . Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught. . . . (II Thessalonians 2:10-12, 15)Peter and Jude use similar language in their books to counter the antinomian teaching extant in their congregations (II Peter 2:9-10, 12-13, 15, 18-19; 3:17-18; Jude 3-4). John’s epistles are likewise full of warnings against antinomian heresies. For instance, notice these passages:» Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (I John 2:3-4)» Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. (I John 3:4)» In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. (I John 3:10)» By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. (I John 5:2-3)» This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. . . . Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. . . . If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. (II John 6, 9-11)» Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. (III John 11)In addition, the gospel of John uses Jesus’ own words during His ministry to attack antinomian heresies in the church. This much scriptural attention along with its prophetic implications warrants our taking careful notice.— Richard T. RitenbaughTo learn more, see: Nicolaitanism Today Topics:AntinomianApostasyBalaamBalaamismBalakCommandments, KeepingGnosticismHellenistic ChristianityIdolatryJerusalem CouncilKeeping CommandmentsLaw KeepingLawkeepingLawlessnessMystery of LawlessnessNicolaitanismNicolaitansSexual ImmoralitySexual Sins Commentary copyright © 1992-2026 Church of the Great God Subscription InformationThis daily newsletter was sent to you at peterhovis@me.com because you subscribed at www.theberean.org on Apr 14, 2017.Email Preferences | Unsubscribe Church of the Great God P.O. Box 471846 Charlotte, NC 28247 803-802-7075About The Berean | Archives | Random Berean | Subscriptions |
Saturday, January 10
Dear Friend,It’s a classic plot twist in books and movies . . .Identical twins swap places.Do you remember the original 1960s movie The Parent Trap? (I know, I’m dating myself here.)Legendary actress Hayley Mills played the dual role of identical teenage twins, who were separated at birth when their parents divorced.The girls finally meet by chance at summer camp — and each is shocked to realize she had an identical twin sister.Once camp is over, the teen girls switch places with each other to learn about the missing part of their lives — and reunite their divorced parents.Now, I have to tell you . . .I’m a cardiologist, not a movie reviewer.Meet Dr. Crandall
Chauncey Crandall, M.D. practices interventional, vascular, and transplant cardiology. He is head of the Cardiac Transplant Program at Florida’s Palm Beach Cardiovascular Clinic. He received his post-graduate medical training at Yale University School of Medicine, and did a cardiology fellowship at Beth Israel Hospital and Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Crandall has conducted a number of research studies and clinical trials, and published his research in several prestigious medical journals. He is also medical editor of the popular monthly newsletter Dr. Chauncey Crandall’s Heart Health Report.So you might be wondering why I’m bringing up the old twin “switcheroo” plot twist — and what on earth it has to do with your cholesterol . . .Well, I’ll tell you.But first, let’s back up for a second.Because there are a few things you should understand about cholesterol.Of course, you already know that maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is a great way to keep your heart healthy.The average American has a total cholesterol level of 200. This puts it squarely in the borderline range.And by “borderline,” I mean your cholesterol level is at the higher range of normal.But total cholesterol isn’t the whole story.You also need to keep tabs on:
LDL — the “bad” cholesterol we want to keep within the normal range
Chemically speaking, plant sterols are very similar in structure to cholesterol.So these plant cholesterol “twins” are able to trade places with your cholesterol . . .In fact, they compete with cholesterol in your digestive tract.Animal-sourced cholesterol in your diet becomes displaced by these plant sterols, so it isn’t absorbed by your body — and you excrete the cholesterol when you go to the bathroom.That sounds like a pretty good switch, doesn’t it?It gets better, though . . .Plant sterols can actually help lower blood levels of your LDL or “bad” cholesterol.Repeated studies under rigorous scientific scrutiny have shown that plant sterols help lower cholesterol when used as part of a diet low in cholesterol and fat.And here’s another thing . . .Plant sterols lower cholesterol through a totally different mechanism than statin drugs commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol.So some people may be able to compound the beneficial effect of statin medication — or even lower the dosage — by adding a regimen of plant sterols (under doctor supervision, of course).However, research tells us there’s a catch . . .Plant sterols work best at lowering cholesterol with a daily intake of 2 grams per day.Even the National Cholesterol Education Program advises people with cholesterol concerns to consume 2 grams of phytosterols a day.Unfortunately, most people eating the average American diet only get about 10% or less of the necessary 2 grams.So you can’t even come close to consuming enough plant sterols with diet alone.That’s why I made plant sterols the flagship ingredient in my advanced heart and cholesterol support formula CARDIO ADVANCED®.
Health Benefits of Doctor-Developed CARDIO ADVANCEDPromotes heart healthHelps maintain healthy cholesterol levels already within the normal rangeSupports healthy heart rhythmProvides antioxidant support
You merely cover a small $4.95 shipping fee and will be enrolled in a convenient and affordable Smart Ship program.If you are not 100% satisfied with CARDIO ADVANCED, simply call and cancel within 21 days and keep your trial bottle.If you love CARDIO ADVANCED, the Smart Ship program will conveniently send you a three-month supply at a 33% discount ($99.90 for three bottles — only $33.30 a bottle). Plus, you’ll enjoy FREE shipping with all future shipments.And don’t worry, you can easily cancel at any time — for any reason.
Chauncey Crandall, M.D.
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