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Holding Fast to Jesus’ NameRevelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand!
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Corrupting Influences
8. What censure does Jesus find it necessary to give the Christians in Pergamum?
8 Yes, the Christians in Pergamum are integrity keepers. “Nevertheless,” says Jesus, “I have a few things against you.” What have they done to deserve censure? Jesus tells us: “You have there those holding fast the teaching of Balaam, who went teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols
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Holding Fast to Jesus’ NameRevelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand!
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12. As with servants of God in early times, what principles apply to Christians today?
12 Jesus also reprimands the Christians in Pergamum for ‘eating things sacrificed to idols.’ What would this involve? In view of Paul’s words to the Corinthians, perhaps some were abusing their Christian freedom and deliberately offending the consciences of others. More likely, though, they were taking part somehow in actual idol ceremonies. (1 Corinthians 8:4-13; 10:25-30) Faithful Christians today must show unselfish love in their exercise of Christian freedom, being careful not to stumble others. Certainly, they must avoid modern forms of idolatry, such as worshipping stars of TV, the movies, and sports, or making a god out of money, or even out of their own belly!—Matthew 6:24; Philippians 1:9, 10; 3:17-19.
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