(By Shane Idleman) Although Revelation was written nearly 2000 years ago, it rings true with resounding clarity for churches today. In Revelation 2, Jesus addresses a church in Pergamos that compromised doctrine and was silent about sin. They were motivational and encouraging, but powerless against breaking Satan’s grip. While Pergamos was soft on sin and compromise, churches at the opposite end can be critical and judgmental sin-sniffers. Neither attitude or position is pleasing to God. The compromising, silent church often lacks boldness; it’s easier to be passive. But it’s not healthy, wise or God-honoring. Jesus lovingly
challenges the silent compromises in this church: “You’re a nice church—you feed the homeless and reach out to those in need—but I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality” (see Rev. 2:14). The silent church allows false teaching because they don’t want to rock-the-boat. They are liberal in twisting or reinterpreting the truth, or they avoid it all together. This is where the word “liberal” comes from. READ MORE
