February 3.
Balaam’s Doctrine

Revelation 2:14

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

Now what was the doctrine of Balaam? Balaam was a prophet that lived during the days of the children of Israel. The children of Israel had begun to multiply so much until Balak, king of Moab, became disturbed and felt threatened. Balak knew that Balaam was a prophet and whatever Balaam said, you could put your foot on it. So Balak sent his elders to pay Balaam to go down to the children of Israel and curse them so their population would dwindle. But the Lord told Balaam not to go. Balak then sent his princes with more money to offer. This time Balaam didn’t wait on orders from the Lord. Numbers 22:21 “Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.” But God dispatched an angel who stood in front of Balaams donkey. The donkey feared the angel and tried to turn back. However, Balaam took out his whip and smote the donkey. Even after God used the donkey to speak to Balaam, he was still determined to go on.

Balaam prepared to curse the children of Israel, but every time he opened his mouth to curse Israel, he spoke blessings instead. Balaam told Balak he could not curse the children of Israel because God had blessed them. Yet, Balaam counseled Balak on how to corrupt Israel. That’s the way the old devil is; if he can’t curse you, he’ll attempt to corrupt you. Corruption slipped into the church of Pergamos. They would take folk in who had not repented-just because they said, “Yes, I believe.” They baptized them and allowed them to be members. The church became corrupted. That is the doctrine of Balaam, to compromise the people of God with sin. So God said he had against the church at Pergamos that the doctrine of Balaam was in it.