“Apan ania ang pipila ka butang nga akong ikasaway kaninyo: adunay pipila diha kaninyo nga nagsunod sa mga pagtulon-an ni Balaam. Kini si Balaam nagtudlo kang Balak kon unsaon sa pagtintal ang mga Israelinhon sa pagpakasala pinaagi sa pagkaon sa mga kalan-on nga gihalad ngadto sa mga dios-dios ug pinaagi sa pagpakighilawas gawas sa kaminyoon.
What Does This Mean?
In this verse from Revelation, Jesus is speaking to the church in Pergamum and criticizes them for having followers who hold teachings similar to Balaam's, which led others into sin by encouraging them to eat food sacrificed to idols and commit immoral acts.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing with friends but some kids tell everyone they can do things that aren't good. That's what happened in this church too; some people there were saying it was okay to do bad things, just like Balaam did long ago when he tricked others into doing wrong.
Historical Background
The Book of Revelation was written by John the Apostle around 96 AD during a period of Roman persecution. The letter is addressed to seven churches in Asia Minor, highlighting issues within these communities. This verse addresses a specific problem in Pergamum where false teachings were prevalent.
Living It Out Today
Today, this can apply when someone in your community or workplace promotes harmful behaviors under the guise of normalcy. Just as Balaam's teachings led to spiritual and moral downfall, modern influences that encourage unethical behavior can have similarly damaging effects on individuals and communities.
Topics
false teachingsmoral integritychurch guidancespiritual pitfallswarning and correctiondivine judgment