The LCS Factor

[Thankful Jane]

The following is some scriptural support for the idea that when God’s prophets are involved with money and where there are men lording it over other men in the church this sets the stage for spiritual abuse. The following verses may be a case spiritual abuse in the church that is recorded in the Bible:

Rev 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

Rev 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat [throne]is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Rev 2:14 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.

Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight
against them with the sword of my mouth.

Here are some things that stand out:

-- These verses are written to a church, and more specifically to those in that church who had the possibility of hearing (who were still faithful). Note that there are others in this church that the Spirit calls “them” (vs. 14, 15, 16).

-- The Spirit said that Satan was dwelling among them and that they had among them those who held the doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which God hates. (vs. 12, 13, 14,15)

-- Nicolaitanes means to subdue or conquer the people. This could mean there were some people lording it over others there and teaching this practice as doctrine. Satan’s seat or throne was there.*(v. 13, 15) This could possibly mean that Satan was exercising his authority through those practicing the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes. (*Some commentators say that the reference to Satan’s seat could have been made because there was in Pergamos a temple dedicated to the worship of Caesar and/or also because there was a Babylonian cult religious center there.)

-- In this church a brother, Antipas, was murdered, among them, where Satan dwells. The phrase “slain among you where Satan dwells” seems to be saying that Satan was at home among them and that Antipas was murdered among them. (If so this, would be major abuse among them.) (v. 13) Mystery Babylon the Great was filled with the blood of martyrs for Jesus. The RCC has martyred many for their witness to the truth. It is possible that those lording it over others were responsible for the death of Antipas. “… those who kill you think they do God service.” (Jn 16:2) (Some commentators say he could have been killed by the Romans for his witness.)

-- There was a prophet of God who became a false prophet and taught evil things for money. (v. 14)

-- God was correcting the audience of this letter for “having” such people in the church (the “them” who taught these things). He was telling the church to repent for “having” such ones. (In this letter he was not speaking to the “them.”)

-- God was about to come and fight against the “them” and was giving the church advance notice that they needed to repent. They needed to repent for listening to such teachings and allowing these things to be taught. They needed to reject their belief in such teachings, ones that resulted in people being conquered and becoming defiled.
Please note that the evils found in Mystery Babylon the Great are found here, including terrible abuse of the faithful (blood of the martyrs.)

Think about it. All of this was in a church. Too similar. These verses are like a sharp two-edged sword.

Thankful Jane