Rev. 2:18 FF (NLT)--"Write this letter to the angel of the church in Pergamum. This is the message from the one with the sharp two-edged sword:... I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin [Num. 25:1-3]. In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching. Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth."
Summation:
(1) Balaam showed Balak how seduce Israel into idolatry and immorality (Num. 31:16)
(2) There were those in the church who were teaching similar, paving the way for idolatry/immorality in the church
(3) The main body of the church--faithfully obedient ("...hast not denied my faith...[vs. 13]")--were those who were tolerant of those others within the body that were identifying with Balaam who taught Balak how to seduce Israel into apostasy.
(4) In short, Balak seduced Israel into apostasy; Balaam counseled him how to go about it; some in the church identified with his "doctrine"; most tolerated those "some" even though they did not teach/identify, counsel/lead, or practice apostasy themselves.
The Savior identified those who were tolerant as the objects of His wrath--"...repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them [those who tolerate] with the sword of my mouth...."
By anybody's definition this is 2nd degree separation, and it is being mandated to the church in Pergamum by the Savior Himself.
Summation:
(1) Balaam showed Balak how seduce Israel into idolatry and immorality (Num. 31:16)
(2) There were those in the church who were teaching similar, paving the way for idolatry/immorality in the church
(3) The main body of the church--faithfully obedient ("...hast not denied my faith...[vs. 13]")--were those who were tolerant of those others within the body that were identifying with Balaam who taught Balak how to seduce Israel into apostasy.
(4) In short, Balak seduced Israel into apostasy; Balaam counseled him how to go about it; some in the church identified with his "doctrine"; most tolerated those "some" even though they did not teach/identify, counsel/lead, or practice apostasy themselves.
The Savior identified those who were tolerant as the objects of His wrath--"...repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them [those who tolerate] with the sword of my mouth...."
By anybody's definition this is 2nd degree separation, and it is being mandated to the church in Pergamum by the Savior Himself.