nikolai_42
Well-known member
In Revelation 2, two churches are taken to task by the Lord because of influences that lead people to eat food sacrificed to idols.
To Pergamos :
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.
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Rev 2:14-16
To Thyatira :
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Rev 2:20-24
I have underlined some of the key elements (characters named, what they did to the people etc...) and note that both of these involve not only idolatry but stated fornication.
The questions are these :
1. What is meant in these instances by eating things sacrificed to idols? (Please give a reasoned answer)
2. How does that square with Paul's word to the Corinthians (I Cor 8) about eating food sacrificed to idols?
3. How about with the Jerusalem Council's conclusions for the Gentiles in Acts 15:19-20?
4. How do the spiritual conditions of these two churches compare?
To Pergamos :
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.
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Rev 2:14-16
To Thyatira :
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Rev 2:20-24
I have underlined some of the key elements (characters named, what they did to the people etc...) and note that both of these involve not only idolatry but stated fornication.
The questions are these :
1. What is meant in these instances by eating things sacrificed to idols? (Please give a reasoned answer)
2. How does that square with Paul's word to the Corinthians (I Cor 8) about eating food sacrificed to idols?
3. How about with the Jerusalem Council's conclusions for the Gentiles in Acts 15:19-20?
4. How do the spiritual conditions of these two churches compare?