The Doctrine of Balaam

            Recent considerations have focused on spiritual conditions existing in the seven churches which are in Asia being addressed by the Apostle John in the early portion of the Revelation. The doctrine of the Nicolaitans has been explained and covered. Also presented in a previous blog was an explanation of the light of the testimony as represented by the seven golden candlesticks which the Lord stood in the midst of as recounted by John’s vision of Him. In each instance of the seven the Lord has something to say to the churches addressed as they are His people and as such are accountable to Him for their spiritual state and are responsible to Him only to maintain a good testimony to the truths of the gospel. Only two of the seven assemblies were seen by Him as being complete and acceptable without need of correction and repentance.  Those two would be the assemblies of believers at Smyrna and Philadelphia.  An attempt will be made in the future to make comment on these faithful ones. For now we move to those in the church at Pergamos and the doctrine of Balaam.

            As with much of what is contained in the Revelation, it becomes necessary to move back to the principles and foundations laid for us in the Old Testament Scriptures. This is also true to gain an understanding of the doctrine of Balaam. He was perceived as one who possessed some prophetic authority by Balack the King of Moab. We find the account of Balaam beginning in Numbers, chapter 22.  The Israelites are encamped and traveling in the desert and have won a victory over the Amorites. The King of Moab was very fearful of them and wished to curtail the threat of Israel to his people.  He therefore sent messengers to bring Balaam to assist him for he perceived him to be a prophet. The messengers brought with them” the rewards of divination.” Balaam took the issue up before the Lord that night and the word was clear that the Lord would not give him leave to go and he should not go to Balack because the people were to be blessed and not cursed. Balack did not accept this determination and again sent messengers to Balaam to entice him with that promise of promotion to great honor. Balaam was then motivated to try again to gain leave to go forth to Balack.  The Lord had made it clear that it was not within His purpose to bring cursing upon Israel, but he allowed Balaam to return to Moab instructing him that he could not utter a curse

upon Israel.  Balaam was set on the opportunity and then traveled forth on his ass with the princes of Moab. God’s anger was kindled against Balaam and he stood in his way. Balaam’s ass first saw an angel in the way and he turned aside from the pathway. Balaam became angry with his beast and severely disciplined him. The ass continued to resist but Balaam persisted three times to drive him onward. Balaam eventually was able also to see the angel and he was rebuked for his perverse motivation to respond to Balack seeking a reward and to be promoted. Balaam persisted anyway and conspired with Balack and a seven times an offering was prepared on the high place where Balack had taken him. The lord answered with words of blessing in the mouth of Balaam. Seven times Balaam tried to respond to Balack’s desire to bring a curse upon the Israelites. Each was denied and the end the Lord put a prophetic word of blessing in Balaam’s mouth concerning the coming judgment: “….there shall come a Star out of Jacob and a sceptre shall arise out of Israel and shall smite the corners of Moab and destroy the children of Sheth……and Israel shall do valiantly.” (Numbers 24:17-18) Full contest Num22-24.

            How then do we determine the meaning of the doctrine of Balaam recounted in Revelation, chapter 2 as it applies to the assembly at Pergamos and all future Christian assemblies? What is seen is that Balaam was a prophet for hire seeking monetary gain and/or honor from the King of Moab.  When these perverse motives are replicated in the church the inevitable result will be to cast a stumbling block before the people teaching them to take within themselves things “ sacrificed to idols”, and so to defile their separation and also to “commit fornication” in the spiritual since of unclean mixture. A false prophet in the midst of the people of God can only be discerned when the true motives of his alleged ministry are discovered. Material gain or financial reward on the one hand or elevation and honor in the sight of men on the other defile the ministry and discredit the messenger. For a fuller understanding of the entire prophetic ministry revealed in Revelation and the prophets read: These Prophets and the Revelation. Mindstir Media, 2013, available at Amazon.com.

David Lance Dean    contact me at  theseprophets@gmail.com  or view other blogs on Web site:   thesepophets.blogspot.com/