What was the teaching of Balaam in Revelation 2:14?
The teaching of Balaam, as Jesus identifies in Revelation 2:14, was that they could commit fornication, lose their separated state, and it would not hurt them. Jesus had a few things against Pergamos because some there held this doctrine. Numbers 25 shows Israel committing whoredom with Moab’s daughters.
Les explains that Revelation 2 is part of the seven letters to the seven churches, and in the letter to Pergamos Jesus speaks in verse 14, saying He has a few things against them because some there hold the doctrine. Les points out that Peter calls it the way, Jude calls it the error, and Jesus calls it the doctrine—the teaching of Balaam. The teaching was that they could go ahead and commit fornication, lose their separated state, and it would not bother or hurt them. Les then takes the class back to Numbers 25, where Israel abode in Shittim and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab, breaking down their separated state. He notes that time had passed and God had not permitted Balaam to get away with it, yet in another sense he did get away with it, and he moves toward Numbers 31 asking why the Israelites began to commit immorality with the Moabites.
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.