Revelation 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.
The verse belongs to the messages to the seven churches, which symbolize successive states of the Christian church from Christ's first coming to His second appearing. It is part of the final testimony Jesus gave to John under the command to write the things seen and the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter, addressed to the angel of the church in Pergamos alongside the messages to the angel of the church of Ephesus and to the angels of the churches in Sardis and Philadelphia and Laodicea. As one of the seven messages to the churches in Asia, it portrays the state of things existing in the churches of the religious world today. Its church name is symbolic of the Christian church in a different period of the Christian era, and as one of seven it shows completeness, so its message extends to the end of time and is in force today. Its figures are symbolic of the state of God's professed people where wheat develops among tares and truth stands on its own eternal basis in contrast with error.
The verse shows Christ weighing the characters of all who take His name as Christians, with every individual under His supervision. He knows the thoughts and intents of the heart as well as every word and act, and knows all about each person's religious experience and whom each loves and serves, calling for close self-examination. The verse recalls Balaam's role in causing Israel to sin just before they entered the promised land. Balaam devised this scheme after failing to obtain the riches, honor, reward, and promotion he desired by cursing Israel. After the Spirit of God left him, his unchecked covetousness prevailed, and he sought to harm them by seducing them to transgression when direct cursing had failed.
He knew that the prosperity and protection of Israel depended on their observance of the law of God, so that while they remained faithful and obedient God protected them and no earthly or supernatural power could prevail against them, and there was no way to bring a curse upon them except by leading them to break it. His plan was to separate them from God, for transgression would separate them from Him, turn their Protector against them, and leave them vulnerable to their enemies and to the destroyer — a curse brought not by pronouncing one but by leading the people into sin. He taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before Israel by proclaiming an idolatrous feast in honor of idol gods, drawing Israelites to attend with music and using the most beautiful Midianite women to entice them to corrupt themselves, transgress the law of God, eat things sacrificed to idols, and commit fornication. The satanic counsel succeeded because many Israelites regarded Balaam as a prophet of God and were persuaded to join him, mix with that idolatrous people, and engage in idolatry and fornication. The verse's warning applies to a development in God's cause in which exalting a man can confuse him and others about the truths God has given His people.