The church in Pergamos (Rev. 2:12-17) settled down into the world, the scene of Satan's authority. This implies no outward or scandalous wickedness. Satan is quite content to see Christians becoming worldly. So long as they are untrue to Christ by admitting the world into their hearts, his object is gained quite as effectually as if he had betrayed them into the grossest sin. When the world, whether the religious world or any other, takes the place to which Christ is entitled, the ardent love for His Person and the bright hope of His return disappear, and coldness, deadness, toleration of evil, indifference to His claims, are sure to come in. Open evil may follow, but the mischief is done whether this is the case or not.
"I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies." Psalm 119:59.
"I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that keep Thy precepts." Psalm 119:63.