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 WHAT IS BALAAM’S
DOCTRINE? Arnold Kennedy.
Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them which hold the doctrine of Balaam ¼
We find first mention of this doctrine in the book of Numbers, chapter 22, and involved in this doctrine is advocacy for race mixing. Balaam’s doctrine is a subject that is seldom mentioned in the teaching of the denominational churches. But it must be very important if Jesus says He holds it against any church. When Balaam’s doctrine is mentioned, generally it is suggested that holding the doctrine was a matter for that day and age because the pagan morality of that day would have corrupted the church. The subject is avoided because racial intermarriage is now thought to be a good thing, which fulfils the churches’ wrong idea of what the "that they might be one" of John 17: 11+21+22 means. In this chapter, Jesus does not extend His words about oneness to include other than His disciples, and subsequent Israelite disciples, in this oneness. In His messages to the "churches" in the Revelation, Jesus makes scathing remarks about Balaam, the Nicolaitanes and Jezebel, all of which are symbols of beliefs. We will see that Jesus holds something against every modern Judeo-Christian Church, as well as all cults that hold the doctrine of Balaam. Jesus immediately carries on referring this matter back to the Old Testament and He goes on to tell us simply just what the doctrine is that Balaam taught: Well the churches say, "we do not have any problem with that, we do not do, believe, or teach any of those things". One reason why they say this is because they put an unbiblical modern meaning upon the word "fornication". Let us have a look and see if any hold the Doctrine of Balaam in fact, either directly or indirectly. The Doctrine of Balaam deals with "fornication" = porneuo (subjunctive) that is not primarily about whoring after false gods. >From 1 Corinthians, 10:8 where we read, "Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand", we can see from this example that we are taken back to the major passages about Balaam, and that "fornication" here is about Israelite males having sexual relationships with non-Israelite women, either single or married. In this passage, idolatry is a separate issue but the two subjects are coupled intimately together. Israel was warned for all time that God would act against His own people who transgressed His eternal law in this regard. Jesus described the actions in the verse above as a stumbling-block [a stumbling-stone] to the children of Israel (and Israel only). Jesus is writing to the "churches", [that is, those who are the "called out" of Israel under the New Testament]. These are "children" = huios of Israel, that is, they are descendants of Jacob. Jesus says that some among these hold a doctrine that is false. Eating things offered to idols may not be an issue today in the literal sense, but fornication (racially mixed marriage) is a major issue. Immediately racial intermarriage is mentioned in churches, there is instant opposition. Those who hold the error of the doctrine of Balaam always oppose anything against their belief. But what is being quoted above is New Testament doctrine! It is Jesus who is speaking, so please tread carefully. The cherished denominational multi-racial concepts and the multi-cultural ideas have to go down the drain; we must pull the plug on them. The Book of the Revelation is not the only New Testament reference to the doctrine of Balaam. Jude calls it an error and Peter describes it as a teaching of false prophets, calling it "damnable heresies"-(2 Peter 2:1). Now as this is a heresy that leads to damnation, we had better take heed! If any do not want certain damnation, then no longer hold to this doctrine! That perhaps ninety odd percent of the so-called Christian Churches follow this pernicious doctrine of Balaam will not alter the fact that Jesus says, "I have this against you". Are we to believe Jesus or are we to believe today’s false teachers? Jude claims that these teachers "speak evil of things which they know not … after the error of Balaam". They do not know they are teaching error. This is no minor doctrine because Balaam appears by name 60 times through the Bible. Because of this, there is no excuse for not knowing what the doctrine is. To be damned for holding the doctrine of Balaam is no minor matter! The story of the hiring of the prophet Balaam by King Balak to curse the Children of Israel is found in the Book of Numbers, chapter 22. However, it is not until Num 31:16 that we discover the doctrine expressed: In the first instance, Balaam was hired by Balak to curse Israel and God prevented him from doing so. In the end, Balaam counselled Balak to use their women to seduce Israel so that Israel would come to worship the gods of Moab and thus God would punish Israel. The consequence to Israel of Balaam’s advice was seen in a very short time: That it was the work of the women is confirmed in verse 18. God’s judgement on the offenders was swift - everyone who had joined to Baal-Peor was executed. In Ezra 10:10,11 and Nehemiah 9:2 we see the required divorce of the "holy" seed of Israel from the seed of others. In Ezra the word "wives" is used, and the words "separate yourselves" is about making a wall of separation between Israelites and their foreign wives, and mixed-blood children. "Shall we then hearken unto you to do this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?"-[Neh 13:27]. The "strange" in "strange wives" is nokriy meaning foreign, as being non-Israelite. It was the "strange" foreign wives that led to the sin of idolatry. There is a lesson in this! It is not just a divorce option; it is a divorce command! Note here that most people seems to think that the "mixed multitude" refers to Israelites plus other races, never seeming to consider that it may refer to racially mixed offspring from their time in Egypt. The prophet Micah also reminds Israel about this matter of Balaam. Through Micah, God asks tenderly in Micah 6:3, "Oh My people, what have I done unto you, and wherein have I wearied you? Testify against Me". Then Micah goes on to tell how He brought Israel out from Egypt, and then asks Israel to remember about Balaam. Some say that this is purely about Balak asking Balaam to curse Israel, but the consultation went of from Shittim in Moab right across the Jordon into Gilgal. It was in Shittim where the trouble started. Micah says that the consequence of inter-racial sexual activity is a controversy that the Lord has with His people. God will yet plead with Israel [verse 2]. This controversy is over pursuit of the wrong object, contrary to the beliefs in Israel’s spirit. The "righteousness of the Lord" in Micah 6:5 above carries the meaning of "an authoritative decision", and thus has a connection with this matter of racial intermarriage, although this is not commonly taught. This matter of righteousness is mentioned in most places where Balaam’s doctrine, or whoredom by Israel, is found. Peter says it is forsaking the "right (immediate/straight/narrow) way and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness"-[2 Peter 2:15]. God warns Israel in Hosea 5:7, "they have dealt treacherously against the Lord for they have begotten strange children" and says they would be quickly consumed because of it. The prophecies of Micah concern the Children of Israel, and Micah shows the elect remnant that is to be regathered from Israel at the end of this age. It is still the Children of Israel only and not any multi-racial church. The other nations "flow into the mountain of the Lord" after it is established and the other nations learn God’s ways and thus there will be peace on earth. Micah makes this clear. Balaam knew that no man could curse the Nation of Israel because "there is no enchantment against Israel"-(Num. 23:23). But he also knew that God would judge Israel for fornication and worshipping the gods of other races. Balaam answered Balak’s consultation and advised that Israel could be seduced to worship other gods through sexual activity with Moabite women. Micah says this is to be remembered. It is to be remembered for all time. If the seduction by foreign women is prohibited for Israelites, then it is entirely consistent that racial intermarriage is equally unacceptable - for the latter is only a ceremonial version of the former. The mixed multitude in our midst can intermarry as much as they like, for there are no constraints placed upon them. The sad part of this is that their life styles are held up as examples to the rest of the community. This is when the damage is done. These examples cause ignorant Israelites to be seduced into accepting and even promoting such "tolerant" behaviour. Every vote for such tolerance in this area is a vote for Balaam’s doctrine. When we see it condoned or even put into practice by senior politicians, we know that the counsels of Ahab are still active today. And therefore, we know the Doctrine of Balaam is still taught today, in Church and State. Racial equality, racial integration and anti-discrimination laws are the modern day equivalent of Balaam’s doctrine. Under various racial vilification laws of one form or another, it is illegal to espouse anything to the contrary in most of the Anglo-Saxon world. Notice that it is not illegal anywhere else - not in Asia, not in India, not in the Middle East, not in Russia, not in Europe. It is only in the Israel countries. Challenge any of Ahab’s councillors with this information and you will be told that once the basic human rights issues are resolved in these other countries, loftier issues, such as racial tolerance will be next on the agenda. It is a plausible answer, is it not? Jesus says, "I have this against you – repent, or else I will come against you quickly". As it always is through the Bible, Israelites who marry out of Israel are cut off, or those foreigners whom they marry are destroyed or removed. When reading this, please do not suppose that "Israel" refers to "Jews" because "The Jews" are most certainly not Israel. Israel refers to the Caucasian-Anglo-Saxon peoples. We do find some sort of teaching about "fornication" today, it is true, but there are various interpretations. The matter of concern is, with whom is the fornication committed? It has been shown that Jesus referred the matter back to Balaam and the Old Testament, and we can do no better. The Apostles Peter and Jude did the same. The Apostle Paul is bold in his connecting of fornication in the New Testament with fornication in the Old Testament. |