The Nicolaitane Error Jesus "Hates"?? WHAT!?

The MYSTERY OF THE NICOLAITANES Jesus "hates"
-by rory moore 7-12-2012

In this post on the Nicolaitane error, we will recap the scriptural profile of what the New Testament ministry model and government looks like.

Revelation 2: (To the church at Ephesus)

6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate;

15 So you have also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

16 Repent; or else I will come to you quickly,
and will fight against them (the Nicolaitanes) with the sword of my mouth.

For 25 years I wondered what Jesus was speaking of.
The mystery of what Jesus detests is revealed as the most common form of church government found in almost every church and denomination.

The key is found in the meaning of the name itself, and results in people following "leadership", rather than Jesus Christ.
And so down the "broad way" road we all went.

Here is the truth:

"Nicolaitane" is from two Greek words "Nike" and "Laos" The Greek word "nike" means "to conquer"…to dominate, overcome, manipulate. It means the exercise of carnal hierarchial control, like the world. It results in ruling by subjugation, dominion, and force or by position and title. The word "laos" means "the people", that is, the laity.

Thus we have by definition the deeds and teaching of those who conquer, dominate, manipulate, and "lead" the laity, or the people. What makes it difficult to identify the Nicolaitanes is that the labels changed.
Jesus faced opposition from  sects of his day, the Pharisees, Saduccees, Sanhedrin, and the religious leadership establishment.

 He rebuked them for their deeds in Matthew 23 and pointed out their love of Titles, position, even their religious apparel.  
Do we think the church system is immune to the things the scripture warned about repeatedly?

Why does Jesus "HATE" their deeds and doctrines?

Simply put, it puts men in the place of God, whether they be called the church board, elder, Senior Pastor, Bishop, priest, or one of the many ecclesiastical titles.

In short, the Clergy (ministry) over laity (people).

 And it virtually guarantees the majority of God's people never mature but remain part of their kingdoms to support, work for, and finance. -People become followers of man and their systems, the sects of Christianity.

It enshrines “respect of persons”, i.e. it breeds distinctions of division and position in the eyes of people resulting in favoritism and political maneuvering for favor and privileges within the body of Christ. –in direct opposition to what Jesus taught His apostles.  

Denominational, factious, competitive Christianity has given the church a hierarchial, professionalized, titled, system of church government foreign to scripture.

There is no Senior Pastor, Pope, cardinal, bishop, priest, monsignor, Youth Pastor, Music Minister, or denominational structure in scripture.
There is no scripture giving any pastor-priest solo authority, headship, or rule over God's people.
There are no bishops overseeing pastors, arch-bishops, boards, or General Superintendents.
There are no church boards, Assistant pastors, Co-pastors, associate pastors, or senior officials.
There are no presidents, superintendents, youth pastors;
There are no Capitalized Apostles, Prophets, Bishops, Senior Pastors, Deacons, or Reverends.

There are no formal titles or labels attached to any of New Testament disciples including the obvious ones like the apostles.

The word "pastor" is used only once in the New Testament and not even one Titled pastor, “Senior Pastor”, “Youth Pastor”, Reverend, or Bishop is named or titled. How many TITLED pastors are mentioned in your local phone book?

In Revelation 2, one of the admonitions for the people of God who have eyes to see and ears to hear is given. "HE WHO OVERCOMES.."
  
How do you "overcome" the Nicolaitans' you ask?

In a great majority of instances it usually means walking out the "church" doors, going home, and asking God Himself to take their error and deeds out of our hearts.

And it means NOT going to find another group that calls itself a church yet has the same error unless there is clear direction from the Lord.

The called of God often experience the Lord raising up personal opposition so that  they kick YOU out.
We have heard from many where this occurred.
The clergy is not our enemy, they are part of a system unknowingly that works against themselves and the people they seek to save.

If this speaks to you, then read Ezekiel 34, and  Jeremiah 23. 
When the Lord opened this up to me, I saw the hated Nicolaitane error all through scripture.
In Genesis 47:22 Pharaoh had his clergy class.
In Judges 18:30 the apostate tribe of Dan set up idolatrous priests.
When Israel desired a man as king, 1Samuel 8.

By the time of Christ, there were synagogues ruled by men, a clergy-class of Scribes, Pharisees, various sects, and the Sanhedrin. These were all rebuked and chastised by Christ, and they all gathered against Him.
Acts 4:26 The kings of the earth set themselves in array,
And the rulers were gathered together,
Against the Lord, and against his Anointed:

Peace and grace to you.