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

The MYSTERY OF THE NICOLAITANES
-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 unto thee quickly, and will fight against them (the Nicolaitanes) with the sword of my mouth.

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

This is  "The error of the Nicolaitanes".

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. What Jesus faced were the Pharisees, Saduccees, and Sanhedrin, 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.  

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, priest, or one of the many ecclesiastical titles. Clergy class (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.

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, 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 formal titles or labels attached to any of New Testament disciples including the obvious ones like the apostles.
In the Lord's Body, the "true temple":
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. 

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, this is one of the admonitions for the people of God who have eyes and ears to overcome:  How do you "overcome" the Nicolaitanes?

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.