The System Jesus Hates
The Nicolaitanes
by Eloise Gardenier
Did you know that Jesus proclaims only twice that there is something which he truly hates. Both times it is the same thing. That thing is a system, a religious system that Jesus Christ identifies by name and the name of this false doctrine with ungodly deeds is Nic-o-la'-i-tans. To quote Him, He says to the church of Ephesus; "But this thou hast, that thou hate the deeds of the NICOLAITANES which I also hate". Rev. 2:6 Again in Rev, 2:15 & 16 the church of Pergamos is warned by Him; "So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the NICOLAITANES which thing I hate. Repent or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth"
Very Strong Words!
Strong's concordance shows us that the doctrine of these Nicolaitans (obviously "religious leaders") amounted to heresy, they lorded it over the people, were victorious in an oppressive way, they were able to conquer their faith. This was not a small group or local problem either. The word is a compound of nike (victory) and laity (the people), compounded to mean: victory over the people. The people of God in general were seduced by smooth words and promises of blessings if they would place themselves under their authority. But even more than that, men usurped control by creating unscriptural priesthoods and a hierarchy of aloof leadership. We know our faith is a battle ground and the words from the Greek imply that the heretical Nicolaitans had won the war for the souls of men by bringing them into a wrong sort of subjection. Their doctrines had caused them to be triumphant over the people. The leaders had the power, not Christ and His Spirit, as was intended from the beginning of the Church.
Gordon Lindsay, an anointed pastor of the first half of the 20th century, wrote in his series of pamphlets on The Book of Revelation, said this about The Nicolaitane heresy:
"The Nicolaitane heresy had already begun to show itself in apostolic days. Jesus had commended the Ephesian church when He said, 'But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.” Rev. 2:6 What had been deeds in that time, had now become a doctrine. The word, Nicolaitane, is symbolic of the development of the priestly order that ruled over the laity. Here was fundamental deviation from Christ's command in Matt. 23:8-9: “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.'
“This development of the clergy that usurped rule over the people, and arrogated to itself authority over members of the church to the point that the latter could not even think for themselves, became the tragic error of church history. It opened the way for all other error. Christ no longer was the mediator between God and man. Instead, the priest, or Mary, or dead saints, [or pastors] became the mediator. Thus was the headship of Christ set aside in favor of a substitute, or an ecclesiastical hierarchy. The unChristian system soon developed into the Roman Catholic Church with all its evil errors."
Arthur Bloomfield in his book, All Things New, declares:
"When a church leaves its first love, it begins to turn attention to ecclesiastical power and influence. When its leaders talk about 'church loyalty' they are actually demanding loyalty to themselves, while they are leading the people from the Bible. The movements of the churches to enhance their political power and social prestige by union, federation, and worldly alliances are the deeds of the Nicolaitanes. It is the effort of the church to restore by its own method what it has lost by forsaking God's method,
“The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes is a trend that usually shows in a denomination after its pioneer days are over. The headship of Christ is ignored, and organization … is substituted for God's power."
The condition described by these men has grown and is now everywhere in the Church today, even in Evangelical circles. Where preachers and teachers once wore common clothes they now sport the apparel and trappings of ‘special’ men. Nicolaitanism is no longer confined to the Catholic Church and Protestant Churches, it has taken hold of Baptist, Independent and Pentecostalism and in almost every popular movement. The Nicolaitans desired both worldly and spiritual success and were determined to use the people to get it. Does this sound familiar? Have you ever experienced or just viewed in amazement, the power some leaders have over the people supposedly in their care? In Revelation 18:13 when Babylon falls, among the merchandise we find which she had dealt in are the "souls of men". It seems the spirit of the Nicolaitanes system is running rampant today in the church world. It really isn't a surprise to those of us who have been studying prophesy for years, especially the seven churches of Revelation. The "Nicolaitane kingdom" will come into it's fullness in the Laodicean Church of these "end-times". Multitudes will, and in fact already are, following after these "charismatic" leaders. These men and women are compelled to keep their followers in complete submission and claim to back this practice up with Scripture, in order to have control over the sheep.
They will also boast as does the church of Laodicea; “I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." Jesus’ answer to their outrageous claim is; ''and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:" (Rev. 3:17) In verse 16 of the same chapter He says: "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth."
To Whom Or What Are We To Be Submitted? …
A look into the words: submit, submitted, submitting, subject and subjection, in Scripture reveals a clearer vision of Christ's expectations of the matter of authority in the Church. The Word uses submit in the following references:
- 5 Times - Submit To God
- 4 Times - Submit to someone: children to parents, wives to husband, husband to Christ, servant to master.
- 2 Times - Submit to one another.
- 2 Times - Submit to man's ordinances.
- 1 Time - Submit to Gospel
- 1 Time - Submit to those addicted to ministry of saints.
- 1 Time - Submit to elders.
Only one time does God directly refer to being subject to "elders". The word elder is described as this: "Church 'presbytery' estate of elder (elderly) older; as noun senior; (also member of the celestial council) elder (est), old, a co-presbyter." Since we are told to submit to elders we should be aware of it but we should know also what is intended by it. In 1 Peter 5:5 we are instructed in this way; ''Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." Submit to them, but also to one another. Should we not assume that means pastors, prophets, elders and teachers also being submitted to all others, even the lowliest and least esteemed of our humble fellowship?
The nearest suggestion in Scripture that the saints ought to submit to the leaders is voiced in Hebrews 13:17; "Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves:" This comes with a condition though, and that condition is if these shepherds are doing what they should be doing which is this; ''for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you." It is a great responsibility to assume the care of a flock, and one should be ready to face that time with a clear conscience, when they must give account. Any of us that believe we are called to a ministry should make sure we make Hebrews 5:6 a verse that we are mindful of continuously. ''Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that HE, HE MAY EXALT YOU IN DUE TIME!”
The church must have order, and the Word gives us bountiful instruction so chaos does not take over, if we will only heed the Word by faith. But the church today and for centuries has been organized, reorganized and organized some more. There is a difference between order and organization. The Holy Ghost leads the elders to maintain order in Church matters, during assemblies and in the work of the ministry. When men take matters into their hands, under their discretion and rational senses to construct a pattern and rule by law they have dismissed the order of the Holy Ghost in favor of their ‘flow-chart’, their organization of works.
A prophecy delivered by a rural mailman over 40 years ago at a convention of Presbyterian ministers in Montreat, N.C. went into length about God's disgust for the efforts of man to organize the Church. The particular parts of that prophecy have since come to pass and bare witness to its truth and validity as a word from God. Part of the need for church people to organize things is to incorporate paying homage to men and setting them up as mediators between man and God. That is impossible! There is only one mediator between God and man, the Man Jesus Christ. We must all work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. No other person can be responsible for our salvation. It is totally between each individual and God Himself. Yes, God expects all born again believers to point hungry hearts to Him through preaching, witnessing and by never missing an opportunity to speak of his love, mercy, and judgment. We are also called to minister encouragement and help younger or weaker saints to mature. Still others are raised up to study and be "fully furnished" to proclaim the Good News of God's plan of the ages through His prophetic Word. We must make it clear that the full gospel, the "full counsel" of God is available to all. Acts 20:27
What will witness most to the world is that we love one another and are submitted to one another. The world gets subordinates to submit to higher authority. Big deal! Settle it in your heart that Jesus Christ HATES the NICOLAITANE system. The only time in His written Word that He left no doubt about His hatred was of this heresy.
Examine carefully any ministry that seems to be in, or falling into this heretical practice, and remind yourself, how Jesus views it. Remember, no other man or woman is responsible for your salvation unless you let him or her try to be. No one should lord it over you. Long ago while reading the Amplified Bible one day, as I was grieved about some friends who were being deceived by certain false teachings and prophets, I was pricked by this in the 14th chapter of Jeremiah. "Then the Lord said to me, The (false) prophets prophesy lies in My name. I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, nor have I spoken to them. They prophesy to you a false or pretended vision, worthless divination - conjuring, and the responses supposed to be given by idols - the deceit of their own minds. ... For I will pour out their wickedness upon them (and not on their false teachers only, for the people could not have been deceived except by their own consent.)"
I pray every reader will be given the gift of discernment concerning this matter. God certainly does raise up apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the edifying of the body of Christ and for the perfecting of the saints. Till we all come in the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. And we should be submitted to these offices for the Gospel's sake. But they are functionaries not saviors or captains of our salvation. Every person must stand in their own faith. Paul said he had no intention of dominating another’s faith. When all is said and done, there is one final authority to whom we all must go. Jesus, through the person of the Holy Ghost, the one whom He has sent to be the guide of the Church! In the mid-70’s four prominent Evangelical preachers united in a movement called “Submission”, teaching that every born-again Christian should submit their will to a person above them and that person above them and so on, in a hierarchy more like AmWay or a pyramid scheme than anything to do with Christ. It was nothing short of heresy, though many people believed it and bought into it because some big-wig had convinced them it was from God though it clearly bucked the Scriptures. The delusion has many faces and is sold in many forms. But the Bible tells us we have one mediator between God and man, even the man Jesus Christ, and we have an infallible teacher because we have the Holy Ghost to teach us.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My Name He shall TEACH you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26 Praise God, we can all have the same teacher if we will submit to Him in spirit and in truth and we ought not need some man to tell us what to do if we are willing to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd in our lives.