Philip Christian Parks on Revelation 2 - 2 years ago
Regarding the Nicolaitans Rev. 2:6) = The proper name means "conqueror (or destroyer) of the laity (people)." There is no proof that they were disciples of the Nicolas mentioned only in Acts 6:5. The reader certainly should not desire to defame that particular Nicolas based on conjecture or speculation.
The implication of the term "Nicolaitan" suggests that a despotic authoritarian, or a power-grabbing hierarchy desired to assume unauthorized lordship as priests over the church, thus usurping The Headship of CHRIST ( Eph. 1:22; 5:23; Col. 1:18).
The church must never underestimate the influential power these charismatic religious heretics have over gullible churches. Note how the Ephesian Church hated "the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I (our Glorified CHRIST) also hate" ( Rev. 2:1-6). Yet, the Pergamos Church appointed certain Nicolaitans into their church leadership positions and adopted and practiced ("hold") "the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate" ( Rev. 2:12-16).
There, the word "hold" ( Rev. 2:15) translates from the Greek verb root (pronounced "kra-TEH-"), which speaks of church leaders using dictatorial power over the church to enforce their Nicolaitan "doctrine". This sets a dangerous precedence, for the powerful often gain manipulative power over the church far beyond that prescribed in the New Testament (cp. Mt. 20:25-28; 1Pet. 5:2-3).
If "Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them" (3Jn. v.9), was not a Nicolaitan, he certainly seemed to have patterned his authoritarian intimidation after their doctrine.
The implication of the term "Nicolaitan" suggests that a despotic authoritarian, or a power-grabbing hierarchy desired to assume unauthorized lordship as priests over the church, thus usurping The Headship of CHRIST ( Eph. 1:22; 5:23; Col. 1:18).
The church must never underestimate the influential power these charismatic religious heretics have over gullible churches. Note how the Ephesian Church hated "the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I (our Glorified CHRIST) also hate" ( Rev. 2:1-6). Yet, the Pergamos Church appointed certain Nicolaitans into their church leadership positions and adopted and practiced ("hold") "the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate" ( Rev. 2:12-16).
There, the word "hold" ( Rev. 2:15) translates from the Greek verb root (pronounced "kra-TEH-"), which speaks of church leaders using dictatorial power over the church to enforce their Nicolaitan "doctrine". This sets a dangerous precedence, for the powerful often gain manipulative power over the church far beyond that prescribed in the New Testament (cp. Mt. 20:25-28; 1Pet. 5:2-3).
If "Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them" (3Jn. v.9), was not a Nicolaitan, he certainly seemed to have patterned his authoritarian intimidation after their doctrine.
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