1 John 2 New King James
Version (NKJV)
Do Not Love the World
15
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world,
the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust
of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is
not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and
the lust of it; but he who does the will of God (Elohim) abides forever.
Messiah Yahwehshua,
the Son of Elohim says, He hates the "practices (deeds or works) of the
Nicolaitans":
In the very first
message of the Book of Prophecy to the Messenger (Angel) of the Messiah’s
community of the Living Elohim in Ephesus, the Messiah mentions the teaching of
these “Nicolaitans” (Revelation is believed to have been inspired writings of
around 68-70 A.D. – see this Ministry Post “Books of the Holy Scriptures
– Inspired Writings”):
This Holy Spirit inspired Book
of Revelation, a book of Prophecy ends in chapter one with this saying write
what is currently happening at the time of this prophecy and what will happen
later – mysteries revealed by the Messiah Yahwehshua
to the seven churches in Asia Minor (churches of the Gentiles - yesterday and today’s
Christianity):
·
Revelation 1:19-20 New International
Reader's Version (NIRV)… 19 “So write down what you have seen. Write about what is
happening now and what will happen later.
20 Here is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you
saw in my right hand. They are the angels of the seven churches. And the seven golden lampstands you saw stand for the
seven churches.
Then, the Messiah began speaking to
the angels of the churches of Yahweh about the Messianic communities during the
time of the prophecy (68-70 A.D.), times past, present times, and future times saying
(Please read that these messages are to the “angels” of the churches):
Revelation 2:1-7 New
International Version (NIV)… “To the angel [Messenger] of
the church (Assembly,
Messianic community) in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in
his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands (Ref. Rev. 1:19-20).
2 I know your deeds, your
hard work, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked
people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not
and have found them false.
3 You have persevered and
have endured hardships for my name and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had
at first. 5 Consider
how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do
not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the
Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever
has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Messianic communities).
To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of
life, which is in the paradise of God (Elohim).
Verse 6 NKJV says…
6 But
this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Verse 6 American
Standard Version (ASV)…
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest
the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
6 But
there is something you do that is right: You hate what the Nicolaitans do,
as much as I.
First, let the reader with
“eyes to see and ears to hear” understand that the seven (7) messages to the
seven (7) churches are sent to the seven (7) “angels or messengers” of these
actual churches and the symbolic churches representing all churches, and
individual followers of the Messiah throughout the ages in this present evil
and adulterous world. The number seven-seven-seven (777) are representative of
Elohim completeness – see “seven times” and the number of man
today (Revelation 13:18) in the Holy
Scriptures, as it is written:
Isaiah 64:8 Lexham English Bible (LEB)…Yet
now Yahweh, you are our Father; we are the clay, and You are
our Potter, and we all are the work of Your Hand.
Psalm 12:6 NIV
“Yahweh’s Word is Perfect and Complete” …And
the words of the Lord (Yahweh) are flawless, like
silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.
Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV “Yawhew’s Works are Perfect” …He is the Rock, his
works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God (Elohim) who
does no wrong, upright, and just is he.
Matthew 5:48 NIV “We are
Created for Perfection” …Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father
is perfect.
Hebrews 12:22-24 NIV We, Yahweh
Works will be Made Perfect – a Number ‘777’ (Isaiah
19:25; Isaiah 64:8) … 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God
(Elohim), the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of
angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the
church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.
You have come to God (Elohim), the Judge of
all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus (Yahwehshua)
the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better
word than the blood of Abel.
Therefore, this Ministry
teaches that these messages are to the Messiah’s communities at the time of the
inspired writing of Revelation around 68-70 A.D., the individuals who consider
themselves followers of the Messiah then and now and throughout this present current
age of the churches of the first fruits – Joel 2:28-32;
Acts 2:16-21; 1 Peter 4:17-18 …this is a “time for judgment to begin”
with Yahweh’s household.
In Revelation 2:1-7, there are several things to focus on here in these verses describing
this group of (followers of the Way – Acts 9:2)
later called Christians as the gospel begin to be preach to the Gentiles-Greeks
and Romans (Acts 11:26) in the assembly
(church) at Ephesus it says, “you cannot tolerate wicked people”; second “you
have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false”;
third “you have forsaken the love you had at first”; fourth “you hate
the practices (deeds) of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate”.
·
Today, as they did then, the leaders of Mystery Babylon, the mother,
and daughters (so-called shepherds) welcome wicked people within their ranks –
tolerating the wick proclaiming to be one of the followers of the Messiah – Acts 20:29-30 NIRV… I know that after I
leave, wild wolves will come in among you. They won’t spare any of the sheep. 30 Even
men from your own people will rise up and twist the truth. They want to
get the believers to follow them.
·
Today, as they did then, these followers of the Messiah accepted all
who claim to be apostles without testing them as it is written in Matthew 7:15 LEB…"Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inside are ravenous wolves. Matthew 24:4-5
NCV…4 Jesus
(Yahushua) answered, “Be careful that no one
fools you. 5 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the
Christ (Messiah),’ and they will fool many people.
1 John 4:1 NIV…”do
not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God
(Elohim), because many false prophets have
gone out into the world”.
· Today, as they did then, there were those who
have abandoned the faith – not standing firm in the faith but leaving their
first love, as it is written: 1 Timothy 4:1 NIV…The Spirit clearly says that in later
times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things
taught by demons. Jude
1:4 Tree of Life Version (TLV)…4 For certain people have secretly slipped
in—those who from long ago have been marked out for this judgment. They are
ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God (Elohim) into indecency and
deny our only Master and Lord (Sovereign), Yeshua the
Messiah. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
NKJV…for not all have faith.
· Today, as they did then, there are shepherds those
wanting to be first among them, the followers of the Way (the sheep) setup practices
to control and rule over the people – Ezekiel 34:2122
NIV…the shepherds began …”butting all the weak sheep”…they
plundered the sheep…Jeremiah 23:1 NIV…“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying
and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord (Yahweh)”. 3 John 1:9 TLV…9 I wrote something to Messiah’s community, but Diotrephes, who loves to
be first among them, doesn’t welcome us.
Finally, the Spirit
by the disciple Jude also called “Judas” in Matthew 13:55 (Hebrew name Judah), a
servant of Yahushua the Messiah, and brother of James (Hebrew name Jacob) says,
these deceitful workers who the few true followers are worshiping under were
prophesied to sneak into the congregations in the beginning of the churches of
the Way long ago claiming to have the Spirit of Yahweh while still practicing
sins using phrases such as “I’m only human or I’m just a man or woman” after
committing sins which is actually excusing their sins; as it is written:
Judah (Jude) 1:3-4 The Sacred Scriptures Bethel Edition…3
Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write to you of our common
salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend
earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
4 For there are certain men who sneaked in
secretly, even they who were of old written of beforehand to this condemnation,
lawless men, turning the grace of our Elohim into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and
Sovereign, Yahshua the Messiah.
1 Corinthians 3:3 NIRV…3 You are still
following the ways of the world. Some of you are jealous. Some of you argue. So,
aren’t you following the ways of the world? Aren’t you acting like ordinary
human beings?
Again, the Messiah Yahwehshua, the Son of Elohim in His third message of the
Book of Prophecy to the Angel (Messenger) to the Messiah’s community of the
Living Elohim in Pergamum, the Messiah again mentions these “Nicolaitans”;
therefore, this teaching is permanent and settled deeply within the churches by
those practicing this teaching then and today – see 3 John 1:9 listed above and
Catholic and Protestants hierarchies below.
We,
see the Messiah Yahwehshua, the Son of Elohim says,
He hates “those who hold the doctrine (teaching) of the Nicolaitans":
Revelation 2:12-17 NKJV…12
"And to the angel (Messenger) of the church (Messiah’s community) in
Pergamos write,
"These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 "I know
your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold
fast to My name and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was
My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14 But I
have a few things against you, because you have there
those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak
to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things
sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
15 Thus
you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which
thing I hate.
16
Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the
sword of My mouth. 17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden
manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new
name written which no one knows except him who receives it."'
Verse 15 NKJV says...
15 Thus
you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which
thing I hate.
Verse 15 NIV says...
15 Likewise, you also have those who hold
to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Verse 15 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) says…
15 Likewise, you too have people who hold
to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
In Revelation 2:12-17, there are several
things to focus on here in these verses describing this group of (followers of
the Way) later called Christians (Acts 11:26) in
the assembly (church) at Pergamum which are first, "you dwell, where
Satan's throne is" and “where Satan lives”; the second phrase is "those
who hold the doctrine (teaching) of Balaam"; and the third phrase is "hold
the doctrine (teaching) of the Nicolaitans” (Nic-o-laitans).
Teaching of Nicolaitans: First, this
Ministry must point out that this “teaching (doctrine) of the Nicolaitans” is
different from the "teaching (doctrine) of Balaam" which is mentioned
as a separate teachings of Satan’s deceitful workers setting up worshiping where
Satan has his throne and lives in Revelation 2:14;
I repeat, this "teaching of Balaam" is different from the “teaching
of the Nicolaitans" – let the reader with ears hear what the Spirit is
saying here.
This world churches
are dwelling where Satan’s throne is and these Nicolaitans are living where
Satan lives; these so-called “Christians” who are teaching and practicing the
“works” of the Nicolaitans along with the “so-called deep secrets” of Satan are
false leaders, deceitful workers, who are disguising themselves as “Jews”.
Scripture itself give
us the meaning as to who are real Jews worshiping in the “synagogues of
Satan” - true followers of the Messiah – see Romans
2:28-29 NIV… 28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is
circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No,
a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision
of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s
praise is not from other people, but from God [Elohim] as it is
written:
Revelation 2:9 NIV… 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know
about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not but are a
synagogue of Satan.
Revelation 3:9 NIV…9 I
will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though
they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall
down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.
Revelation 2:24 NIV… Now I say to the rest of you in
Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned
Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you…
This Ministry would
like to ask all these so-called "Bible Scholars" in this world
claiming this word “Nicolaitans” is referring to some person or character by
this name during the very start of the churches (assemblies) of the “Way” (Acts 9:1-3 and Acts 11:26) to just stop it now
with your confusions, and just maybe you will become wise with the wisdom from
above. This Ministry exhort you, today:
2 Timothy 2:24-26 NIV… 24 And the Lord’s (Yahweh) servant must not be quarrelsome but must
be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
25 Opponents
must be gently instructed, in the hope that God (Elohim) will grant them
repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
26 and that they
will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken
them captive to do his will.
The Messiah Yahwehshua is "Not", I repeat "Not"
speaking of a specific person as this word is a Greek word not a Hebrew word -
left untranslated for a reason that is: to deceive the readers.
This teaching and
practices of the Nicolaitans are
mentioned twice in the first and third messages to the Messengers of the
churches at Ephesus and Pergamum meaning this teaching is and have been well
established from the beginning of these religious groups and organizations (institutions) as these practices were being
practiced then and still practiced today, starting as early as the writing of
the Scriptures after the sacrifice of the Messiah, as it is written:
Jude 1:12 NIV “The Spirit
clearly says” …These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with
you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves.
They
are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without
fruit and uprooted—twice dead (Ref. Matthew 8:22; 7:16).
Acts 20:29-31 NIV “The Spirit
clearly says” … 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among
you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even
from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in
order to draw away disciples after them.
31 So be on your guard! Remember that for
three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
Now, if you being a
student of the Bible with ears to hear - seeing that the Messiah feels strongly
about this teaching and practices of the Nicolaitans saying, He “hates” it; you
would want to know who are these "Nicolaitans" and what are their
"practices and teachings", right?
To know what the word
"Nicolaitans" means could help you avoid doing something which is hated
by the of Son of Elohim, the Messiah Yahwehshua,
right?
This Ministry
mentions here that the Universal (Catholicism) churches seeking “preeminence”
over believers believe their leader (giving himself a blasphemous title) is in
charge and over all followers of the Messiah – claiming authority was handled
down to this religion self-appointed man by the way of Peter in the Scriptures
– a false teaching of men in this religion called “Catholicism”; this religion “delights
in false humility”; practice the “worship of angels”, and “submit
to” rules of worldly men – I mean think about what’s being said here; let
those with ears hear what the Spirit says of those “lording it over you” and
“controlling your worship” of the Holy and Righteous Father in Heaven, Yahweh
our Elohim.
3 John 1:9-10
NKJV… 9 I wrote to the
church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does
not receive us.
10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which
he does, prating [talking nonsense] against us with malicious
words.
And
not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids
those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
3 John 1:9-10 NIV… 9 I wrote to the
church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.
10 So when I come, I will call attention
to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us.
Not satisfied with that, he even refuses
to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them
out of the church.
Colossians
2:18-23 NIV…18 Do
not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels
disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail
about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual
mind.
19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the
whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as
God (Elohim) causes it to grow.
20 Since you died with Christ (Messiah) to the elemental
spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world,
do you submit to its rules:
21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”?
22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all
destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.
23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom,
with their self-imposed worship, their false humility
and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in
restraining sensual indulgence.
Please note in verse 14 of Revelation 2, the Messiah Yahwehshua says, “I have a few things against you” then
the Messiah says, they “hold the doctrine of Balaam” and “hold to the doctrine
of the Nicolaitans”; therefore, why do this world so-called Bible scholars
continue to claim these two things Balaam and Nicolaitans are the same thing –
this is not logical nor is it, Scripture.
The answer is these worldly thinking scholars are teaching for doctrines
human commands (relying on some letter from some man to interpret this
Scripture – again, this is not logical), and above all it is not sound thinking
or doctrine as one must explain Scripture with Scripture as Scripture
interprets Scripture.
The
Religion Spiritually called Mystery Babylon so-called “Bible Scholars”
Teachings
Mystery Babylon scholars’ claims: That the Nicolaitans may have been
identical with those who held the doctrine of Balaam. Saying, the Nicolaitans held
that it was lawful to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit
fornication, in opposition to the decree rendered in Acts (these scholars
reference Acts 15:20,29).
·
NOTE: These worldly scholars first give their private interpretation
then reference some Scriptures without backing up their first false conclusion that
the doctrine of the Nicolaitans is “identical” to the doctrine of Balaam.
In Revelation 2:6, Messiah Yahwehshua praises the church at Ephesus for "hating
the deeds of the Nicolaitans," which the Messiah Yahwehshua
then states He also hates.
Later, in verse 15, Messiah Yahwehshua
declares His displeasure with the saints in Pergamum. Why? Because "you
have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans."
In Ephesus, in the beginning of the falling away, those practicing this
teaching called by the Messiah Yahwehshua
“Nicolaitans” was quickly turned away, which gained the praise of the Messiah Yahwehshua.
2 John 1:7 NIV…7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not
acknowledge Jesus Christ (Yahwehshua the Messiah) as
coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the
deceiver and the antichrist.
1 John
4:1-3 NIV…Dear friends, do not believe every
spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God (Elohim), because
many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 This
is how you can recognize the -Spirit of God (Elohim): Every spirit that
acknowledges that Jesus Christ (Yahwehshua the Messiah) has come in the flesh is from God (Elohim), 3 but
every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus (Yahwehshua) is not from God (Elohim). This is the
spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is
already in the world.
In Pergamum, as this teaching of the Nicolaitans were accepted and
encouraged by others seeking to be first among the people of Elohim (the Way),
thereby they say incurring our Messiah Yahwehshua
condemnation.
Today, these Mystery Babylon scholars are still asking these questions:
Who ‘were” the Nicolaitans? Where did ‘they’ come from? What did ‘they’
believe?
These are just a few of the many questions these so-called scholars of
Mystery Babylon have asked over the centuries. Not having the Spirit of Yahweh,
the answers to these questions are not understood and they are unable to be
answered by Mystery Babylon scholars as it is written:
Matthew 15:12-14 NIRV… 12 Then the disciples came to him. They asked, “Do you know that
the Pharisees were angry when they heard this?”
13 Jesus (Yahwehshua) replied, “They are plants that my Father in
heaven has not planted. They will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave
the Pharisees. They are blind guides. If one blind person leads another
blind person, both of them will fall into a pit.”
·
NOTE: The Messiah tells His Disciples to “leave the Pharisees”, “leave
them alone” meaning today you as a follower of the Messiah are to leave blind
teachers/guides calling themselves leaders and using other blasphemy names.
Mystery Babylon scholars’ hold at least two school of thoughts
concerning the meaning of the noun "Nic-o-laitans"
used by the Messiah Yahwehshua in these two messages,
these two churches, in these two verses, and nowhere else in the Scriptures:
As the first school of thought has many variations,
here's a summary of them all: Some have stated, in a rather general way, that
they were simply a small, insignificant sect within the early churches who held
to some rather strange beliefs. They claim these Nicolaitans surfaced here and
there and eventually died out altogether without causing much of a stir.
·
NOTE: This is an error and “Not” logical as it is clear from Scripture,
and the fact that the Messiah Yahwehshua mention this
teaching of the Nicolaitans again to the third assembly angel – as this message
is spoken to the angel or messenger of these churches for all ages – each
message to each church angel represents many hundreds of years as today it’s
been nearly 2000 years since this Book of Prophecy was spoken by the Messiah.
Some others identify these “Nicolaitans” as being
an early gnostic group---Gnosticism being one of the major heresies which
plagued these churches during the first few centuries.
·
NOTE: Gnosticism – see their definition of and Scriptures revealing
their teachings as those teaching so-called secrets of Satan as knowledge good for
salvation – see Satan’s deep-secrets in Revelation
2:24.
Still others suggest these “Nicolaitans” were just
worshippers of Baal which were going by a different name to protect themselves
from persecution.
Finally, some scholars claim this was a group of
Christians who followed the teaching of Balaam mentioned in Revelation 2:15 because they feel that's why Messiah
mentions "hold the doctrine of Balaam" in the verse prior to using
the phrase "hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans".
·
NOTE: These private interpretations are just erroneous beliefs of the unspiritual
minds of humans, those without ears and cannot hear what the Spirit says in the
Scriptures.
The worldly scholar Hippolytus claims: "Nicolaus, as one of the
seven (that were chosen) for the diaconate, was appointed by the Apostles. (But
Nicolaus) departed from correct doctrine and was in the habit of inculcating
indifferency of both life and food. And when the disciples (of Nicolaus) continued
to offer insult to the Holy Spirit, John reproved them in the Apocalypse as
fornicators and eaters of things offered unto idols."
Many other early so-called church writers feel it was this particular proselyte of Antioch who eventually departed from
sound doctrine and influenced others with his strange and deadly doctrine.
·
NOTE: This worldly scholar as others misses
the mark as they believe the apostle John is the One in this Book of Prophecy revealing
secrets in Revelation and reproving someone.
·
It is clear from this remark “John reproved them”; this is there
worldly thinking and private interpretation – not having the Holy Spirit to
rightly divide the Word of Yahweh.
·
Again, these so-called writers such as Hippolytus think the Book of Revelation
is something out of John’s mind, something John created. Not having the Holy
Spirit this Hippolytus as other so-called Bible scholars thinks as mere man – 1 Corinthians 1:13.
The worldly scholar John Cassian claims: “…Nicolaus the author of a
detestable heresy among the deacons, it will be no wonder that the basest of
men are found among the ranks of the saints." Thus, we soon discover that
many of the early church writers held to the view that this previously highly
favored man, who had been appointed by the apostles to a position of
responsibility and trust in the church, had not lived up to his calling ---
and, indeed, had become an apostate!
Still others say though Nicolas is condemned by many, the evidence
basically comes from a single source --- a brief story told by Clement of Alexandria (about
a hundred years after the writing of Revelation) and recorded for us by
Eusebius:
"This man (Nicolaus), it is said, had a young and lovely wife. And
when he was reproached by the apostles, after the ascension of the Saviour, for jealousy, he brought her into their midst and
bade anyone marry her who wished…
One of this world scholars in the Easton's Bible Dictionary states: The church at Ephesus (Revelation
2:6) is commended for hating the "deeds" of the Nicolaitanes,
and the church of Pergamos is blamed for having them who hold their
"doctrines" (15). They were seemingly a class of professing
Christians, who sought to introduce into the church a false freedom or
licentiousness, thus abusing Paul's doctrine of grace (Compare 2 Peter
2:15,16,19), and were probably identical with those who held the doctrine of
Balaam (q.v.), Revelation 2:14.
A worldly scholar by the name of Fiorenaz
makes the following observation: "Whereas the Nicolaitans considered themselves
free to participate in idolatrous feasts because of their salvation in Christ
(Messiah), the author of Revelation emphasizes that salvation and Christian
existence has to be proved in the rejection of both idolatry and participation
in the Roman civil religion."
·
NOTE: Here, again these worldly scholars are thinking as mere men
without the Spirit ---not having ears to hear what the Spirit says about the
Scriptures as these claims “abusing Paul’s doctrine of grace” – it’s Yahweh’s
doctrine of grace not Paul’s.
·
As the Holy Spirit clearly says, “Above all, you must understand that no
prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.
For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but
prophets, though human, spoke from God (Elohim) as they were carried along by
the Holy Spirit.” – 2 Peter 1:20-21 NIV.
·
And again, the Spirit
says, “…for not everyone has faith” – 2 Thessalonians 3:2 NIV.
·
Also,
the Apostle Peter being “carried along by the Holy Spirit” says, in 2 Peter 3:15-16 NIV…15 Bear in
mind that our Lord’s (Yahweh’s) patience means salvation, just as our dear
brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God (Elohim) gave him. 16 He
writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His
letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and
unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own
destruction.
The worldly scholar in the Smith's Bible Dictionary: Followers of Nicolas, a sect
mentioned in (Revelation 2:6,15) whose deeds were strongly condemned. They may
have been identical with those who held the doctrine of Balaam. They seem to
have held that it was lawful to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit
fornication…
The worldly scholar Eusebius: …For example, says that "these persons made
their boast of Nicolaus." Ignatius of Antioch (martyred in Rome just
twenty years after the time of Revelation) twice makes mention of the
Nicolaitans as impostors, saying they are "falsely so called." After
examining every reference to this heretical group in the writings of the
so-called church fathers (Gentiles only), and weighing the evidence, one may
conclude that the Nicolaitans were not directly founded by the Nicolaus
mentioned in Acts 6:5. Rather, the evidence suggests this group adopted his
name in hopes of lending a degree of respectability and acceptance to their
doctrines and practices.
The final conclusion of these worldly scholars’ teachings: Saying, it was a common
practice among early “heretics” to take the name of an apostle, or one of their
associates, in an effort to try and gain respectability for themselves and
their doctrines and practices. Saying: this is probably the case with the
Nicolaitans, as a great many early church writers suggest.
· NOTE: This Ministry places the
word “heretics” in quotation marks as all worldly teachings of humans’ private
interpretations are “heretics” as they themselves call others within this Mystery
Babylon religion called “Christianity” by the Greeks Gentiles (Acts 11:26 NKJV…”
the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch”).
This Ministry points out to the reader: These worldly scholars speak
as mere men and not as one with the mind of the Father Yahweh and His Son, the
Messiah
Yahwehshua. As it is written:
·
1 Corinthians 2:6-16 NIV…6 We
do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of
this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
7 No, we declare God’s (Elohim) wisdom,
a mystery that has been hidden and that God (Elohim) destined for our glory
before time began.
8 None of the rulers of this age
understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified (impaled) the
Lord (Sovereign) of glory.
o 9 However, as it is
written:
“What
no eye has seen,
what
no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived” [Isaiah 64:4]—
the
things God (Elohim) has prepared for those who love him—
10 these are the things God (Elohim)
has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep
things of God (Elohim).
11 For who knows a person’s
thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the
thoughts of God (Elohim) except the Spirit of God (Elohim).
12 What we have received is not
the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God (Elohim), so that we
may understand what God (Elohim) has freely given us.
13 This is what we speak, not in
words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining
spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. [Or Spirit,
interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual]
14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things
that come from the Spirit of God (Elohim) but considers them foolishness and cannot
understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
15 The person with the Spirit
makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human
judgments, 16 for,
o “Who has known the mind of the
Lord (Yahweh)
so
as to instruct him?” [Isaiah 40:13]
But we have the mind of Christ (Messiah).
Before you think some higher special learning or
teachings from man make you Spiritual-minded, this Ministry reminds the reader
of these Scriptures:
· Luke
10:21-22 Names of God Bible
(NOG)…21 In that hour the Holy Spirit filled Yeshua with joy. Yeshua
said, “I praise you, Father, Lord (Master) of heaven and earth, for hiding
these things from wise and intelligent people and revealing them to little
children. Yes, Father, this is what pleased you.
22 “My Father has turned everything over to me.
Only the Father knows who the Son is. And no one knows
who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the
Son is willing to reveal him.”
· John 6:44-45 Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)…44 No
one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise
him up on the last day. 45 It is written
in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from
the Father comes to Me.
·
John 7:14-16 Tree of Life Version
(TLV)…14 About halfway through the Feast, Yeshua went up to the Temple and began teaching. 15 Then
the Judean leaders were amazed, saying, “How does this man know so much, having
never been taught?” [ Lit. knows
letters, not having learned.]
16 Yeshua answered, “My
teaching is not from Me, but from Him who sent Me.
·
Acts 4:13 Amplified
Bible (AMP)…13 Now when the men of the
Sanhedrin (Jewish High Court) saw the confidence and boldness of Peter
and John, and grasped the fact that they were [They had no formal religious training in the rabbinical
schools.] uneducated and untrained
[ordinary] men, they were astounded, and began to recognize that they
had been with Jesus.
This Ministry Teachings – The Holy Scriptures
Interpret Scriptures
There is another school of thought based on Scripture interpreting
itself: Held by this Ministry and a few who maintain that if a group existed or
not existed means nothing as mankind have many religious groups and sects
claiming all sorts of deep secret things; and that "Nicolaitans" is a
Greek word spoken by the Messiah Yahwehshua to express
the behavior and characteristics of this teaching and practices.
This Ministry points out that the Book of Revelation as all Scriptures
were originally written in the Hebrew and this word was most likely expressed
in both the Hebrew and Greek also as these messages of to the churches of the Gentiles
and those calling themselves “Christians” in the Roman world who were practicing
these things, and these messages were to all of its congregations having each
letter read in all the churches – see elsewhere in Scripture, Revelation 9:11).
·
2 Thessalonians 2:15 NKJV…15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the
traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our [letter] epistle.
Please NOTE: The first printed Bible for the world’s layperson was around 1382 A.D.;
prior to this Catholicism leaders ruled over the masses of people with a
ruthless authority; Catholic rule was widespread in the Gentiles (Greek) world and
its authority over who was allowed to read the Scriptures was strictly enforced
even under threat of death – burning so-called “heretics” to death. This meant the
doctrine and practices of the Nicolaitans were the order of the day – leaders “lording it over people”
as it is written concerning Gentiles in Matthew 20:25
NIV The Messiah Yahwehshua told His disciples… “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it
over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them...”
Now, think about this after the Disciples teaching and preaching to everyone
and having letters of Scriptures read and given to all congregations everywhere
– Colossians 4:16…After
this letter has been read to you, send it on… and again in, 1 Thessalonians 5:27 NIRV…While
the Lord (Yahweh) is watching, here is what I command you. Have this letter
read to all the brothers and sisters.
The Roman government
after making the Mystery Babylon religion its state religion – their
self-appointed leaders of this religion called “Christianity” translated the
Scriptures into the dying Latin language. Afterward, this Gentiles Greek/Latin
religion called the “Roman Catholic Church” banned any other translation
of the Bible under penalty of death for over 1100 years when the layperson
finally got a copy of the Bible in the common people language around 1382 A.D. Prior
to this – these so-called “Christian” Catholic leadership were killing and
burning people alive for having their own Bible.
This word “Nicolaitans” was left in the Greek by these worldly
translators for this very reason to cause this very state of confusion among the
people. For this Greek word “Nicolaitans” English meaning which is "victorious over
the people"; "to conquer the laity"; referring to those who
practice the meaning of the word “Nicolaitans” were widespread among the
Catholic teachings.
There are many words and names given to people, places, and nations by
Yahweh in Scriptures that reflect the character and behavior of those referred
to as this is used throughout the Holy Scriptures, such as 'adulterous',
'harlotry', etc.
Genesis 17:5 Abram = high father; lofty /
exalted father changed to Abraham = father of many nations
Genesis 32:28 Jacob = heel grabber changed to
Israel = struggle with Elohim and man and prevailed, Prince of Elohim
Genesis 17:15 Sarai = dominative changed to
Sarah = mother of nations, Princess
1 Samuel 1:20 Samuel = heard of Elohim
Acts 13:9 Saul = desire or demand changed to
Paul = stop or cease
Matthew 16:17-18 Simon = hearing changed to
Peter = little or large rock?
Elohim Gives us Names before we are born:
Genesis 16:11 Ishmael = El or Elohim will
hear
Genesis 17:19 Isaac = laughter
1 Chronicles 22:9 Solomon = peaceful
1 Kings 13:2 Josiah = founded by Elohim
Isaiah 44:28 – 45:1 Cyrus = Persian for sun
or throne (notice your name is given in the language of the hearer)
Luke 1:13 John = favored by Elohim or Elohim
is gracious
Matthew 1:21 Yahushua = Yahweh saves
Matthew 1:23 (Isaiah )
Emanuel (Hebrew Immanu El) = Interpreted as “Elohim
is with us”
As stated above by these so-called Bible scholars,
there are various theories as to the origin of the Nicolaitans. This world prevailing
theory is that it was founded by a man named Nicolaus or the group adopted his
name:
NOTE: [These
worldly scholars make this claim about “Nicolaus or Nicolas” in Acts 6:5 without the required Scripture proof of two
or more witnesses as proof (Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy
17:6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16; 1 Timothy 5:19) or any reliable proof by
even this evil and adulterous world standard.
These worldly
scholars without having any spiritual understandings as set out in 1 Corinthians 2 above. These worldly scholars just
ran with this made-up story on Nicolas from “one” imaginary person and now
teaching it as truths today; this Ministry speaks spiritual things when interpreting
spiritual truths].
1
Corinthians 2:13 NIV…13 This is what we speak, not in words taught
us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual
realities with Spirit-taught words. [Or Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who
are spiritual]
In reading the worldly scholars own private interpretations of their
own mind above, this Ministry reminds the reader that one of three phrases in Revelation 2:12-17, describing this group of followers
or churches in Pergamum which I have already commented on the first two phrases
"you dwell, where Satan's throne is"; and the phrase "those
who hold the doctrine of Balaam"; and now we will discuss the third
phrase "hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans” (Nic-o-laitans).
This Ministry teaches along with a few others in this wilderness that
the word used by the Messiah represent those who “lord it over the flock of Elohim”,
ruling as if they owned the flock rather than Elohim and His Messiah; seeing
that the word 'Nicloaitans' is a Greek word which is
not translated into the English, and it cannot be verifiable to represent a known
group of “heretics”.
We must consider if the word is symbolic (this would also be in line
with other parts of Scriptures where Elohim uses words which their meaning describes
the character of those mentioned as above listed and such as: the adulterous nations
in Ezekiel 23 where Yahweh uses Oholah and Oholibah which their
meaning in the Hebrew describes the people of Israel and Judah behaviors.
Two symbolical names Oholah and Oholiybah are described as harlots, the former representing
Samaria or Israel which is also referred to as Samaria in Scripture. (See Psalms 78:67-69 ,1 Kings 12:25-33 ,2 Chronicles 11:13-16).
Oholah (also spell as Aholah ) = "her own tent";
Samaria (Israel) as an adulteress with Assyria (metaph); Aholahh {o-hol-aw'}; Phonetic Spelling 'Oholah
o-hol-aw'; Proper Name Feminine; Aholah
(Oholah) = (my tabernacle ) symbolical name, is
described as a harlot, representing Samaria or Israel which also referred to as
Samaria. She has her own tent, a name used by as a symbol of the idolatry of
the kingdom of Israel. This kingdom is described as a lewd woman, an
adulteress, given up to the abominations and idolatries of the Egyptians and
Assyrians. Because of her crimes, she (Israel) was carried away captive, and
ceased to be a kingdom. KJV (5) - Aholah, 5; NAS (5)
- Oholah, 5; (See Isaiah
28; Jeremiah23; Ezekiel 16; Hosea 8).
Oholiybahh {o''-hol-e-baw'}, (also spell as Aholibah) = "woman of the tent" or "the tent
is in her" (metaphor) Jerusalem (Judah) as adulterous wife of Jehovah
(Yahweh); Phonetic Spelling 'Oholiybah o''-hol-ee-baw'; Proper Name Feminine; "My tent is in
her", the name of an imaginary harlot, applied symbolically to Jerusalem,
because she (Judah) had abandoned the worship of the One True God (Elohim) and
given herself up to the idolatries of foreign nations. KJV (6) - Aholibah, 6; NAS (6) - Oholibah, 6.
See also Hosea 1 and 2, where Yahweh
commands Hosea to marry a prostitute name “Gomer” to “Go
and marry a prostitute, [Or a promiscuous woman.] so
that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will
illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other
gods.”
·
Jezreel = Hosea wife Gomer has a son Yahweh says
name the son “Jezreel”, meaning Elohim plants, Hosea 1:4-5, 11
NLT… “Name the child Jezreel, for I am about to punish King Jehu’s
dynasty to avenge the murders he committed at Jezreel. In fact, I will bring an
end to Israel’s independence. 5 I will break its military power in the Jezreel Valley”
… 11 Then the
people of Judah and Israel will unite together. They
will choose one leader for themselves, and they will return from exile
together. What a day that will be—the day of Jezreel [Jezreel means “God (Elohim) plants.”]—when God (Elohim) will again plant
his people in his land.
·
Lo-ruhamah = Hosea wife Gomer
has a daughter Yahweh says name the daughter “Lo-ruhamah”,
Hosea 1:6-7 NLT… “Name your daughter Lo-ruhamah—‘Not loved’—for I will no
longer show love to the people of Israel or forgive them. 7 But
I will show love to the people of Judah. I will free them from their
enemies—not with weapons and armies or horses and charioteers, but by my power
as the Lord
(Yahweh) their God (Elohim).”
·
· Lo-ammi = Hosea wife Gomer has another son
Yahweh says name the second son “Lo-ammi”, Hosea 1:8-9 NLT… 8 After Gomer
had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she again became pregnant and
gave birth to a second son. 9 And the Lord (Yahweh) said, “Name him Lo-ammi— ‘Not my people’—for Israel is not my people, and I am
not their God (Elohim).
Back to the third phrase in Revelation 2:15,
“hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans” leads us to looking at and defining the
true meaning of the word “Nicolaitans”; after reviewing that Yahweh used the
names of individuals and words used in Scriptures to describe the behavior of
individual nations and people. Then it is not so far stretch for Yahwehshua the Messiah in Revelation to use the word “Nicolaitans”
symbolic as being a derivation of the Greek `nikao' =
`to conquer' + `laos' = `the people'.
Now, after reading
the above in Revelation, first the Messiah would not be speaking Greek when
speaking to the Apostle John who is Hebrew. For just as the Messiah spoke to
the Apostle Paul in the Hebrew language (his native tongue); Messiah Yahwehshua would speak to John in the same language as all Scriptures
are in the Hebrew and the Hebrew dialect Aramaic and the Apostles were all
Hebrews who spoke and wrote Hebrew - see Acts 26 v.
14-15; 2 Corinthians 11 v. 22).
Therefore, the
Scripture itself reveals the meaning of this by the very fact that the Messiah
spoke these English words in the Hebrew language and He
would give the Greek name with the same meaning of “lording over the people”.
Further proof, the
New Testament was originally written in the Hebrew. Notice, the word for Satan
in Revelation below is given in the Hebrew then the Greek, and the translation
is in the English but gives us the Hebrew and Greek words for Satan's name.
·
Just as the lie about
the New Testament being written in the Greek is a lie - these so-called worldly
scholars are making-up lies in their own head about the meaning of the Greek
word “Nicolaitans”. For the Book of Revelation is a Book of Prophecy:
·
This
will help you understand the word "Nicolaitans" as this is a book of
"Prophecy". The Hebrew Strong H7980 meaning of “over” is “shâlaṭ”; sound = shaw-lat' A primitive root; to dominate, that is, govern; by implication
to permit: - (bear, have) rule, have dominion, give (have)
power. In Ecclesiastes below, the Spirit clearly says, “a
man lords it over others to his own hurt”.
·
Ecclesiastes 8:9 NIV…
9 All this I saw, as I applied my mind to
everything done under the sun. There is a time when a man lords it over [Hebrew shalat = shaw-lat] others [Hebrew adam = aw-dawm] to his own [Or to their] hurt.
Therefore, it is
clear the Messiah spoke in the Hebrew language to the Hebrew Apostle John in Revelation giving both the Hebrew and Greek pronunciation
of the word, and from these Scriptures Revelation
2:6, 15 where “Nicolaitans” is used the Messiah used a Hebrew name and
most likely the Greek name was used also as in Revelation
9:11 (listed above). Based on Scripture interpreting itself the
Scripture in Ecclesiastes 8:9 using the
Hebrew word for “lording it over” – “hierarchies” ruling in the Messianic
community is against the Word of Yahweh.
On the contrast, this
world’s religion of Christianity called spiritually in Revelation
17:5 NKJV… “Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother
of Harlots (Prostitutes) and of the Abominations of the Earth” … is heavily
layered with “hierarchies” as well as other religions in this evil and adulterous
world which is something the Messiah clearly says He hates in Revelation 2:6, 15 (listed above).
·
Revelation 17:18 NIV… “The woman
you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
The rulers of Mystery
Babylon are those who rule over Yahweh’s people by one person at the top with
added levels of hierarchies “lording it over” those they call the “lower”
level lay-people (that is: common people just “members who are allowed
to attend” provided they agree with the “rules” of their organizations and members
must pay those in charge of them (those acting as kings and queens over the
community of believers) a mandatory “ten percent (10%)” of all their income –
see 1 Samuel 8 v. 6-22 where the people of
Israel ask for a king to rule over them.
Now, looking at Mystery
Babylon Religion called “Christianity” History: Catholic Punishment
of So-called “Heretics” (Inquisitions Years) – Catholic Crusades - Protestant
Wars over Doctrines – Protestants Persecution of So-called “Heretics” (Search and
Read these crimes against the people for Yourself – below are Scriptures
prophesying these crimes of Mystery Babylon):
As it is written, Revelation
17:6 NIV… 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s (Elohim)
holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus (Yahushua).
When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.
Again, it is written, Daniel
12:7 NIV… “When the power of the holy people has
been finally broken, all these things will be
completed.”
Finally, those who are true followers of the Messianic
community within the “synagogues
of Satan” are exhorted to “Come out of Babylon”, as it is
written, Revelation 18:4-5, 24 NOG… “Come out of Babylon, my people, so that you do not participate
in her sins and suffer from any of her plagues. 5 Her sins are
piled as high as heaven, and God (Elohim) has remembered her crimes…24 “The
blood of prophets, God’s (Elohim) people, and everyone who had been murdered on
earth was found in it.”
The
Conclusion of the Matter:
Daniel 7:20-22 New Living Translation (NLT)… 20 I also asked about
the ten horns on the fourth beast’s head and the little horn that came up
afterward and destroyed three of the other horns. This horn had seemed
greater than the others, and it had human eyes and a mouth that was boasting
arrogantly.
21 As I
watched, this horn was waging war against God’s (Elohim) holy people and was
defeating them, 22 until the Ancient
One—the Most High—came and judged in favor of his holy
people. Then the time arrived for the holy people to take over
the kingdom.
Let us understand this doctrine of Nicolaitans, first one must simply
break down and define the word Messiah Yahwehshua used
to describe it. "Nicolaitans" means "Victorious over the people”.
It comes from the familiar word "nike",
which is popular in this day. The meaning can be better seen in the phrase:
"to conquer the laity" (from "nikos"
- to conquer; and "laos" - where our word
"laity" comes from). Laity means "the people, or the public".
There of some who are
deceitful liars who have been concealing this truth and knows this is a Greek
word meaning "victorious over the people"; "to conquer the
laity"; the Greek/Latin word Laity "means "the people, or the
public".
·
Romans 1:18 Complete Jewish Bible
(CJB) 18 What is revealed is God’s (Elohim)
anger from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people who
in their wickedness keep suppressing the truth…
·
Jeremiah
5:30-31 NIV… 30 “A
horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: 31 The
prophets prophesy lies, the priests’ rule by their own authority, and my
people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?
As their own Greek word
on Strong G3532 states the word first part is from G3534 "Nikos"
meaning "a conquest, that is triumph, victory; and G2004 meaning "to
arrange upon, that is, order (Order of churches of this world with
"hierarchies" lording over the lay people on the bottom): - charge,
command, in-join".
Strong's Number: 3531 Nikolai˙thv: Nicolaitans: translated from the Greek word: Nikolai˙thv, Word Phonetic Spelling Nikolaites
nik-ol-ah-ee'-tace Noun Masculine,
Nicolaitans = "destruction of people"; KJV (2) - Nicolaitans, 2; NAS
(2) - Nicolaitans, 2; Original Word Word Origin Nikolai˙thv from (3532) Transliterated Word Phonetic
Spelling Nikolaites
nik-ol-ah-ee'-tace; Parts of Speech TDNT
Noun Masculine None Definition Nicolaitans =
"destruction of people".
One must ask why not
just translate the word into the English words for it, but to do so will reveal
to the reader that Mother Mystery Babylon and her daughters are the churches of
the ‘hierarchy’ spoken of in Revelation when the Messiah uses the Greek word
“Nicolaitans”; a clergy-laity "laymen" system of clergy persons lording
it over others instead of shepherds guiding the flock and servicing the
flock – elders being examples and servants to the flock (sheep).
Scripture
Interpreting Scriptures – True Shepherds of those Entrusted to Them
Yahweh our Elohim hates partiality and favoritism (James 2:1-4); Yahweh hates shepherds who are “lording
it over” Elohim's people (Matthew 20:25-26; 1 Peter
5:3). As it is written:
· Psalm 58:1 NIV…Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people
with equity?
·
Romans 2:11 NIV… For God (Elohim)
does not show favoritism.
·
Deuteronomy 1:17 NIV… 17 Do not show partiality in
judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for
judgment belongs to God (Elohim)…
·
Deuteronomy
10:17 NIV… For the Lord (Yahweh) your God (Elohim) is God (Elohim) of gods
and Lord (Sovereign) of lords (Rulers), the great God (Elohim), mighty and
awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
·
Acts
10:34 NIV… 34 Then
Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God (Elohim) does not
show favoritism 35 but accepts from
every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
·
Ephesians 6:9 NIV… And masters,
treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he
who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism
with him.
·
Colossians 3:25 NIV… Anyone who does
wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
Yahweh
our Elohim hates rulers and shepherds who oppress the people and demand money
from them even from the poor and widows in their congregations. As it is
written:
·
Micah 7:3 NIV… 3 Both hands are skilled in doing
evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful
dictate what they desire—they all conspire together.
·
Isaiah 3:14 NIV… The Lord (Yahweh) enters into
judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: “It is you who have
ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses.
·
Proverbs 28:3 NIV…A ruler who
oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.
·
Proverbs 28:15-16 NIV…Like a roaring
lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. A
tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain
will enjoy a long reign.
·
Ezekiel
34:1-6 NIV…The word of the Lord (Yahweh) came to me: 2 “Son
of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them:
‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you
shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not
shepherds take care of the flock?
3 You
eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice
animals, but you do not take care of the flock.
4 You
have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured.
You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have
ruled them harshly and brutally.
5 So
they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered,
they became food for all the wild animals. 6 My
sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were
scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.
·
Isaiah 9:14-16
NIV… 14 So
the Lord (Yahweh) will
cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single
day; 15 the elders and dignitaries are the head, the
prophets who teach lies are the tail.
16 Those
who guide this people mislead them, and those who are
guided are led astray.
Messiah Yahwehshua, the Son of Man Instructions to His Disciples
Messiah Yahwehshua
washed the feet of the disciples giving us an example:
·
John 13 NIV…Jesus
(Yahwehshua) knew that the hour had come for him to
leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the
world, he loved them to the end…4 so he got up from the meal,
took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After
that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet,
drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him…
·
12 When
he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his
place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?”
he asked them.
·
13 “You
call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord, (Master)’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now
that I, your Lord (Master) and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should
wash one another’s feet.
·
15 I
have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very
truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger
greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now
that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
·
John 15:13-15 NIV…13 Greater
love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You
are my friends if you do what I command.
15 I
no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s
business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned
from my Father I have made known to you.
·
Matthew 18:1-5 NIV…At that time the
disciples came to Jesus (Yahwehshua) and asked, “Who,
then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
·
2 He called a
little child to him and placed the child among them. 3 And
he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become
like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
·
4 Therefore, whoever
takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven.
5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my
name welcomes me.
Further Proof the
Apostles did not Hold a Belief that Believers were Theirs to Rule Over by One
Person
Notice,
what the Apostle Paul says about Peter and James, the apostles, and the elders in
Acts 15 at the Jerusalem meeting concerning
the Pharisees’ believers claiming Gentiles (Greeks) had to be “circumcised
and obey the law of Moses” something they themselves had failed to do (Acts 15:10).
This
would have been a good time for the apostles to command authority over Paul and
the Gentile believers:
·
Galatians 2:6 NIV… As for those who
were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God
(Elohim) does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message.
The
apostles, the elders, and the whole congregation of believers at Jerusalem are
said to have “decided”: Acts 15:6, 22 NKJV… Now
the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter…Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church…
The apostles and early disciples’ custom were
to appoint elders in the Messianic assemblies “Not one paid person to rule over
the church matters as this world’s Mystery Babylon religions” – “only” men who
are able to teach and be examples to those entrusted to them:
·
Acts
14:23 NIV… 23 Paul
and Barnabas appointed elders [Or
Barnabas ordained elders; or Barnabas had elders elected]
for them in each church and, with prayer and
fasting, committed them to the Lord (Yahweh), in whom they had put their trust.
·
1
Timothy 4:14 NIV… 14 Do
not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of
elders laid their hands on you.
·
Acts
20:17, 28 NIV… From Miletus, Paul
sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church… 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy
Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God (Elohim),
which he bought with his own blood.[
Or with the blood of his own Son]
·
1 Timothy 5:17 NIV… The elders
who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,
especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
Titus 1:5-6 NIV… 5 The reason I left
you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint
[Or ordain] elders in
every town, as I directed you.
6 An elder must
be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe
[Or children are trustworthy] and are not open
to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
The Holy Spirit speaking by the Apostle Paul
to the minister/elder Timothy about how to shepherd the assemblies of believers:
·
1 Timothy 5:21 NIV… I charge you, in
the sight of God (Elohim) and Christ Jesus (Messiah Yahwehshua)
and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to
do nothing out of favoritism.
The Holy Spirit speaking by the apostles and
those who were with Messiah Yahwehshua give us Scripture’s
instructions on appointing local men as elders of the churches and how to orderly
conduct ourselves when coming together as a Messiah’s community or
congregation:
·
Scriptures clearly show that elders were raised up by Yahwehshua the Messiah from the local congregations: the
apostles and elders of Elohim appointed from within the local churches men to
serve the congregations, not elders “hired” or brought from outside the
community of believers and not those educated by this world as a professional person
with letters behind their name given to them by men.
·
Scriptures never points to any Messianic community or churches of the
Way with one person running everything in the congregations of Elohim –
Scriptures clearly points to elders of men only shepherding Yahweh’s flock
together making decisions as a whole congregation.
Scripture tells us that Yahweh our Elohim appoints
and places gifts in the congregations of Yahweh and His Son Messiah Yahwehshua:
1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 11, 28 NIV… 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes
them. 5 There are
different kinds of service, but the same Lord (Yahweh). 6 There are different kinds of working, but in
all of them and in everyone it is the same God (Elohim) at work…
11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he
distributes them to each one, just as he determines…
28 And God (Elohim) has placed in the church first of
all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts
of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
1
Corinthians 11:19 New Living Translation (NLT)…19 But,
of course, there must be divisions among you so that you who have God’s (Elohim)
approval will be recognized!
The Holy Spirit speaking by the Elder James
to all believers everywhere in the Messiah’s communities of faith about not
showing favoritism which is a result of appointing one “person” to lord it over
the congregations as people show favor to this person and those appointed to
so-called “church positions” with a set salary from mandatory giving of their
subjects:
James 2:1-13 NIV… My brothers and sisters, believers
in our glorious Lord (Sovereign) Jesus (Yahwehshua) Christ
(Messiah) must not show favoritism.
2 Suppose a man
comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes,
and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.
3 If you show
special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat
for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my
feet,”
4 have you not discriminated among yourselves
and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my dear
brothers and sisters: Has not God (Elohim) chosen
those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit
the kingdom he promised those who love him?
6 But you have
dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting
you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are
they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8 If you really
keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” [ Lev. 19:18] you are doing
right.
9 But if you show favoritism, you sin
and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For
whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of
breaking all of it. 11 For he who said,
“You shall not commit adultery,” [Exodus 20:14; Deut. 5:18] also said, “You shall not murder.” [Exodus 20:13; Deut. 5:17] If you
do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12 Speak and act
as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because
judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy
triumphs over judgment.
James 5:14 NKJV…When the Elder James gave
instructions to those who were sick among the Messianic congregations – James
being inspired by the Holy Spirit says, “Is
anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and
let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord (Yahweh)”.
Notice, James the elder did “not” say call the “bishop,
pastor or minister or senior or presiding pastor” to pray for those who are
sick but “let him call for the
elders of the church”; therefore, this
Scripture give us solid doctrine proof that during the time of the disciples
who were with Messiah Yahwehshua the custom were to
appointed elders to handle church matters.
The Holy Scriptures
says: Those who seek to shepherd Elohim’s people must be a servant of the
people they shepherd and not dominating or lording it over them – not ruling by
enforcement, but rather leading by example: "...not lording it over those entrusted
to you but being examples to the flock" (I Peter
5:2-3; Luke 22:25-26; Philippians 3:17; Philemon 14; Matthew 20:25-28; 1 Peter
5:1-4; Ezekiel 34:1-5; and Matthew 24:45-51).
Some of the Characteristics of Mystery Babylon Spiritually Abusive
Systems:
·
So-called Presiding or Senior leaders of these worldly Mystery Babylon
churches with their blaspheming titles always reminding others of their authority.
·
Favoritism is commonplace among these churches’ leaders and those
seeking positions within the groups called congregations.
·
Teaching Human Rules as doctrines of Yahweh – no one from the
congregation can question these so-called church leaders.
·
Their teachings are parallel with this world’s changes and lacks of balance - for example extremes of objectivism or subjectivism.
·
Layers of positions available within their organizations with higher levels
over them – these so-called officers of the “churches” – a body of elitism.
·
So-called loyalty to “their” leader - misplaced loyalty - “that’s my
pastor or minister”, the group or denomination replaces loyalty to the Messiah
with loyalty to their minister.
·
So-called deep secrets - secretiveness – “deep secrets of Satan”
(including leaders) hiding wrongdoings - what's inappropriate – claiming “I’m
only human”.
But Elohim our Father Yahweh and our Sovereign
Yahwehshua the Messiah in Scriptures give us examples
as to how to shepherd those entrusted to us as ministers (servants) or elders that
we should not lord it over the flock:
Numbers 11:16-17 New International
Reader's Version (NIRV) 16 The Lord (Yahweh) said to Moses, “Bring me 70 of Israel’s elders. Bring men
that you know are leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the
tent of meeting. I want them to stand there with you. 17 I will
come down and speak with you there. I will take some of the power of the Spirit
that is on you. And I will put it on them. They will share the
responsibility of these people with you. Then you will not have to carry it
alone.
Leviticus 25:42 NIV…43 Do not rule over them ruthlessly but fear
your God (Elohim).
Matthew 20:25-26 NKJV…25 But Jesus (Yahwehshua) called them to Himself and said, "You know
that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are
great exercise authority over them.
26
Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among
you, let him be your servant.
2 Timothy 2:1-4 NKJV…1 You
therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (Messiah Yahwehshua). 2 And the things that you have heard from me
among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach
others also.
3
You therefore must endure [NU You must share]
hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (Yahwehshua
the Messiah). 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of
this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
Now after discussing each school of thought concerning the word
'Nicolaitans’, let us examine the words 'deeds' and 'doctrine' used in these
verses. This will help you understand then and now if the Messiah meant a group
called 'Nicolaitans' that have died out as no one is “publicly” offering to eat
things sacrificed to idols (knowingly), and offering up their bodies to commit
fornication publicly (knowingly) in these worldly churches or is this word the Messiah
Yahwehshua used was symbolic with its meaning found
in the Greek definition of the word 'Nicolaitans'.
A Greek word that is not translated into a
English word: (since the word is Greek not translated into the English you
would think I could stop here or there should not be so much misunderstanding
in its meaning; but as I said before and I say again there are deceptions in this
evil and adulterous world....
Deeds of the Nicolaitans:
In Revelation 2:6... the
Messiah Yahwehshua commends these followers of the
Messiah for having this about them..."But this you have, that you hate the
deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate."
Notice the Messiah Yahwehshua says He hates the deeds of these Christians
also; therefore, it is for our salvation that we should understand this phrase "deeds of the
Nicolaitans".
The word deeds here is translated from the Greek word eµrgon from a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work)
Transliterated Word Phonetic Spelling Ergon er'-gon:
in English meaning: business, employment, that which any one is occupied that
which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking; any product whatever, anything
accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind; an act, deed, thing done: the
idea of working is emphasized in opp. to that which is less than work; KJV
(176) - deed, 22; doing, 1; labour, 1; work, 152; NAS
(169) - action, 1; behavior, 1; deed, 13; deeds, 52; doing, 1; effectual, 1;
labor, 1; result, 1; task, 1; what...done, 1; work, 34; works, 62;
Strong's Number: 2041 eµrgon
Original Word Origin eµrgon from a primary
(but obsolete) ergo (to work)Transliterated Word Phonetic Spelling Ergon er'-gon Parts of SpeechTDNT Noun Neuter 2:635,251 Definition business,
employment, that which any one is occupied
that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking any product whatever, anything accomplished
by hand, art, industry, or mind an act,
deed, thing done: the idea of working is emphasized in opp. to that which is
less than work Translated Words KJV
(176) - deed, 22; doing, 1; labour, 1; work,
152; NAS (169) - action, 1; behavior, 1;
deed, 13; deeds, 52; doing, 1; effectual, 1; labor, 1; result, 1; task, 1;
what...done, 1; work, 34; works, 62;
Doctrine of the Nicolaitans:
The word doctrine is translated from Greek word didaxh/
in the English its meaning is teaching, that which is taught, doctrine,
teaching, concerning something, the act of teaching, instruction, in religious
assemblies of the Christians, to speak in the way of teaching, in distinction
from other modes of speaking in public; KJV (30) - doctrine, 29; has been
taught, 1; NAS (30) - instruction, 2; teaching, 27; teachings, 1;
Strong's Number: 1322 didaxh/
Original Word Origin didaxh/ from
(1321)Transliterated Word Phonetic Spelling Didache did-akh-ay' Parts of SpeechTDNT
Noun Feminine 2:163,161 Definition teaching
that which is taught doctrine,
teaching, concerning something the act
of teaching, instruction in religious
assemblies of the Christians, to speak in the way of teaching, in distinction
from other modes of speaking in public
Translated Words KJV (30) - doctrine, 29; has been taught, 1; NAS (30) - instruction, 2; teaching, 27;
teachings, 1;
Therefore, the word ‘doctrine' indicates something being taught as well
as 'works' as in the meaning of the word 'deeds'; now I ask you these questions
are any churches of this world teaching you to "eat things sacrificed to
idols", and / or "to commit fornication"?
As this Ministry said before, this Book of Revelation is a Book of
Prophecy revealed by the Son of Elohim, the Messiah Yahwehshua:
Revelation 1:1-3 TLV…The
revelation of Yeshua (Yahwehshua)
the Messiah, which God (Elohim) gave Him to show to His servants the things
that must soon take place.
He made it known by sending His angel to His
servant John, 2 who
testified to the word of God (Elohim) and to the testimony of Yeshua (Yahwehshua) the
Messiah—to everything he saw.
3 How
fortunate is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and those who hear
and keep what has been written in it—for the time is near.
In Matthew 20:20-28, the mother of
the sons of Zebedee, the disciples James and John called by the Messiah Yahwehshua, the sons of Thunder (Yahwehshua
speaking Hebrew called them "Boanerges") - Mark
3:17 NIV...17 James son of
Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means
“sons of thunder”).
These with their mother came to Messiah Yahwehshua
asking: “Grant that one of
these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your
kingdom.”
This is Messiah Yahwehshua response and why He says to us and the Messenger
of the Messianic community at Ephesus in Revelation
2:6 NIV..."You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I
also hate":
Matthew 20:25-28 NIV...25 Jesus
(Yahwehshua) called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the
Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over
them.
26 Not so with you.
Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and
whoever wants to be first must be your slave—
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to
serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Therefore, from the
above event we know the Messiah hated the systems of the Gentiles where they
would "lord it over" the people as the teachings from
early on of the "Way" which the Gentiles begin to "called themselves
Christians first at Antioch" - see Acts 11:26.
Messiah Yahwehshua saying, in Luke
22:25 Lexham English Bible (LEB)...25 So
he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who
have authority over them are called benefactors".
In Catholicism,
called spiritually Mystery Babylon, the mother of harlots, there is a system of
hierarchy where the top official called by a title no human should accept let
alone allow others to call you; the calling of a man by this title is a form of
blasphemy, for it is the same Name of the One who resides in heaven. I mean,
think about what I'm saying here.
In Protestantism, the
daughters of Mystery Babylon, there is also a system of hierarchies where the
ones ranked above "lord it over" the ones below them in this
system of hierarchies. The ones at the top control all the congregation and
financial matters. If the lead ministers misuse the collected tithes and
offerings of the membership then the members believe its
okay because they are "Elohim's anointed" - there job is to just pay
their tithes, serve those at the top and nothing more.
In Other Religions,
there are hierarchies such as: Egyptian Social Hierarchy which mixes religion
with government and culture; Islam which mixes religion and government with
layers of hierarchies.
Mystery Babylon
hierarchies (Nicolaitans) teachings among Catholicism and Protestantism such
hierarchies from the leader with a blasphemy name dowen
to the clergy to the layperson; Protestantism with their “senior pastors” and
“presiding pastors” down to the layperson who is required to pay them 10% of
their income.
As Scripture is for our instructions, Yahweh our
Elohim chose King David as 2 Samuel 23:1-3 Names of God Bible (NOG)…These are the last words of David: “Here is
the declaration by David, son of Jesse—the declaration by the man whom El
raised up, [ “who was raised up high.”] whom the Elohim
of Jacob anointed the singer of Israel’s psalms: 2 “The Ruach (Spirit
of) Yahweh spoke through me. His words were on my tongue.
3 The
Elohim of Israel spoke to them. The rock of Israel told me, ‘The one who
rules humans with justice rules with the fear of Elohim.
2 Samuel 5:2 NIV…‘You
will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’”
Acts 13:22 NIV…22 After
removing Saul, he made David their king. God (Elohim) testified concerning him:
‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do
everything I want him to do.’
Therefore, I exhort
those seeking to be ministers in the service of Messiah Yahwehshua
to heed the exhortation of the Apostle/Elder Peter who includes himself as
equal to other “fellow elders”:
1 Peter 5:1-4 NIV...To the elders among you, I appeal
as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s (Messiah's) sufferings who also
will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of
God’s (Elohim) flock that is under your care, watching over
them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God (Elohim)
wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording
it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And
when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will
never fade away.
Philippians 3:15 NIV…
All of us, then, who are mature should take
such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently that too God
(Elohim) will make clear to you.