- The term "Nicolaitans" is derived from two Greek words..."Nikos" and "Laos".
- Nikos is defined as: a conquest; victory; triumph; to conquer; and by implication, dominancy over the defeated.
- The word "nicao" literally means; to dominate-intimidate-manipulate.
- Additionally, the term "laos" means "the people" or the "laity."
- Thus exacting the phrase "to conquer (dominate-intimidate-manipulate) the people (laity).
The Nicolaitan movement marked the beginning of an unrighteous priesthood in the church.
The first item on this spirit's agenda is to divide in order to conquer.
The primary objective of the Nicolaitan spirit is the separation of the body from the Lord's provision for leadership and the insight given through that spiritual authority. Normally, this is accomplished through accusation and persecution against the true anointed government established by the Holy Spirit.
This form of opposition promotes the separation of people into the priest class and laity advocating the "us and them" philosophy.
Further, there is no place in the Word where priests or ministers mediate between God and the people, nor is there a place where they are separated in their worship of the Lord.
God desires all to love and serve Him together.
Nicolaitanism destroys those precepts and instead separates the ministers from the people making the leaders overlords instead of servants.
The Lord expressed His hatred for this type of administration and expected His people to do likewise. In other words, there are to be no intimidating, controlling, power-hungry officers in the Church Body exercising counterfeit authority over the "layman".
The scriptures plainly support a Priesthood of Believers, EACH being granted access to the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. "
You are a:
- CHOSEN RACE,
- a royal PRIESTHOOD,
- a HOLY NATION,
- a PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION,
so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;"
The Early Church, beginning with the Ephesian Church Age, confronted this form of opposition following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists (anti-anointed) have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. (I John 2:18)
The admonition given to this church age in Revelations 2:2-7, to return to her first love is also the predominant message in overcoming this adversary in our generation. The spirit of the Nicolaitans will always be accompanied by the spirit of apathy and lethargy. These will cool our affections toward the Lord and the passion with which we are to carry out His purposes. We must not allow ourselves to concentrate our focus on any form of human leadership. As we remain concentrated on Him we will then clearly discern and distinguish the unholy attributes of the "cobra" and the righteous
attributes of Spirit appointed leadership.
The venom of the cobra infiltrates the body attacking the central nervous system causing deterioration in major body functions.
The spirit of the Nicolaitans deteriorates the structure of the church body by attempting to create subordinates rather than brothers and sisters.
A slave brought under this kind of authority is always distraught and nervous because of the great responsibility and expectations to please his "master."
This creates an irrational spirit or a neurotic mind-set rather than a spirit of peace.
It promotes insecurity rather than abiding strength.
Many Christians leave the church because of the wounds this creates and their feelings of insufficiency. The church has a large segment presently oppressed with a variety of nervous conditions because of the success of this evil spirit working in the body of Christ.
The Lord is issuing a clear announcement that a counterfeit, self-appointed leadership will always attempt to supersede the true leadership delegated to the church by the Holy Spirit.
This "cobra" and its deadly venom represents the characteristics detected in this form of leadership.
The Spirit-appointed leadership will be marked by attributes of servant-hood, humility and righteousness even as the Lord Himself perfectly exemplified these qualities in His unblemished example for all generations to follow.
antichrist
In addition to the above definition of "nicolaitan" the word "antichrist" can also mean, "In place of Christ." And certainly those who are self-appointed "priests" in the church are indeed usurping the very position reserved for Christ as the "head of the church."
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