"You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. John 8:44
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Jesus and Apostle Paul warned us to beware of false apostles, deceitful workers who transform themselves into apostles of Christ when in reality they are ministers of Satan. And why should this surprise any of God’s people? It should not for those whose father is the devil do what the devil does – murder, do not stand in truth and lie! They twist the Word of God and speak half truths all in the name of the One who doesn’t lie - Jesus Christ!
True men of God who are called to be apostles, prophets, teachers do not need credentials, degrees or a license from the state. They are called by God and speak by God’s authority and in His name. Their position doesn’t come from completing a prescribed man-made course or planned for as other pursuits in life. Their anointing and words come from God because God Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7)!
Bible history tells us that for 400 years, from Malachi to Matthew, though there were many religious teachers, yet was there no true prophet. The book of Jeremiah warned against men including pastors who do not stand in God’s counsel and prophesy falsely:
"Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the LORD. They continually say to those who despise Me, 'The LORD has said, "You shall have peace" '; And to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, 'No evil shall come upon you.' " For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD, And has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His word and heard it? …. "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My counsel, And had caused My people to hear My words, Then they would have turned them from their evil way And from the evil of their doings. …"I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' "How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, … Jeremiah 23:16-22
In the book of Ezekiel, we find God’s condemnation of the shepherds that were feeding themselves and not the flock. “And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.” (Ezek 34:5). Beasts of the field are not lions and bears, but an evil, beast-like system that includes denominational systems to keep in place useless and burnt out egotistic pastors who are salt that lost its flavor. God’s word is unchanging about Apostles and prophets:
Now then, we (apostles) are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.2 Corinthians 5:20
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me (Apostle, prophet, teacher), these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:19
Obey those (first apostles, second prophets, third teachers) who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17
"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Matthew 23:13
"Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!" Revelation 18:20
Jesus cursed, not blessed, the hypocritical religious and political leaders of His day who contended with and fought with Apostles and prophets and even murdered them and this includes many denominational leaders of our day. Woe comes to those who spurn their message and count it a trivial matter. Scripture warns all men, “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” (Ps. 105:15). It is a scriptural fact that God will render judgment to all who reject and persecute His true servants. (Mt. 23:34-35). The book of Revelation declares a time of godly rejoicing at the destruction of a system that has persecuted and martyred men of God throughout the ages saying, Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!"
In the Old Testament there were various ministerial offices such as the Patriarchs, the Prophets, the Levites and the Pastors. It seems that the most significant was the Prophet. He was the watchman and messenger of God who gave warning to the nation of Israel from God. God’s word is true:
"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: "When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. "Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. "Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. 1 "Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul." Ezekiel 3:17-21
The Prophets had specific messages from God to the nation of Israel. The rebukes and warnings of Samuel to Saul, Nathan to David, or Elijah to Ahab are some good examples of men with divine commission. Kings and nations witnessed the hand of God on these men. Consider Moses, for example, who was not afraid of the most powerful king of his time — the Pharaoh of Egypt. This massive empire collapsed as a result of the message from an appointed man of God. The message of Daniel, a Hebrew slave in Babylon, brought about the conviction and repentance of Nebuchadnezzar, one of history’s most the powerful monarchs. It is no wonder that this world is not worthy of these messengers of God. (Heb. 11:38). But Apostle Paul told us that in the New Testament:
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 1 Corinthians 12:28-30
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, Ephesians 4:11-12
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 1 Peter 5:2-4
Yes, God gave to the church not only some to be evangelists, pastors and teachers but some to be apostles and prophets. And for those who reject the words of apostles and prophets woe will come to them just as Jesus promised. The reason many pastors suffer spiritual ‘burn out’ is not because of a lack of loyalty, commitment, faithfulness and respect from elders and saints alike but because they were never intended to be the sole ministry in the local church. God is a God of order, not disorder and He has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. So when we fail to have God’s order in the local church of first apostles, second prophets, third teachers and replace them with self-attained or self-appointed ministers who describe themselves as an ambassador, a steward, a watchman, a shepherd and a messenger, we have no one to blame but ourselves that the local church is anemic, impotent and useless. It’s to be noted Apostle Paul was never a pastor but always a prophet, a teacher and an apostle. God’s word is unchanging:
Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:1-3
But there are false ones in the church of Jesus Christ, Nicolaitans, who with the restoring apostles and prophets to the Church to complete a five-fold ministry mentioned by Paul in Ephesians, try to bring the sheep into a repackaged disciple/shepherding movement under the title of church growth. "Nicolaitans" means "Victorious over the people; a follower of Nicolaus, a heretic." Anyone who uses their leadership position to manipulate others is bumping up against the thing Jesus hates. The Lord wants us to be under His control, no one else’s. But even He doesn’t use such tactics of manipulation. He wants willing obedience, not contrived. Our acceptance was paid for on the cross, therefore we need not be man- pleasers. Jesus rules by example and through serving but Nicolaitans rules through manipulation and control. Nicolaitan authority is false authority. Therefore a believer is not required to submit to it. In fact he should take dominion over it. Nicolaitan authorities may try to label us as rebels, but Christ must reign supreme, regardless of what others say.
The root of the word Nicolaitans comes from Greek nikao, to conquer or overcome, and laos, which means people and which the word laity comes from. The two words together especially means the destruction of the people and refers to the earliest form of what we call a priestly order or clergy which later on in church history divided people and allowed for leadership other than those led by the spirit of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. A good translation of Nicolaitan would be "those who prevail over the people." This clerical system later developed into the papal hierarchy of priests and clergy lording over the flock. The Council of Trent stated, "If anyone shall say that there is not in the Catholic Church a hierarchy established by the divine ordination, consisting of bishops, presbyters and ministers, let him be anathema." This very idea was taken over by the Protestants with their own corruption of church leadership. The Church of Ephesus was commended for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans. The wrong separation of the clergy from the laity is a great evil in God's sight and He hates the lust for religious power. There is an ungodly spiritual authority in the Church today, which is nothing more than the prideful spirit of control, manipulation, domination and intimidation and a rebellion of the rightful authority of God.
Faithful believers who have put on Christ Jesus, are all God's laity. Peter exhorted us to feed the flock of God which is among us, taking the oversight thereof, not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind. Neither as being lords over God's heritage but being examples to the flock. It’s a fact that shepherds serve the sheep but the wolves that clothe themselves with so-called leadership and spiritual authority serve themselves, thinking that they serve God. In essence, this makes them false christs. Early church leaders were established as overseers, not a ruling hierarchy.
One of the most obvious Nicolaitan maneuvers is often related directly to the preacher and his pulpit who misuses his authority by brow beating the people from the platform. Some sermons are simply personal vendettas disguised as "the Word". When they have a problem with someone rather than going to that person and confront it as per the pattern outlined in Matthew 18:15-17 they use the pulpit to attack their target. As a result we seen preachers verbally condemn the flock for a lack of service, commitment, evangelism, etc. ignoring that their mandate is to EQUIP the Body to do the work, to actually disciple and train up the sons and daughters of God? Ministers are to disciple others into their calling and let them do the work of the ministry! Many religious leaders fail to allow those under them to initiate ministry. Some pastors are able to use the creativity of others, as long as it is channeled in the direction which best serves the pastor’s interests. Autocracy is akin to the doctrine Jesus hates. But true leadership is secure enough in Christ to allow and encourage others to initiate their life with God. Sheep are to be encouraged to follow through with their dreams, even if they might fail. They will experience life’s ups and downs and continue to see the completion of their dreams.
Yes, Jesus actually HATES the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. John wrote: "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8b) We must destroy such works and doctrines in our own lives before we can be effective in the Body of Christ. Revelation 2:16 reveals the tactic of Christ to deal with such demonic doctrine: "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth." We must speak up against the Nicolaitans. God’s word is unchanging:
"So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate." Revelation 2:15
"And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? "But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? "Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do. Luke 17:7-10
God has given us the authority over spiritual wickedness in high places, we have the authority to cast out demons, to bring down the high places and bring down strongholds. It is the same authority that Jesus had, He spoke as a man having authority but He spoke what the father spoke, He did not speak on His own authority while He was here on earth but what authority that His Father had given Him. We know that Jesus has shared His glory with us and that we have the authority to bless and rebuke in the name of Jesus, to intercede for others, to establish, to break down, to build up and to rule over the earth as our dominion. We have the power to stretch out our hands and allow the blood of Jesus to course through our veins and out of our bodies in spiritual power to heal and to deliver and to fill others with His spirit. We have the authority to have signs and wonders following, God speaks and lives through us through the death of His Son and in the power of His Holy Spirit. This is true authority but it is derived authority, not assumed.
We are nothing without Jesus, it is not our authority, dominion or glory, it is His. We have no righteousness in ourselves, we cannot save others and for sure we are not to rule over them in the church. And we are never called to lead apart from total submission to the Holy Spirit. He is our One and Only Commander and we are not part of a worldly army but a spiritual one that must march as One in unison, marching in one rank shoulder to shoulder behind Jesus, not one another. We should only submit to others that have the humility, love and servant attitude that we have been taught from the beginning. We are to be restored to the original purity of the early church. How can we submit to each other as in the Lord if we differentiate between leaders and followers among us? To be one body, we must submit to One Head. Let the fragments fall where they may but they will be devoured by the dogs. Jesus wants us to be perfect, without spot or wrinkle and ready to meet Him in the air. God’s word is unchanging:
Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Revelation 21:5-8
So what do liars do? They lie! Most young people in America don't go to church. According to a comprehensive "U.S. Congregational Life Survey" conducted the average church member is 49 years, white, female, uneducated, low income and married. A Florida SBC pastor has told the Southern Baptist Founders Conference that the overwhelming majority of Southern Baptist members give little or no sign of spiritual life. Pastor Tom Ascol of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida, told the audience that he had the numbers to prove his argument. He cited figures from the SBC's 2000 church profile and a study conducted by the denomination's North American Missions Board. Those figures showed that although official SBC church membership lists show just under 16 million members, Ascol says on any given Sunday morning, only 5.5 million members show up for church services.
"Our practice doesn't measure up to our confession," Ascol said. "The overwhelming majority of Southern Baptist church members give little or no sign of spiritual life. There are countless studies that have been done in the past 15 years that validate this."
Truth or lie?
From the 2004 "Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches membership exceeding 161 million “
Truth - Liars lie and there is no 161 million members in churches in United States and Canada - that would mean 50% of the population goes to church on Sunday? Impossible! In actual fact as shown the trial of the now felon Dr. Henry J. Lyons, former President of the National Baptist Convention, the denominational membership numbers are meaningless and were pulled out of the air! The new numbers come from the 2004 "Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches," published recently by the National Council of Churches.
The Pentecostal bodies in the top 25 are newcomer the Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.), with 944,857 members (25th); the Church of God in Christ, with 5,499,875 members (4th); the Assemblies of God, with 2,687,366 (10th); and the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Inc., with 1,500,000 (tie 16th).
According to the 2004 Yearbook, there are 215 U.S. church bodies, with a record total membership exceeding 161 million. The U.S. has a higher level of church affiliation than most Western industrial societies.
Leading any other single U.S. church is the Roman Catholic Church, reporting 66,407,105 adherents, followed by the Southern Baptist Convention (16,247,736) and the United Methodist Church (8,251,042). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ranks 5th (5,410,544).
Seven of the largest 25 U.S. denominations are African-American churches, reflective of the historic strength of the church within the U.S. African-American community.
WALTER KAMBULOW
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