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BEWARE OF THE NICOLAITANS Twice in the book of Revelation the Lord Jesus Christ warns the churches about some people called Nicolaitans. In chapter two, verse six, Jesus says, “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” Our Lord and Saviour hates the DEEDS of the Nicolaitans. Then, speaking to another church in verse fifteen, he says, “So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” So Jesus hates the DEEDS and the DOCTRINE of the Nicolaitans. Now, what is a Nicolaitan? Some say they were followers of someone named Nicholas, perhaps even Nicolas of Antioch (Acts 6:5), but this isn’t likely since this man was a spirit-filled man. Maybe he was some other Nicholas? Maybe so, but we can’t be certain. Even if the Nicolaitans are followers of someone named Nicholas, that doesn’t alter the point of this post, which deals with the meaning of the word “Nicolaitans.” This word comes from the word “Nikolaites,” which is a compound word consisting of “Niko” and “laites.” The word “Niko” means to “conquer” or be “victorious.” The word “laites” means “the people.” So, in its truest literal meaning, a Nicolaitan is a person who believes in conquering people or ruling over people, especially in a religious setting. Peter warned preachers not to be lords over God’s heritage, but rather to be “ensamples to the flock” (I Pet. 5:3), but the Nicolaitan doctrine is just the opposite, and Jesus said he HATES it. Through the years, I have observed several ways in which these people like to lord over God's flock. Some are listed below . . . I. SPECIAL RITUALS AND CEREMONIES II. SPECIAL SEATING PLACES III. A SPECIAL VOCABULARY IV. SPECIAL FELLOWSHIP V. SPECIAL TITLES VI. SPECIAL CLOTHING VII. SPECIAL MANNERISM All of the above are designed to trick the "laity" into thinking higher of the incompetent leaders than they ought to think by polishing-up weakness, inexperience, unbelief and ignorance with religious rubbish and then using this rubbish to lord over the flock. The Lord said He HATES it.