Pastor's Blog

 

Also, the “clergy” gained control over the functions of ministry, and did away with the spontaneity of worship that resulted in the manifest power of God being present.Thus, the people became “spectators” to the functioning of the clergy.

In His message to the Church at Ephesus, the Lord clearly said that He hated the deeds of a clergy that causes His people to depart from experiencing His manifest presence and the operation of the supernatural.In Ephesus, these Nicolaitans were present, but hated.In the third Church, Pergamos, they are again mentioned by the Lord, “So have you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate” (Revelation 2:15).Here, they were firmly entrenched.

Then in the fourth Church, Thyatira, the Lord said, “But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine.” (Revelation 2:24).By now, the Nicolaitans were in control, and only a remnant remained.

This teaching of “compromise” by the clergy led to a progressive spiritual declension that culminated in the Dark Ages.During this time of intense spiritual apostasy and darkness, a spark of revelation concerning “Justification by Faith” came to Martin Luther.This began a progressive restoration that developed within the fifth Church, Sardis, and found its full outworking in the last two Churches, Philadelphia and Laodicea.

Concerning the fifth Church, Sardis, the Lord said, “I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead” (Revelation 3:1).This Church had returned to right doctrine, but failed to experience the restoration of the fervent “first love” that had been lost at Ephesus.Apparently, the Nicolaitans still exercised considerable control, and hindered the Lord’s people to the extent that they were not able to experience the “quickening” of the manifest presence of the Lord, nor the “power” of the Holy Spirit moving in their meetings.

The sixth Church, Philadelphia, speaks of an overcoming Church that experienced an “open heaven.” Of this Church, the Lord said:

“…I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength....”Revelation 3:8

Here, the Nicolaitans were totally defeated and lost all of their influence and control.This Church had cultivated the presence of “He that has the key of David, He that opens, and no man shuts: and shuts, and no man opens” (Revelation 3:7).The Lord’s manifest presence burned within them, and all bondage melted away, as the Holy Spirit had His way in their lives and assemblies.