5 Smooth Stones

Chapter Twenty-Eight

DIOTREPHES DIOTREPHES AND THE NICOLAITANS

C ontinuing to look at the spirit of Diotrephes, we know that this name means blessed by Jupiter, we now know the connection to the church in Pergamos in Revelation chapter 2. We know that Jesus spoke to them stating that He knew that they dwelled where Satan’s throne was, which was referring to the temple to Zeus that was in Pergamos. I believe there’s another key here to dealing with and understanding the spirit that wants preeminence, Diotrephes. Jesus said to them through John in Revelation 2. “ 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, 1 who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacri fi ced to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” Notice Jesus does not hate people He hates the doctrines. What is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans? That word comes from two Greek words, nikos and laos. Nikos means to subdue or to conquer, and the second part of the word laos means “the people”. This is a doctrine which is used to subdue the people by placing them under burdensome or preeminent authority. We get our English word laity from laos, and through this we can see that even in the time of John the church was already entertaining doctrines contrary to the ascension doctrine of Jesus. The ascension doctrine, sending gifts to equip the church, was not followed, but rather raising up individuals into positions to subjugate the people or the laity. This, in time, came to be known as the clergy. The term clergy should not be confused with the biblical understanding that Jesus sat down at the right hand of God and gave gifts to men. These include apostles and prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers. These gifts are ordained to equip, train, strengthen and mobilize the people to do the works of the ministry of Jesus Christ on the earth. Anyone called into an ascension gift will be recognized on earth by other men, and as the Lord instructs, will be commissioned into the ministry they are called to function in (see Acts 13:1-3).

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