- This topic is empty.
- Posts
Found this on the web today.
~~~~~~~~~
Grasshopper====================================
Who Are the “Nicolaitans”?
Rod ReynoldsSome writers from the second century onward attempted to link the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:6, 15)
with the deacon Nicolas (or Nicolaus) mentioned in Acts 6:5. However, as the International Standard
Bible Encyclopedia states, “The historical value of these attempts is debatable, and the paucity of
information about either Nicolaus or the Nicolaitans makes such a connection questionable – especially
in the light of Luke’s portrayal of Nicolaus’s Christian character” (“Nicolaus,” vol. 3, Eerdmans revised
edition, 1986, p. 534).
Whether or not there was ever a specific sect that called themselves “Nicolaitans,” as used in
Revelation “Nicolaitans” is a symbolic term for haters of God’s law who by their teachings lead
members of God’s Church and others into committing idolatry and spiritual adultery or fornication (and
perhaps literal fornication or adultery, as well; Revelation 2:6, 14-15).
One might ask though, why was this term chosen?
“Nicolaitans” is from the Greek νικολαιτων (nikolaiton) which is the genitive plural form of a
compound of the words nikos (victory) and laos (people). Its meaning, which implies a destructive
power over peoples, corresponds with Balaam (a swallowing up of the people; verse 14, see The New
Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon). It denotes a form of doctrine which is at the same time licentious or
lawless and oppressive.
During the era of the apostles Paul wrote, “… the mystery of lawlessness is already at work” (2
Thessalonians 1:9). The leaders of the Church at that time, the apostles and those who worked closely
with them, vigorously resisted and fought against the false doctrines of those who sought to blend
Christianity with pagan philosophy and religious practices, as reflected in Christ’s statement to that era,
“you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans” (Revelation 2:6).
But the tendency to compromise and be drawn into the spiritual harlotry and idolatry represented by
such teachings has always been present to one extent or another among those associated with the
Church of God throughout its history. From roughly the fifth to tenth centuries A.D. existed in Asia
Minor and Armenia a large number of people known in history as the Paulicians. While their doctrines
and practices identify them as representing the Church of God (they are said to have kept the Sabbath,
the 14th Abib Passover, rejected idolatry, etc.), they were subjected to severe persecution. Eventually,
as a result, many among them reasoned that they could pretend to go along with the prevailing,
corrupted, persecuting “Christian” religion, partaking of mass and other idolatrous practices, but
secretly maintain their former faith (cf. God’s Church Through the Ages, John H. Ogwyn, Living
Church of God, 2003, pp. 28-31) . Of course this only led to further compromise and eventually
complete abandonment of the true faith by many. This appears to be what Jesus Christ specifically
foresaw and warned about in Revelation 2:14-15.
The term “Nicolaitan” suggests also who is behind the enticing but destructive doctrine which has
succeeded in deceiving vast multitudes and drawn away many even who had been among God’s elect at
various points in history. It’s not accidental that popular “Christianity” almost universally celebrates
Christmas as its premier holiday. And at the center of the celebration is a character called Santa Claus.Who Are the “Nicolaitans”? 2
Santa Claus is a diminutive form of Saint Nicholas (The Story of Santa Klaus, William Walsh, p. 13).
Saint Nicholas is a name associated with the ancient god Saturn. “… in face and figure the Saint
Nicholas of the early painters was not unlike the ancient idea of Saturn” (The Story of Santa Klaus, p.
70). Many modern day Christmas customs are derived directly from the Saturnalia, the winter feast in
honor of Saturn (The Story of Santa Klaus, pp. 65-67).
The Saturnalia and other pagan feasts that occurred at the same time of year and which form the basis
for the custom of Christmas, were marked by debauchery and licentiousness. “The wild revels of the
Bacchanalia, the Saturnalia and the [German feast of] Twelve Nights survive in… the merriment and
jollity which mark the season of Christmas today” (The Story of Santa Klaus, p. 67). “The wild revels,
indeed, of the Christmas period in olden times almost stagger belief. No amount of drunkenness, no
blasphemy, no obscenity was frowned upon. License was carried to the utmost limits of licentiousness.
Master William Prynne discovered in them those vestiges of paganism which are apparent enough to
the historian of to-day.
“’If we compare,’ he says in his Histrio-Mastix, ‘our Bacchanalian and New Year’s tides with these
Saturnalia and feasts of Janus, we shall find such near affinity between them, both in regard of time, –
they being both in the end of December and the first of January – and in their manner of solemnizing –
both being spent in revelling, epicurism, wantonness, idleness, dancing, drinking, stage-plays, masques
and carnal pomp and jollity – that we must conclude the one to be but the ape, or issue, of the other’”
(The Story of Santa Klaus, pp. 75-76).
Saturn was called by the Greeks Cronus (or Kronos), the horned one (The Two Babylons, p. 32; The
Dictionary of Classical Mythology, Religion, Literature and Art, p. 559). “The god baal was frequently
depicted as a two horned deity and the name ‘Kronos’ derives from the Hebrew ‘Keren,’ meaning
‘horn’…. Similarly a horned god of the British Celts was known as Cernunnos” (Book of Isaiah with
Yair Davidy, 45:15; http://britam.org/isaiah/chap-forty-five.html. Numerous other sources provide
corroborative information). A horn is often in both the Bible and mythology a symbol of power and
authority (cf. Daniel 8:1-12; Revelation 13:1, 11).
The name given to the tenth sign of the zodiac is Capricorn. The sun enters Capricorn at the time of the
winter solstice. Capricorn is Latin for horned goat, and in mythology is associated with Saturn and
Satan the Devil.
In mythology Saturn was chief of the gods cast into hell. Who do we know as the chief of the so-called
gods cast into hell, often pictured, as in ancient times, with horns and hooves? None other than Satan,
of course.
God said through Amos, “I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies”
(Amos 5:21). This is not His own feast days God is referring to, because by the time Amos prophesied
in the eighth century Israel had long since abandoned God’s festivals in favor of those of their own
devising, and had adopted heathen festivals and customs, including the very customs that are today
associated with Christmas. God told them if they turned to him they could take possession of true life.
But they would have to forsake their apostasy, forsake their syncretized religion.
In verse 26 God recounts through the prophet how Israel carried about images of false gods, “the
tabernacle of Moloch,” and “Chiun your star god” (cf. Acts 7:43). These names are associated withWho Are the “Nicolaitans”? 3
Saturn (Cronus). Of “Chiun” Easton’s Bible Dictionary says, “Probably the planet Saturn is intended by
the name. Astrologers represented this planet as baleful in its influences, and hence the Phoenicians
offered to it human sacrifices, especially children.”
Ancient writers considered the chief god of Tyre and Carthage, Baal Hammon (also called Milqart or
Melqart, a variant of Moloch, Hebrew m-l-k, king) to be identical with Saturn and Cronus. This
worship anciently involved winter and spring festivals, worship of astral bodies, and often human
sacrifice. “Milqart. …The name of the god… means literally ‘king of the city’. Since the publication of
the Ras Shamra poetic texts, it is clear that we are to understand this as meaning ‘king of the
underworld’…” (Documents from Old Testament Times, p. 240). Once again we see that stripped of its
disguise, we are faced with none other than Satan worship. And this same religious heritage forms the
basis for the popular customs of Christmas and paganized Christianity in general.
The first of the seven seals of Revelation is that of a rider on a white horse with a crown and a bow
(implying rulership gained by conquest), “and he went out conquering and to conquer” (Revelation
6:2). This symbol corresponds with a system of religious deception that Christ also prophesied of
elsewhere, that would use his name, and yet “deceive many” (Matthew 24:5).
Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 speaks of the “synagogue of Satan” or Satan’s Church. In Revelation 17 we are
told of a great harlot full of abominations and fornications. She’s drunk with the blood of martyrs of
God’s people, and extends her power throughout the world from the great city which reigns over the
kings of the earth. This Church of Satan is associated with a political system called the “beast,” which
is also empowered by Satan (Revelation 13:2). This system has shaped history for thousands of years,
and continues to do so today. Under its power has been shed the blood of countless martyrs among
God’s elect. And scores or hundreds of millions of others have perished through its wars, persecutions
and oppression as well. At the same time while using the name of Christ it has led billions into a way of
licentiousness and idolatry.
In Isaiah 14 this system under Satan’s sway is spoken of as the “oppressor,” the “golden city,” whose
rulers “struck the people” and “ruled the nations in anger” (verses 4-6). In a form of religion that calls
itself “Christianity,” but which rejects God’s commandments and embraces idolatry in its various
forms, people don’t realize the truth that they are really worshiping Satan. He is the one behind the
“doctrine of the Nicolaitans.”====================================
Grasshopper
Good on you for standing up. I also personally refuse to take part in this pagan event. Unlike yourself, I was brought up with this tradition but walked away from it in my teens because of reading Jeremiah. To me that scripture is plain enough that it is a pagan event involving false gods which we should take no part in if we are to call ourselves real christians.
And if any christian celebrates this event, as most churches do, it would not be wise to encourage your children to leave out milk and cookies for Santa as this is an offering made to look innocent. Same as the leaving money for the tooth fairy. Just be aware.
Hi,
It is of the world and the world’s church.
But it has little to do with the verses in scripture about the Nicolaitans
It’s disturbing to find out we have unknowingly been performing pagan acts this whole time…
~
GIt is of the world and the world’s church.
But it has little to do with the verses in scripture about the Nicolaitans
Can you elaborate on that?
~~~~~~~~~
GrasshopperHi GH,
Many assume that because of the name the Nicolatians but be related to Christmas etc.
When it was written by John so such tradition existed in that way in ‘christendom’ and the Nicholas of christmas had not been born.
There is no close link
It is always unfortunate to read about those who adore Jesus Christ that try to make Christmas about a pagan holiday. There is plenty of evidence that taking Christ out of Christmas is an error of information and lack of research. The celebration of Christmas has spread the miraculous story of Christ’s incarnation throughout the world. As Christians, we are to spread the gospel which includes the miraculous story of Christ’s incarnation. I believe satan is happy with Christians who are ranting about how it has pagan origins and we shouldn’t celebrate it. Too bad, really!
I believe satan is happy with Christians who are ranting about how it has pagan origins and we shouldn’t celebrate it. Too bad, really!
And I believe Satan is EVEN HAPPIER with Christians who are not caring that it has pagan origins and choose to celebrate it anyway. Too bad, really!
~~~~~~~~~
GrasshopperThe incarnation was initiated by the Most High God before the foundations of the world, the prophets of God foretold the event many years before it took place, the angels in heaven announced it and rejoiced the night our Messiah was born. People all over the world remember and celebrate the greatest gift that God has given mankind…
AMAZING Christmas Flash Mob at Mall by Journey of Faith from jamesw72 on GodTube.
Christmas and new year is the greatest time to commit fornication; adultery; rivalry; and drunkenness.
Anyone sacrificing a blemish sacrifice, is guilty of blasphemy.
Sacrifice to your God a clean thing, for your God is Holy.
wakeup.To whomever it may concern,
December 25th was possible originally a Roman state holiday established by Emperor Aurelian. The state religion was Sol Invictus, the unconquered Sun. It is pagan in the sense that the Roman state was pagan at the time. It was selected as it was the winter solstice. Rome later changed its state religion and I assume that of their state holidays as well.
Some think Christians were celebrating December 25th at Jesus’ birthday before Aurelian established it as a state holiday.
A lot of noise over something that we do not know enough about and so a lot of living by the beast nature instead of the Spirit of God.
Do good on December 25th, as well as every other day of the year.
Note: My source is an article on Sol Invictus @ Wikipedia that I read today.
Hi KW,
A man was born in Bethlehem about 2000 years ago.
Those who worship man celebrate it.
But the event that mattered was at the Jordan when God entered and began to use this human vessel to speak and work in unity with Him.
Nick,
I celebrate because it is a social activity. An activity that helps to tie the household together. It serves to remind me of Jesus’ birth which was a sign and evidence of the power of God. We do not celebrate his immersion in the Jordan.
I celebrate because it is a social activity. An activity that helps to tie the household together.
Christmas can be a sad time when families have split, and no longer share the day. Seeing togetherness, finally, is an opportunity should not be passed on. Also, Christmas is lonely for the alone and/or grieving, and at those times we can give some hope. So, it’s like the Internet, which may be wrong, but can be used for good… because Christmas can be one of the loneliest days of the year for some, it’s a day we could do good, simply by being positive and giving and caring, imo.
However, I personally do not like Santa!
Jeremiah 10:1-25 ESV
Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the Lord: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.”
most likely a warning of the neo pagan culture. they believed that all living things had a god attached to them. the winter solstice celebration was to ask to live through the winter. the evergreen was an important tree in their faith. it held through winter without change, did not die.
During this time Sirius is not seen again until the spring. This was another neo pagan way of life. Egyptians highly regard this time of year, for it was the waiting for the sun to return and life would bloom again, which was a good thing. meant the survival of a nation. my favorite is the astrological story during this time of year.
Then again, some neo pagan cultures had a habit of blood sacrifice to the gods- animals, children, slaves. A concept of human thought I just cannot accept.
whatever it may be and however they choose, everyone pays tribute to their deity. the doubt is what gets you in the end.
Christmas and new year is the greatest time to commit fornication; adultery; rivalry; and drunkenness.
Anyone sacrificing a blemish sacrifice, is guilty of blasphemy.
Sacrifice to your God a clean thing, for your God is Holy.
wakeup.Blasphemy is denying the power of the spirit. Such a temple dog attitude you have.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
