Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
Does not LC history suggest that MOTA (minister of the age) teachings and practices are far closer to the admonitions of the Son of Man concerning the Nicolaitans, than the Recovery assertion that every Christian pastor (so-called clergy) is a Nicolaitan? You decide.
What's worse? Ministers speaking to their congregations 30 minutes a week following worship and communion, or these exalted book editors in Anaheim ruling over all the LC's? What could be more "Nicolaitan" than to blacklist cetain ministers, turn their saints one against the other, and then train dissidents in every church to file lawsuits to seize church property?
Can anything be more "Balaam-like" or "Nicolaitan" than that? By what authority did they ascribe? Scripture? Absolutely not! Their authority was the MOTA. WL, apparently from his grave, gave these Nicolaitan Blendeds the authority to rule over ministers, churches, and the saints.
Some here regularly assert that forced book sales, i.e. filthy lucre, drives these Blended Nicolaitans. I have always been convinced that the lust for power and vain-glory drives them. Of course money is needed to fuel them, and I remember a gathering in Taipei in May of 1987 where AY told LC leaders that, "all of the saints' offering is ours, not yours." That was not biblical stewardship. That was a money grab by the power hungry. Sounded awfully Nicolaitan.
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When I review all biblical references to Nicolaitans and Balaam (see links below) preaching and practicing idol worship and sexual sins are part of the equation too.
Revelation 2:6
https://biblehub.com/revelation/2-6.htm
The church in Ephesus hated and the Lord hates the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans
Revelation 2:15
https://biblehub.com/revelation/2-15.htm
The Lord rebuked the church in Pergamum:
“You have there some holding the teaching of Balaam, who would teach Balak to cast a snare before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. So likewise you also have some holding the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent! But if not, I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.
2 Peter 2
https://biblehub.com/blb/2_peter/2.htm
describes false prophets that preach and practice immortality for base gain and says “they have forsaken the straight way, they have gone astray, having followed in the way of Balaam son of Bosor, who loved the wage of unrighteousness. But he had reproof for his own transgression by a mute donkey; having spoken in a man’s voice, it restrained the madness of the prophet.” And it goes on to describe them and their fate.
Numbers 22-25 tells the story of Balaam
https://biblehub.com/bsb/numbers/22.htm