Correspondence: Rev. 2:6,15; 1 Cor. 11:5,10; Ex. 17:14; John 20:17

From: Young Christian: Volume 11, 1921

John 20:17; Exodus 17:14 • 3 min. read • grade level: 7

Question: What does the “Nicolaitanes” refer to in Revelation 2:6, 15⁶But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Revelation 2:6)
¹⁵So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. (Revelation 2:15)? J. W.

Answer: The word means “conquering the people.” It points to the time when clerisy (clergy distinguished from laity) took its rise. It began by the deeds of some in Ephesus setting themselves up as the spiritual ones, who were more fitted to take part in the assembly. “Which thing I hate,” says the Lord, for it hinders the people’s worship and the Spirit’s leading, and robs God of the worship due to Him. In no place in Scripture do we find the Lord setting one or more men over a congregation to order their worship.

The church at Pergamos was dwelling in the world where Satan’s seat or throne is, and there in that worldly condition, we find Balaam’s doctrine that seduced the people into fornication, that is, linking the world and the church together in the world’s idolatry. And the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, that they taught as the truth, was the very thing that God hates, and set up a system entirely contrary to God’s Word.

Ministry, that is, evangelists, pastors and teachers, are given of God to minister to the church; true ministry comes from Christ in glory, but they are never appointed by men. (Gal. 1:1¹Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) (Galatians 1:1); Eph. 4:8, 11-13⁸Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Ephesians 4:8)
¹¹And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ¹²For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ¹³Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:11‑13).) There is no such thing as ordination of the clergy in the Word of God.

Elders and deacons, offices, but not gifts, were appointed by the apostles. (Titus 1:5⁵For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5).)

What loss to God and to His people, the rise of Nicolaitanism has been. And let us beware of this very danger rising up among those gathered to the name of the Lord. (Matt. 18:20²⁰For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20).)

Question: Please explain 1 Corinthians 11:5, 10, 11⁵But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. (1 Corinthians 11:5)
¹⁰For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. ¹¹Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 11:10‑11). J. G. M.

Answer: From verses 3-16 we have God’s order in creation. The man was to have his head uncovered when praying, because he represented authority. The woman was to be covered as a token that she was subject to the man, her covering being a token of the power to which she was subject. Angels learn by object lessons given by the redeemed, so the man and the woman cannot do without each other. Her hair is the sign of the place which God has given her.

“Given as a veil, her hair showed that modesty, submission—a covered head that hid itself, as it were, in that submission and in that modesty—was her true position, her distinctive glory.”

Both man and woman should also read 1 Peter 3:1-7¹Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; ²While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. ³Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; ⁴But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. ⁵For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: ⁶Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. ⁷Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (1 Peter 3:1‑7).

A hard spirit in a man against his wife under any circumstances is forbidden of God. (Col. 3:19¹⁹Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. (Colossians 3:19).)

Question: Why was Moses to write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua? Exodus 17:14¹⁴And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. (Exodus 17:14). H. M. F.

Answer: Because Amalek, the active enemy of the people of God, can never be forgiven. (Compare Deut. 25:17-19; 1¹⁷Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; ¹⁸How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God. ¹⁹Therefore it shall be, when the Lord thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it. (Deuteronomy 25:17‑19) Sam. 15: 2, 3, 18, 32.)

It is the power of Satan in the enemies of God’s people seeking to destroy them. So it is from generation to generation.

Question: Why did the Lord hinder Mary from touching Him? (John 20:17¹⁷Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17)).

Answer: Mary, in this passage, represents the new position and relationship given to the believing remnant of the Jews, and so to Christians every where. He was now taking His place as a risen and ascended One to the Father’s right hand. Therefore she is not to know Him any longer after the flesh, but by faith, and their relationship is a new one that could not be known before Christ died. “My brethren.” “My Father and your Father, My God and your God.” Inside the Jewish sheepfold this could not be known. No Old Testament saint ever called God, “Abba Father.” This belongs to saints of this present time only. (Rom. 8:15¹⁵For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15); Gal. 4:6⁶And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6); 2 Cor. 5:16¹⁶Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. (2 Corinthians 5:16).)

In Matthew 28 the women hold Him by the feet, yet He did not rebuke them, for there He appears as the Messiah. So also in John 20:27²⁷Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. (John 20:27) with Thomas.

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