Correspondence: Rev. 2:6, 25; Heb. 1:13; Baptism

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Answer: We are not told who they were, but they are supposed to be the followers of Nicolas, an obscure sect who while professing to be saved, lived immoral lives. The assembly is commended of the Lord for hating their deeds. In verse fifteen the evil is taught, and the assembly is blamed for allowing it. Balaam destroyed Israel by introducing evil among them, and here we find, both Balaam and the Nicolaitanes teaching in the assembly. Balsam associating the assembly of God with the world and worldly religion; the other, teaching that its evil practice is right (Rom. 6:1-21What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:1‑2)). As “Nicolas” means “conquering the people”, the name might teach us that some set themselves up, or were set up as above the body of the people to minister in spiritual things. This dividing of the people into clergy and laity, robs God’s people of their place as priests to God. And robs God of the worship due to Him. Ministry is given from Christ on high without appointment by men (Eph. 4:8,11-128Wherefore 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: (Ephesians 4:11‑12)). Offices, as elders and deacons, were appointed by the apostles, but these are not gifts.
Question 181: By S. K.
Answer: Hebrews 1:1313But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? (Hebrews 1:13) quotes Psalm 110 to show how much greater the Lord is than angels. In Hebrews 10:1313From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. (Hebrews 10:13), it is to show the better sacrifice and priesthood of the Lord than of Israel’s. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins, forever sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” There was no seat in the tabernacle. Eli’s seat in 1 Samuel 4 denotes the decay of the priesthood of his house. With the Lord, the work is done; He has sat down and that one sacrifice perfects all His people.
Psalm 110 is the One rejected on earth, glorified on Jehovah’s throne, on His right hand, the place of honor. The present time gathering of the Church is not seen in it. In Hebrews 7 He is seen there as our Great High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, and its character is Aaronic, that is, to a needy people compassed with infirmities. Luke 19:1212He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. (Luke 19:12) compares Him to a nobleman who has gone into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. He receives the kingdom from the Father-Jehovah, and comes back to take possession In Luke 19:2727But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. (Luke 19:27). He carries out the judgment upon His enemies who rejected Him. Matthew 22:77But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. (Matthew 22:7) is the judgment that fell on them by the Romans. These stumbled on the Stone and were broken. In the day that He comes He will fall on them and grind, them to powder (Matt. 21:4444And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. (Matthew 21:44)).
This judgment will go on till the last enemy is destroyed. “Jehovah shall send the rod of Thy strength out of Zion. Thy people also shall be willing is the day of Thy power” Then the Lord shall sit as a Priest on His throne; King and Priest, the full Melchizedek character exercised then. Israel’s armies will go forth to subdue the nations, and in the type of it (Gen. 14:1818And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. (Genesis 14:18)) we see Him coming out to bless and refresh His returning victorious armies. Many scriptures refer to this time when Israel is restored, but the nations not yet subdued. (Compare Psa. 149; Isa. 11:13-14; 31:4-5; 41:14-1613The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. 14But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them. (Isaiah 11:13‑14)
4For thus hath the Lord spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. 5As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it. (Isaiah 31:4‑5)
14Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. 15Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. 16Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the Lord, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 41:14‑16); Jer. 51:20-2120Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; 21And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider; (Jeremiah 51:20‑21); Ezek. 25:1414And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord God. (Ezekiel 25:14); Ezekiel 38-39; Mic. 4:11-13; 5:5-811Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion. 12But they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor. 13Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. (Micah 4:11‑13)
5And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. 6And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders. 7And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men. 8And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. (Micah 5:5‑8)).
Question 182: By P. E. W.
Answer: Converts are not asked by the Lord to baptize themselves. The responsibility is put on the Lord’s servants to see that they are baptized. The Lord is instructing His servants in Mark 16:15-1615And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15‑16). Converts should submit, servants obey. If any have already been baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” it is already done, and to re-baptize any such, is an act of man’s without any true scriptural significance in the sight of God. The use of baptism is to bring a Jew or a Gentile from that position, on to the ground of the Church, the house of God. It is better to instruct the converts in its use, than to sin against the word and add to the confusion of Christendom.
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