[CynicalBear]

In Revelation 2:6, 15, God said he "hated" the Nicolaitans who sought to set up a hierarchy to rule over the people. A study of the word Nicolaitans shows it to mean the bishops of the assemblies gained a victory (Nico) or conquest over the Laiton or the laity. Members were compelled to submit to the dominion of men. God states that that is something He hates.

Once people begin to realize that and stop following man perhaps they can begin to realize the error that exists in the concept of “church” today. The concept of the “universal church” is nothing more than a man made construct to usurp the authority of Christ and impose control over people.

[vladimir998]

” A study of the word Nicolaitans shows it to mean the bishops of the assemblies gained a victory (Nico) or conquest over the Laiton or the laity.”

Actually, no. The Nicolaitans were most likely followers of someone named Nicholaus (see Acts 6:5) and his name can just as easily mean “victory OF the people” as “victorious over people”.

This is a much more sensible interpretation: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/revelation-solving-the-mystery-of-the-nicolaitans