The translators of KJV 1611 were a brilliant crew, and overall did a stellar and anointed work, but they were human, and liked having their heads attached to their necks to get around and all. This multi - translated word, Shepherds, to bolster the pyramidal and Babylonian structural system set in place by the quasi-Catholic Church of England wasn't the only debacle they compromised to. The other splinter, was "[b]Nicolaitan[/b]". It is simple, as I implied in my last post.....Lord or Kings over My people.
The King himself, James at the time, had to yield to the , and further more, [i]wanted[/i] to yield, to the hierarchy of the church, as a means to solidify his Authority among his people, and abroad. [b]IF[/b] he allowed this one simple word, to be translated as it was meant to be, as King or Lord, the common believer would figure it out, just like Jesus simply said. [i]"I hate what it is, and what it does. I HATE IT."[/i], then, most people would can it' defy it's obvious implications, IE, The Bishop is Naked!.. The King has no clothes!
The entire system would be thrown upon it's derriere', and chaos would ensue. This could not, nor would it happen. The church, as it was, and the King of England needed each other, and another darker prince was pulling the strings on his puppets, outside, in the nether world.
So, the entire English speaking World, the cradle of Christian freedom in the entire WORLD, was penetrated with a false hood, in the form of a mystical and almost undefinable term: [b]NICOLAITAN.[/b]. We know it's bad, but what does it mean? It must be a first century heresy. That's it....bad doctrine, that's it! Roman Catholic,, yeah, that's the ticket..those bad Catholic guys!
Today..the Pastor...always one man..A leader among equals!...and here we go again. The preeminence, and the love of it. There is no New Testament description of the Pastor, but always a plurality of Pastors, or, more honestly, a plurality of Shepherds. This Godly and holy system of unity and many, [not one] is the check and balance of Heaven itself. It prohibits the commandeering of one over the many, for whatever the reason. Men may become deceived, and Devil possessed, and take the church with them. It has happened many, many, times. Remember Jim Jones, and the holy Kool Aid communion. Cyanide and hundreds dead,, Oh dear Pastor! He sexed who he wanted, male or female, and enjoyed preeminence!
You could go on and on, but New Testament Doctrine prohibits the "one man show", and everyone knows it. I have confronted many with these scriptures, and the "pat" answer I get usually is, "Well it just doesn't work."
Thry're right, and it won't work where ambition and pride rule and reign, and mans awful lust to build a "name" for himself. It goes back to ascending to the sides of the North. This is the desire for preeminence. Pride,,Pride,, Pride!
Let us also consider that many, many holy and Godly men, operated under this system, with great favor, and respect of the Lord Jesus Himself. God has used this system, but more often than not, in the time of seduction, the once humble servant rises up with fury in his eyes and screams, "Look what I have built! Do you not know who I am?"
I think of Alexander Dowie, one of the most awesome men of God in the 20th century. [Read of his exploits, and confrontation with all of the AMERICAN powers that be, publicly!and his establishment of the first pentecostal city...Zion Illinois.] Satan came, not as the tempter of the passions of lust, but as the flatterer, and Brother Dowie, the one and only absolute dictator of men and cities, bowed the knee to himself....A name for himself..
In one of the more unusual public encounters ever, the Holy Spirit Himself met Alexander at the dedication of the Dowie temple in Zion.[with the chief Priest and undisputed Lord, Dowie himself as master of ceremonies] When Dowie touched the communion cup to drink, he was stricken instantly with a paralyzing stroke, and suffered two years or more, until he died from it. In the process, he lost everything, and even his own son was so disgraced, he changed his name. Worship and Dominion belong to Jesus alone. He is jealous.
Great fear came upon this fledgling Pentecostal child, and many gave up their ambition to be numero uno. I believe Dowie is in Heaven, as the Lord has looked upon his entire life covered by the blood. he may have had his works burnt in fire, but I think he was saved. I have used him only as a type, for there have been too many to name. We could spend hours doing that.
If this interests you, please read Ezekiel 34. This system unchecked can produce some real animals. even excluding the Satanic excesses and murders of multitudes by the Roman Catholic system. It is alive and real, next door, and it revolves around names, that identify the spirit of control, for the personal power and gain of the one who rules.
The pharisse's speak about the great ministry of the Lord Jesus, just prior to their murder of Him ; "This man does many miracles, and the people flock after Him. If we let Him continue, the Romans will come, and remove our Nation, and our place from us!" They only cared about their place, in the context that their nation provided their place,,,,a position of the benefactor. Power, Position, and Privilege.
Read [b]Acts, chapter 20[/b]. The grievous Wolves that would draw away others, to follow. To be a king, oh to be a king; a real success!,, a leader of men.
"But, it shall not be so among you, but the greatest shall be, [i]as the least[/i], and the servant of them all!" Just a simple servant, who loves his family, the people of God. One of several shepherds in the local assembly, where the unity of the Brothers rule and reign, not the cruel and arrogant ambition of one.[b]If we let Him continue, the Romans will come, and remove our place, and our Nation[/b] Alive and well in the honoring of one over the other, and this, alas, is designated by Names, which is the WHY of Jesus's command not to do so.....He hates the spirit of it.
"Do you not know. that God is NO respecter of Persons!"
