Whole Bible Christianity

NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON: Our book Whole Bible Christianity is now available for purchase at https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Bible-Ch... Available also in Kindle and Audiobook formats! Bruce S. Bertram of The Word of God Ministries and http://www.wholebible.com shares in this video a whole Bible Christian view of the New Covenant. Most standard Christians do no know what it is or where it is in the Bible. This video not only biblically describes it but also discusses what it means in a walk with the Christ. It really was a simple Law that Adam and Eve disobeyed. But the deceiver explained in his theology that of course God didn't really mean what He said. Eve bit on the reasoning and shared some with her husband. Ever since, God's Laws have been getting similar helpful explanation. In recent years especially the church has taken great pains to explain large portions into non-existence. Theology is used such as "Jesus fulfilled and eliminated much of the Law with His death;" that it's "shadows" or "He made everything clean;" that we don't have to obey if it's only "civil" or "ceremonial," and that "it's not a salvation issue." None of these (and others) line up with the plain meaning of His Word. Through years of reading the Word, studying systematic theologies, going to many different types of churches and searching every type of book that promised to connect us to the truth of God's Word, we discovered whole Bible Christianity. Right there in the Bible. It was present the entire time; we just couldn't see it because of wrong teaching, tradition, and some of our own hard-headedness. It answers all the questions and restores the missing blessings. We think first century believers lived a whole Bible life, which is why they were so successful. Our book Whole Bible Christianity and these videos are a guide to reclaiming that spirit.

NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON: Our book Whole Bible Christianity is now available for purchase at https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Bible-Ch... Available also in Kindle and Audiobook formats! Bruce S. Bertram of The Word of God Ministries and http://www.wholebible.com reintroduces whole Bible Christianity. It has always been around. It's just that the church has obscured the Bible teachings of it and by and large led people away. You say you hate religion but love Jesus? Good. So do we. However, what do you mean by "religion?" If you mean men's rules, liturgy, philosophy, and opinions, then we're right there with you. Men's rules are not really that helpful in producing the fruit of the Spirit. God's rules, on the other hand, are nothing but helpful. Bruce shares his idea for the reintroduction of whole Bible Christianity. It was lived out by the first century church. It encompasses all of the Bible as a lifestyle and discipleship method unequaled by men's philosophy, empty deceit, and tradition (see Colossians 2). It is the heart of the New Covenant, it's all about love, and it is the believer's daily bread. A. W. Tozer said, "The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian." The whole Bible is where it's at. If you read the New Testament carefully, this is what the first century believers were doing (including making offerings at the Temple Acts 8:27; 21:26). Those believers did not think the Law nullified the work of Jesus on the cross, but that the cross and His Law complement each other. He is the end or goal of the Law. His death paid the penalty for disobedience of the Law. He gives us the Spirit and a new heart of flesh with His Law or Word written on it. It's His Word we're living, after all. This puts a much different light on the meaning of whole Bible.

Bruce S. Bertram of The Word of God Ministries and http://www.wholebible.com refreshes the discussion of Yom Kippur and the blessings of its practice for all believers. This is another in a series of videos designed for the rookie who has decided that all of the Father’s Word belongs in every area of his or her life. These are just introductory with some practical starting points and are not meant for a thorough, all-encompassing understanding of every aspect of each subject. But if you are at all like us, the Law at first seems like a mountain just waiting to fall on you if you do something wrong, and Bruce is trying to help you avoid that feeling by lightly introducing you to the enjoyable and easy-to-do living oracles of the Father’s Will. Most of you know that Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement,” and it is indeed a day of great solemnity and reverence. This day is the tenth of what our Jewish brothers and sisters often refer to as the “Days of Awe.” It is a “great Sabbath,” meaning that absolutely no type of work whatsoever is supposed to be done, even the normal work connected with making a meal (allowed on the weekly Sabbath). Which is a good thing anyway because we are supposed to “deny ourselves” (humble your souls) and go without food (or pleasure). We afflict ourselves because of the serious nature of atonement which includes repentance and acknowledging the sacrificial blood of Yeshua (Jesus) in atoning for our sin. It is a day of smoke and burning, a reminder of the judgment to come for those who refuse the sacrifice of Jesus.

Bruce S. Bertram from The Word of God Ministries and http://www.wholebible.com fills out the practice of the Feast of Trumpets for Christian truth-seekers looking to grab hold of the living oracles for themselves. Yom Teruah is Hebrew for Day of the Awakening Blast or Feast of Trumpets. It is also called Rosh HaShanah for 'head of the year.' It is literally a blast to practice. We blow shofars (the curly horns, ram's or Yemenite) and eat sweet stuff. My wife calls this the "feast of sugar." Bruce talks about the biblical specifics and some of the practical ways he and his family get down, get funky, and get loose on this amazing holy day gift from God.

Bruce S. Bertram from The Word of God Ministries and http://www.wholebible.com takes the truth-seeker through an overview of God's feast of Tabernacles, with biblical specifics and suggestions for practice. The Feast of Tabernacles (a.k.a. Booths or Nations) is the last of the seven yearly appointments that God wants His children to keep with Him. This series of videos on Christian Faith and Practice is intended to help introduce the various specifics commanded in the Scriptures and provide a little background and encouragement for discovering the joys and blessings of obedience. Party, party, party. All the time party. Is our God a great God or what?

Bruce S. Bertram from The Word of God Ministries and http://www.wholebible.com shows what the Bible actually says about the Christian doctrine of the Rapture. There's not a lot of quibbling over the fact of the Rapture in the Word, but there is quite a bit over the timing. Bruce used to be a solid dispensationalist. He taught and defended a pre-tribulation rapture quite well. But then he read the Bible more thoroughly, without the dispensational filter, and discovered something very different (which you will too if you read the Word and do what it says). The Bible doesn't talk a lot about the Rapture, but it says lots and lots about the Resurrection (and the timing). The Rapture, without a doubt, is appended to the Resurrection. So if we can figure out the timing of the Resurrection, then the timing of the Rapture is a piece of cake. Tony's book 'Rapture or Resurrection: Which Should We Be Looking For?,' mentioned in the video, can be found on Amazon at https://a.co/d/i7xp6h7 if you'd like to take a look at it. A video of the '70's song we mention, 'I Wish We'd All Been Ready' by Larry Norman can be viewed at this link: https://youtu.be/PyOjmhqDGkM It's a pretty dopey song, and Larry apparently is a pretty dopey example of Christianity, as are the people behind the Left Behind series of books, but we guess they're trying. Sort of.

A whole Bible Christian view of Passover, Unleavened Bread and First Fruits for believers from Bruce S. Bertram of http://www.wholebible.com and The Word of God Ministries. We review the difference between tradition and biblical guidelines, and encourage practice of this appointed time with Jesus by every believer. The Bible instructions are simple and easy to understand, when the teachings of men are cleared away and the Bible is allowed to speak for itself. We encourage believers to start somewhere and not to be afraid of doing something because of tradition. We also discuss calendars and give our opinions on timing (hint: it's what's in the Bible that is important). We use the examples of King Josiah and King Hezekiah as a guide for our own observance, remembering Jesus as our Passover lamb while having a nice lamb barbecue. We also talk about the place of the Temple and the "place where (He) puts His name." Links in video: Christian Faith and Practice Through Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) http://www.youtu.be/LET95alv41M Christian Faith and Practice Through Cycles of the Mo'edim (appointed times or Bible holidays) http://www.youtu.be/p1bhRu5St-8 Whole Bible Applications: Circumcision http://www.youtu.be/hgpeQfzbBs0 www.wholebible.com/Study_Helps.htm#Free_Whole_Bible_Booklets

This should be fun. Bruce S. Bertram, no initials after his name, no mega-church and having absolutely no influence whatsoever, from The Word of God Ministries and http://www.wholebible.com, gives what is probably a very different talk about the Mark. This is a whole Bible look at The Mark of the Beast. But wait. Did you know that there is a Mark of God also spoken of in the Word? Pop in and take a complete look at marks. You might find your opinion radically altered.

Bruce S. Bertram of The Word of God Ministries and http://www.wholebible.com presents a short video on Atheism as a religion. Better yet, the Seinfeld of Religions, because it's "all about nothing." We have comparisons on giving, deaths in war, what's good in Christianity compared to the accomplishments of atheism, and etc. This video was made for Christians and other truly open-minded people. We want to help expose atheism for what it is - a morally bankrupt religion about nothing. There is nothing to it, nothing in it, and nothing worth trading all of what God gives believers for it. The reality is that atheists are full of hate for God, and disguise the hate with a whitewash of devotion to the god of science and self. The original hater and atheist (sometimes called Lucifer or the deceiver) tried to sell this "you can be as God" lie way back when and started us down this road of misery, pain, suffering, and death. Don't fall for it again. Atheism is in fact another word for hate. You'll notice there are gaps in the comments, where it looks like a response is given to a non-existent query or statement. This is because comments have been deleted (usually by the atheist). When we first posted this video, we were hit with a surge of atheists commenting. All of the dislikes came at that time, all from atheists. Which means of course that the video is right on track. We could see that we must have been the subject of discussion boards somewhere, and several atheists took it upon themselves to attack. Probably there are roving packs of atheists on the web just looking to jump Christians any time something against atheism is posted. Just so you know. Links used in the video: Daniel Smarrt reference http://creation.com/atheism-a-religion Barna Research reference http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/102-atheists-and-agnostics-take-aim-at-christians Stan, the 40 year atheist is at atheism-analyzed.blogspot.com

Bruce S. Bertram from The Word of God Ministries and http://www.wholebible.com illustrates the many ways that the church has departed from what the Bible actually says in the fourth and final part of our Romans video commentary series. You are going to be surprised at the simplicity and ease of understanding you gain from the Bible with the few simple observations here. We present Romans in much the same way the original recipients would have. It was addressed to average believers, and they would have read it straight through many times. Later they might have debated specific points in small groups, but overall the letter was not a mystery to them. It shouldn't be to modern believers either. Along the way we point you to a number of our other videos to explain certain words and concepts. Not because the book itself is so hard to understand, but because much of the meaning has been obscured by church tradition and teachings of men. As with our other commentary videos, below is a list of time marks that are links to specific chapters and verses so later you can skip to certain parts for a refresher if you need it. Thank you for watching and subscribing, and may the Father continue to bless your studies. Video link to The Whole Picture: Faith http://youtu.be/qqEc20y_5_Q 3:15 Chap 13 verses 1-7 6:00 Chap 13 verse 8 6:30 Chap 13 verses 9-10 7:30 Chap 13 verses 11-14 9:20 Chap 14 verse 1 10:00 Chap 14 verse 2 Vid link to Whole Bible Applications: Clean and Unclean http://youtu.be/GdLC71xLjTU Vid link to Whole Bible Applications: Food http://youtu.be/1XE4uxt1fj0 11:00 Chap 14 verses 3-4 12:20 Chap 14 verse 5 13:00 video link to Whole Bible Applications: The Feasts of Jesus http://youtu.be/ecvUk41RHzU 14:15 Chap 14 verses 6-12 15:15 John 7 verse 24 Judge with righteous judgment 16:15 Chap 14 verse 13 16:45 Chap 14 verse 14 18:30 Chap 14 verse 15 19:30 Chap 14 verses 16-19

Bruce S. Bertram from The Word of God Ministries and http://www.wholebible.com lays out the third part of his series on Romans. This one on chapters 9 through 12. Links to specific verses and videos are below. You probably haven't quite heard Romans this way. We are going through it like we would've had we been the original recipients. The original audience would not have just read three verses at a time, talked about them for an hour, and taken a whole year to go through the letter. No. They would've eagerly devoured every word right straight till the end. Then they would've read it again. And again. Then they might've discussed parts in small groups over dinner. The Romans were also not a bunch of theologians. They were just regular joes like you and me, using the tools they had (the Old Testament and maybe a couple other letters) along with perhaps some input from their Jewish brothers. In short, anyone can understand Paul's letter(s). All they had to do was read it and do it. What makes it hard to understand is all the extra-biblical church or synagogue traditions that overlay the plain meaning of the Word. Cut through that malarkey, read it, and do it, and suddenly the meaning jumps right out there. But you knew that, didn't you? Verse/Video Links 4:30 Review, chapter 1 verse 13 Link to video The Whole Picture: Faith http://youtu.be/qqEc20y_5_Q 8:00 Righteousness by faith Video link Whole Bible Objections: Works of Law are Bad, Not Under Law http://youtu.be/2psYFGDvX-U 8:30 Chapter 4 review 8:45 Chapter 5 review 9:15 Chapter 6 review 9:30 Chapter 7 review 9:45 Chapter 8 review 10:00 Chapter 9 verses 1-4 10:29 Chapter 9 verse 5 11:15 Chapter 9 verses 6-13 12:10 Galatians 4 verse 28 12:20 Genesis 12 verses 1-3 12:30 Genesis 3 verse 15 The Promise Video link A Whole Faith: The Promise http://youtu.be/EmXBgQO8yoE 15:15 Exodus 6 verse 8 15:30 2 Samuel 7 verses 11-16 15:59 Chapter 9 verse 8 repeat 16:15 Definition of Promise - one sided covenant 16:45 Faith of Abraham and Sarah Video link to The Whole Picture: Faith http://youtu.be/qqEc20y_5_Q 17:30 Chapter 9 verses 14-18 19:15 Chapter 9 verse 19 19:25 Chapter 9 verses 20-29 21:15 Genesis 3 verse 6 22:59 Chapter 9 verses 30-32a 23:30 Hebrews 4 verse 2 Video link to A Whole Heart: The Gospel http://youtu.be/jpaq_DPW0JM 25:45 Chapter 9 verses 30-32a 26:30 Chapter 9 verse 32a 27:15 Stone of stumbling 27:45 Chapter 10 verses 1-4 29:30 Chapter 10 verses 5-13 31:25 Genesis 3:24 angel with the flaming sword 32:30 Chapter 10 verses 5-9

Bruce S. Bertram from The Word of God Ministries and http://www.wholebible.com gives a one-hour tour of the book of Galatians. Many people use this book to throw out God's Law. Happily for believers, Paul teaches no such thing. The subject of the book is stated very clearly. The Law is not in question. Three times Paul tells us his meaning very plainly: 2:16; 3:11; and 5:4. He is talking about the difference between justification by works and justification by faith. The misuse of the law for earning merit is discussed, but not throwing out the Law. Click on a time mark below to go directly to that section. The introduction goes to about 7:30. Reading all six chapters goes to about 24:15. Definition of gospel, chap. 1 verses 1-10 at 27:45. Link to A Whole Heart: The Gospel http://youtu.be/jpaq_DPW0JM Paul's resume chap. 1 verse 11 to chap. 2 verse 3 goes from 28:00 to 32:00. Paul at the Jerusalem Council Acts 15 at about 32:00 to 34:00. Not eating with Gentiles chap. 2 verses 10 thru 15, 34:00 to 38:00, also refer to Acts 10. Justification by faith goes all the way back to the Garden discussed at the 38:00 minute mark. Chapter 3 Cain and the works of our hands at 41:15. Galatians 3:15 and Genesis 3:15 with The Promise at 45:15. Abraham obeys commands is at about 46:15. Galatians chap. 3 verses 18 to 23 about 49:15 to 50:00 Good things tutors teach don't go away - the New Covenant 50:00 Link to New Covenant video A Whole Heart" The New Covenant http://youtu.be/BT050ZQcHpk Chapter 4 starts at about 53:00 slavery to elementary principles, not the Law. Link to our video Whole Bible Objections: Paul Says It's Okay, Can't Do, It's a Curse http://youtu.be/7HG9392Dfvw Seasons, months and years not in Law - 55:60 Link to video Whole Bible Objections: Paul Says It's Okay, Can't Do, It's a Curse http://youtu.be/7HG9392Dfvw for Paul's identity 56:45. Hagar and Sarah is at about 58:15. Chapter 5 at 01:01:15, Freedom in Christ, key verse 4. Link to video Whole Bible Applications: Circumcision is http://youtu.be/hgpeQfzbs0 Verse 6 of chap. 5 - if you think circumcision (your own effort) will get you something, that is the problem 01:03:44. Chap. 5 verse 12 be really righteous and go the whole way 01:05:45. Chap. 5 verse 18 we never were under the law. Law is in the heart, and we have always been under grace 01:06:15. Chap. 5 verse 22 fruit of the Spirit at 01:07:45. Link to video Whole Bible Blessings: Straightens, Practice, Universal http://youtu.be/pULQjWqYTPE Chapter 6 is at 01:11:00. Link to video A Whole God: Jesus Is God http://www.youtu.be/R0xhRq1BrJA

Second in a series of four videos on the whole book of Romans, Bruce S. Bertram from The Word of God Ministries and http://www.wholebible.com takes a whole Bible look at chapters 5 through 8 with an eye toward explaining the way Paul looks at the Law of Moses. Far from being a worn out, old way of doing things, that God didn't mean in the first place, Paul presents the Law in very positive terms. He points the way to the manner of living the Law with love and the Spirit. There are many people who misunderstand the book, and try to use it to get rid of the Law, which man has been trying to do since the Garden. Others, many in the Messianic movement, cannot adequately explain the Law in context with teachings such as these, which usually leads to throwing the New Testament away. We think that Paul's teachings line up very well with the rest of the Word, if they are properly understood in the context of that Word. Below is a list of time marks as hyperlinks so you can skip to particular sections as you have need. We've also put in links to some of our other videos that help explain further some of the issues raised. 2:15 chapter 5 verses 1-5 3:15 chapter 5 verses 6-11 3:30 video link A Whole Body: The Nicolaitans http://youtu.be/T60cA3TYHUk 5:45 chapter 1 verse 16 7:45 hearers of the law 9:00 chapter 3 review 10:00 chapter 4 review 10:15 video link Whole Bible Applications: Circumcision http://youtu.be/hgpeQfzbBs0 12:00 chapter 5 verses 12-14 14:45 chapter 5 verses 15-17 16:00 chapter 5 verses 18-21 18:00 chapter 6 verses 1-6 19:45 chapter 6 verses 7-14 22:30 New Covenant Jeremiah chapter 31 verses 31-34 23:40 video link Whole Bible Objections: Works of Law Are Bad, Not Under Law http://youtu.be/2psYFGDvX-U 28:45 video link to The Whole Picture: Which Law, What Works, Where Grace? http://youtu.be/nvR2YUAkxjQ 29:00 video link to Whole Bible Objections: Civil, Ceremonial, Moral http://youtu.be/6YMq_XwUT1I 30:44 chapter 6 verses 19-23 33:39 "law delivered by angels but not followed" 33:59 chapter 7 verses 1-2 34:40 Isaac and Rebekah marriage 35:00 chapter 7 verse 3 35:50 chapter 7 verses 4-6 39:00 chapter 7 verses 7-10 40:10 chapter 7 verses 11-12 40:29 chapter 7 verses 13-15a 41:59 chapter 7 verse 15 42:30 chapter 7 verses 16-18 43:00 chapter 7 verses 18-23 44:00 chapter 7 verses 23-25 45:10 chapter 8 verses 1-5 46:20 chapter 8 verses 6-9 47:20 Genesis 3 verse 6 video link to Whole Bible Applications: Food http://youtu.be/1XE4uxt1fj0 video link to Whole Bible Objections: Works of the Law Are Bad, Not Under Law http://youtu.be/2psYFGDvX-U 52:00 chapter 8 verses 12-13 52:59 chapter 8 verses 14-17 53:39 Matthew 10 verse 34 53:59 chapter 8 verses 18-26 55:20 chapter 8 verses 27-30 56:50 chapter 8 verses 31-39

The Word of God Ministries and http://www.wholebible.com presents Bruce S. Bertram with a Whole Bible look at the Book of Romans, chapters 1 through 4. Many believers who have discovered that all of the Bible (including the Law) is for all His people are troubled by some of Paul's writings. It appears that Paul wrote some contradictory ideas concerning the Law compared with other parts of Scripture. Many so-called Christians think that Paul converted to Christianity and immediately began changing Words that could not be changed. Partly this is from deliberate misinterpretation and application. Paul's views and God's views of the Law are identical. So we are putting together some commentary/preaching type videos explaining how Paul is not so different from our Father. His teachings have just been so layered up with all sorts of tradition and errant theology that it makes them hard to see clearly. If we just read Paul's words the way they were supposed to be read (the plain meaning), interpretation problems will clear right up. We hope these videos will help clear things up for you too. This video covers Romans chapters one through four. Below is a list of time marks (that are hyperlinks) with associated verses in case you want to skip to a certain point. There are three other videos covering the rest of Romans with four chapters in each video. Also we have links to other videos explaining certain concepts further. The Father bless your study of His plain and easy to understand Words of Life. Link to our video A Whole Heart: The Gospel http://youtu.be/jpaq_DPW0JM 8:45 chap. 1 verses 18-22 10:59 chap. 1 verses 24-32 14:44 chap. 2 verses 1-11 21:29 chap. 2 verse 12 21:59 chap. 2 verse 13 22:30 chap. 2 verses 14-15 22:59 Jeremiah chapter 31 verses 31-34 25:15 chap. 2 verses 17-24 26:30 chap. 2 verses 25 to end Link to our video Whole Bible Applications: Circumcision http://youtu.be/hgpeQfzbBs0 28:45 chap. 3 verses 1-8 30:44 chap. 3 verses 9-18 32:15 chap. 3 verses 19-20 Link to our video The Whole Picture: Faith http://youtu.be/qqEc20y_5_Q 37:30 chap. 3 verse 21 38:30 chap. 3 verses 22-26 40:15 chap. 3 verse 27 44:00 chap. 3 verse 28 43:30 chap. 4 verses 1-6 44:45 chap. 4 verses 7-9 45:15 chap. 4 verse 10 45:45 chap. 4 verse 11 46:30 Genesis 26:5 47:15 chap. 4 verses 13-15 50:00 chap. 4 verse 16 Link to our video A Whole Faith: The Promise http://youtu.be/EmXBgQO8yoE 52:00 chap. 4 verses 17-25

In this video Bruce Bertram from The Word of God Ministries and http://www.wholebible.com gives his opinion answering the question: Why did Jesus pick these seven congregations for specific letters out of all the others at the time? The answer may lie in their proximity to Constantinople and the taking over of Christianity by the emperor Constantine to make it the state religion. The (satanic) empire strikes back at believers. But instead of defeating believers, Rome just co-opted the movement for a time. The church was born; believers lost even though they appeared to have won, but the rebellion of believers continues. The church sells out, the Nicolaitans take over, but the battle of the Kingdom continues and we will ultimately win if we just persevere in our testimony of Jesus and obedience to the Word. Apologies if you noted that the address of the previous video was at Youtube. We moved our videos from there, so the Rumble address is https://rumble.com/v1gckxt-a-whole-bible-look-at-revelation-1-2-and-3-there-is-no-church-in-the-bible.html

Bruce Bertram of The Word of God Ministries and http://www.wholebible.com delves into the letters to the seven congregations of Revelation 1 through 3. This first video gives some background and church history like you've probably never heard it before. From the resurrection of our Messiah to about 325 A.D. Jesus believers were under persecution from both Jews and Gentiles, especially because the Jesus believers were caught up in the rebellions of the Jews against the Romans. Why did believers get persecuted along with the Jews? Because in every way the believers were following the Torah or what is now known as the Old Testament. It was difficult to tell the Jews apart from the believers because they followed the same holidays, ate the same food, and even sacrificed at the temple (while it was still around). As the believers (Jew and Gentile) increased, factions developed. One of these were the power-grabbers we think were the Nicolaitans. They wanted to control the believers (or "rule over the laity") often from good motives (such as stamping out heretical doctrine) but as time when on more often from just wanting to rule. Much like the rabbis in Judaism, eventually these Nicolaitans (priests, popes, bishops, and so on) got the control they desired. A big victory for the Nicolaitans was achieved when Constantine in 325 A.D. made Christianity the official religion of the Roman empire. This we can call the birth of the church. Links in the video: A Whole Body: A New Thing? https://youtu.be/1VijJzlZZrg Our book Whole Bible Christianity is at http://www.wholebible.com/Whole_Bible... A Whole Body: The Nicolaitans https://youtu.be/T60cA3TYHUk Our website http://www.wholebible.com

A startling statement perhaps, but we here at The Word of God Ministries are not afraid to make it. We stand on His Word, and it's important to understand that many churches do not, and therefore have abdicated any authoritative position they would have had if they had stayed with the Word. Second in a series on Revelation 1, 2 & 3, Bruce Bertram continues making the connections between church reality and a Bible picture that is much different. Before we get much further into the letters to the seven congregations we need to realize that Jesus is talking about the church in a much different way than most people think. The church is blinded to the identity of groups like the Nicolaitans because they do not realize that, in the words of Pogo, "we have met the enemy, and he is us." The present day church has duplicated many of the mistakes Jesus is identifying in the seven congregations. But the church (in general) continues to make them because they do not want to admit their faults, repent, and be cleansed. They (in general) are blocking the way into the Kingdom while refusing to enter themselves. We do not need to fear them or even pay attention. We just need to concentrate on God's Word, take it in and do it in spite of the admonitions coming from those who want to rule over the laity.