Who Were/Are The Nicolaitans

Rev. 2:6, But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Rev. 2:9, “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a [e]synagogue of Satan.”

Rev. 2:14-15, “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”

Some Bible commentators believe the “Nicolaitans” were a heretical (Jewish) sect who followed the teachings of Nicolas, whose name means “one who conquers the people” who was possibly one of the deacons of the early church mentioned in Acts 6:5. 

The Nicolaitans were obviously apostate, denying the true faith and became part of a group holding “the doctrine of Balaam,” who taught Israel “to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality” (Numbers 22-24). 

Nicolaitans is interpreted to mean “victory over the laity” which the catholic “church” would certainly be proud of. Nicholas, Old Nick, Nike are all synonyms for the devil. The fact that these seven “churches” do not exist anymore, and haven’t for some time, should tell us of the power of false doctrines in the church.

The word Judaizer is mentioned in the New Testament as those who came in to pervert Paul’s true Gospel of Grace apart from the Law. Of course the Jews would not have this. Judaizers were sent or came from the Jerusalem church of which James was head, Acts 15:24 and Gal. 2:4, to instruct the new Gentile converts of Paul to get circumcised, and keep the law of Moses. Paul mentions Judaizers in his epistle to the Galatians. The Judaizers were dealt with in Acts 15:1-21 and Galatians 2:9.

The other thing to know is that Revelation was written to the Jew, about Jews and for Jews. Those seven “churches” in Rev. chapter 2 and 3 are groups of Jewish believers in Jesus as the Messiah. They were dispersed from Jerusalem by the persecution that came from Saul (Paul) the Pharisee who cast his vote to stone Stephen,  Acts 8:1, “Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” And... 1 Peter 1:1, “1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the pilgrims of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.”

Rev. 2:7, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”

Paul testifies that they who Paul is “calling out” into the Body of Christ have ALREADY eaten from the tree of Life.

Connect the dots folks!