IDENTIFY THEM, PLEASE. THE NICOLAITANS!


“Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans” Rev. 2:15 “the deeds of the Nicolaitans” Rev. 2:6

The Book of Revelation is filled with symbols and symbolic representations of persons, events, places and acts.
We would cause more misunderstandings if we translate some of these symbols literally.

The Nicolaitans won’t be an exception. Who are they? Were they literally part of the early church? How do we identify them? What do they do? These are questions begging for answers.

The name ‘Nicolaitans’ is symbolic, meaning ‘Conquering the laity’. Apparently, this group – as the name suggests, claimed some kind of superior status that permitted false teachings which might include idolatry and immorality.

Do we still have similar groups among us today? I think we do. How often we see men and women positioned as God and unreservedly revered and worshipped. We do not so learn of Christ. The path of the sons is humility!

It can be suggested that the writer assumes the readers are familiar with this group. Hence, the probable desire to consider the churches being addressed here. The church of Ephesus (loveless church) and the church in Pergamos (compromising church), have such peculiarities as: absence of love and lack of moral standards.

We might not for a certainty, be able to identify their person but their deeds are a good point of reference. Compromise! It points to us times when men would heap up teachers for themselves in line with what they want to hear.

The doctrines of the Nicolaitans and their deeds are the central points of focus of the texts. Hence, guarding against the doctrines and deeds would mean stamping them out. They keep the truth away from the laity – keeping them in the dark and explaining scriptures to suit their acts.

I challenge you, dear disciple of Christ, to grow in the knowledge of your Lord. Be steadfast in faith – not tossed to and fro by the waves of doctrines flying around.

THE OUTWORKING OF LOVE
“By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us.
And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need,
And shuts up his heart from him,
How does the love of God abide in him?
My little children let us not love in word or in tongue,
But indeed and in truth, and by this we know that we are of the truth,
And shall assure our hearts before him,
For if our hearts condemn us,
God is greater than our hearts, and knows all things.
Beloved, if our hearts does not condemn us,
We have confidence toward God.”
1 John 3: 16 – 21

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