“…So you also have those who adhere to the teachings of the Nicolaitans, which I hate. Repent…” (Rev. 2:15,16).
The “Teaching of the Nicolaitans”, in other words “the teaching of Balaam”, is one of the most insidious devilish teachings. It first appeared in the days of Moses.
…Israel is approaching the cherished goal of its forty-year journey, to the land of Canaan. But, on his way there is a serious obstacle in the person of the Moabite king Balak. The king is well aware that he cannot defeat Israel by military force. And he goes to the trick.
At the same time, in Mesopotamia, there lives a man, a prophet, who is widely known for the fact that his words will surely come true. His name is Valaam. Whom Balaam blesses, he is blessed. And whoever he curses, he will inevitably be cursed. Undoubtedly, God communicated with this person in some way and for some reason. The Bible says nothing about this.
The Moabite king Balak sends his noble ambassadors to Balaam and invites him to come and curse Israel for a very substantial reward. “Perhaps,” he says, “then I will be able to strike him and drive him out of the earth.” The prophet is not averse to receiving a royal reward, and comes to Balak, but cannot curse Israel, because God blesses them.
After several unsuccessful attempts, Balaam, as it is written, "returns to his land." This is where the story of Balaam and Balak almost ends in the book of Numbers.
However, from other passages of Scripture it becomes clear that this hired false prophet did his dirty work after all. And brought trouble to the whole nation of Israel. How? He gave the Moabite king one very cunning advice, something like this: “Israel cannot be cursed. God bless him. And you will not overcome Israel in any way, because God protects them. To overcome Israel, Israel must be made to sin against their God. God will turn away from sinful Israel, and you will be able to defeat him…”.
“But how to make Israel sin against their God?” asked King Balak. “Send your beauties to him,” answered the cunning sage. “Let them tempt the Israeli men so that mass debauchery begins, and then God will turn away from them. You won’t even need to fight. God Himself will strike them ...”
Reading the Bible: “And Israel dwelt in Shittim, and the people began to commit fornication with the daughters of Moab, and they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate their sacrifices and bowed down to their gods. And Israel cleaved to Baal Peor. And the wrath of the Lord was kindled against Israel."(Numbers ch. 25)
So, the devilish advice of the false prophet worked one hundred percent. The "missionaries" of the king of Moab brilliantly coped with the task of their master. And this case itself has become a classic of world politics. Various governments and special services are still learning from the false prophet Balaam in deceit and deceit.
“Are you well, handsome,” the charming native asks languidly. “Oh!” moaned the Israelite, stupefied by lust, with happiness. “And our gods gave you all this. Wine was given by the god of wine, meat - by the god of fertility. And our good god Baal-Pegor gave me to you. You should bow to them ... ", caressing, the beauty continues to squeal. And the Israelite went to the altar and to the statue of Baal, like an ox to slaughter and a knee to shoot ...
An entire nation went mad in an instant. After forty years of traveling through the dead desert, meeting with tender, pomaded, supple beauties, treating them to wine and meat, became an unbearable test for many Israelites. Balaam knew what he was talking about!
Thousands of men rushed "over the fence." The situation got out of control. Moses was powerless. Sin spread through the camp at the speed of a hurricane, acting brazenly, openly, and already covered the elite of the nation. Thus, “the head of the generation of Simeon”, on a white day, brought the Midianite woman into his tent for sin, brazenly marching with her past the tabernacle of the meeting, past Moses himself, who was praying and weeping at the entrance to the shrine ...
A critical turning point has arrived. If such an act of the head of the people remained without a proper response, and the pagan priestesses of love would rush straight into the camp of Israel. And behind them, the army of the king of Midian stood at the ready, killing and subjugating and plundering Israel, left without God's protection. Evil Balak with his general staff was already rubbing his hands, anticipating easy rich prey.
Some kind of sign, gesture, exclamation was urgently needed, capable of shaking the people, bringing them out of the hypnosis and stupor in which they fell. And such a sign was given. We read: “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, seeing this, got up from the midst of society, and took his spear in his hand, and followed the Israelite into the bedroom, and pierced both of them, the Israelite and the woman in her womb ...”.(Num.25:6-8)
It was a really strong gesture. And - the people woke up, and - came to their senses! "What are we doing? We are perishing… The Lord is already striking us…”. “And those who died from the defeat were twenty-four thousand”. (Num. 25:9). But after the decisive act of Phinehas, the people came to their senses. And if he thought too much, then the Lord stopped the defeat. "... and the defeat of the children of Israel ceased."
The losses of the people were colossal. Twenty-four thousand died from the plague alone, which came with the depraved Midianites. Nobody knew the exact number of deaths. When everything calmed down, a general census of the people was needed to assess the scale of the losses. Snake Valaam, what have you done!
Speaking humanly, the young man Phinehas, with one blow, nailed to the ground a traitor and an enemy spy, and this was the daughter of the prince of Midian, oh - what kind of women did the Midianites use in the operation. So Phinehas literally saved the nation. Therefore, I received special blessings from God. The young man Phinehas, without further ado, in an instant confused all the cards of Balaam and Balak. How angry they must have been. But - not for long, because soon they were overtaken by a just retribution. (Num. 31:8).
The Apostle Peter writes that the prophet Balaam was seduced by the money of the Moabite king and turned into a false prophet (2Peter 2:15). And also the Apostle Jude (11). And about the fact that Balaam taught Balak to lead the Israelites into sin, and how exactly, the Lord Himself speaks in Revelation. (Rev. 2:14).
Today, some people, not knowing the Bible, reading the story of Balaam and considering the act of Phinehas, twist their noses: “But how could he do this? I can't believe this God... And others, demonstrating, well, a complete misunderstanding of the meaning, even invented a special derogatory term “Pineosomania”.
What can be said about this? One thing: the “Pineosomania” of these people is from their misunderstanding. They did not understand what they read. But on the other hand, they were condemned. It remains to be hoped that prudence will still prevail in these people.
AND GOD SEPARATED GOOD FROM EVIL...
“And the Lord said to Moses: “Be at enmity with the Midianites, and strike them, for they have dealt with you with hostility in their deceit ...”(Numbers 25:17,18).
How to understand these words? From God - enmity?
Not enmity from God, but salvation. God then placed enmity between Israel and Midian in order to preserve Israel. Any other than hostile attitude of Israel toward Midian would inevitably lead to a repetition of the tragedy.
Let us remember how in Eden God said to the serpent-Satan: “And I will put enmity between you and between your wife…”. With these words, God separated good from evil, put a clear boundary between them. Good and evil will not be together, because they are hostile, mutually exclusive. And this is from God. And this is the salvation of people. Poison can not be mixed into healthy food.
The attitude of the man of God toward sinful deeds must be sharply negative, militantly hostile. “The teaching of the Nicolaitans I hate,” said the Lord.
Is it possible to imagine a stronger word than "HATE"? Probably not. And the Lord uses this very word twice when He speaks about the "teaching of the Nicolaitans."
How else should Christ express himself so that His disciples would understand that good deeds should not be confused with evil ones?
The “Teaching of the Nicolaitans” is when you can both serve God and have fun with Baal… Christ hates such a “faith”, do you hear, believers?
The teachings of the Nicolaitans are not some separate faith, sect, denomination. This is a spirit, a point of view, an opinion that allows certain liberties in the fulfillment of God's Commandments. How does a person live? Does he believe that it is necessary to live strictly according to the commandments of God, or how did the ancient Israelites not believe that along with the worship of Yahweh, one can bow to Baal-Pegor? This, the second, is the teaching of the Nicolaitans, or the teaching of the false prophet Balaam, which The Lord hates.
The "Teaching of the Nicolaitans" is not a formulated religious theory, teaching, doctrine. The “Teaching of the Nicolaitans” is a form of reasoning, a way of thinking, a system of views in which a person serving God simultaneously admits the possibility of doing deeds, deeds that contradict God's Commandments. The "Teaching of the Nicolaitans" is directly connected with the way of life, with practical deeds, the actions of a person.
The "Teaching of the Nicolaitans" confuses the sinful with the righteous, the pure with the impure. As a result, the holy is defiled, the righteous becomes sinful, the pure becomes impure.
The Spirit of God dictated to the prophets in ancient times: "Those who love the Lord, hate evil!" “I hate criminal business; it will not stick to me. The corrupted heart will be removed from me; evil I will not know." “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and an evil way and a deceitful mouth I hate."(Ps. 96:10) (Ps. 100:3,4). (Prov. 8:13).
The law of Christ is a higher spiritual level than the law of Moses. If the law of Moses forbade doing anything sinful, then the law of Christ forbids even thinking about it. “Finally, brethren (my), whatever is true, whatever is honest, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is glorious, whatever is virtue and praise, think about that.”(Philippians 4:8).
The ancient Israelites on the plains of Moab did not at all renounce the worship of Yahweh. They had no such thoughts. They “simply” considered that, along with the worship of Yahweh, it is sometimes possible to bow to Baal-Pegor. “What's wrong with that? We do not leave our God,” they probably thought, not understanding, or rather, not wanting to understand their error.
Among the believers of God, there are many who imitate the way of thinking of those ancient self-deceivers. The insidious devilish advice of Balaam, directed against God's people, is still valid today. We read Revelation to John: “... But I have little against you, because you have there the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to lead the children of Israel into temptation, so that they eat idolater and commit adultery. So you have those who adhere to the teachings of the Nicolaitans, which I hate. Repent…”.(Revelation 2 ch).
As in ancient times, Balaam's teaching is progressing today. Truth and lies are mixed everywhere. The righteous is diluted with the sinful all the time. This teaching sticks to everyone like sticky glue. Probably, today it is difficult to find a believer who, to one degree or another, would not be fascinated by something from the “doctrine of the Nicolaitans.” This infection penetrates into all the cracks. But the merciful Lord gives the opportunity to repent.
Firmness, adherence to principles, uncompromising attitude in matters of righteousness. This is the teaching of Christ. Blessed is he who does not deviate from it.
“Behold, I come like a thief: blessed is the one who watches and keeps his clothes, so that he does not go naked and that they do not see his shame.” (Rev. 16:15).
The Nicolaitans were a group that corrupted God's people by presenting them with a compromise with the culture of their time.An early identification of the Nicolaitans is found in the early Church Fathers. But in their description and their opinion was divided.
Some described the Nicolaitans as followers of Nicholas of Antioch, a proselyte chosen from among the seven to serve as a deacon (Acts 6:5). According to this theory, Nicholas fell away from the true faith and carried away many believers with him.
According to others, although the Nicolaitans got their name from Nicholas, Nicholas himself was not a heretic, he was simply misunderstood and his teachings perverted. While it is possible that the church fathers were right in associating the Nicolaitans with Nicholas of Antioch (there are cases in history when church leaders fell into heresy), this is more like trying to find some name in Scripture to identify the sect. On the other hand, the name Nicholas was quite common, and perhaps the fault of the Antiochian was only that his name was the same as that of the contemptible heretic. But on the whole, in their description of the doctrines and actions of the Nicolaitans, the Church Fathers are unanimous.
Irenaeus (140-202) speaks of the Nicolaitans that they lived "indulgence in unbridled lusts." Hippolytus says that Nicholas was one of the seven, that he "departed from the true teaching and had inculcated habits of indifference to food and life." In the "Apostolic Constitutions" (6.8), the Nicolaitans are characterized as "shameless in uncleanness." Clement of Alexandria says that they "indulged in pleasures like goats ... and led a life indulging their weaknesses and vices ... their soul falls into a quagmire of vice, for they follow their own teachings about the benefits of pleasures." But he defends Nicholas of Antioch against all accusations, stating that his words that "the body must be reviled" were perverted. By this, Nikolai allegedly meant that the body must be suppressed; heretics, however, perverted its meaning, interpreting them in such a way that a person can “shamelessly, at will, dispose of his body.” They perverted the words of Nicholas "the flesh should not be spared" ... and his words began to be followed directly and without reasoning: the followers of his heresy indulged in shameless debauchery.
It is clear that the Nicolaitans preached immorality. Ignatius remarks in his long epistle the following: "Also avoid the Nicolaitans (falsely so called), voluptuaries and slanderers."
After condemning the Ebionites, Irenaeus turned the pen of criticism against the Nicolaitans. The Nicolaitans taught that only a sinner can receive grace from God, therefore, in order to receive greater grace, one should sin more. In confirmation of their true holiness, the Nicolaitans pointed out that they “miraculously” healed much more actively than the apostles.
Tertullian wrote: “Christ says that Balaam taught Balak to tempt the children of Israel. Read the story of Balaam, and you will see that, on the advice of Balaam, the people of Israel were led into sin: ”, i.e. they were caught in a trap and slyly caught in the net. So the people of God mixed with pagan daughters, which ended in tragedy for them. The Nicolaitans taught that you can eat anything, as long as you like it. And Christ says: “I hate this doctrine. Repent." Get back to the basics of the Word of God! God has clearly stated in His Word what can and cannot be eaten! We don't need to add anything to that."
We read some essays on the history of the Nicolaitans in the works of Eusebius: “At the same time, there was - for a very short time - the so-called heresy of the Nicolaitans; it is also mentioned in the Revelation of John. Her followers boasted that Nicholas was one of the deacons, companions of Stephen, appointed by the apostles to minister to the poor.
Victorinius described the Nicolaitans as follows: "The Nicolaitans, acting under the name of Nicholas, came up with a heresy, according to which the idolater could be accepted in writing, and every adulterer received cleansing and rest on the eighth day."
Another attempt to identify the Nicolaitans is quite popular in some theological circles. In this case, attention is given to the meaning of the name "Nicolaitans" (νικᾷ and λαόν meaning "conquer, conquer" and "people" respectively), and the opinion is put forward that this group oppressed the rank and file members of the church, developing a complex system of church hierarchy. However, this explanation is more defined by modern concepts and there is no evidence that this was a matter in the first century. It should be noted that etymology is very often dangerous for determining the true meaning of the term. Moreover, there is nothing in the text itself to support such an understanding.
We find the solution in the identification of the Nicolaitans with the "teaching of Balaam" (Rev. 2:14-15). On the one hand, we have every reason to believe that Nicholas was a real person, on the other hand, as many rabbis taught, the name Nicholas is the Greek equivalent of the Jewish Balaam (Νικολαΐτης is composed of νικᾷ + λαόν, just like Βαλαάυ, .e בִּלְעָם, composed of בְּלַם + אָם, “destroyed, swallowed up, conquered” + “people”).
It is quite possible that this is a play on words: the followers of a certain Nicholas taught the same thing as Balaam of the Old Testament. And we see how this interpretation is most consistent with the text and situation of the first century.
John identifies Balaam's teaching with two problems: "they ate things offered to idols" and "they committed adultery." The early church struggled constantly with the problem of compromise with paganism (1 Cor. 8-10; Acts 15:20, 29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:12-20; Heb. 13:4; Numbers 25:1-18).
The Nicolaitans were a group that corrupted God's people by presenting them with a compromise with the culture of their time. Instead of worshiping God and Him alone, they assumed it was acceptable for a Christian to participate in patriotic ceremonies (holidays associated with emperor worship). It is possible that as part of these ceremonies, or as a separate area of compromise, they allowed adultery and prostitution.
The Nicolaitans encouraged Christians to compromise with the world. It was an attempt to establish a reasonable compromise between the established customs of Greco-Roman society and the preservation of as many Christian norms of life as possible. This new teaching of the Nicolaitans most of all affected the upper strata of society, for it was they who would have to give up a lot if they had to observe all Christian norms.
While the issues themselves may differ, similar compromises threaten the modern church. Every society has its own "idols" and very often the members of the society are expected to worship these "idols" or imitate the traditions of the society. "Nicolaites" are found among us today. And although they have different names, their essence is the same: a compromise with the world.
The Nicolaitans are mentioned in the Bible in Revelation 2:6
“However, it is good in you that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate” and in Revelation 2:15 “So you also have the teachings of the Nicolaitans, which I hate.”
According to one version, the Nicholas got their name from the name of Nicholas - a proselyte from Antioch, one of the seven ministers of the Jerusalem church: Acts 6:5 “And this proposal was pleasing to the whole assembly; And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmen, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert from the Gentiles.
According to another version, the name of the Nicolaitans sect is a symbolic name, which is a translation into Greek of the Jewish name Balaam. Name Balaam translated from Hebrew as "corruptor" or "destroyer of the people", and the name Nicholas translated from Greek as "winner of the people".
Over time, the sect of the Nicolaitans was transformed into the sect of the Gnostics. “Gnosticism understood salvation exclusively as spiritual knowledge, for which the external behavior of a person, his actions have no meaning; true knowledge, according to the Gnostics, in itself makes a person perfect.
"Nicolaitans" in the first centuries of our era was called a group of false teachers, whose adherents were common among Christians who believed from pagans: in particular in Ephesus ( Revelation 2:6) and Pergamon ( Revelation 2:14-15) churches.
In opposition to the Biblical doctrine of holiness and temperance, they preached the doctrine of "permissive freedom in Christ."
Thus, they declared idol sacrifices (permitting the consumption of food sacrificed to idols) and fornication (that is, various kinds of sexual fornication) to be permissible.
The Bible equates the teachings of the Nicolaitans with the teachings of Balaam, who led Israel into sin by allowing God's people to eat food offered to idols and commit fornication.
Regarding the retribution for such deeds and false teaching, the New Testament says the following:
2 Peter 2:1-3, 12-15 “There were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will introduce pernicious heresies and, denying the Lord who redeemed them, will bring swift destruction upon themselves.
And many will follow their wickedness, and through them the way of truth will be reviled.
And out of covetousness they will deceive you with flattering words; Judgment has long been ready for them, and their destruction does not sleep...
They, like dumb animals, led by nature, born to capture and extermination, slandering what they do not understand, will be destroyed in their corruption.
They will receive the recompense of iniquity, for they place pleasure in everyday luxury; shameful and defiling, they delight in their deceptions, feasting with you.
Their eyes are filled with lust and incessant sin; they deceive unasserted souls; their heart is accustomed to covetousness: these are the sons of damnation.
Leaving the direct path, they got lost, following in the footsteps of Balaam, the son of Vosorov, who loved the reward of the unrighteous..
Jude 11:4, 7-8, 11 “For certain people have crept in, destined from of old for this condemnation, ungodly, turning the grace of our God into an occasion for debauchery and rejecting the only Sovereign God and our Lord Jesus Christ ...
As Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, like them who committed fornication and went after other flesh, having undergone the punishment of eternal fire, are set as an example, so it will be with these dreamers who defile the flesh, reject the authorities and slander the high authorities ...
Woe to them, because they follow the path of Cain, indulge in the seduction of bribes, like Balaam, and perish in stubbornness, like Korah..
The Nicolaitans were a group that corrupted God's people by presenting them with a compromise with the culture of their time.
Another attempt to identify the Nicolaitans is quite popular in some theological circles. In this case, attention is paid to the meaning of the name "Nicolaitans" (νικᾷ and λαόν meaning "conquer, conquer" and "people" respectively), and the opinion is put forward that this group oppressed the rank and file members of the church, developing a complex system of church hierarchy. However, this explanation is more defined by modern concepts and there is no evidence that this was a matter in the first century. It should be noted that etymology is very often dangerous for determining the true meaning of the term. Moreover, there is nothing in the text itself to support such an understanding.
We find the solution in the identification of the Nicolaitans with the "teaching of Balaam" (Rev. 2:14-15). On the one hand, we have every reason to believe that Nicholas was a real person, on the other hand, as many rabbis taught, the name Nicholas is the Greek equivalent of the Jewish Balaam (Νικολαΐτης is composed of νικᾷ + λαόν, just like Βαλαάυ, .e בִּלְעָם, composed of בְּלַם + אָם, “destroyed, swallowed up, conquered” + “people”).
It is quite possible that this is a play on words: the followers of a certain Nicholas taught the same thing as Balaam of the Old Testament. And we see how this interpretation is most consistent with the text and situation of the first century.
John identifies Balaam's teaching with two problems: "they ate things offered to idols" and "they committed adultery." The early church struggled constantly with the problem of compromise with paganism (1 Cor. 8-10; Acts 15:20, 29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:12-20; Heb. 13:4; Numbers 25:1-18).
The Nicolaitans were a group that corrupted God's people by presenting them with a compromise with the culture of their time. Instead of worshiping God and Him alone, they assumed it was acceptable for a Christian to participate in patriotic ceremonies (holidays associated with emperor worship). It is possible that as part of these ceremonies, or as a separate area of compromise, they allowed adultery and prostitution.
The Nicolaitans encouraged Christians to compromise with the world. It was an attempt to establish a reasonable compromise between the established customs of Greco-Roman society and the preservation of as many Christian norms of life as possible. This new teaching of the Nicolaitans most of all affected the upper strata of society, for it was they who would have to give up a lot if they had to observe all Christian norms.
While the issues themselves may differ, similar compromises threaten the modern church. Every society has its own "idols" and very often the members of the society are expected to worship these "idols" or imitate the traditions of the society. "Nicolaites" are found among us today. And although they have different names, their essence is the same: a compromise with the world.
The Nicolaitans were a group that corrupted God's people by presenting them with a compromise with the culture of their time.
An early identification of the Nicolaitans is found in the early Church Fathers. But in their description and their opinion was divided.
Some described the Nicolaitans as followers of Nicholas of Antioch, a proselyte chosen from among the seven to serve as a deacon (Acts 6:5). According to this theory, Nicholas fell away from the true faith and carried away many believers with him.
According to others, although the Nicolaitans got their name from Nicholas, Nicholas himself was not a heretic, he was simply misunderstood and his teachings perverted. While it is possible that the church fathers were right in associating the Nicolaitans with Nicholas of Antioch (there are cases in history when church leaders fell into heresy), this is more like trying to find some name in Scripture to identify the sect. On the other hand, the name Nicholas was quite common, and perhaps the fault of the Antiochian was only that his name was the same as that of the contemptible heretic. But on the whole, in their description of the doctrines and actions of the Nicolaitans, the Church Fathers are unanimous.
Irenaeus (140-202) speaks of the Nicolaitans that they lived "indulgence in unbridled lusts." Hippolytus says that Nicholas was one of the seven, that he "departed from the true teaching and had inculcated habits of indifference to food and life." In the "Apostolic Constitutions" (6.8), the Nicolaitans are characterized as "shameless in uncleanness." Clement of Alexandria says that they "indulged in pleasures like goats ... and led a life indulging their weaknesses and vices ... their soul falls into a quagmire of vice, for they follow their own teachings about the benefits of pleasures." But he defends Nicholas of Antioch against all accusations, stating that his words that "the body must be reviled" were perverted. By this, Nikolai allegedly meant that the body must be suppressed; heretics, however, perverted its meaning, interpreting them in such a way that a person can “shamelessly, at will, dispose of his body.” They perverted the words of Nicholas "the flesh should not be spared" ... and his words began to be followed directly and without reasoning: the followers of his heresy indulged in shameless debauchery.
It is clear that the Nicolaitans preached immorality. Ignatius remarks in his long epistle the following: "Also avoid the Nicolaitans (falsely so called), voluptuaries and slanderers."
After condemning the Ebionites, Irenaeus turned the pen of criticism against the Nicolaitans. The Nicolaitans taught that only a sinner can receive grace from God, therefore, in order to receive greater grace, one should sin more. In confirmation of their true holiness, the Nicolaitans pointed out that they “miraculously” healed much more actively than the apostles.
Tertullian wrote: “Christ says that Balaam taught Balak to tempt the children of Israel. Read the story of Balaam, and you will see that, on the advice of Balaam, the people of Israel were led into sin: ”, i.e. they were caught in a trap and slyly caught in the net. So the people of God mixed with pagan daughters, which ended in tragedy for them. The Nicolaitans taught that you can eat anything, as long as you like it. And Christ says: “I hate this doctrine. Repent." Get back to the basics of the Word of God! God has clearly stated in His Word what can and cannot be eaten! We don't need to add anything to that."
We read some essays on the history of the Nicolaitans in the works of Eusebius: “At the same time, there was - for a very short time - the so-called heresy of the Nicolaitans; it is also mentioned in the Revelation of John. Her followers boasted that Nicholas was one of the deacons, companions of Stephen, appointed by the apostles to minister to the poor.
Victorinius described the Nicolaitans as follows: "The Nicolaitans, acting under the name of Nicholas, came up with a heresy, according to which the idolater could be accepted in writing, and every adulterer received cleansing and rest on the eighth day."
Another attempt to identify the Nicolaitans is quite popular in some theological circles. In this case, attention is given to the meaning of the name "Nicolaitans" (νικᾷ and λαόν meaning "conquer, conquer" and "people" respectively), and the opinion is put forward that this group oppressed the rank and file members of the church, developing a complex system of church hierarchy. However, this explanation is more defined by modern concepts and there is no evidence that this was a matter in the first century. It should be noted that etymology is very often dangerous for determining the true meaning of the term. Moreover, there is nothing in the text itself to support such an understanding.
We find the solution in the identification of the Nicolaitans with the "teaching of Balaam" (Rev. 2:14-15). On the one hand, we have every reason to believe that Nicholas was a real person, on the other hand, as many rabbis taught, the name Nicholas is the Greek equivalent of the Jewish Balaam (Νικολαΐτης is composed of νικᾷ + λαόν, just like Βαλαάυ, .e בִּלְעָם, composed of בְּלַם + אָם, “destroyed, swallowed up, conquered” + “people”).
It is quite possible that this is a play on words: the followers of a certain Nicholas taught the same thing as Balaam of the Old Testament. And we see how this interpretation is most consistent with the text and situation of the first century.
John identifies Balaam's teaching with two problems: "they ate things offered to idols" and "they committed adultery." The early church struggled constantly with the problem of compromise with paganism (1 Cor. 8-10; Acts 15:20, 29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:12-20; Heb. 13:4; Numbers 25:1-18).
The Nicolaitans were a group that corrupted God's people by presenting them with a compromise with the culture of their time. Instead of worshiping God and Him alone, they assumed it was acceptable for a Christian to participate in patriotic ceremonies (holidays associated with emperor worship). It is possible that as part of these ceremonies, or as a separate area of compromise, they allowed adultery and prostitution.
The Nicolaitans encouraged Christians to compromise with the world. It was an attempt to establish a reasonable compromise between the established customs of Greco-Roman society and the preservation of as many Christian norms of life as possible. This new teaching of the Nicolaitans most of all affected the upper strata of society, for it was they who would have to give up a lot if they had to observe all Christian norms.
While the issues themselves may differ, similar compromises threaten the modern church. Every society has its own "idols" and very often the members of the society are expected to worship these "idols" or imitate the traditions of the society. "Nicolaites" are found among us today. And although they have different names, their essence is the same: a compromise with the world.
In the book of Revelation we see that the Lord hates the teaching of the Nicolaitans. “So you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I hate” (Rev. 2:15). What kind of teaching is this? Today there are two points of view on this issue. In this article I will give both, and you decide which one is more like the truth. God has given you the Holy Spirit, which will give you discernment.
First point of view.
The teaching of the Nicolaitans arose from a certain Nicholas of Antioch, who was one of the seven deacons in Jerusalem, and who had his followers. This group preached immorality and thus corrupted the children of God. It is believed that the Nicolaitans came up with such a heretical doctrine, according to which it was possible to eat food sacrificed to idols, and purification could be obtained only through adultery. They participated in various pagan feasts and holidays. The Nicolaitans taught that it was possible to worship not only God alone, but also the emperor through participation in patriotic ceremonies and holidays. The Nicolaitans encouraged Christians to compromise with this worldly system, which was the essence of their teaching. They taught thus: in order to have dominion over sin, one must first know all the depths of sin. Therefore, they led a very immoral lifestyle, allowing adultery and prostitution. That's the whole point of the first point of view.
Second point of view
We will talk about this point of view in more detail, because there is more information about it on the Internet.
What does the word "Nicolaite" mean? This word comes from two Greek words: “niko” - “niko”, “nikolaity” - “nicolaite”, ”nikao” - “nikao”, which means: “to conquer”. And the Word "lao" - "lao". "Laos" - "laos" means "people", or what it means "laity". Or in other words, “laos” is “church, body”. So, "Nicolait" means: "conquering the laity." From the very meaning of the word "Nicolaite" we see that the Nicolaitans somehow conquered the laity. When the Apostles finished their life journey, after some time one of the most powerful organizations rose up, through which the spirit of Nicolaitism began its activity. The spirit of Nicolaitanism is the spirit of domination and subjugation of the laity (people from the world) not to the Word of God, but the subjugation of the personality and human religious authority, which was established not by God, but by people.
When God makes a person an apostle, pastor, prophet, teacher or evangelist, then he does not have the right to rule over people, but on the contrary, set an example for them with his life and show care and concern for the people of God. The minister must realize that it is God's people who belong to Him and not rule over them. But today we see the opposite. In our time, the dominion of many ministers over the inheritance of God is very firmly established. Today, Nicolaitanism is developing very strongly in Protestantism. In churches, complete total control over people is established, which means that a person without the permission of the pastor cannot even, roughly speaking, “lift a finger”. We know that in some congregations the pastor becomes a kind of door to God. Some even take the words of Christ, who said He is the door to the sheep, and put themselves in the status of Jesus Christ by saying, "I am the door to the church of God." That is, without their blessing, no one can do anything, including the creation of a family, a trip to another city, etc. Instead of bandaging the "wounds" of God's people, feeding healthy spiritual food and caring, they control people in everything. Pastors driven by the spirit of Nicolaitanism are people who take power into their own hands and begin to rule over the people of God. Such "servants" are the Nicolaitans of our time.
Of course, they intertwine all their human doctrines and theories with the Word of God. A very favorite place in the Scriptures of the Nicolaitans are verses that speak of obedience to elders. They very often use them in their teachings, establishing through this their total control over people. Of course, we must obey the elder, the bishop, and the shepherd, who in turn obeys God, has His character, and truly cares for the sheep with love. But the Nicolaitans came into power with selfishness in order to rule over the people. They begin to control everything that is possible in your life. Some of the pastors who are under the influence of the Nicolaitan spirit love you to bring them tithes in no other way than in envelopes with your name and surname, where you work, how much you have, etc. This is done to have control over you, not because God can't bless you if you don't. The apostle Paul and the other apostles never took power over God's people. Only the Holy Spirit can control your life. No person has the right to do this.
Many preachers and pastors look upon the members of their churches as the source of their livelihood. The Nicolaitans believe that the leadership of God should be closely combined with the leadership of man. In some churches, pastors become such mini-dads, and their infallible authority is established. They have such a retinue called "fraternal council", which exposes the pastor as an infallible, inviolable and almost ideal person. The Nicolaitans believe that governance in the church should take place not only through the Word of God and human. Thus, according to the flesh, they began to put into service those people whom they themselves consider it necessary to put, and not the Lord, making people completely accountable to themselves. They also teach that through obedience to them, people will receive the anointing they have. Their favorite Scriptures are those that speak of obedience and obedience. They use them to force people to obey their every teaching and word implicitly. Some pastors today are ordained superior Nicolaitan ministers, not ordained by God. If God put a pastor in the service, then he will never rule over His people, and if he has illegal spiritual power, then this will manifest itself in total control over people. This is the difference between true pastors and hirelings.
So Nicolaitanism is a human system of government in the church. The Nicolaitans put themselves in the place of the Holy Spirit, overthrowing His authority, whether intentionally or not. According to Scripture, we must consult with the Holy Spirit in everything, but the Nicolaitans establish total control in the church in such a way that people must consult with them in everything and cannot do anything without their permission. This is what it means to take the place of the Holy Spirit. This is a devilish doctrine that has entered the church, which God hates. This teaching puts ministers in a special rank, but Scripture tells us that before the Lord we are all equal and redeemed by His precious blood. Didn't Jesus Christ say: “Jesus, having called them, said: You know that the princes of the nations rule over them, and the nobles rule over them; but let it not be so among you: but whoever wants to be great among you, let him be your servant; and whoever wants to be first among you, let him be your slave; for the Son of Man did not come [to] be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:25-28). In Satan's worldly system, rulers rule over subordinates, but there are other laws in the Kingdom of God, and those who do not want to obey them are outside this Kingdom. In the church of Christ there is such a law: “Whoever wants to be great, let him be your servant; and whoever wants to be first, let him be your slave.” But the Nikolaites are not satisfied with this law. They don't want to be servants. They love power and respect.
Jesus Christ never established a hierarchy. We see that our Lord, who is God, never acted as lord over the twelve disciples. He didn't act like He was above Them. It was not the disciples who washed His feet during the supper, but He washed them, thus setting an example.
Paul said, "We might have come with dignity, like Christ's apostles, but we were quiet among you, as a nurse treats her children tenderly." (1 Thess. 2:7). The Nicolaitans take a different view. They are greedy and want to keep their control over everyone. To do this, they established a hierarchical system, where everyone should be accountable to the elder, and he, in turn, to the elder.
Of course, the church must be subordinate to the minister, but to the minister who governs the Church not by his own spirit, not by his own will, but by the teachings of Jesus Christ. If the pastor leads the church according to the teachings of Christ, then the word is true: "Therefore, the rebellious one is disobedient, not to man, but to God, who also gave us his Holy Spirit" (1 Thess. 4:8). But this is true only if the Holy Spirit shepherds the church through him. But if the pastor does not govern the church according to the teachings of Christ, then he cannot say that people are disobedient to God if they do not obey him. Just the opposite happens in this case. The "disobedient" may actually be submissive to God, and therefore resist the pastor's unGodly rule. And it is the Holy Spirit that opens their eyes to his godless rule. But they are called rebels and are quickly disposed of.
Yes, there are bishops, pastors, teachers, etc. in the church, but it is people who should teach the people of God to follow Christ, having personal guidance by the Holy Spirit, and not to rule with their human spirit over the heritage of God. God tells us through the Scriptures, "... as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Rom. 8:14). The children of God are not led by an elder, or a bishop, or a pastor. They are led by the Spirit of God. Who are you led by today?
A shepherd appointed by God will never tell people where to go; what to read and what not to read; which sermons they should listen to and which not; which church to go to fellowship, and which not to go; with whom to communicate, and with whom not. But he, as a brother in Christ, simply tries to help in some matters those who still do not understand something, but do not control it. But the Nicolaitans take the place of Scripture, which says: "I also want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is a husband, and the head of Christ is God." (1 Corinthians 11:3) and insert a whole non-biblical hierarchy between Christ and the husband. Paul clearly said that the head of the wife is the husband, and the head of the husband is Christ, and that's it! What kind of pastor can be his head, and a pastor - a senior pastor, and that a bishop, etc.? It's a delusion. Nowhere did God say that the pastor is the head of the church. It is written clearly and understandably: “And He is the head of the body of the Church” (Col. 1:18), and not a pastor or a bishop. Jesus Christ leads the church through the personal leading of the Holy Spirit and through those who are obedient to His teachings and who are servants of His people, not masters.
Who is a shepherd? This is an ordinary person, an ordinary brother, whom God endows with the talent to patiently and lovingly care for His children. But he is not put in the church instead of Jesus Christ. Nowhere do we see God empowering the shepherd to lead the church of Jesus Christ.
See what Scripture says about seniority among believers. “Who is Pavel? who is Apollos? They are only ministers through whom you have believed, and moreover, as the Lord has given to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God increased; Therefore, the one who plants and the one who waters is NOTHING, but God who makes everything grow” (1 Corinthians 3:5). Do you see what the Apostle Paul says? The planter - the Apostle and the waterer - the pastor is NOTHING. Apostles, pastors, bishops, etc. are NOTHING, i.e. they are not some special anointed ones, which the Nicolaitans have made themselves today. They are ordinary brothers in Christ Jesus who help God's people grow into the spiritual age of Christ and forge a close relationship with Him.
Paul also wrote: “For when one says, “I am Paul,” and another says, “I am Apollo,” are you not carnal? Who is Pavel? who is Apollos? They are only ministers through whom you believed, and moreover, as the Lord has given to each” (1 Corinthians 3:4-5). We see that the Apostles and pastors are just servants who should serve people and nothing more. They do not lead you to spiritual growth, but the Lord. But in some denominations and churches, pastors and bishops have been exalted almost to the level of Christ.
If in your church you need to ask permission from the pastor in everything, where to go and where to go, then this is not right. You must be led by the Holy Spirit. The pastor can only advise, but the decision is up to you. The pastor can also only confirm what the Lord has already revealed to you, but you should never build your life, make any decisions according to the words told to you by the pastor.
The Word of God tells us that there is only one mediator between God and people, and that is Jesus Christ. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Only Jesus Christ can mediate between us and God. No pastor, no matter how anointed, has the right to be an intermediary between the church and God, as well as lord over the church and its head. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself leads His church through His Word, for it is written that all who are led by the Holy Spirit are the sons of God. Jesus Christ rules His church (each individual child of God) through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, not through the leadership of the pastor. The pastor has the right only to look after people and prompt where the Holy Spirit tells him to do it.
If the spirit of Nicolaitism rules in the church, then the teaching of Balaam will definitely be affirmed there. You know, if you have read the Bible, that Balaam had gifts from God, but was greedy. The Nicolaitans make you begin to obey not the words of Jesus Christ, but them. The Holy Spirit leaves such communities where the spirit of Nicolaitanism rules and these communities can no longer be called the Church of Christ. Spirits such as:
1). The spirit of Iscariotism, which is expressed in the love of money. In such communities, they like to talk about money, wealth, prosperity and success, and they also make you bring signed envelopes with tithes.
2). The Spirit of Balaamism found in pastors who have gifts but love money and are ready to release curses on those who do not pay tithes; who love to intimidate those who disagree with them in some way.
3). The spirit of Deathryphism, which manifests itself in rivalry and love for primacy.
4). The spirit of Jezebel, which can often use women who are the "right hand" of the pastor, guiding him and encouraging him to make certain decisions.
5). The Spirit of Antichrist, which opposes Christ in everything, and which is expressed in the fact that the pastor takes the place of Christ, controlling people in everything and becoming their personal guide.
This is what happens in such communities, but most of the people in them are so spiritually blind that they are unable to see all this lawlessness. The whole horror is that when these people come to Christ, He will say to them: “Lord! God! Have we not prophesied in Your name? And was it not in Your name that demons were cast out? And did not many miracles work in Your name? And then I will declare to them: “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of iniquity” (Matthew 7:20-23). If you, as a Christian, are not led by the Holy Spirit, you risk being among those who will be rejected by the Lord. Stop being led by your leaders and pastors. Seek the guidance of God in everything and be obedient to Christ. And if in your “church” it is impossible to be obedient to the teachings of Christ, His leadership and be obedient to the pastor at the same time, then run away from this “church”.
Did Christ say, "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth"? (John 4:24). Do you worship God in the truth of God's Word? If the spirit of Nicolaitanism rules in your community, then this simply cannot be done. When the teaching of Jesus Christ is perverted, it is no longer worship of God in truth. This is worship in the spirit of the Antichrist, in accordance with the teachings of Nicolaitanism. In this case, satanic control is established in the community, and people begin to worship not in the spirit of the truth of the Holy Scriptures, but in the spirit of the Antichrist, which blinds the eyes and hearts of people. Blinded believers will be sure that only they know the full truth, that their church is the most correct, and the pastor is an untouchable anointed one.
If you see that you are in an organized religion where the infallible authority of your pastor is established, then you have Nicolaitanism established and your "church" is not the church of Christ. This is spiritual Babylon, from which it is necessary to leave. Start pursuing the pure Word of God. Strive to return back to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. Have the freedom that Jesus Christ gave you, and do not be subject to the yoke of slavery. (Gal. 5:1).
© Dmitry Mitnitsky
