Revelation 2:15

DailyBibleStudy.Org

15 So [houto] hast [echo] thou [su] also [kai] them that hold [krateo] the doctrine [didache] of the Nicolaitans, [Nikolaites] which thing [hos] I hate. [miseo]    KJV-Interlinear

15 'Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.    NASB

The Nicolaitans, are also mentioned in Rev. 2:6.

Nicolaitanism represents immorality and wickedness. The letter to Pergamum links Nicolaitanism with Balaam's false teaching that led Israel astray. The deeds of the Nicolaitans involved sensual temptations leading to sexual immorality and eating things sacrificed to idols, Rev. 2:14, without regard for the offense of such behavior, Rom 14:1-15:3.  

The eating of sacrificed things to idols, represents the practice of normal daily routines that are objectionable in Christianity.  Things such as homosexuality, pursuing alternative lifestyles, pursuing the many categories of sin, and it certainly includes the reluctance of obedience to Christ’s mandates.

Nicolaitanism attempted an ethical compromise with heathenism.Nicolaitans lived lives of unrestrained indulgence and abandoned themselves to pleasure, leading a life of self entertainment, self-indulgence, and indifference to truth.

Pergamum tolerated the behavior, unlike the Ephesians who did not.And for that, the Lord commended the Ephesians, but lodged his complaint against Pergamum.  

There were those who would rather compromise their Christian principles and get along with the corrupting influences around them.This is not limited to engaging in a carousing social life, but it also includes agreeing with the popular beliefs of that current time.

In our day, that would mean trying to please everyone by forfeiting ones principles, by being politically correct, by not rocking the boat, by agreeing with anti-Christian beliefs.  Likewise it would include not studying or practicing ones faith, because it might offend someone. 

It would also include caving in, to the requests of unbelievers who want you to include their beliefs, which is nothing more than allowing the wolf to enter in among the sheep, just to be polite.

But a good shepherd does not allow enemies of the flock, anywhere near the flock.Doing unto others, is a social courtesy, not an invitation to evil.

The Nicolaitans followed the idea that the local pagan lifestyle could effectively be integrated into Christian principles without repercussions. Such is not true.

This applies to all social, moral and spiritual standards that are established in the Bible.

By tolerating anti-Christian ethics and beliefs and refusing to exercise church discipline in refusing to pursue them in ones life, the church shared in the guilt, which brings the Lord's judgment onto everyone.

Two subscription options to receive these daily studies everyday via e-mail, are available here.

Previous Page

Table of Contents

Donation

Next Page

Now is the time to post a prayer.