Hating The Works Of Nicolaitans Is Commended, Not Censured

Rev 2:5
But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Though there was not much written record on the Nicolaitans, some believed it could be a heretical sect started by Nicholas, one of the deacons of the early church. Acts 6:5. Clement of Alexandria said this about their deeds : “They abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats, leading a life of self-indulgence.” It seemed to be a form of antinomianism. (http://www.gotquestions.org/Nicolaitans.html)

The church at Pergamum actually embraced the teachings of the Nicolaitans unlike the church at Ephesus. Rev 2:15. They got no commendation but only censure. Jesus our Lord warned them that unless they repent, they would face the judgment reserved for those who taught false doctrine. Rev 2:16; 19:15.

One thing is for sure : It was an abomination for Jesus our Lord which He hated. Jesus our Lord had warned that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions and that we should not live in dissipation. But modern day hyper grace teachers continually preach that abundant life is an abundance of every good thing in life to be claimed and enjoyed. While the hyper grace teachers need not stress in the wrong premise that their teaching gives a license to sin; their teaching in the “positive” premise that a Christian is once saved always saved and that they need not worry about sin anymore even if they do commit sin is as good as permitting sin.

If Jesus our Lord would commend us for hating the works of such heresy, let no believer condemn us.

Hear what our Lord further commended on our discernment and intolerance for wicked people who taught heresy in Rev 2:2-3 :

“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.”

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