Although we only read about the doctrine and works of the nicolaitans in the book of revelations and that jesus hated their works, the early church fathers have written about the sect of the nicolaitans. Home content index books of the bible revelation nicolaitans. Nicolaitans have drawn a great deal of scholarly debate, because much known about the group still lies in obscurity. He was not pleased with the church at pergamum who held to their teachings. The first time they appear is in gods spiritual assessment of the ephesian church. Two times in the prophetic book of revelation, the name nicolaitans was mentioned.
The apostle john on patmos writing the book of revelation in rev 2. Lets delve into this subject today to see if we can ascertain the identity of this group. Thank you for the interpretive question, according to revelation 2. The adherents were called nicolaitans, nicolaitanes, or nicolaites. He commends them by stating that they hate the works of these people which he. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. This reference is found in a passage of scripture that describes one of the seven churches described in the book of revelation revelation 2. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the nicolaitans, which i. The doctrine of the nicolaitans comes from the teaching of certain groups and individuals who promoted intermixing, or marrying the church with the world. Who were the nicolaitans, and what was their doctrine and. Truths about him and his final victory, that the rest of scripture merely allude to, become clearly visible through revelation about jesus christ see historical and theological themes. Nicolaism also nicholaism, nicolaitism, nicolationism, or nicolaitanism was an early christian sect mentioned twice in the book of revelation of the new testament. Who were the nicolaitans, and what was their doctrine and deeds. While balaam and the nicolaitans have their doctrines, jezebel her teaching, and satan his depths, the lord jesus has the tree of life and the hidden manna.
The nicolaitans, mentioned also in the letter to pergamum revelation 2. The lord commends the ephesian church for hating the deeds of the nicolaitans, whereas he has against the church in pergamos, those who hold to the nicolaitan teachings which he hates. The doctrine and works of the nicolaitans salt of the earth. To the church in pergamum 14 but i have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of balaam, who taught balak to place a stumbling block before the israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the nicolaitans, which i also. Who exactly are the nicolaitans from the book of revelation. Nicolaitans was formed from the aramaic combined with the greek plural ending the basic meaning of nicolaitans, therefore, would be letuseaters. The term nicolaitan was first used in the book of revelation. They were considered heretical by the mainstream church.
Surprisingly little of substance is known concerning the nicolaitans only mentioned in scripture in the book of revelation. Others think that the nicolas mentioned in revelation 2 is the man called nicolas, a proselyte from antioch, ordained a deacon early in the churchs history in acts 6. Now that youve created a bible gateway account, upgrade to bible gateway plus. According to some of the church fathers, the nicolaitans were the followers of nicolas of antioch, who is mentioned in the book of acts. To the one who is victorious, i will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the paradise of god. Notice that they hated and rejected the doctrines, works, and doctrines of the. Yet this you have, you hate the works of the nicolaitans, which i also hate 2. The few references to this heresy in the writings of the church fathers link it to nicolas, one of the seven men appointed to oversee. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the nicolaitans, which i also hate rev.
Nicolaitans encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. But this is the doctrine of the nicolaitans, which christ so unsparingly condemned in the book of revelation. There are two references to the nicolaitans in revelations 2. Nicolaism was an early christian sect mentioned twice in the book of revelation of the new testament. He commends them by stating that they hate the works of these people which he, too, also hates revelation 2. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. Bible gateway plus equips you to answer the toughest questions about faith, god, and the bible with access to a vast digital bible study library. The lord commends the ephesian church for hating the deeds of the nicolaitans, whereas he has against the church in pergamos, those who. Although its not out of the ordinary for god to hate practices of pagan groups, such as the child sacrifice of the canaanites leviticus 20.
The revelation in a jewish context i israel bible center. Who are the nicolaitans mentioned in the book of revelation. Have you ever wondered who the nicolaitans were, mentioned in the book of revelation. Jesus refers to them in the church of ephesus and the church of pergamum. Irenaeus identifies them as followers of nicolas, one of the seven chosen in acts 6, and as men who lead lives of unrestrained indulgence1. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the nicolaitans, which i also hate.
Some bible commentators believe they were a heretical sect who followed the teachings of nicolaswhose name means one who conquers the peoplewho was possibly one of the deacons of the early church mentioned in acts 6. The nicolaitans and church at pergamum were one of the seven churches of revelation that jesus addresses. And how did they make their way into revelation, in history, and possibly found their way into our society today. Antinomians, such as the nicolaitans that are spoken of in the book of revelation, men who had completely misunderstood the gospel and who were virtually teaching, let us do evil that good may come. The adherents were called nicolaitans, nicolaitanes. The book of revelation is the story of the church of god, the body of christ on earth, as it faces the challenges of a world filled with sin, as well as the attacks of satan and his followers.
The name occurs nowhere else in the new testament and nothing is known of this. Nicolaitans followers of nicolas, a sect mentioned in revelation 2. Today, the doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of christ has made gods law of no effect. Ascap, sony atv publishing, epic elite music publishing, latinautor sonyatv, latinautor, and 12 music rights societies show more show less. In the book of revelation, christ spoke twice about a group whom he called the nicolaitans, who are not otherwise mentioned in scripture.
The word nicolaitans appears twice in the scriptures and is found in the book of revelation. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to eve rything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. Doctrine or teaching of the nicolaitans and church government. They may have been identical with those who held the doctrine of balaam. Surprisingly, the nicolaitans are only referenced twice in scripture, both of which are in the book of revelation. Writings of the time say he later came to follow gnostic teachings and became an ascetic, and many followed his new doctrine. Why are the nicolaitans so strongly condemned in revelation. In his message to the church of ephesus, jesus christ says in revelation 2. The book of revelation must never be read in isolation from the. Prophecy, the end times, the book of revelation, how do we know.
The lord jesus hates the works and doctrine of the nicolaitans. What is the doctrine of balaam and of the nicolaitans in. Nicolaitans were one of the heretical sects that plagued the churches at ephesus and at pergamum, according to revelation 2. Now we are going to turn to the second chapter of the book of the revelation, and the title of the sermon this morning is the doctrine of the nicolaitans in our preaching through the bible and through the book and through the revelation, we are come to the third church, the church at pergamos.
The book of revelation first refers to the nicolaitans in the message to the church of ephesus, where we read. They seem to have held that it was lawful to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication, in opposition to the decree of the church rendered in acts 15. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Revelation chapters two and three consist of messages to the seven churches which are in asia revelation 1. Nicolaitans commentary a testimony of jesus christ. Whoever they were, jesus loathed their doctrine and hated their deeds. The book of revelation often called the book of revelations, revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. God, let john the apostle see the revelation of the lord jesus. Subsequent comments about this group by later church authorities were based on revelation 2. Who were the nicolaitans, mentioned in revelation 2. We find two references in the bible about the nicolaitans, and they are both contained in the second chapter of the book of revelation. Who were the nicolaitans in the book of revelation. Two times in the prophetic book of revelation, the name.
Jesus commends the church of pergamum for not denying his name and for keeping the faith. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. Why did god hate the practices of this group so much. Irenaeus identifies them as followers of nicolas, one of the seven chosen in acts 6, and as men who lead lives of unrestrained indulgence. The revelation to john new international version the prologue 1. In revelation, chapter 2, we read of an enigmatic sect or group called the nicolaitans who post a great threat to the churches of god. Who were the nicolaitans mentioned in the book of revelation. The nicolaitans are mentioned twice in the scriptures, both in the book of revelation. The book of revelation was originally written to warn believers that they must now face this choice.