In Revelation chapter 2, Jesus Christ speaks of the Church of Ephesus. Ephesus was an ancient Greek city found in modern-day Turkey. This was considered a ‘strong church.’ Although they laboured, were patient, could not bear evil, tested men who were false apostles and found them to be liars, persevered and had not become weary, Jesus had something against them. They left their first love — Jesus Christ. He commands them to repent of their self-righteousness (sin), and they should do the works of when they were first saved (Revelation 2:5). He also mentioned that the Church of Ephesus hated the deed of Nicolaitans, of which Jesus says he ‘also hates’ (Revelation 2:6).
Deeds of Nicolaitans
So what are the deeds of Nicolaitans? The name Nicolas means one who conquers and subdues the people. According to records of the early church, the Nicolaitans were the spiritual descendants of Nicolas of Antioch, ordained as a deacon in Acts 6:5. Described as a proselyte, this tells us that he was not born a Jew but had converted from paganism to Judaism.
Nicolas’ pagan background meant that he immersed in the activities of the occult, knew their works, but was susceptible and open to embracing ideas that corrupted the Gospel. Occultic methods at the time included the offering of incenses and sacrificial animals, which included the worship of Greek goddess Artemis (known to Romans as Diana), daughter of Zeus. This type of practice was mainstream. Nicolas then shifted to Christianity, which shows his ability to change religious hats, as it were; he was not afraid of turning in different directions.
However, Nicolas taught a doctrine of compromise, implying that total separation between Christianity and the practice of occult paganism was not essential. He had no problem intermingling the belief systems of paganism, Judaism and Christianity in various ways. He saw no reason why believers couldn’t continue to fellowship with those still immersed in the demonic forces of the Roman empire. The evil fruit of Nicolas’ “doctrine” encouraged worldly participation, leading people to indulge in sin and a lowered godly standard. In this way, he conquered the people.
Is this seen today? Many worldly pursuits by some believers of Jesus Christ can often be presented as merely boasting in the glory of God, and it is increasingly hard to separate the two, as it has crept into the church. However, Jesus detests this type of worship because it contradicts everything He came to fulfil. When Jesus said ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’ in John 14:6; he said it because it is the truth. Also, Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [riches, the greedy pursuit of gain]” Matthew 6:24. We serve God alone or riches alone — as a believer, you cannot do both.
Diluting the Gospel and the power of the cross to the pursuits of this world, e.g. worldly acceptance, riches, greed, and status, will lead to the path which is not of Jesus Christ. Repentance, recognition of sin, turning from it and humbling oneself before the Lord for forgiveness is the key.
Doctrine of Balaam
Jesus continues to speak in Revelation chapter 2, now addressing the church in Pergamos, found in modern-day Turkey. Pergamos previously served as the capital of the Greek dynasty and historically were made up of Gentiles who had converted out of paganism of which Jesus said ‘Satan’s throne dwells there’ (Revelation 2:13). Jesus refers to the doctrine of Balaam, who was a man called a prophet in his day, commissioned by Balak, who was an enemy of the Israelites, to curse the Israelites (Numbers chapters 23 and 24). The attempt to curse was unsuccessful because God warned Balaam that he could not curse the people, ‘for they are blessed’ (Numbers 22:12). Balaam pursued anyway and instructed Balak to erect altars, provide animal sacrifices, and attempted to curse the Israelites. When Balaam opened his mouth to curse the Israelites, he blessed them because God put words in his mouth (Numbers 23:5). The blessing happened four times over. However, the stumbling block Jesus eludes to in Revelation 2:14–15 is seen in Numbers 25:1–3 when the Israelite men were seduced by the Moabite women, committing sexually immoral sins against God. They also worshipped their gods and ate food sacrificed to idols. The Israelite men compromised themselves with the world and false religions, and now the “doctrine” of the Nicolaitans was encouraging compromise.
Compromise with the world always results in a weakened and powerless form of Christianity. Just as the Israelites met God’s wrath there (Numbers 25:1–5), Jesus warns the church of Pergamos to repent or face the sword of His mouth (Revelation 2:16).
What does this teach us?
Compromise is corrupting and leads you away from the truth of the Gospel. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot love God and worldly riches, as Jesus states in Matthew 6:24.
Well, what if I’m taught that wealth is my God-given right? Jesus became poor so that we could become rich, right?
People would often then quote 2 Corinthians 8:9, a frequently abused scripture.
2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
When Paul says this, it strikes the fact that Christ’s poverty endured as a man (yet fully God) on earth is in stark contrast to the vast heavenly riches He set aside during His incarnation. On earth, His riches did not consist primarily of material wealth. In those terms, He was not considered a wealthy man, but He was not poor either. The riches spoken by Paul eludes to Christ’s divine glory, position in the Holy Trinity as God the Son and all His eternal attributes. The riches Christ offers doesn’t come anywhere close to what this world can offer because the world’s wealth will eventually wither away. The riches God supplies, as described in 1 Peter 1:4, is an inheritance that is incorruptible [imperishable] and undefiled, that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for believers.
If there is a reserve in heaven, what about on earth?
Jesus assures us that our heavenly Father knows we need to eat, drink and be clothed but warns His disciples not to seek after those things but in Matthew 6:33 He says “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Also, humbling before the Lord and as Jesus says, being ‘poor in spirit’ (Matthew 5:3) will lead you to the kingdom of heaven. ‘Poor in spirit’ means having an honest confession that we are sinful and utterly without the moral virtues that we need to commend to God. Jesus tells a brilliant story which eludes to this in Luke 18:10–14.
To conclude, the two doctrines are very much seen in the world today, where secular culture stems from pagan worship and creeps into homes and even church. Paul warns us in Philippians 3:18–19 of the many who walk and appear to be lovers of Christ, but they are instead enemies of the Cross of Christ, whose god is in their bellies, and they set their minds on earthly things. Destruction is their end.
May we confess our sins before the Lord, draw near to the word of God, worship Him in spirit and truth, spread the good news of the Gospel and eagerly wait for the saviour’s return. God’s mercies endure forever.
Romans 12:2
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
