The Nicolaitan Spirit and its Deeds

The Seduction of Israel 

We give thanks to the Lord and our Father in heaven, who has quickened these words in our hearts to share and edify the saints scattered into the world.  May they be received with thanksgiving to those who hear them.

The Nicolaitan spirit and the resulting deeds are not what have been commonly taught by the precepts of men.  A Nicolaitan spirit has nothing to do with the lordship of one over another, as some have been taught.  That is all extra-biblical and nowhere to be found in the Scriptures.  This false teaching then aids those who speak against the ministers and rule and authority the Lord sets in His church, who are sent to preach the Gospel in all boldness and power.  Carnal men have gone beyond what is written to concoct their false doctrine of the Nicolaitans.

A Nicolaitan in spirit is something completely different, as the sum of the Word of Truth makes clear.  A Nicolaitan, in the simplest terms, corrupts the Lord’s commandments.  We take nothing away from or add to the Lord’s commandments, but just do them.  That is brotherly love unfeigned.  The simplicity of Christ, the commandments are readily corrupted by the carnal mind, as the tempter brings in a little leaven at an opportune time.

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 

Many false teachers and antichrists have corrupted the holy things of the Lord, the commandments, with subtle twists and turns. This is not the purity a chaste virgin is to have, and is indeed a corruption of the Gospel and the living commandments.  The bride of Christ, the pure virgins, are set apart only for their husband and do not have relations elsewhere.

2Co 11:2  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Those with a Nicolaitan spirit corrupt the commandments of Christ and fornicate with the gods [carnal thoughts] of the world.  The corruption is done by adding to or taking away from the Word, mixing truth with error. A Nicolaitan spirit takes no heed in their walk to abide by the four necessary things the Apostles commanded in their letter after the council on circumcision.

Act 15:28  For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 

Act 15:29  That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. 

A Nicolaitan spirit is a slothful spirit that takes the commandment to be set apart and “be ye holy because I am holy” and waters them down to justify themselves and reap the wages of unrighteousness.  The Lord hates this Spirit, as do those in the church of Ephesus.

Rev 2:6  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 

The churches of Pergamum and even Thyatira, however, do not purge out this spirit and continue to eat things sacrificed to idols and commit spiritual fornication and thus invite the wrath of God.

Rev 2:14  But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit spirtual fornicaton. 

Rev 2:15  Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which things I hate. 

The Nicolaitan spirit is better known as the doctrine of Balaam, which teaches Israel to eat things sacrificed unto idols and commit spiritual fornication against the Lord.  It is idolatry and unfaithfulness to the commandments.  A Nicolaitan spirit does not strive to be holy and to diligently keep and wholeheartedly obey all the commandments of the Lord.  It is the same as a Jezebel spirit; it is idolatry and spiritual fornication.  The Lord hates this spirit and its deeds, as He is a jealous God and demands our whole heart in faithfulness to Him alone.  Even with this spirit that God hates, we have many things right and are doing much charity and service in the faith.  Yet the Lord’s standard is even higher than we yet know.

Rev 2:19  I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 

Rev 2:20  Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 

Understanding this is why “the HOW” we partake of the Lord’s supper when we come together is vitally important.

1Co 11:17  Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 

1Co 11:18  For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 

1Co 11:19  For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 

1Co 11:20  When ye come together therefore into one place, is it not to eat the Lord’s supper? 

Seduction is not overt; it is indeed subtle; hence, we have the unique word for seduction.  Those being seduced do not even know they are being seduced until the deed happens.  It is true in natural seductions, and it is also true in the spiritual. John writes as we now write to warn of this subtle seduction, that is, deception, which takes us away from the living commandments received into our hearts when we believe the Gospel.

1Jn 2:26  These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 

1Jn 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

We always abide in Him, meaning the commandments.  It is permitted, as the sum of the word tells us to eat meat sacrificed to idols.  But we can never mix the two tables, which is the mistake of the Nicolaitans.  They are not holding fast to the commandment.  Knowledge and information on virtually anything can become an idol.  Idols puff us up, but charity, the keeping of the commandments, edifies.  Those in the faith know an idol is nothing, as we know there is only one true God.

1Co 8:4  As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 

1Co 8:5  For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 

1Co 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 

We are free in Christ to eat meat sacrificed to idols, but we need to be careful not to lay a stumbling block for others, especially the weak and the young in the faith, who see us doing such things.

1Co 8:7  Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 

1Co 8:8  But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 

1Co 8:9  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 

If the strong partake at an idol’s temple, for example, watching YouTube videos or being in a meeting where politics is the subject, we are none the worse for it.  We should eat or listen, without asking questions or engaging in the back-and-forth carnal dialogue.  But if a brother weak in the faith sees us doing this, it could cause them to stumble.  It is far better to abstain where possible.

1Co 8:10  For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

But we cannot openly bring or encourage the knowledge of idols, which is the meat of idols, into our partaking together of the Lord’s supper.  Doing so causes the whole house of Israel to eat things sacrificed to idols and commit spiritual fornication.  It brings the idolatry into the house of God and serves it up with the Lord’s supper.  This angers the Lord, who is jealous for His people.

1Co 10:20  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 

1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 

1Co 10:22  Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? 

When we come together to eat the Lord’s supper, we preach and talk about the commandments.  That is the simplicity of Christ.  This is the Gospel, the daily bread we eat that brings eternal life by the death of the old man and the sacrifice of the new man.  Any other way of eating when we are gathered together is not good and is the true Nicolaitan spirit.  Paul warns of eating and drinking unworthily at the Lord’s table.

1Co 11:23  For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

1Co 11:24  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 

1Co 11:25  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 

1Co 11:26  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 

1Co 11:27  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 

This topic is so important to being faithful and holy before the Lord.  We are now setting our affections on the things above, not on those of this world.  Everything in our lives changes when the Gospel comes.  It is our coveting [which is idolatry] more than just the commandments that leads to this error.

Col 3:5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 

To cement our understanding, we need to bring Balaam into the picture.  Balaam was a prophet-for-hire who loved the wages of unrighteousness.  A recent study on Phinehas dealt with the aftereffects of Balaam’s sin that caused Israel to mingle with the Moabites.  This brought the plague upon the congregation, killing many.  Balaam brought this spirit and temptation into the house of Israel, which caused them to sin.

Num 31:16  Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD. 

Corrupting the Lord’s commandments, “did God really say”, or “a little bit of this or of that is okay”, is what the carnal mind and tempter do in leading us off the narrow road of holiness.   Dying to self on the cross of suffering and giving up our old way of life is indeed hard, but it is the only way to become holy in all of our behavior.  Not one stone is left when the Lord tears down the old temple to build the new temple, which Temple we are, having received the Gospel.

Mat 24:2  And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

The Lord is jealous for His people and thus hates the Nicolaitan spirit that strays from His Holy things, namely the commandments.  Here ye the Lord.  Balaam mingled with Balak, the king of Moab, and thus corrupted himself and all who subsequently took his counsel.

Num 22:41  And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people. 

Balaam was seen entering into feasts with the Moabite king and thereby eating meat sacrificed unto idols.   The children of Israel saw him do this, and it led them to be seduced into their fornication with the Moabites and Midianites. This is what Paul wrote about in setting a good example for the weak.    Indirectly, Balaam brought a curse upon Israel by leading them into idolatry and spiritual fornication, which corrupted the commandments of the Lord.  As we saw in the Phinehas study, the result of Balaam’s counsel was the women of Moab seducing the men [their doctrine of being holy] of Israel by coming to their feast with Baal, the sun god.

Num 25:1  And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 

Num 25:2  And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 

Num 25:3  And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. 

This grievous sin is what stirred Phinehas into action, who thrust a spear, the Word of Commandments, through the belly of the fornicating Israelite prince and the Moabite daughter of a prince.  We are vigilant watchmen ensuring the children of Israel are not seduced into committing this idolatry or spiritual fornication when eating at the Lord’s table.  Seduction is subtle; it seems innocent enough, but the Lord’s standard is indeed high.  If we do not repent and turn back when it is exposed, the Lord brings a sword against our house.

Rev 2:16  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Eating things sacrificed to idols and committing fornication are what we do when we bring our worldly conversations and experiences into our fellowships.  Such food cannot be mixed with the holy things of God, and only a little leaven corrupts the whole of the meal.  If we are not diligent, our carnal lusts and interests become the topic, and Israel is enticed to eat things sacrificed unto idols.  This can be any worldly interest, even too much worldly sorrow, giving too many details of our problems, rather than just speaking of the commandments and promises of God.  A lust for more knowledge and information beyond the commandments is covetousness, which is also idolatry.

All learn these lessons in the appointed time, as all things are ours to fulfil. Lord willing, our hearts are being made to consent to this doctrine of godliness in all our behavior.  Many argue and strive against it, but those being saved from their sins are learning to be content with the commandments because that is where the gain is found.

1Ti 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain. 

1Ti 6:7  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 

1Ti 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 

1Ti 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 

Feeding the flock of God is to feed them the bread of life, the living commandments, that is the Gospel.  This is all we feed the flock, and this food, the meat of the Gospel, is what judges every man in the last day.  This is what the lost sheep eat to be recovered and made well again.  It is salvation.

Eze 34:16  I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment

The sheep get sick, fall asleep, and some die spiritually when the Lord’s supper is corrupted by a Nicolaitan spirit.

1Co 11:29  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 

1Co 11:30  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

One cannot corrupt the commandments of Jesus Christ and the holy things and expect to make meaningful progress towards overcoming and salvation.  Such a spirit keeps one ever learning, having a form of godliness but denying the very knowledge and power of the commandments that save them.  In time, the Lord brings all of this to light, but since He comes in different watches, the result is fiery trials and divisions within the house.

The Nicolaitans are said to have gone astray, turning away from the Gospel that saves every man in the appointed time.  Nicolaitans love the “extra pay” they receive in the form of men’s esteem when they soften or take away from the commandments, thereby corrupting them.  Do not let any man steal your crown with such subtle deceit.

2Pe 2:15  Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 

Jude also spoke of this and says woe unto those who have this spirit and think that godliness has any gain for the flesh.  They speak against the preachers of the Gospel, just as in the days of Korah, and are swallowed up by their carnal lusts if they do not repent.

Jud 1:11  Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 

Carnal minds much prefer the old wine rather than the new wine of the Gospel of the living commandments.  Nobody wants to die, nobody wants to forsake all and give up everything they have to follow God. Thus, the carnal mind is readily attracted to the Nicolaitan spirit that profits the flesh and makes following Christ smoother in its delusion.

Isa 30:9  That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: 

Isa 30:10  Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: 

The ministers of this Gospel preach this Word boldly so that nobody falls for the deception of the easy way.  The way is narrow, and few find it.

2Ti 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 

Why do we preach and exhort with boldness?  Here is why.

2Ti 4:3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 

2Ti 4:4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 

The truth is this Gospel is not popular, it is the essence of Jesus Christ that all flesh reviles and hates.  They esteemed Him not, and so it is today.  We earnestly contend for this one true Gospel against the corruption of the Nicolaitan spirit.

Jud 1:3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 

We pray everyone is on watch for the Nicolaitan spirit in our walk and assemblies.  We need to act upon it when we see it, as the plagues of Israel when they committed fornication with the Moabite and Midianite nations are written for our admonition, so we understand the consequences of not acting.  The commandment is to be holy and to utterly slay every doctrine or thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of the commandments.  Only the useful things that edify remain, as everything in our thought and speech is to be brought through the fire and purified by the water of the Word, the commandments, that washes it clean.

Num 31:22  Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead, 

Num 31:23  Everything that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water. 

God is a holy God, far holier than we can comprehend.  Everything in God’s presence or His name is said to be Holy.  The Scriptures have many nouns preceded by the Word HOLY.  The list of what is Holy includes these forty: Holy anointing, Holy commandments, Holy calling, Holy day, Holy nation, Holy flock, Holy people, Holy covenant, Holy Scriptures, Holy Spirit, Holy water, Holy brethren, Holy bread, Holy meat, Holy food, Holy prophets, Holy angels, Holy feasts, Holy men, Holy convocations, Holy name, Holy oil, Holy perfume, Holy gifts, Holy ark, Holy vessels, Holy crown, Holy arm, Holy temple, Holy heaven, Holy sabbath, Holy hill, Holy mountain, Holy sanctuary, Holy habitation, Holy linen, Holy tithe, Holy garments, Holy saints, Holy ground, Holy kiss, Holy God, and Holy One who is Christ and the Most Holy which is where the Ark or the commandments live in our hearts.

The Scriptures speak of the “holy things” and refer to the commandments that now live in those who receive the Gospel.  We hold these holy things [commandments] dear and abide continually in the knowledge we have been given of the Holy.  This is the Father and is understanding.

Pro 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 

Salvation has come to those who hear and keep these holy commandments.  All things are made new in a new heaven and a new earth.  Only those with the mark of Holiness on their forehead can enter into the holy of holies and abide with the Father and with the Son.

Exo 28:36  And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

We have been called to a holy calling, not by our works but by the power of the living Gospel if we have received it.  This comes with the sufferings and afflictions of the carnal world, and all without the Spirit hate us.

2Ti 1:8  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 

2Ti 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 

When we receive the Gospel into our hearts, the end has come.   Salvation has come, and this is the result.

Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.