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 found nowhere in the Scriptures.  This false teaching then aids those who speak against the ministers the Lord sends forth 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.  Recent trials brought this issue to mind and led to this letter that brings necessary correction and admonishment by way of the Word.

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 commandments of the Lord.  We are to 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, the tempter who 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 are corrupting the commandments of Christ.  This is justifying themselves by adding to or taking away through the eating of things sacrificed to idols and engaging in spiritual fornication.  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.   A recent letter or study on this topic can be accessed by clicking here.

Act 15:28  For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, 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.

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 that 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 these 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 the natural seductions, and it is also true in the spiritual as well.  John writes as we now write to warn of this subtle seduction that takes us away from the living commandments that are 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 are to always abide in Him, meaning the commandments.  It is perfectly okay, 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 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, say watching YouTube videos or being in a meeting where politics is the subject, we are none the worse for it.  We should just eat or listen and ask no questions, not 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 this into our partaking of the Lord’s supper with one another.  That is a Nicolaitan spirit that 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 with the Lord’s supper.  This is a deal breaker with the Lord, who is jealous over 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 are to preach and talk about the commandments.  That is the simplicity of Christ.  This is the Gospel, the daily bread we are to 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 to set our affections on the things above and not of this world.  We all need to change when the Gospel comes.  It is our coveting [which is idolatry] more than just the commandments that leads us into 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 the 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 in which many died.  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 be 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 now 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 over His people and thus hates the Nicolaitan spirit that strays from His Holy things, which are the commandments.  Here ye the Lord.  Balaam mingled with Balak King of Moab, and thus corrupted himself and all who later took his counsel.  This is the true Nicolaitan.

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 Balac, 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.   This is what Paul wrote about to warn is in 1Cor 8.  Indirectly, Balaam did bring a curse upon Israel by leading them into idolatry and spiritual fornication, which breaks 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 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 to be vigilant watchmen to ensure the children of Israel are not seduced into committing this idolatry or spiritual fornication in 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 from doing this 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 is what we do when we bring in worldly conversations [stuff] to our fellowships.  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 things like politics or worldly interests, even too much worldly sorrow, giving too many details of our problems, versus just speaking of the commandments and promises of God.  A lust for more knowledge and more information is 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. 

We have many warnings about false teachers, and we have certainly been under their spell in prior times.  Those who hold to the doctrine of Balaam, having the Nicolaitan spirit, are those who accuse the Lord’s ministers sent to preach the Gospel.   The Lord gives out all the gifts, and He is the one who appoints those into the offices in the church that He has chosen.  Only SOME are made to be the ministers that teach, so says the Lord.

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 

Feeding the flock of God is to feed them the living commandments, the Gospel.  This is all we are to 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. [thru His ministers]

The Gospel does not please men, and those given the ministry to preach do it in obedience to God and not to please men, as indeed it is not popular.

Gal 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Those with the Nicolaitan spirit have no problem speaking against those the Lord has set in His church.  These are the dignities holding the higher offices whom the Lord chooses and establishes.    Both Peter and Jude speak of this.

2Pe 2:10  But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 

2Pe 2:11  Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 

2Pe 2:12  But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption [of the commandments]

One cannot corrupt the commandments of Jesus Christ, 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 the 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 way of the esteem of men when they soften the commandments and thereby corrupt 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 sort of 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. 

Core [Korah] is a lesson about those who speak against those whom the Lord has set in His church. Korah and his followers falsely accuse Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves and that the whole of the congregation was just as holy.  [See Numbers 16].  Cain fails to give the Lord His very best [being holy in all his behavior], which is why the Lord rejected his offering.  [See Genesis 4].  The Lord wants it ALL, and nothing is to be left out.  Jesus Christ, the truth, the living commandments have never changed.

Luk 14:33  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 

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. That is why the Lord is the one who makes us, causes us to obey, by His indwelling power, as flesh cannot obey and does not want to hear about commandments all the time.   A softer sermon is what flesh wants to hear.

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 are to 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 must 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.  The Gospel, the words of fire, the living commandments are the army of Israel in the mouths of those who speak it.  The land is cleaned in due time, and vengeance is the Lord’s.  Only the useful things that edify are to remain, as everything in our thought and speech is to be brought through the fire and purified by the water of the Word that washes.

Num 31:21  And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war which went to the battle, This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD commanded Moses; 

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

Num 31:23  Every thing 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 are to 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.

 Greet one another with a Holy Kiss.