“But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” Commentary: Notice Jesus said he does not hate the Nicolaitans but hates their deeds! This confirms the entire theme of the Bible that God judges us not by race, gender, economic status, language, cultural popularity, religion but by character alone! However we cannot have the character of God without God! Jesus makes that possible! So who were the Nicolaitans? The name in the Greek means to conquer or subdue people! This is what sin does! This cult group were the descendants of Nicolas of Antioch an ordained deacon! See Acts 6:5. He came from out of paganism into Judaism and then to Christianity! He changed religions many times! He was not afraid to switch religions when he found it convenient! He taught the doctrine of compromise! He believed there was more than one way to God like Christians today who cling to Darwinism and then try to hang on to Christ? Occultism was a major force that warred against the early church! In Ephesus the primary pagan cult was the worship of Diana (Artenis). The Nicolaitans mixed paganism with Christianity. Much like the Hindus do today where every road leads to God including Christianity! Does not matter which road you take all roads lead to the same place! This results with a diluted Christianity with no power and no conviction! It is a worldly kind of Christianity! No borders, no law, no rules anything goes! Homosexuality fine! Gay marriage great! Abortion good! Lawlessness something to be desired! This evil fruit of the Nicolaitans lead to people engaging and approving sin completing Satan’s power over them to conquer and imprison them through the sin that God rejects and died for on a Cross! James & Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com