The Church of Pergamos and the Nicolaitan Doctrine Revelation 2:15

After John the apostle saw the vision of Jesus in chapter one of “Revelation”, he began to write to the “seven churches in Asia”. He started with the church located in “Ephesus”, then addressed the “church of Smyrna” and then “Pergamos” where He told John, “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things say he which has the sharp sword with two edges;” , and he continued, “I know your works, and where you dwell, even where Satan's seat is: and you hold fast my name, and have not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells.” He continued, “But I have a few things against you, because you have there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication”, and in chapter two and verse fifteen of Revelation, John shared how Jesus told them, “so have you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans” where we read:

So have you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

The verse begins, “So have you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, ...” John began with the words, “so have you also” which means “even as and indeed the church in Pergamos holds, owns and possesses” “them that hold” or “people who have power over, are chief and master of” “the doctrine” which means “the teachings and instructions” “of the Nicolaitans” which means “destruction of people” and was “the people charged with holding the error of Balaam and casting a stumbling-block before the church of Go by upholding the liberty of eating things sacrificed to idols as well as committing fornication”. The “church in Pergamos” was guilty of abiding by the teachings of the “Nicolaitans” unlike the “church of Ephesus”.

The verse continues, “... which thing I hate.” John added the words, “which thing” or “the doctrine of the Nicolaitans” “I hate” which means “Jesus detests”. Jesus “detests” and “hates” the “teachings with the divisive idea of “Nico” or the priestly group and the “laitans” or the “laity”

When we consider John's words in this verse, we see once again how Jesus “detests” any teachings or ideas that make “religious leaders” superior to those whom they teach. The “priests” made themselves to be greater in value than the “laity”, and the “church in Pergamos” practiced this “doctrine”. Though they were great about some things, this concept of “class value” did not fair well with Jesus at all. God Almighty desires every person to be in a relationship with Him by submitting their hearts and lives to Jesus His Son. The field of people and their value is level, and all may come unto Him regardless of their status or lack thereof in this life or in the church.

Next time John writes how Jesus told the “church of Pergamos” how they, “repent; or else I will come unto you quickly”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.