In Revelation 2:6, Jesus says something a bit strange: “But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” This may seem odd, especially since Jesus had already praised the Ephesians for many good things. So, why bring this up now?
Why the Nicolaitans Matter
The Nicolaitans are mentioned again in the letter to the church in Pergamum, and we’ll talk more about them there. But for now, the key point is that Jesus connects this hatred for their practices to the Ephesians’ recovery. He wants them to start here.
The Ephesians still have something left from their “first love” — they still hate the wrong practices, like the ones of the Nicolaitans. While their passion may have faded in other areas, they still hold strong against these immoral actions The Tree of Life Symbol of Jesus.
Who Were the Nicolaitans?
The Nicolaitans were a group of people who tried to mix Christianity with wrong behaviors, especially sexual immorality. They believed it was okay to be a Christian but still live like the world, especially in terms of their sex lives. They claimed to have a special connection with God, but their actions didn’t match their words.
Jesus’ Instruction to the Ephesians
Jesus tells the Ephesians, “You still have something right — you hate these practices. That shows you still care about what I care about.” He praises them for keeping this strong hatred against sin, especially against these false practices Ephesus Sightseeing Tours.
Jesus says, “Keep hating these wrong ways, but now you need to return to the rest of the things you used to do — like reading the Bible with passion, praying, loving others, and praising God.” This is where they should start on their journey to recover their first love.
