BLH from S.D. asks:
I was reading in Revelation 2:6 where it says that Jesus hates the deeds of the Nicolaitans. Who are the Nicolaitans?

Bill replies;
Thanks for the question BLH. I've wondered about that myself many times. To understand what Jesus is relating here to John, who wrote the book of Revelation, we need to remember that the New Testament was written in the Greek language.
The word Nicolaitans is derived from a combination of 2 Greek words; "nikao" which means to conquer, and "laos" which means, the people, or laity, what we call laymen, or in other words, not the clergy.
It appears that Jesus never intended for the church which was originally an equal brotherhood to be divided into clergy and laity.
What was "deeds" in the church at Ephesus in Rev. 2:6 had become "doctrine" in the church at Pergamos in Rev. 2:15.
This points out to us how difficult, and how necessary it is to hold fast to Jesus original teachings, and not let our faith in God, become a faith in man and man's institutions.
Again, thanks for that thought provoking question. Have a blessed day.
Bill