"In the book of Revelation, the prophet John gives the churches a message from God...A couple of those messages had to do with a false doctrine that found its way into the church.And God said He hated it. It is mentioned twice in the book of Revelation, first in the message to the church of Ephesus, and secondly to the church of Pergamos.
The message to the church in Ephesus begins by commendation for their patience, loving the truth and hating that which is evil, and testing those who say they are apostles but are not, followed by a rebuke for leaving their first love and then it goes on to say
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Revelation 2:6).
In the message to the church of Pergamos, they are first commended for not denying the faith, followed by a rebuke because there were some among them that held false doctrines.
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. (Revelation 2:14,15).
Ellen White comments on this doctrine, “The Law and the Gospel can not be separated. In Christ mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. The Gospel has not ignored the obligations due to God by man. The Gospel is the Law unfolded, nothing more nor less. It gives no more latitude to sin than does the Law.
The Law points to Christ;
Christ points to the Law.
The Gospel calls men to repentance.
Repentance of what?--Of sin.
And what is sin?--It is the transgression of the Law...”
“But the doctrine is now largely taught that the Gospel of Christ has made the Law of God of no effect; that by "believing" we are released from the necessity of being doers of the word. But this is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which Christ so unsparingly condemned…”
She then says that this class,“… separate Christ and the Law, and regard faith as a substitute for obedience… Virtually they teach, both by precept and example, that Christ, by his death, saves men in their transgressions.”
“It is our work to know our special failings and sins, which cause darkness and spiritual feebleness, and quenched our first love.
Is it worldliness?
Is it selfishness?
Is it the love of self-esteem?
Is it striving to be first?
Is it the sin of sensuality that is intensely active?
Is it the sin of the Nicolaitans, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness? …
Whatever it is that has been petted and cultivated until it has become strong and overmastering, make determined efforts to overcome, else you will be lost”“Turning the grace of God into lasciviousness” is exalting Jesus in word, but minimizing or ignoring altogether His teachings while claiming to be “saved by grace.”
Christ's white robe of righteousness will never cover anyone who refuses to repent and turn from their sins.
Jesus didn’t come to save people in their sins, but from their sins.
Jude speaks about this doctrine of the Nicolaitans, “turning the grace of God into lasciviousness”,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. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:3,4).
We are not saved by keeping the law, yet it is the standard by which our character is measured and the proof of our faith in the power of God."
