But you have this in your favor: You HATE the PRACTICES of the Nicolaitans, which I also HATE.

What a negative complement!!! BUT when the love (even first love) is gone, the only thing left is hatred. (But how can God HATE?)

The meaning of the word Nicolaitans is "consume or conquer the people". The Nicolaitans may have been a devisive sect of that day about whom we have no record. Or it may refer to church leaders who consumed or conquered (controlled) the people. In other words, these probably were false prophets/teachers/apostles.

John, the author of the revelation and most scholars indicate he is the one who wrote 1 and 2 John (around A.D. 90), warns about these in 1 John 4:1-3. Furthermore, John indicates that deception is the great trademark of the Devil (2 John 6-10). The church at Ephesus was aware of these false prophets and had "hated their deeds" but not the people themselves. (Yet, verse 10, says, "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching of Christ, do not take them into your house or welcome them." Hmmmmm)