Apocalypse Revealed # 115
115. "'Thus you have also those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.'" (2:15) This symbolically means that they have among them also people who make works deserving of merit.
That the works of the Nicolaitans are merit-seeking works may be seen in no. 86 above.
Among people who place everything having to do with the church and salvation in good works, and not anything in doctrinal truths - those meant by the church in Pergamum - there are some who perform hypocritical works, and some merit-seeking works, but still not all. So we are told that "you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam," and, "you have also those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans." Moreover, all works connected with worship are either good, or merit-seeking, or hypocritical. Therefore the latter two are spoken of here, and afterward good works in the next verse.
Numbers 24:15-19
15
He took up his parable, and said, "Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eye was closed says;
16
he says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, and having his eyes open:
17
I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through the corners of Moab, and break down all the sons of Sheth.
18
Edom shall be a possession. Seir, his enemies, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly.
19
Out of Jacob shall one have dominion, and shall destroy the remnant from the city."
