Nicolaitan means a follower of Nicolas, derived from the Greek words nikos, meaning conqueror or destroyer, and laos, meaning people. The original Nicolas was a conqueror or destroyer of the people. Some consider this Nicolas to be Nimrod, the archrebel who conquered the people and established a man-made civilization shortly after the Flood. While alive, Nimrod positioned himself in the place of God, and after his death, his followers worshipped him as a divine hero, calling him Baal, meaning master or lord. Another name for Nimrod, used in Asia Minor, was Santa, which is linked to Santa Claus, a shortened form of Santa Nicholas or Saint Nicholas. Many unknowingly honor this Nicholas through customs associated with December 25, originally the Saturnalia or birthday of Nimrod, though these practices have been renamed to appear innocent. Others believe the Nicolas referenced in Revelation 2 is a different man, a proselyte from Antioch ordained as a deacon early in the church's history, who later followed Gnostic teachings, became an ascetic, and led many to adopt his new doctrine.

Nicolaitanism is a belief system that results in ungodly behavior. Christ hates it vehemently. Papers defined Nicolaitanism as the belief and practice of hierarchical government with an emphasis on tithing and using a paid ministry. This definition derives from the meaning of the word Nicolaos in Greek as conqueror of the people. Nicolaos may have nothing to do with Nicolaitan doctrine. The meaning of Nicolaos is not necessarily negative. The name has a military association not a governmental one. Nicolaos nowhere suggests any form of government. Limiting Nicolaitanism to hierarchical government is arbitrary and subjective. The Bible itself does not define Nicolaitanism. Nicolas is a Hellenist who possessed a Greek education and maintained a more liberal outlook regarding keeping the law. Nicolas is a proselyte from Antioch. The city's cosmopolitan population and material wealth provided an apt setting for cultural exchange and religious syncretism. Nicolas himself was a moral man. Though sincere and devout he came to believe that the only way to grow spiritually was to consider his body and its desires as unimportant. His fundamental doctrine appears to have been the flesh must be treated with contempt. Over the years this teaching took on a more Gnostic spin. Since the flesh is unimportant even contemptible what one does in the flesh is of no consequence. Spiritual life growth and ultimately salvation occur in the soul and since God is spirit He has no regard for the flesh. At some point in its early history Nicolaitanism evolved from an ascetic philosophy to a licentious one. The doctrine of the Nicolaitans is the same basic heresy as the doctrine of Balaam under different guises. Nicolaitanism and Balaamism are biblical symbols or representatives of the larger Gnostic antinomian influence on Christianity. This antinomian influence will remain until His return. Jesus is more concerned about the antinomian spirit the attitude of lawlessness that allows these sins to infest the church. When members of the church teach and practice that they are not obliged to keep the laws of God sin will inevitably break out vigorously. When this occurs Christians are no longer under grace but under the penalty of the law and the wrath of the Judge.

Seeing the variations of churches and confusion of the Christian population, we can identify the source of this division as the serpent in the garden that lead Adam and Eve away from the truth. Beginning with theories of scholars who falsely identify the origin of the breaking up of the church, we see incorrect ideas like Christ bringing a focus on the kingdom, but Paul shifting away towards grace and faith. However, when we look at Scripture and true scholarship derived from God's word, we notice that bringing in traditions of men and pagan philosophy is where the branches from the church that deviated from God's message was formed. We see the same pattern corrupting today's church as "they challenge God's authority, distort truth, and redefine God." Using the idea of Gnosticism and leaders like Simon Magus, the churches split off in unique blends of false doctrine and people's own "wisdom." A main false idea that has led to many of the false teachings was the different God of the Old and New Testament. The God of strict laws and the God of grace. But we see through verses like John 8:58 that God has remained the same throughout all time. We are to be on guard from similar false ideas now and never forget that the same forces that twist God's word are still active—always be on guard.