Revelation Verse-by-Verse 2:6-7

6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Dr. Thomas Strouse suggests the underlying meaning of these heretics there in Ephesus.

Etymologically, the noun [Nicolaitans] is a compound of νῖκος (conqueror) and λαὸν (people) suggesting “people conqueror.” This may have been a movement prompted by individuals such as Diotrephes, whose departure from John and subsequent control over a church (cf. III John 1:9-11), was a manifestation of the perpetual temptation within religion—the domination of people.[1]

This is a natural interpretation in view of the incipient imputation of hierarchical authority to men, like Diotrephes, who were already beginning to exert their supposed authority beyond their own local assemblies.[2]

This entire attitude of domination is abhorrent to the Glorified Lord and so He plainly says that He hates the deeds of such men. It should be plainly stated, however, that such an attitude of spiritual domination is certainly going to manifest itself in any assembly that leaves its ‘first love.’ When God is no longer seen as the absolute sovereign transcendent Being that He is, religious men can stoop very low indeed.

7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Now the Glorified Lord calls those that assemble at Ephesus to heed what He is saying to them. His specific promise to those that do hear and align with the Truth He is placing before them is that they will be granted the privilege of eating ‘of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.’

Whatever this phrase, ‘paradise of God,’ literally means is slightly obscure, being of Oriental origin according to numerous scholars. But it is the same word used in two familiar passages in the N. T.

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.[3]

How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.[4]

Any believer there at Ephesus, and presumably at any assembly throughout the Church Age, that has left his/her first love, but returns to genuinely seek to know and worship the Lord for Who He is, is promised the right to ‘eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.’ This certainly far surpasses any manner of reward or recognition available to believers in this world!

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD[5]

[1] Strouse, p.40. [2] See especially 3 John 1:10, where Diotrephes used his supposed ‘authority’ to have those that were giving the Truth cast out and ostracized in the assemblies. [3] Luke 23:43, where Jesus promises the thief of the cross next to Him a place with Him in paradise that very day. [4] 2 Corinthians 12:4, where Paul reveals what we often refer to as his ‘third heaven’ experience, during which He met with the Glorified Lord and received truth, much of which was given to the churches through Paul’s canonical writings. [5] Hosea 6:3.