Wow, that's a word I've never heard before and had to go look that up to put it in context. Yes, I've read Revelations, unfortunately I don't remember that word at all.
First the Definition: Nicolaism (also Nicholaism, Nicolationism, or Nicolaitanism) is a Christian heresy, first mentioned (twice) in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament, whose adherents were called Nicolaitans, Nicolaitanes, or Nicolaites.
Now the Context:
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Revelation 2:6
Have you ever wondered who the "Nicolaitans" were, mentioned in the book of Revelation? Whoever they were, Jesus loathed their doctrine and hated their deeds. Let's delve into this subject today to see if we can ascertain the identity of this group. What was their damnable doctrine? What deeds were they committing that elicited such a strong reaction from Jesus?
Let's begin in Revelation 2:6, where Jesus told the church of Ephesus, "But this thou hast [in your favor], that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate."
Jesus was proud of the church of Ephesus for their "hatred" of the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which He also "hated."
The word "hate" is a strong word, so let's see exactly what it means. It comes from the Greek word miseo, which means to hate, to abhor, or to find utterly repulsive. It describes a person who has a deep-seated animosity, who is antagonistic to something he finds to be completely objectionable. He not only loathes that object, but rejects it entirely. This is not just a case of dislike; it is a case of actual hatred.
Thanks for the lesson! :-)
IIRC, the Nicolaitans were establishing a man-made institution which would direct believers in Jesus to follow strict behaviors and rely solely upon the ‘authoritarian’ dictates of the leadership, collecting monies like a ax system and dictating behaviors as if works were absolutely necessary to add to the Cross for ‘real salvation’. These ‘leaders’ went so far as to dictate who they would say were saved and who were not ... and with enough money in their pockets you could get their stamp of approved salvation.