The nature of these detestable practices is revealed in later messages (2,14-15.20), but the point here is that Christ is not asking the Ephesians to change their negative attitude towards them. Greater love for God and fellow man does not lead to tolerance of sin and wickedness. From this consolatory remark, it could be inferred that the Ephesians’ hatred of the practices of the Nicolaitans had helped them to reject the ‘false apostles’. If this is correct, then the ‘false apostles’ can indeed be identified as members of the influential group of Nicolaitans.