By

Shelby G. Floyd

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1 NIV). These warning words are from the apostle John! There are still many false teachers around today!

The author of the letter to the church of Ephesus is Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:1-3). This letter is a part of the revelation which God gave to Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ gave to an angel, the angel signified to John, and John wrote it down in a book and sent it to the churches (Revelation 1:1-2).

A great blessing is pronounced upon those who read, hear and keep those things which are written in the last book of the Bible (Revelation 1:3.) John received this wonderful disclosure while he was on the Isle of Patmos. He heard a great voice behind him as the voice of a trumpet, loud, distinct and clear. When he turned to see who was speaking, he saw seven golden candlesticks and in the midst of those golden candlesticks he saw the glorified Christ, like unto the son of man, and he had in his right hand seven stars (Revelation 1:9-19).

The Mystery of the Stars and Golden Candlesticks

Jesus explained the mystery of the seven stars and the seven golden candlesticks: “The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches” (Revelation 1:20).

The seven angels of the seven churches were the messengers of the churches and were in the hand of Christ; and therefore, should look to him for their support. Since Christ is the author of the letter, and since he walks in the midst of all the churches, he knows and sees all that is going on in the various congregations (cf. John 2:24-25). God knows our thoughts and the intents of our hearts (cf. Hebrews 4: 13). King David said, “Search me, 0 God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalms 139:23-24).

The Ephesians Tested the Spirits (Wicked Men)

There were several things about the church of Ephesus which were right, and Jesus commended them for the right. Christ approved their works, labor, and patience (Revelation 2:2). Our work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope is neither forgotten by faithful men of God, nor by the Father himself (1 Thessalonians 1:30).

Jesus also commended the Ephesian church for testing false teachers and withdrawing from evil men. He said, “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false” (Revelation 2:2). We are commanded to bear with those who are weak, but we should never condone those who are evil (Galatians 6:2). There were men in the days of the apostles who claimed to be apostles of Christ, even as there are certain men today who say that they are apostles. The church of Ephesus tried them, weighed them in the balances and found them wanting, and therefor rejected them as imposters and liars. 

Copyright © 2025 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved

Shelby G. Floyd, minister, Heartland Church of Christ, 1693 W. Main Street, Greenwood, Indiana 46142