The last book in the Bible, revelation is often regarded as the best place to find solid information about the end times.

And it's true that revelation provides an unveiling of the last days.

However, this portion of scripture is much more than a book about prophecy.

And today, on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall reminds

us that John's book begins with a performance review of seven New Testament churches.

Keep this in mind as Chuck resumes our study in Revelation chapter 2. He

titled his message, The Church with Everything But the Greatest Thing. Jesus identifies himself as the as the writer or the the one who dictates this letter at the end of verse one and he names three strengths

that were true of the church at Ephesus.

First they were actively energetic. They were engaged. I know your deeds and your toil. And then he mentions

their patient endurance. He calls it perseverance. I prefer the word endurance. I know your perseverance. In fact, look at verse look at verse three, you have perseverance and have endured for my

name's sake and have not grown weary.

Third, they were doctrinally discerning. I hope you saw that when we read through the

verses earlier. He says, you cannot tolerate evil men.

He goes further, you put to the test

those who call themselves apostles,

and they are not.

And you found them to be

pseudice.

Pseudice, interesting word you put your lips together and say yes,

pseudice, we get our word pseudo from it.

It means liars.

They look like apostles, but they're liars.

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