What was one of the commendations given to those in the congregation of Ephesus? How do we put men to the test today?
Revelation 2:1-2… To the angel of the congregation in Ephesus write: These are the things that he says who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, I know your deeds, and your labor and endurance, and that you cannot bear bad men, and that you put those to the test who say they are apostles, but they are not, and you found them liars.
Those in the congregation of Ephesus were commended by Christ Jesus because of their deeds, their labor, and their endurance but especially because they put to the test bad men who said they were apostles.
As we begin to analyze this passage of Scripture there are some questions that are coming to mind, the first being what is an apostle? And who are claiming to be apostles? What makes someone a bad man? And what does the Scripture say about liars?
The Greek word used as apostle means one who is “sent forth.” Jesus chose those who would go forth for him and thus they were called his apostles. They would speak for Jesus Christ about his teachings and the kingdom of God. But before the time of Christ, God had sent forth his prophets and they would speak the words of God. God also used Priest as his messengers to speak to his people. Malachi 2:7
Does God still use prophets, Priest, and apostles today? Who has the authority to speak for God and for Christ Jesus?
Anyone assuming the authority to speak about Jesus Christ, his teachings, or the kingdom of God will fall under the category of Prophet, Priest, or Apostle. And any man holding a position of spiritual authority over another man has to be given the authority by God or Christ Jesus and under direction by Holy Spirit, right? Otherwise, that spiritual authority would be false, and they would fall under the category as the Man of Lawlessness. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Spiritual Authority
All the major religious leaders today claim the right of divine appointment as the spiritual leaders over men by the right of apostolic succession.
Jehovah’s Witnesses denounce the claim of the right of succession of the apostles of Christ Jesus. They understand that claim as spiritual leader is not one of legitimacy. This claim of apostolic succession has proven to be full of corruption of ungodly men. Just look at history and see all the bad things that were done in the name of religion by those in authority. Jehovah’s Witnesses have also denounced the claim that they are apostles or prophets.
Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that a brothers appointment to a leadership role is given to men by the appointment of Holy Spirit, and not to the laying on of the hands. This is their official statement. Their teaching is based on the understanding that they (The Governing Body) are the faithful and discreet slave found in Matthew 24:45. This in fact is one of the questions that one must answer before being allowed to get baptized into their organization.
So, is there no one claiming to be an apostle of Jesus Christ? Is Revelation 2:2 even relevant today?
Yes, it is very relevant today because the context of this passage of Scripture is about Jesus speaking to those in his congregation, and about these bad men found inside of it, those claiming the authority in it and over it.
The first century congregation was full of people that had received the Holy Spirit. The congregation were made up of spiritual men who have been appointed by the apostles or their representative, they were called the older men and were all considered equal in the congregation. They were not masters of people’s faith, as so indicated by the apostle Paul. 2 Corinthians 1:24
So, Jesus was commending all in the congregation for putting a test on anybody claiming authority in it or over any man in the congregation. Apparently, that test would reveal if those claiming authority were lying or not.
Would it be wrong for us to put a test to those claiming authority in the congregation today?
No, it would not be wrong and in fact anyone resisting the test for truth would automatically put themselves in the category as a resistor of truth. 3 John 9-10
You see the truth is not afraid to be examined, it does not hide, nor does it twist words. Truth is made self-evident; truth will set you free from liars and in time truth always prevails for good hearted ones.
Look Out for the liars!
What does the apostle Paul’s letter reveal about God’s law and the lawless?
1 Timothy 1:8-10… Now we know that the Law is fine provided one handles it lawfully in the knowledge of this fact, that law is promulgated (to make known), not for a righteous man, but for persons lawless and unruly, ungodly and sinners, lacking loving-kindness, and profane, murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, manslayers, fornicators, men who lie with males, kidnappers, liars, false swearers, and whatever other thing is in opposition to the healthful teaching.
First, the law is for lawless people, that is the point that Paul is making here. In the list Paul calls out liars, false swearers and he includes every other thing that’s in opposition to sound teaching, of the uncorrupted truth.
How serious of a sin is it to be found a liar?
The apostle John received a revelation from Jesus Christ and in it he indicates the serious sins that will prevent you from becoming a son of God.
Revelation 21:7-8… Anyone conquering will inherit these things, and I shall be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and fornicators and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and Sulphur. This means the second death.
So, liars will also be thrown into the lake of fire. This is a destruction with no return. Did you notice that cowards and those without faith are listed along with liars. That means we should grow a backbone as it were; we need to stand up for truth even in the face of hostility. Faith requires action on our part otherwise it is just another of the dead works of mankind.
The apostle Paul had something to say about testing our faith and working for and toward truth.
2 Corinthians 13:5-10…Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as (committed) believers. Examine yourselves (not me)! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves (by an ongoing experience) that Jesus Christ is in you (the spirit of Christ is working with you) —unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as counterfeit? But I hope you will acknowledge that we do not fail the test nor are we to be rejected. But I pray to God that you may do nothing wrong. Not so that we (and our teaching) may appear to be approved, but that you may continue doing what is right, even though we (by comparison) may seem to have failed. For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth (and the gospel—the good news of salvation). We are glad when we are weak (since God’s power comes freely through us), but you (by comparison) are strong. We also pray for this, that you be made complete (fully restored, growing, and maturing in godly character and spirit—pleasing your heavenly Father by the life you live). For this reason, I am writing these things while absent from you, so that when I come, I will not need to deal severely (with you), in my use of the authority which the Lord has given me (to be used) for building you up and not for tearing you down.
We should be able to test ourselves as to whether we are in the truth, working with truth, and walking in truth as much as we test others to see if they speak truth as well. The truth helps us put on the new personality that was created according to God’s righteousness. Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:9-10
What is a Lie?
A lie is a false statement made with a deliberate intent to deceive; it is an intentional untruth. A lie is something intended to convey a false impression, it wants you to assume something that is not true.
Is there such a thing called a white lie? Is lying ever, okay? Does a lie work with truth?
A lie is hurtful once it is revealed as not being true. Trying to hide the truth from someone may be considered a white lie but it is still wrong. The lie does not work with truth or for truth, but a lie tries to hide behind the truth.
Yes, for a lie to work or succeed it will have an element of truth with it, after all for a lie to be effective or to work it has to be believable, right?
It is never okay to lie! That’s what we teach our children or should teach them. Because if you lie to a governmental agency or a court of law, they can put you in jail. This type of lie is called perjury and is considered an obstruction to justice.
The Obstruction of Justice
Perjury or lying under oath is considered a crime against the Justice System, since lying under oath compromises the authority of the court and those who operate underneath the authority of it. This type of crime lends itself to tampering with evidence and a Contempt of Court attitude.
Perjury is committed when we verbally or in written form intentionally omit truth. That is correct, perjury is committed when we sign a document when we know that it represents untruth.
Friends let us remember that the rule of law has been established by God, so when we lie to the government, or anyone who represents the authority we are really lying to God.
What if we make a public statement that is found to be wrong or untrue, and we have broken the trust of the public?
If we have truly made a public statement that is found to be wrong or untrue than we have a moral obligation to fix that problem immediately.
We can and should publicly retract the statement that is wrong or untrue. We should correct it verbally and by written statement as being wrong, it also should be followed up with a prayer.
We should pray that any unprofitable word spoken be immediately retracted, nullified, and rescinded under the authority of Christ Jesus who judges all matters.
We should also pray for restoration and healing to any affected parties. It may be necessary to make a physical restoration to those that were hurt in what was said.
It would also be appropriate to ask for forgiveness publicly, then we may even need to step aside as the person taking the lead.
This would require a huge amount of humility to admit to our wrong publicly.
If a person persists in supporting an untruth or a lie publicly even to the point of publicly swearing to it, what happens to them?
False Swearing
What does God’s Word have to say about swearing falsely?
God’s law is what all other laws are based upon, it is fundamental to maintaining civil order. And as a man of God, we should know the principles found in God’s word but let’s look at Leviticus and identify a few of these laws with some principles behind them.
Leviticus 19:11-18… You must not steal. You must not act deceptively or lie to one another. You must not swear falsely by My name, profaning the name of your God; I am Yahweh. “You must not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages due a hired hand must not remain with you until morning. You must not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but you are to fear your God; I am Yahweh. “You must not act unjustly when deciding a case. Do not be partial to the poor or give preference to the rich; judge your neighbor fairly. You must not go about spreading slander among your people; you must not jeopardizeyour neighbor’s life; I am Yahweh. “You must not harbor hatred against your brother. Rebuke your neighbor directly, and you will not incur guilt because of him. Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community but love your neighbor as yourself; I am Yahweh.
When we go to a court of law, and you are asked to take the stand, and you are then asked to testify to what you know. You are asked to put your hand upon the Bible, and you are asked to swear to tell the truth the whole truth no matter what. You are in fact making a sworn statement. Anything out of your mouth other than the truth is nothing more than a lie and a deliberate attempt to deceive those listening. God’s word is very clear that doing such a thing would cause you to be a profaner of God’s name.
The next law that has to do with deception or trickery is when someone puts a stumbling block in front of a blind person, that action is viewed as a wicked act, it is demoralizing and can bring about harm to the blind person. The principle is this, anyone causing someone to fall and hurt themselves even those who are in spiritual blindness are guilty of breaking God’s law.
The next commandment is not to spread slander among God’s people, and you should not jeopardize your neighbor’s life by testifying falsely.
The next point in this passage of Scripture brings out is that we should bring about a rebuke directly to the perpetrator of such things. We need to rebuke them or become a sharer with them in their sins. 2 John 1:11
If what we been describing fits into something that you been doing? Then take note you have been warned, I am not going to share with you all in your sin. Take this writing as your rebuke, a warning to you of what is coming next!
God had the prophet Zechariah warn of a curse that was going to go forth upon the land, it would enter in and destroy the house of anyone who swears falsely.
Zechariah 5:3-4… Then he said to me, “This is the curse that is going out over the whole land, for every thief will be removed according to what is written on one side, and everyone who swears falsely will be removed according to what is written on the other side. I will send it out,”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts— “and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of the one who swears falsely by My name. It will stay inside his house and destroy it along with its timbers and stones.”
This Scripture has a direct tie in to what is happening right now, people are stealing God’s words and using them as their own to mislead people into following them. These are the same people who swear falsely using God’s name.
So, the Scripture indicates that the curse will enter into their house and bring it to destruction. Both to the thief and the one that was swearing falsely. So, how is the curse able to destroy?
There’s only one creation that can bring about that kind of fulfillment of God’s word, it is the spirit forces that are in the invisible realm, angelic beings that would bring about the curse and destruction pronounced by God to those swearing falsely using his name.
Who in their right mind would claim God’s name and then would turn around and swear falsely using it?
The Faithful and Discreet Slave
Jehovah’s Witnesses have taught that the faithful and discreet slave is the Governing Body who takes care of all others in the body of Christ. They teach that they have been placed there between Christ Jesus and all other Christians. This is the authority they use to direct all others in their congregations today. This doctrinal belief all started back in 1971 and slowly developed till the Annual Meeting of 2012 where it was officially made public as a part of their teaching.
We have two biblical accounts that speak about the faithful and discreet slave in the Bible, and one account is found at Matthew 24 and the other one at Luke chapter 12.
Let us make a comparison of the two passages of Scripture to see the similarity’s but also to see the differences. We will also look at the Greek words used to better understand the deeper meaning that is being conveyed. To help us answer the question of “who really is the faithful slave”.
Like 12:42-46… And the Lord (Jesus) said: “Who really is the faithful (G4103) steward (manager G3623), the discreet one (wise G5429), whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants (G2322) to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time? 43 Happy is that slave (G3107) if his master on arriving finds him doing so! 44 I tell YOU truthfully, He will appoint him over all his belongings (G5225).
Matthew 24:45-51… Who really is the faithful (G4103) and discreet (wise G5429) slave (servant G1401) whom his master appointed over his domestics (household G3610), to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. 47 Truly I say to YOU, He will appoint him over all his belongings (G5225).
First let us consider the context of what our Lord Jesus Christ was speaking about in these two passages of Scripture. The first sentence identifies someone whom the master will appoint to distribute food ahead of his departure. The second point is the Lord will return and find him acting as directed and will appoint him over all his belongings or possessions.
The first difference in wording between Luke’s account and Matthew’s are found as steward G3623 in Luke’s account and slave G1401 in Matthew’s.
In the attempt to understand the Greek words, we will be looking into Strong’s Concordance for the definitions.
The word used as steward (G3623 oikonomos) is also rendered as household manager or guardian.
And the word slave (G1401 doulos) means enslaved, a bond slave without any ownership rights of their own, they belong to the master.
Do these two definitions give the impression that they’re not united in the same thought? They are most definitely united in the same thought, as this steward or household manager is a bond-slave without any ownership rights. Christ appointed such a guardian before he left to watch over his disciples until his return, a span of time over some 1900 years ago.
So, why did these two Bible writers in describing the same analogy use different words that convey different meanings? This all comes from the background of these two men, Luke was a physician, and, in his writing, he tends to convey more detail. This also has to do with their perspective, Matthew’s writing focused on something different, he was focusing on the warning given by Christ Jesus.
The second difference between Luke’s account and Matthew’s are found as “body of attendants” G2322 and his “domestics” G3610. We can really see Luke’s background as a physician after we analyze these next words that the Bible writers used.
Now looking at the expression body of attendants as G2322 therapeia, this can be rendered as medical services, attention, care, or healing as those who render the service.
Whereas Matthew uses the word domestics G3610 oiketes, as the household servant, properly a servant the one that was working for the family.
Again, the Bible writers have used different words, and they do not contradict each other but to the contrary they help build together a better picture of the analogy of what Christ Jesus was speaking about.
As you can start to see the discreet slave could not be a man or a group of men. But rather the invisible forces who been directed to guard and watch over the congregation, to feed at the right time. These very ones are slaves to God and to his Christ. Revelation chapter 2 and 3 should help drive home the point that these are angels who were in charge of the congregation, not men.
Why would Jesus Christ ask who really is the faithful and discreet slave? Is it not really because he knew some would not be faithful. So, why would some of these slaves not be faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ?
Before we turn our attention back to the account comparison of Matthew and Luke, I want to quickly turn our attention to something the apostle Paul said about the lack of faith and a profound statement he made about man.
Romans 3:3-4, 10-18… What does it matter, then, if some weren’t faithful? Their lack of faith won’t cancel God’s faithfulness, will it? 4 Absolutely not! God must be true, even if every human being is a liar… 10 As it is written: “There is no righteous person, not even one. 11There is no one who understands. There is no one who looks for God. 12 They all turned away. They have become worthless together. There is no one who shows kindness. There is not even one. 13 Their throat is a grave that has been opened. They are deceitful with their tongues, and the poison of vipers is under their lips.14 Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. 15 Their feet are quick to shed blood; 16 destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 and they don’t know the way of peace.18 There is no fear of God in their view of the world”.
Is this an isolated thought that the apostle Paul is expressing about man? No, let’s look at Isaiah chapter 59 to see what the prophet wrote about the plight of men and how God has to step in to save all.
Read, by following the hyperlink: Isaiah 59:1-21
If these things are true about man, why would the Lord Jesus appoint men to be the faithful and discreet slave?
The Lord Jesus Christ did not choose men to become the faithful and discreet slave he chose and appointed angels as administrators and guardians of his congregation.
What are some of the other differences between the account found in Luke and the one found at Matthew with regard to the Faithfull Slave?
Matthew’s Focus
These servants who were put in charge were to be put to the test by the Lord. “He who is faithful in little is faithful in much”.
Matthew 24:48-51… But if ever that evil slave should say in his heart, ‘My master is delaying,’ 49 and should start to beat his fellow slaves and should eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards, 50 the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know, 51 and will punish him with the greatest severity and will assign him his part with the hypocrites. There is where [his] weeping and the gnashing of [his] teeth will be.
As you can see Matthew begins his focus on the evil of the slave. So, what makes them the evil slave? And why does the Lord call them hypocrites?
What makes this slave evil is because of what is what’s found in their heart, they are only doing good because they believe in the return of the master at a particular time. Do you think that maybe the Lord knew that there would be men who would claim to be the faithful and discreet slave?
Men speak from the heart and will act on what they believe, showing that the real intention of this slave is set on doing bad, to the point of mistreating their fellow slaves. They are found to be hypocrites. They are also found eating and drinking with confirmed drunkards, so what does that mean?
A confirmed drunkard Is someone who does not understand spiritual things. And these servants have turned their attention to being self-absorbed, and thinking only about themselves, hungry for power and control over others.
Luke 12:42-46… But if ever that slave should say in his heart, ‘My master delays coming,’ and should start to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that slave will come on a day that he is not expecting [him] and in an hour that he does not know, and he will punish him with the greatest severity and assign him a part with the unfaithful ones. 47 Then that slave that understood the will of his master but did not get ready or do in line with his will, they will be beaten with many strokes. 48 But the one that did not understand and so did things deserving of strokes will be beaten with few. Indeed, everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him.
What is the punishment that an unfaithful one receives from God? And what is the punishment for someone who is been found to be part of the rebellion?
The account here in Luke brings out that there is going to be a punishment to both those who refused to get ready and those who were unaware that they should be ready. But the punishment would be tempered based on each one’s ignorance and or disobedience.
Luke finishes up with a point about when people are put in charge, they demand more of them than everyone else. Would that be any different for the Lord? Would the Lord not really expect more for those he has appointed?
Wolves in Sheep’s Covering
We should not be surprised that this has happened. We were not without warning from our Lord for he even prophesied that such a thing would happen. Can you hear what the spirit of truth is saying?
Matthew 24:24… False Christ’s and false prophets will appear, and they will offer great signs and wonders in order to deceive, if possible, even those whom God has chosen.
Acts 20:29-30… I know that, after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and won’t spare the flock. 30 Some of your own people will distort the word of God in order to lure followers after them.
Matthew 7:15-23… Watch out for false prophets. They come to you dressed like sheep, but inside they are vicious wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruit. Do people get bunches of grapes from thorny weeds, or do they get figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, and every rotten tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit. And a rotten tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore, you will know them by their fruit. 21 “Not everybody who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 On the Judgment Day, many people will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name and expel demons in your name and do lots of miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I’ll tell them, ‘I’ve never known you. Get away from me, you people who do wrong.’
2 Timothy 3:5-13… They will hold to an outward form of godliness but deny its power. Stay away from such people. 6 For some of these men go into homes and deceive foolish women who are burdened with sins and swayed by all kinds of desires. 7 These men are always studying but are never able to arrive at a full knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and their faith is counterfeit. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those two men, their stupidity will be plain to everyone. 10 But you have observed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, 11 and how I was persecuted and suffered in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in union with the Messiah Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse as they deceive others and are themselves deceived.
John 6:45… It is written in the Prophets, ‘And all of them will be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to the Father and has learned anything comes to me.
Isaiah 54:13… Then all your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s prosperity.
Jeremiah 31:34… No longer will a person teach his neighbor or his relative: ‘Know the Lord.’ Instead, they’ll all know me, from the least to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord. “Indeed, I’ll forgive their iniquity, and I’ll remember their sin no more.”
Philippians 2:9-11… Wherefore God has also highly exalted him and given him a name above every name. 10 That at the Name of Jesus should every knee bow, both of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, unto the glory of God the Father.
Take a knee and confess that Jesus is now the Lord over the heaven and earth.
Writingwithlogos.com – Last Revised 5/8/24