The true apostles were the 12 apostles chosen by Jesus during His life on earth. Judas betrayed Jesus and hanged himself. In his place came the apostle Paul, personally called by Jesus and appointed on the road to Damascus. There were believers in the Ephesian church who called themselves apostles. They were false apostles, NOT appointed by Jesus and possibly never even seen Jesus alive. They brought false doctrine. The true believers in the church at Ephesus denounced and rebuked them and found them false. Today, too, believers call themselves apostles when they have never seen Jesus, who lived on earth 2,000 years ago. They are false and many teach false doctrine and elevate themselves above fellow believers. Jesus praises the believers in the church of Ephesus who persist in repenting these false apostles. They persist in the pure teaching and have not grown weary in the punishment of the false teachings. However, a chill may have occurred. They no longer admonish in love, but with harsh loveless words. Perhaps understandable in itself. We look at our time where there is many false preaching and false tolerance. Sin and repentance is no longer preached in many churches. Because Jezus has already died for ALL sins. Hell does not exist. All this is contradictory with which Jesus and the Bible teaches. The family consists of a husband and wife, but churches no longer preach this. Tolerance of abortion, euthanasia, genero, communism, etc.