The Great Apostasy - Part Three

          Paul makes three statements relating the coming Antichrist to the great apostasy that he inspires. First, the man of lawlessness comes as a counterfeit of Christ. Paul indicates this by applying to the Antichrist the same word that he has frequently used of Christ’s coming. Just as God the Father has ordained the coming of His Son, Jesus, back to earth, Satan has planned the “coming of the lawless one.”

Second, Paul says that these false signs employ “all wicked deception for those who are perishing” (v. 10). If we wonder how people can be deceived by false miracles, we need only consider the many examples that abound today. For example, in 1858 a Roman Catholic woman named Bernadette Soubirous claimed that the virgin Mary had appeared in the French village of Lourdes. Today, five million pilgrims journey to Lourdes each year, seeking miraculous healings, so that the town of fifteen thousand residents boasts 270 hotels, second in France only to Paris. In light of the power of many imaginings and frauds that happen today, consider how great will be the deception of the Antichrist when he appears with satanic power, performing genuine wonders so as to deceive the unwary, foolish and needy. Paul’s warning of Satan’s deception points out how perilous it is for anyone to neglect the saving truth revealed in God’s Word. Jesus stated that these wondrous deceptions will be so powerful that “if possible, even the elect” would be persuaded (Matt. 24:24). How much success then, Satan will have with those who have rendered themselves vulnerable by rejecting biblical truth.

Paul’s third statement regarding the satanic strategy in apostasy states that his victims are deceived “because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (v. 10). Though Satan is unable to undo the salvation of true believers, his targets inevitably accept the deception because that is all that is left to them once they have rejected the truth. When Paul points out that Satan’s targets refused to love the truth, he inevitably includes worldly malice toward Jesus Christ Himself, who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). They hated the gospel because it offended their self-righteous pride and threatened their lifestyle of cherished sins. For those who reject the gospel truth of Jesus Christ, there is no salvation from God but only a path leading away from Him, to Satan, and with Satan to eternal condemnation.

When Paul considers God’s purposes in the great apostasy, he says that in the coming of the Antichrist, “God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (vv. 11-12). Here Paul observes that the unbeliever not only refuses to love the saving truth that God sent through the blood of His Son, but also delights in the things that transgress God’s law and give offense to God’s holy person.

The Bible’s prophecies of the end fit the pattern both of what the early Christians faced and of the tendencies that will challenge the church throughout her history. John wrote: “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18). The coming of the lawless one will put an exclamation point on what takes place throughout the present era, which Hebrews 1:2 calls “these last days.” Thus, Paul’s teaching about the great apostasy and the man of lawlessness warns all Christians and provides an agenda for our watchfulness in faith. 

This concludes our brief study on the Great Apostasy. My hope is that it brought some clarity to this interesting topic. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://www.theseedchristianfellowship.com/2023/03/30/2-thessalonians-23-9-12-the-great-apostasy/

The Great Apostasy - Part Two

            If professing believers may fall away, how can a Christian know that his or her faith is genuine and therefore eternally secure? Should believers worry that their faith is actually false and that sometime in the future they might apostatize? John addressed this issue in his first epistle, when he wrote “that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). According to John, there are three tests of a true, saving faith. One is a doctrinal test, focused on faith in the person and work of Jesus: “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God” (v. 1). Another is a moral test: “By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (2:5-6). This doesn’t mean that true Christians never sin or are as perfect as Jesus was or is. Yet true Christians have taken up the calling to follow Jesus in practical godliness, turning from sin and pursuing holiness. Third is the test of love: “everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him” (5:1). True Christians are drawn to other believers and gain a love for the church that reflects the family love of God. According to the Bible, these three tests – dealing with theology, ethics, and love – provide Christians with a testimony from God’s Word as to the assurance of their salvation.

This understanding of apostasy shows why Paul was so pleased with the news that the Thessalonians were holding fast to the gospel and embracing a lifestyle of godliness and love (2 Thess. 1:3). They were steadfast in faith under persecution, as their worldly goods and even their lives were threatened (v. 4). According to Paul, this confirmed that they were “worthy of the kingdom of God” (v. 5); that is, their lives manifested a true and saving faith in Jesus.

Yet the day will come, Paul warns, when a great apostasy will fall upon the church. Christ will not return “unless the rebellion comes first” (2 Thess. 2:3). Having understood the doctrine of apostasy, we learn from verses 9-12 that a great apostasy will occur in the end, both by the working of Satan and by God’s sovereign judging of unbelief. In verse 3, Paul had linked the great apostasy to the coming of “the man of lawlessness,” often known to Christians as the Antichrist. In 2 Thessalonians 2:9, the apostle makes it clear that the rebellion is the work of this evil person: the great apostasy by which multitudes of professing believers abandon the Christian faith and turn against the church results from “the activity of Satan” in “the coming of the lawless one.” 

Part three concludes this brief study... Until then, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://www.theseedchristianfellowship.com/2023/03/30/2-thessalonians-23-9-12-the-great-apostasy/

 

The Great Apostasy - Part One

2 Thessalonians 2:3, 9-12

 

Paul wasn’t surprised by the reality of apostasy. Paul had notified the Thessalonians that there would be a great rebellion against the gospel before Christ’s return. “Let no one deceive you in any way,” Paul wrote. “For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first” (v. 3). One of Satan’s chief goals, especially through the future “man of lawlessness,” is to induce people to abandon Christianity. Paul therefore knew that some people who profess faith in Jesus Christ will later renounce that faith, to their own destruction.

The Greek word translated in verse 3 as “rebellion” is apostasia. This word refers to the turning away from a former position or the abandonment of prior loyalties. It can be used of a political rebellion, however, in the Bible the word is used to describe a turning away from the true faith. Apostasy reflects an evil heart that embraces unbelief after previously professing faith. Does apostasy, however, describe a person who once truly believed and was saved, and who then, by losing his or her faith, lost salvation as well? The answer to this question is No. The Bible clearly teaches that those who possess a true and saving faith cannot be lost, for the simple reason that genuine faith results from the grace of God, and God never loses any of those whom He has saved. Jesus said of His true sheep: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28).

If believers in Christ can never be lost for salvation, then what is an apostate? An apostate is a ‘professing’believer and outward member of the church who, having never truly believed, falls back into unbelief and condemnation. John explained: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that they might become plain that they all are not of us” (1 John 2:19). How then, do we tell that a professing believer is really an apostate? In most cases, it is difficult if not impossible to tell until he or she actually abandons the faith. It seems, for instance, that the other disciples never suspected Judas Iscariot of his falseness even up to the night on which he betrayed Jesus to His death. 

Part Two of this brief study continues tomorrow... Until then, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://www.theseedchristianfellowship.com/2023/03/30/2-thessalonians-23-9-12-the-great-apostasy/

Always Remember / Never Forget

“In the Bible, honor is defined as the esteem, respect, and reverence given to individuals, God, or principles, derived from the Hebrew word kavod (meaning "weightiness" or "glory") and the Greek word timē (meaning "value" or "price").  It is not merely an internal attitude but a multifaceted action that involves recognizing inherent worth, showing deference, and often accompanying respect with obedience or appropriate attention.” ^[1]

                  In life we honor those who risk their lives protecting others. Law enforcement, military, fire fighters, etc. In this day and age there are many factions who attempt to discredit those who lay their lives down for another. While the reasons are not clear to me why anyone would do that, I shall always honor and respect those who have done that which I was unable to do. 

            It doesn’t seem all that different to me than the honor we are to have for Almighty God, whom I respect and revere because of who He is and what He has done for me. The “heroes” that exist today are special and are to be honored by remembering their acts of supreme bravery in the face of adversity. Thank you Lord for these brave souls both living and dead, who neither seek nor require any accolades, but for me have earned them, nonetheless. Let us remember our fallen heroes this day and every day for without their bravery and self-sacrifice our world would not be the same. Bless and honor their memory always. 

            Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] www.biblehub.com; www.biblestudytools.com

My Imperfections / My Prayer

I’m far from being perfect. The things I’ve said and done throughout my life would make a blind man blush. There are times when I would wonder if I had gone too far for God to forgive me, then I remember when Moses was forgiven for killing an Egyptian man. I remember when David slept with Bathsheba and though there were harsh consequences for his actions, he was still referred to by God as the apple of His eye & a man after God’s own heart.

How can that be? I know God doesn’t wink at sin, but I also know He doesn’t hold our transgressions against us once we seek forgiveness. He knows the sincerity of a person’s heart and that makes all the difference. All that encourages me, but I still end up wondering if God might wash His hands of me because of my continued wayward thoughts and innocent but hurtful words and actions. Perhaps I am harder on myself than the Lord is with me. I guess that’s because I have felt like I haven’t pleased a whole lot of people in this life by just being me and I want so desperately to feel the warm embrace of my Lord when all is said and done. I don’t want to be spit out of His mouth for being lukewarm.  

Please continue to be patient with me Lord. I’m trying to be the best version of myself with the Spirit’s help. Don’t leave me to my own devices. While my faith and trust in you doesn’t waver, my behavior does from time to time. Without You I am nothing more than a shipwreck of a man. Humble me and lead me down the pathway You have laid before me. I love you Lord and I want to be with You throughout eternity. Help me overcome my poor tendencies and become more like Your Son a little more each day. Thank you.

            Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note: This spilled out of me recently & I thought maybe some folks out there may relate to all this. It isn’t staged, but rather how I truly feel in my heart. Does this resonate with you? Have you ever felt this way? rlk

God’s “If-Then” Clauses

            An “if-then” clause is a conditional statement that lays out a condition that when fulfilled provides a certain expressed result. Example:  If we repent of our sins & believe in Jesus Christ, then we shall receive salvation. The fact of the matter lies with Jesus final words spoken while He hung on the cross. In John 19:30 Jesus says, “It is finished.” In other words, there is nothing else that needs to be done to cleanse one of their sins. Once He says His final words the “If-Then” clause is activated. 

In 2 Chronicles 7:14 God says, “If my people … shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” God’s “if-then”clauses are very specific. There is no mistaking their meaning. Conforming to God’s way is imperative for it is the only plan of redemption provided by our creator. We MUST do something or abstain from doing something to make these clauses become valid and useful. Taking this whole Christianity thing seriously is the key to receiving total and complete forgiveness for everything we’ve done both knowingly and/or UNknowingly.  

This isn’t a matter of doing something to MAKE God provide a positive result. The purpose of the conditional clause is to let you know that God has chosen of His own free will and out of His deep, abiding love for His creation to provide a certain position outcome as a result of your obedience and submission to His condition. THAT is what God’s “if-then” or conditional clause is. Pay attention when you read scripture, because ... “The Bible contains approximately 1,600 to 1,637 instances of the word "if," which functions as a conditional conjunction.  This count is divided into roughly 993 occurrences in the Old Testament and 602 to 608 occurrences in the New Testament, with nearly half of the New Testament instances appearing in the four Gospels.” ^[1]

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1]  https://www.ogchurchofchrist.org/Sermons/the-biblical-word-if/ & https://moreofhimministries.org/if-then-but/

PUBLIC ENEMY

          The way things are going in the world today being a follower of Christ could just make you a “Public Enemy”. I fear that persecution is coming to the homeland, if it isn’t already here. The Christian is the only threat to Satan’s reign over this world. God allows what takes place and persecution may be on the docket for the not too distant future. Stay strong. Stand tall. Fear nothing. Trust God. Perhaps it will not touch you and those you love personally, but pray for peace and the reality of man’s need for salvation. God wins in the end.

            Did you realize that we are HATED by some segments of society. That’s right, literally hated!! They don’t take the time required to understand what we stand for or what we believe, they react emotionally based on what “important” people have said or are saying. Satan fuels the hate; you can be sure of that. 

            It is imperative that believers lock in on their beliefs and not let them fade over time.

Don’t be distracted by worldly endeavors that take important time away from either God OR family. The devil will find that weak link in your chain and fire away at it until you either rebuke his efforts or succumb to them. Become keenly aware of that which is taking please all around you. Unfortunately, we are human; clay in the master potters hands. We can break very easily if not handled properly. The Holy Spirit is the person that holds things all together, unless we venture down a tangent path against his warnings. Submit to the true Master of the Universe; our Creator God. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries