Devotion 12 - Apostasy in the End Times
Devotion 12 – Apostasy in the End Times
Matt.24:32-33 - “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become
tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So, you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!”
Throughout
the Scriptures, we are exhorted to be thoughtful observers of the times and
seasons. Though we are never to set dates, for no one will know the specific
day or hour of Jesus’ coming, but we are expected to know the general season by
virtue of the signs of the times. We are to be aware of what Scripture teaches
about biblical prophecy, and at the same time keep a close watch on events unfolding
in the world, so that we can identify any possible correlation between the two.
For that reason, we are always called to
watch and pray!
God
has obviously revealed certain things through biblical prophecy, and we are
supposed to observe those signs so that when biblical prophecies are fulfilled,
or the stage is being set, we will be ready. Apart from the signs of natural
disaster (Matt.24:3-8) and moral decay, (2Tim.3:1-5; Matt.24:12) one of the
warning signs to look out for and to be on guard against, apostasy.
The Great Apostasy
1Tim.4:1-2 –
“Now the Spirit expressly
says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and
doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own
conscience seared with a hot iron…”
2Thess.2:3 –
“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is
revealed, the son of perdition…”
In these
two Scriptures, we are also clearly warned of the danger of apostasy in the end
times. But let us examine deeper into the definition of apostasy through the
scripture.
Heb.10:26-29 - “Dear friends, if we deliberately continue
sinning after we have received a full knowledge of the
truth, there
is no other sacrifice that will cover these sins. There will be nothing
to look forward to but the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and
the raging fire that will consume his enemies. Anyone who refused to obey the
Law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or more
witnesses. Think how much more terrible the punishment will be for those who
have trampled on the Son of God and have treated the blood of the covenant as
if it were common and unholy. Such people have insulted and enraged the Holy
Spirit who brings God’s mercy to his people”. (NLT)
Apostasy
is not the same as spiritual backsliding.
Backsliding is where a Christian fall into sin due to a momentary
weakness in the flesh. A true believer
may at times wander away from the Lord, get trapped in the pursuit of worldly
pleasures, stop attending Church or Christian fellowship and even reach the
point where he is no longer recognized as a Christian. But should he repent,
God’s forgiveness is never too far to reach him, and he can be restored to
fellowship again. That means that anyone
who fears that they have fallen so far from Christ that they no longer have
hope of restoration and redemption, is not an apostate.
An
apostate is one who is devoid of such godly fear, for his heart is so hardened
that he had actually brought himself to renounce Christ and walk in
unrighteousness. Therefore, people who regard their salvation carelessly face a
real danger of drifting into such a state.
The Peril of an Apostate
This
is one of the most solemn warnings about the kind of sentence awaiting an
apostate, for it is impossible to restore them again to repentance. What could these people have done to
disqualify themselves from renewal and restoration?
Firstly,
the Bible says they were once enlightened.
That means they had once believed and understood the gospel, but later
returned to the darkness of sin and hardened their hearts against God. Then, they have also tasted the heavenly gift
and were once partakers of the Holy Spirit, which means they have participated
in the ministry of God with the Holy Spirit, working with Him and being witness
of His glorious power. They have also
witnessed the power of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, for
they have seen signs, wonders and miracles which all attest to the power of
God. Thus, by returning to their sinful
ways and living in rebellion against God’s word, their sins are crucifying
Christ all over again on their own account.
The
story of the earth and the rain further illustrates this. The ‘rain that often comes upon (the earth)’
is the grace of God that is given freely on everyone who calls on Him. Though all believers receive this grace, in
the same way how all the earth receives the falling rain, yet not all believers
bear fruits of righteousness, which is similar to how not all the land will
produce herbs useful for mankind. The
believers who use the grace of God to work out their salvation diligently are
like the land that bears herbs – both will be blessed by God. But the believers who received His grace in
vain and bore fruits of unrighteousness are like the land that bore thorns and
briers. Both will be rejected by God and
destined for destruction.
Judas
Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver is a classic example of
apostasy and its effects (Matt.26:14-25, 47-57; 27:3-10)
Hymenaeus
and Alexander experienced a shipwreck of their faith and Paul had to
ex-communicate them from the church as they apparently even engaged in
blasphemy (1Tim.1:19-20).
Demas
turned away from the apostle Paul because of his love for the present world
(2Tim.4:10).
1Pet.4:7
– “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in
your prayers”.
There
are sobering times ahead and Peter
connected the urgency of prayer with the drawing near of the end of the age. We
should seriously ‘watch and pray’ to get ourselves ready to be the bride of
Christ.
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