“For that Day will not come unless the falling
away comes first.”
(2 Thessalonians 2:2)
The Last Days falling away foretold here by the Apostle Paul is the Great Apostasy—a defection from the Truth of God's Word.
And I believe we are smack-dab in the middle of the Great Apostasy right now—and yet, many self-professed "Christian" people seem completely oblivious to it.
The falling away began even back in Paul's day when false teachers were already polluting the truth of God's Word with false and deceptive doctrines. It starts with subtle changes, with a twisting of the Scriptures to say something other than what it plainly says. Teachings that tickle the itching ears of carnal hearers, rather than proclaim the convicting, life-affirming truth as God spoke it into existence.
And we've been specifically warned about the perils of these last days false teachers and apostates:
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will
come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving,
unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors,
headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having
a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For
of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible
women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning
and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and
Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt
minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no
further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.” (2
Timothy 3:1-9)
Look at the foretold detailed list of traits that many people will exhibit during this perilous time.
"Lovers of themselves." Many people today are so caught up in their own lives and serving themselves, that they are oblivious to the spiritual and physical needs of others, and more importantly, to the true spiritual condition of the world around them. Most people are living completely 'business-as-usual' lives, doing their careers, promoting their personal business empires, lovers of money, focused on their hobbies, their material things, and looking out for #1.
A common worldly mantra today is, "You can't love others until you first love yourself."
But Jesus taught the following by His example,
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." (John 15:13)
Paul goes on to say:
“But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse,
deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
A very popular, but extremely error-ridden book and movie out right now is "The Shack." You'll need to thoroughly research this distorted story for yourself. It is not biblically accurate and mis-represents God throughout. Here is a good review to check out:
"The Shack" is just one of millions of examples of underlying false teachings that appeal to the emotions rather than stand on the eternal, rock-solid truth of God's Word. The creators of this distortion tell the people what they want to hear, as opposed to what they need to hear. Please beware. While it may initially make you "feel" good and it may sound good on the surface, every word must be thoroughly tested by the Word of God.
Jesus said:
“But as the days of Noah were, so also will
the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they
were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that
Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them
all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Matthew 24:37-39)
Just before Jesus returns to judge the world, people will be living business-as-usual lives, self-focused, going about their daily business with no awareness of His imminent return. With a startling suddenness, they will be caught completely off guard.
A lot of Christian people today are doing good deeds. Truly helping people in need. And that's a very good thing.
But are you waking up those whom you know who are spiritually falling asleep at the wheel? Ready to run off into a ditch? Are you yourself spiritually asleep at the wheel, simply living your daily life business-as-usual? Self-focused? With no expectation of the imminent return of Jesus?
Contrary to modern religious philosophy, we're not "Just supposed to love people."
We're to preach the gospel. Warn people of the impending judgment of God. Tell them the good news of salvation by grace through faith, because of what Jesus did for us all on the Cross.
And we're to remind our fellow followers of Christ to walk uprightly. And that it is high time to awaken out of sleep, if they are spiritually dozing. To pray and seek God's face and turn from whatever wicked ways we're walking in, that God will hear our prayers from heaven—that He will heal our spiritually dead land.
“I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall
never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do
not keep silent.” (Isaiah 62:6)
You who make mention of the LORD—do not keep silent.
Many are called to be watchmen on the walls—warning others of the danger, apostasy, and complacency all around us. And to not keep silent in our prayers. Pray to God without ceasing.
The hour is urgent. Point people to Jesus Christ.
So much is at stake...
—God is Love and Love Never Fails.
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