Apostasy means to fall away from the truth. Therefore, an apostate is someone who has once believed and then rejected the truth of God. Apostasy is a rebellion against God because it is a rebellion against truth. In the Old Testament God warned the Jewish people about their idolatry and their lack of trust in Him. In the New Testament, the epistles warn us about not falling away from the truth. Apostasy is a very real and dangerous threat. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Dr. Ed Hindson takes us through an end time sign that many are unaware it is proliferating in the Church today.
“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it [Jesus’ return] will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,” (2 Thess. 2:3, NASB).
The Rise of Apostasy Video HD
2 Thessalonians 2
As quoted above, there is a prophecy in 2 Thessalonians about a coming apostasy that is associated with the disclosure of the anti-Christ.
“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it [Jesus’ return] will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,” (2 Thess. 2:3, NASB).
Have you been looking for the coming of the anti-Christ? Are you waiting for him to pop up on the world scene? If you are, are you also looking for the related apostasy? Most Christians are looking for the anti-Christ but are not looking for signs of apostasy.
The Bible is God’s word and it tells us what is right and wrong. To the degree that anyone disagrees with the truths of God’s word, to that same degree they are falling away from it. What, then, might be some of the signs of apostasy? I’ve compiled a representative list of issues. You may or may not agree with all of these, but I provide them as food for thought.
- Denial of basic Christian doctrines such as the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the deity of the Holy Spirit, salvation by grace, and moral absolutes as found in the Bible.
- God’s word is true. Deviation from the basics of its truth is surely apostasy.
- Countless denominational divisions that contradict John 13:35 and 1 Cor. 1:10.
- Of course, there are bound to be divisions in the body of Christ and differences of opinions are permitted (Rom. 14:1-12). But, a number of divisions in the Church is ridiculous and contrary to Col. 3:14.
- Ordination of homosexuals
- Homosexuality is clearly condemned in God’s word (Lev. 18:22; 1 Cor. 6:9). To ordain homosexuals into ministry is clearly contrary to biblical truth and clearly apostasy.
- Women elders and pastors
- Whether people like it or not in this politically correct environment, the Bible does not support women as elders or as pastors (1 Tim. 2:12-14; 3:2; Titus 1:5-7). Men are called to be leaders in the church. The fact that women elders and pastors exist is a sign that men are not doing their God-given job.
- Also, if you believe in women pastors and elders, do not dismiss this article. You must always examine yourself to see if what you believe is biblical.
- Not preaching the gospel per 1 Cor. 15:1-4.
- The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for our sins. It is not a message of convenience or embarrassment. Do not be ashamed of the gospel (Rom. 1:16).
- Using the Lord’s name in vain, something a surprising number of Christians do.
- God’s name and title are to be used only by Christians in a reverent and respectful manner, never in casual exclamation. Just because the sinners do it, does not mean it is okay for the Christians.
- Not sending out or failing to support missionaries (or cutting back unnecessarily) in violation of Matt. 28:18-20.
- Carrying out the Great Commission is the command of Jesus. Any church that is able to support missionary work and does not, is in direct violation of Christ’s command in the Great Commission.
- Marketing and merchandising
- Those in ministry should make a living from their labor. Churches should seek to spread the gospel best they can and selling things to do it is acceptable. But, how many trinkets and bobbles are offered in the name of Christ that do not honor God but are merely for the purpose of financial gain? Is the duty of the church business or the gospel? Remember how Jesus cleansed the temple?
- Pastors who are more concerned with growing a church than preaching the truth.
- Whoever and wherever they are, they need to repent. Pastors must stand on the truth of God’s word, even if it costs them financially and materially.
- Pastors who don’t pray and seek God’s face
- Of course, this should be rare. But, any pastor who does not seek God’s face in humility is seeking to do a job, not a ministry, under his own power.
- Pastors who cave in to pressures from the church in contradiction to the word of God.
- Any pastor who does this should repent now or step down from the pulpit. Pastors are to stand upon and for God’s word, no matter what the obstacles or the cost.
- Pastors who fail to equip their congregations according to God’s word.
- Pastors are called to equip the Christian for the work of the ministry in all aspects of life (Eph. 4:11): apologetics, evangelism, missionary work, prayer, service, love, etc. Far too many congregations are not being equipped with even the basics of Christianity and are instead being taught political correctness.
- Pastors who don’t teach damnation.
- We are not saying that you must preach fire and brimstone all the time. But the fact is the gospel that offends no one is not the gospel of the Bible. the truth of the gospel is that people will face damnation. This is part of the Christian message and it should be part of Christian preaching.
- Christians gathering teachers to themselves to make them feel good
- Is comfort or truth the primary objective for the Christians? Are we divine in nature or sinners saved by grace? Do we deserve to be saved or are we saved by God’s free choice? Christians who want merely to be entertained and comforted from the pulpit are still children. They should be challenged to grow and take risks.
- Evolution
- Denominations that either adopt evolutionary principles or refuse to take a stand on evolution.
Apostasy is all around us in varying degrees. As Christians, we need to be very sure that we are clinging to the truth of God’s word and resisting the inclusion of liberalism, moral relativism, and the oncoming secularism that is all around us. We need to stand on the word of God and never be ashamed of the truth of the Gospel:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,” (Rom. 1:16).
About Dr. Hindson: Dr. Ed Hindson is the President of World Prophetic Ministry and Bible Teacher on The King Is Coming telecast. He is also the Assistant Chancellor and Dean of the Institute of Biblical Studies at Liberty University in Virginia. Dr. Hindson previously served as the associate pastor of the 9,000-member Rehoboth Baptist Church in Atlanta.
Besides teaching thousands of students each week, he is an active conference speaker and a prolific writer. Ed has written over 40 books, including Final Signs; Approaching Armageddon, and Is the Antichrist Alive and Well? He has served as the editor of five major Study Bibles, including the Gold Medallion Award-winning Knowing Jesus Study Bible (Zondervan) and the best-selling King James Study Bible (Thomas Nelson). He is currently co-editing the new 16-volume Twenty-First Century Biblical Commentary series on the New Testament (AMG).
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I AGREE THAT THE CHURCH IS FALLING INTO APOSTASY. However tell me why churches have forsaken the Sabbath day? There is no biblical instruction to worship on the first day of the week! why does the church depart from the basic truth of the word of Jesus when he told us to remember him by the passover not easter(pagan)! we were never told to keep christmass/