by David Brenneman
"Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness." 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12.
"Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us." 1 John 2:18-19.
Within the professing Church there are those who remember the old hymn "Standing on the Promises". We sang it often during my time at the church I grew up in. It's sang primarily in many Traditional services at various churches today.
It's filled with reminders of the Scriptures and with that which we ought to stand firm in.
In our days in which we live we are quickly seeing places that claim to be churches no longer truly preaching the Word in season or out of season as the Scriptures teach us to be doing.
So called worship services that don't mention Jesus. That are written and orchestrated to not mention Jesus. Places where they are not standing on the promises of God.
If you're growing in Christ, are in an environment that encourages growing in Christ, count yourself blessed.
The apostasy that Paul writes about is a falling away from a Christ-centered Church. It's nothing more than a feel good hour that doesn't do anything to address sin, repentance, sanctification in those who believe in Jesus Christ as the one and only Son of God, who is Christ the Lord Jesus.
We, in our years in Columbus, Ohio, saw many churches even 10 or so years ago that were apostate. Lots of upbeat energized music that didn't point people to Jesus. People being used in services that shouldn't have been been because of being Biblically unqualified. Some, as Paul wrote of, we didn't even stay an hour with. We just left.
Our world is going to see ever increasing amounts of apostasy. A turning away from Jesus Christ. Looking towards anything or anyone except Him for spiritual fulfillment. It's happening now.
Some so-called mega-churches that have thousands attending...are realistically spiritually dead. The gospel isn't preached because people would be offended.
We only enter into Heaven because of the promises of God in Christ Jesus. Jesus said that no man comes to the Father but through Him. In the trillions of people who have been born and will yet be born...nobody has come to the Father but through Jesus Christ alone. Period. Exclamation point.
Paul addressed the second coming of Jesus Christ a lot to the Thessalonians in both letters to them and not just to them but all the church plants.
We who are in Christ are to be a part of His true Church. Intentionally seeking to grow in Christ. Attached to those others who desire to grow in Christ. We are indeed all different but are supposed to have that in common.
Someone pointed out that we live in a data saturated world. This is true. It's so saturated that intentionality to get away to be with Jesus is something we need to do to survive. We need to get used to checking ourselves to see if what we're being taught is from God. We need to get away from any us vs them mentality regarding withholding blessings that the Spirit says to freely bestow to others. Literally a lie in today's world that most Christians don't see as such is being abundantly blessed financially as being ok to keep to themselves. The Scriptures say that such people ought to seek out whom the Spirit says needs help and to help them. Believing that if God so blessed them in the present time He can do so again.
We aren't to be pocket Christians where we selectively choose to obey the word of God when it feels good to do so. We are blessed in order to bless others.
The Church is indeed to be the hands and feet and heart of Christ to the world.
The promises of God are in Christ that we need to truly live. Not live as the world describes it but to live as the Spirit says that living truly is.
Be sure of your salvation and be sure you're in a Church that preaches and teaches the whole counsel of God in Christ Jesus. Keep no worldly attachments to things when you are to be a blessing to others because God in Christ Jesus so blessed you.
Being in such a true church environment will cause you to both grow in your faith and understanding of Jesus Christ and to fulfill your training in righteousness that the Spirit desires to do in your life.
Standing on the promises of Christ my King, through eternal ages let His praises ring. Glory in the highest I will shout and sing standing on the promises of God!
Flee from every form of evil.
Stand firm in Christ Jesus.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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