THE FALLING AWAY

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by AnthonyCope

by AnthonyCope

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day

shall not come, except there come a falling away

first..."

(2 Thessalonians 2:3 a)

Chapter 1

In this chapter we are going to look at an overview of the time of apostasy that the church is clearly in. In my personal opinion, I believe the apostasy began in 1881 and maybe even before that. However, in recent years the apostasy has grown to unbelievable heights. The Bible warned of these days to come. So lets dig into some of the main reasons the church is falling away.

In 1881 the attack on the King James Version started in the way of deception. True Bible-believers have always been persecuted but these attacks were different. They were under the disguise of something good. Brooke Foss Westcott and Fenton J. A. Hort lead the charge against the K.J.V. These men were critics and not Bible-believers. Everyone should really do deeper research on these men if they believe Wescott and Hort were men of God. You will be surprised with what you find. Remember the writings of these two men has influenced every other modern bible besides the K.J.V. Also the critics Nestle and Aland can be included with Westcott and Hort. All four of these men thought that God was too weak to preserve His word. Just like many today.

With hundreds of different versions of bibles, not only is the common believer confused, but Christians have become a laughing stock. We should fully believe the Bible when it tells us that God will preserve His words (Psalm 12:6,7). Why do many Christians believe that man was able to out smart God? It is almost like they have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof (see ch. 5).

Once you better understand the seven churches of Revelation, you will realize that Jesus is not just addressing those specific churches. It would make no since for Him to mention seven churches that no longer exist in a book of end times prophecy. I truly believe He used these seven churches to point out the different time periods of the church age. Which would mean that we are in the time period of the church of the Laodiceans, the time of apostasy (Revelation 3:14-21).

Paul tells us in the last days there will be a falling away from sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3). He does not tell us that the church will be ignorant to the scriptures for nearly two thousand years and then will figure it out in the last days. Many people these days claim to have received new revelations that the church has never taught. This is not biblical at all! Let no man deceive you.

Apostasy is pronounced apostasía in the Greek (ἀποστασία). Which means "the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief".

Some may think they are not in apostasy because of teachings of men. I assure you, if you are not solely trusting in the gospel of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), you are in apostasy. If you have been taught that there is any other way to heaven other than Jesus Christ, you have been lied to. Always remember 1 John 5:12 "He who hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." Without the Lord Jesus Christ we are lost in our sin. There is no other way to the Father. Not by any manner of works we do. First comes salvation then we do works for the Lord.

The apostle Paul warned of this time in his second epistle to the church of the Thessalonians. He said that the falling away will happen before the day of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:2-3). Notice Paul starts the next verse with "Let no man deceive you by any means." There are a great many in this world actively deceiving people into a lie that is not biblical. If you are not trusting in the gospel delivered to Paul by the Lord Jesus Christ, then you are deceived.

Many people's reason for being in apostasy is that they grew up in certain traditions and now they are stuck in their ways. It is never too late to get unstuck in your ways. Even if you were taught that one way your whole life and may not think it possible to abandon those old traditions. I'm gonna put this plainly "If your church traditions does not line up with the Bible, you are in apostasy". I pray you come to the truth that is God's Word, "Your soul depends on it!" You are never too old or stuck in your ways to trust in Jesus and His finished work. Go to the scriptures (K.J.V.) and see that 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides you the gospel of salvation very clearly.

Going to church on Sundays are perfectly fine. So many make such a huge deal out of this in this time of apostasy. Anyone that condemns another for going to church on a Sunday, clearly has not read the Bible. First of all, Paul writes in Colossians 2:16 that we should not judge people for observing God on any certain days. Romans did indeed create the word "Sunday" but Catholics did not start the church assembling together on the first day of the week. "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them," (Acts 20:7 a). Then in 1 Corinthians 16:1,2 Paul mentions taking up offering on the first day of the week. Early church documents also prove they gathered together on Sunday. It was to honor the day Christ rose again.

In this time of apostasy many like to claim that they are apostles of Christ. This is ridiculous! The Bible tells us what it takes to be an apostle of Christ. First, you had to witness John the Baptist baptizing. Second, you had to witness the death of Jesus. Finally, you had to witness the resurrection of Jesus. There are absolutely none today with these qualifications. Be careful of those that call themselves apostles of Christ. They clearly do not know the book of Acts.

Christians have also become very lazy. We are commanded to preach the gospel to the lost and dying world. We are to preach in season and out of season. We are to reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2). Many Christians are beginning to only think of themselves and not the lost souls of sinners. Not to mention the lack of studying the Word of God. We are also given a command to do that in 2 Timothy 2:15 when Paul writes "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed..." The K.J.V. is the only Bible that will tell you to study.

As I see the state that the church is in these days, I can not help but to think that the Lord must be returning soon. We have prosperity gospels, spirit guides, new age, a hundred different ways to be saved, etc. All these false gospels are leaving out the only thing that does save, the precious blood of Christ (see ch. 15). I pray mightily that the Lord does indeed come soon but until then we occupy and redeem the time by preaching the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

It is very important to find out if you are trusting in the gospel of salvation right now. You never know when Christ may return. With us already being in apostasy (Have been since at least 1881) it will not be long now. If you are not saved by grace through faith alone, you will be left behind at the rapture. That is God's grace, through our faith in the gospel.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2). Our eyes should be set on Jesus, even in this time of apostasy. He is our Lord, our King, and we will rule and reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12).

The good news of the falling away (apostasy) is that you do not have to be a part of it and you could even bring some out of it. Through God all things are possible. Do not wait, live for Christ now and the Father will reward you openly in heaven. Do not set back and watch others live in apostasy. Try, try, and try again to witness to them. Always remember to " Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves." (2 Corinthians 13:5a) Make sure that you, yourself, are in the faith before witnessing to others.