Jesus' words clear in our hearts and mind lets move on
Now that the words of Christ are refreshed in our hearts and minds on what to expect in the last days lets look at these two quotes:
KJV 1 Timothy 4:1-3"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their consciences seared with a hot iron;
KJV 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
In my heart I feel the “falling away” is something we need to understand, if we are living in the last days there is going to be a lot of changing in both our economical profile and the profile of the church and I want to have understanding of both that I be not deceived! Perhaps it is my own fear; if God said many will fall away I have this idea that when God says many we are talking really big numbers! I have given the most common definition for the falling away and my thoughts in the home page tab the "The Falling Away".
Are the vast numbers of people leaving the churches counted in the falling away? That is a question I found no answer for unless they are those “whose hearts will grow cold.” After speaking with several of those who have taken this path I do not see that as an answer; they seem to be seeking God at a more personal level. So this is one of my questions that is un-answered from this search.
I believe from this statement in Thessalonians that the falling away could be a prerequisite to the seating of the anti-Christ, or simintanious event; either way it is an end time event we should have understanding of.
While clearly stated no one shall know except the Father; we are also warned of the importance of watching for these things to come to pass. My brain works like this: there has to be a major change in the face of the church if true believers will be prosecuted for the sake of the gospel and our love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
KJV 1 Timothy 4:1-3"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their consciences seared with a hot iron;
KJV 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Now to define where we are in time; Are we living in Last Days? Let us assume we are and the Day of the Lord does begin with the Tribulations birth pangs spoke of by Jesus in all three Gospels. In my heart time as we know it has changed and moved to what I call the “The Dawn of the Day of Lord”.
So while assuming we are in the last days the first truth I want to seal in my heart is: to watch and beware of anyone who removes the blood or resurrection from their theology; either one would be an apostasies (falling away) since the Bible is clear in these areas.
So while assuming we are in the last days the first truth I want to seal in my heart is: to watch and beware of anyone who removes the blood or resurrection from their theology; either one would be an apostasies (falling away) since the Bible is clear in these areas.
Where in all of this does the large number of born again Christians who are withdrawing from churches, a large number of churches are closing is this also included in the falling away? Get out and talk to some of those around you who do not attend church; you may find that they are faith believing-born again Christians just fed up with churches. Are they a part of the falling away? Will it be both those who have just removed themselves from church activity and those who apostatize? I find the exploration of this almost bone chilling when you really ponder the possibilities. This is definitely a question we should ponder!
In my heart I feel the “falling away” is something we need to understand, if we are living in the last days there is going to be a lot of changing in both our economical profile and the profile of the church and I want to have understanding of both that I be not deceived! Perhaps it is my own fear; if God said many will fall away I have this idea that when God says many we are talking really big numbers! I have given the most common definition for the falling away and my thoughts in the home page tab the "The Falling Away".
Are the vast numbers of people leaving the churches counted in the falling away? That is a question I found no answer for unless they are those “whose hearts will grow cold.” After speaking with several of those who have taken this path I do not see that as an answer; they seem to be seeking God at a more personal level. So this is one of my questions that is un-answered from this search.
While attempting to discern “falling away” I cleared up to my satisfaction something theologically accepted for some time. Some believe that the falling away has already occurred; the very learned First Century Scholar Josephus a Jewish historian, who lived first century, verifies many things by supplying specific names, places, and events, claiming the falling away took place in 70 AD. However, my trust is in Jesus’ own words and those of Paul rather than the respected historian. The Bible references I have used clearly states the falling away is an end of the age event or a sign of His returning.
So what can we say about the falling away
KJV 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
I believe from this statement in Thessalonians that the falling away could be a prerequisite to the seating of the anti-Christ, or simintanious event; either way it is an end time event we should have understanding of.
While clearly stated no one shall know except the Father; we are also warned of the importance of watching for these things to come to pass. My brain works like this: there has to be a major change in the face of the church if true believers will be prosecuted for the sake of the gospel and our love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
I must ask myself also, what I need to know and practise not to be counted in those to be lost through apostasy! With a trembling heart I acknowledge that many of the New Age Religions declare boldly that there is more than one inclusive way to redemption.
So let me review what we do know…there will be a falling away and apostasies will be a major player. We already have many fragmented churches that have apostasies already as some have removed the blood of Jesus or the resurrection from their theological Mission Statements; researching these statistics I must assume that the falling away may have already started.
Having answered this particular question to my own satisfaction I honestly believe the message of the Bible is Christ crucified and resurrected for our redemption now and in the day of His return needs to be ever present in the fore front of any religious discussion or debate.
Having answered this particular question to my own satisfaction I honestly believe the message of the Bible is Christ crucified and resurrected for our redemption now and in the day of His return needs to be ever present in the fore front of any religious discussion or debate.
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