APOSTASY
4/19/2012
“Enter
ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that
leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait
is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be
that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14. The first three words of
verse 13, “Enter ye in”,
can also be rendered “there is only one way in”. Jesus makes the
same declaration in John chapter 14 “…no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me” John 14:6b.
In both instances the words of our Lord Jesus are emphatic -
resolute. The word “many” also carries a very significant meaning
in the Greek. When Jesus speaks of “many” He’s speaking of
multitudes, a massive number.
After Jesus
gives the admonition that all would do well to enter in through the strait
gate, He then explains what happens when the strait gate is by-passed;
destruction/damnation is the only alternative. Then in the next verse it seems
He changes the subject a bit “Beware
of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ravening wolves.” Matthew
7:15. Combining the intent from the previous two verses, Jesus is
stating that teachers (false prophets) who seem to be learned in the Word will
be accepted by a mass number of the populous as teaching biblical truth.
Although their words will appear to be sound and correct, these deceivers will
actually be ravening wolves (emissaries of Satan). Because of their convincing
style, their ability to present themselves, and their message as truthful, they
will lead many (multitudes) down a treacherous path which will only lead to
apostasy.
Apostasy is a
fact; it was prophesied as a future event. Sadly, apostasy is now in full
swing. As Jesus speaks of the apostasy that will be widespread in the last
days, He addresses the apostates themselves in the following verse “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and
in thy name done many wonderful works? Mat 7:22. You might be asking yourself, “What’s
the problem?” These zealots did everything correct, right? Did they not
declare the name of Jesus in all their activities? In His name they prophesied,
cast out demons, and did many other wonderful works. What can we say
about these folks? They’re active, they’re persuasive, and
they’re fully adept at convincing the masses of their spirituality simply
by evoking the name of our Lord. So what’s the problem? Just this, He
(Jesus Christ) is not their Lord. I’ll explain further in a moment. But
know this, Satan too will perform miracles and wonders to behold, and the
apostates will be in league with him.
The fact of the
matter is our foundation must be built on Jesus Christ, holding the Word of God
as our final criterion, the final source of authority for all matters of faith
and practice. Apostasy begins as folks move away from sound doctrine and begin
moving towards the teachings of false prophets. In the new wave of apostasy
occurring today there is no sound doctrine. The false prophet’s instructions
are all doctrines of demons. “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;”
1 Timothy 4:1. The word
“some” can also be translated as “men”. Men will, in
the latter times, depart from the truth, which is Christ Jesus, as they are
presented with the doctrines of demons by seducing spirits. The above verse is
not merely a suggestion of what might happen, but a firm declaration of what
the majority of the earth’s populous will be consumed with in the last
days.
“They
profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and
disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
Titus 1:16. The false
teachers/false prophets are quite adept in their teaching, and in their outside
appearance they attempt to put on Christ. Although their deceptions rely
heavily on the incessant use of the name “Jesus” it’s all
just a façade as there’s no indwelling by the Holy Spirit. By their works
they are laid bare.
In the Greek the
word for falling away is “apostasia”
or apostasy, and it actually means to refuse to accept a certain belief or
faith. It refers to those who have forsaken or rejected the true faith by
turning to false doctrines, doctrines of demons. Any teaching that denies the
deity of Jesus Christ is a false satanic doctrine. The religions of Islam,
Mormonism, Jehovah Witness, Scientology, as well as many more, all fall under
the umbrella of doctrines of demons.
Yet they are convinced that they have the true faith, the true doctrine, thus
they promote falsehoods and lead many others down the same destructive path.
The only possible way for someone to be led astray is to neglect the study of
the truth – in the infallible Word of God. Everything we are taught by
others must be filtered through the Word of God. The scriptures are our only
link to truth and our shield protecting us from the deceptions of the doctrines
of demons. One of the worst corrupting influences is our own feelings. Feelings
can be deceptive, filter every feeling trough the Word of God.
“But
I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so
your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he
that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye
receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye
have not accepted, ye might well bear with him… For such are false
apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of
Christ”. 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 & 13. Paul tells
the Corinthian “ekklesia” (called out assembly) that he was fearful
that through subtle means they may be led astray by false apostles, just as Eve
was led astray by Satan. He goes on to explain that even Satan has the ability
to transform himself as an angel of light. “And
no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore
it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of
righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:14-15. We are deceived
when we look at the outside appearance and accept that person as wise and
without fault, while dismissing the fact that the heart of man is deceitful. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. Have you noticed that God
always declares that their end will be according to their works? Since the
apostasy of the true faith leads to a works based faith, all who fall into that
category will be judged by their works. Herein lies a major problem, there will
be no salvation attributed to any person’s works. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man
should boast” Ephesians 2:8,
9.
It’s
imperative that we take a look at the how and why false prophets and the
transformed ministers of righteousness (demons) are so successful, as they will
lead many people down that apostasy trail. “Tarry
ye and wonder; take your pleasure and be blind: they are drunken, but not with
wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For Jehovah hath poured out upon
you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes, the prophets; and your
heads, the seers, hath he covered. And all vision is become unto you as the
words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned,
saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed: and
the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray
thee; and he saith, I am not learned. And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this
people draw nigh unto me, and with their mouth and with their lips to honor me,
but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment
of men which hath been taught them; therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a
marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder; and the
wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent
men shall be hid.” Isaiah
29:9-14.
These six verses
of Isaiah contain the how and why many are so easily led astray. First of all,
people take pleasure in being led, even to the extent that they are being led
to the slaughter. They are caught up in the experiential instead of acquiring
knowledge by the diligent study of God’s Word, and in their jubilation
staggering around as though they are drunk on wine, but they are actually full
of the delight that has tickled their ears. “For
the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their
own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they
shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto
fables.” 1 Timothy 4:3-4.
These folks will receive only what they desire to hear, what will be
pleasurable to them, and as they progress down this path more and more the
truth will elude them.
As Isaiah
continues, he explains what happens when the Word of God is supplanted and
replaced by the doctrines of demons. A deep sleep comes over those who fall for
this kind of teaching and their eyes and ears are closed to the truth. They can
no longer understand the truth of God, it’s as though God’s Word
has been sealed and they can’t open the seal. What happens then is they begin to seek the truth
from those who are just as deluded as they are. They will turn to the educated
(those who’ve been through seminary or some Christian college) for the
truth, but in many cases today even those folks have been taught deceptions
(Satan’s emissaries have moved into those arenas also) so that they, too,
can no longer understand the Word of God. God says He will make His truth to be
sealed even from the learned (educated). Thus they turn to interpretations that
are contrary to God’s truth (doctrines of demons).
Isaiah goes on
to explain that these people actually possess a form of spirituality, they draw
close to God with their mouths and their words seem to honor Him, but their
hearts are far from God. They have been taught the doctrines of demons and men,
and the truth is not in them. God says that as they persist in this mode He
will hide wisdom and knowledge from them. Apostasy will have them.
Amos tells us
there will come a famine in the land (the whole earth), a famine of hearing the
Word of God. “Behold, the days come,
saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of
bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they
shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall
run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.”
Amos 8:11-12. People will seek to
learn God’s truth, and in so doing they will settle on a counterfeit
– lies, as the Word of God will have gone missing.
So how shall we
know them, these teachers of deceit? “Ye
shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of
thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither
can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth
good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye
shall know them.” Matthew
7:16-20. First of all the Holy Spirit will not be a part of their
lives, thus their teachings will contradict the Word of God (producing no good
fruit). Secondly the fruit of their labor is works based and this concept will
fully corrupt the masses, the results of which will only bring destruction.
Hell will be their destination.
If you know the
Word of God these purveyors of lies/false doctrines will not be able to deceive
you in any way, even though their persona may be impeccable. They will speak of
Jesus as if they know Him but Jesus Himself says “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from
me, ye that work iniquity (wickedness).” Matthew 7:23.
Even though in the previous verse of Matthew chapter 7 we understand that these
folks were apparently successful in their casting out demons, prophetic
predictions, and achieving a level of apparent wondrous signs, their doctrines
were of demons. The Holy Spirit was not indwelling them as they had never truly
believed in Messiah Jesus.
Those who are
intent on fulfilling their own lusts will accept any lie as long as it makes
them feel good. This is, then, the apostasy that the Bible speaks of as coming
upon the inhabitants of earth in the last days. Don’t put your trust in
man but in God and His Word. There is no substitute, and for the apostate there
is little time to reverse course.
God bless you
all,
Ron Graham
All
scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed
Please
continue to pray for my health.
No comments:
Post a Comment