As it was then, so it is now

Christianity has faced numerous problems since its inception — chiefly false teachings.

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,” II Peter 2:1a declares (1769 Authorized Version).

This problem is not new and still strikes at the heart of truth.

“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,” II Timothy 4:3-4 prophesies.

With increasing interest in the time of Christ’s return we’ve witnessed a resurgence of false teachings. The Apostle Paul knew of this in his time and by the Word of God warned others. Certainly you remember the warnings of so-called prophets who proved bogus. Nevertheless, these things upset people and usually result in devastation of their faith and checkbook. The Y2K scare wasn’t that long ago, was it?

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand,” II Thessalonians 2:1-3 says.

Christians in the first century were troubled by false teachings regarding Jesus Christ’s return. God, by way of Paul’s ministry, had to address this issue. In doing this God gave clear details regarding things that must take place before Christ’s return.

Verse 3 also says, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away [apostasia] first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.”

There must be a falling away. The English words “falling away” are from the Greek word apostasia. The English equivalent is apostasy. Apostasy describes a strong rejection of faith. This is not new; however, Greek manuscripts include the definite article “the.” The apostasy is something Jesus spoke about.

Consider Matthew 9:12, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

The apostasy shall be as none before it!

After this takes place the next event will be the revealing of the man of sin, the son of perdition [utter destruction]. He is spoken of throughout the Scripture and defined by different titles. His entire life is governed by a lust to destroy. You can read specific details as to what he will do in the context of II Thessalonians 2 and elsewhere. The greatest information, however, is that he himself shall be destroyed!

II Thessalonians 2:8 promises, “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”

That “Wicked” is called the Assyrian in Isaiah 30:31 and elsewhere, “For through the voice of the Lord shall the Assyrian be beaten down, [which] smote with a rod.”

He will set himself up to be worshipped as God and will do so in the Temple of God. What he does and his final rise to power are marked in Scripture by a 3 1/2-year period at the end of which our Lord returns and destroys him. During his reign much will take place, but in the end Jesus Christ stands victorious! Nevertheless, one must view this in grave seriousness as much is at stake.

II Thessalonians 2:9-12 continues, “[Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Those without love for the truth will be deceived and perish!

But take heart, because II Thessalonians 2:16-17 assures, “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given [us] everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”

To be continued.

The Rev. Linus A. Mathis III is the founder and director of Frontier Christian Ministries.