Apostasy

Apostasy

That is considered to be such a harsh word in todays politically correct world and, like the word sin or sinner, one that many now try to avoid. Many of us have probably heard the word apostasy but is it really understood exactly what it means. If we turn to 2TH 2:3 we see the verse that talks about the "falling away". Again we have all probably heard this used especially in end times writings and sermons as it is a description of one of the many things to watch for, to be on the guard against, in the end times. The Greek word apostasia was translated into English as "falling away". This greek word is the source for the English word Apostasy. Again many have heard of the "falling away" but is it really understood what this means.

It can mean the renunciation of a religious faith. It can also mean the abandonment of a previous loyalty or defection, which is the conscious abandonment of allegiance or duty (as to a person, cause, or doctrine). This is not a pejorative (a belittling or disparaging word or expression) and should not be used as such. This is not a dirty word although some may seem to think so. It is an actual description of a person that fails to teach or believe the word of God. A person that has read or been taught the truth of God that then rejects that teaching, refusing to endure sound doctrine.

We are seeing this falling away in many of our churches today. The rejection of Jesus as being God. The doubting of the word of God. Changing the meaning of the word of God to assuade their conscience and to substantiate their lives of sin. It is also happening to keep from offending anyone, compromising the word with the teachings and desires of the secular world.

When the truth is taught as the complete truth people will be offended and perhaps even convicted of their sins. The word of God cannot be compromised. To do so is to call God a liar and we all should know where that will get us. Yes, there may be some difficulty and disagreement in some of the more difficult portions of scripture, especially so when it comes to prophecy. This is completely understandable as these things have not yet come to be and much of it has not been revealed to us. Even in the prophecies though there are portions that are truths that must not be compromised in the least, such as Jesus will return to gather His elect. The resurrection will indeed happen because God has definitely said it will. He has promised to return for us and He will. Their will be a judgement day in which everyone must account for their actions. Thank God for His wonderful mercies as there will also be a permanent reprieve for those that have Accepted Christ as their Saviour. The sins of those are washed away by the precious shed blood of Jesus Christ. There is also a hell, another word that is avoided by many and even claimed it does not exist, and unfortunately for those that reject Jesus there is no reprieve.

The Gospel, the Good News of the Kingdom of God is also every bit of it true. With this comes the Old Testament right from the Book of Genesis. It is the basis of all that is taught in the New Testament, it is our schoolmaster that brings us to the wonderful Salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet we see so many that try to lessen the meanings of the Old Testament to tear it apart by inserting evolution, by saying that it is old and as such it's teachings are out of date and sometimes throwing it away completely. Yes, there has been things that have changed with the coming of Christ and the cross. This does not preclude that it is still true and quite relavent to our faith in Christ, His words, His teachings still hold true today.

We must not try to read between the lines in the Bible, adding in words that are not there or changing the meanings of the words just in order to avoid offending someone. It is God's truth and we must hold fast to Him by holding fast to His words, His truths.

2Th 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;

1Ti 4:1 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;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
1Ti 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
1Ti 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2Ti 4:3 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;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Psa 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

2Pe 2:1 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, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
2Pe 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
2Pe 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
2Pe 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
2Pe 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
2Pe 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2Pe 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
2Pe 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
2Pe 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
2Pe 2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
2Pe 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
2Pe 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
2Pe 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
2Pe 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
2Pe 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2Pe 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.