The Great Apostasy

Issues – November 2022 – Grace & Truth Magazine

The Great Apostasy:
Its Cause, Impact Today And The Need To Stand Firm

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. —2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 NKJV

Apostasy Means A Falling Away
The Lexham Bible Dictionary defines apostasy as “a public denial of a previously held religious belief and a distancing from the community that holds to it.” In Christianity it means a rebellion against God and a rejection of His Word. Apostasy in Judaism indicates a rejection of Moses and of what God has given through him, as confirmed in the Prophets and the Psalms – even that Jesus is the Christ, or Messiah. In both cases it implies a willful turning away from what God has given for the wellbeing of His people. John summarized both aspects: “Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son” (1 Jn. 2:22 ESV ).

When Will The Coming Falling Away Occur?
It will take place after the Lord comes for the Church (2 Th. 2:1-3). For our days and for the early days of the Church, we have been given warnings about the coming apostasy by the New Testament apostles and prophets – not today’s counterfeits. After the rapture (1 Th. 4:16-17; see 1 Cor. 15:51-52; Phil. 3:20-21), when the Holy Spirit will be taken away from earth (2 Th. 2:7), a false messiah will be manifested. However, while we wait for the rapture – amazing as it is – Satan opposes the true believers and all that is of God (1 Jn. 4:1-4), whereas the Lord Jesus sustains us for His honor and glory.

The Cause Of The Apostasy
This was revealed in our Lord’s message to Ephesus, “I have this against you, that you have left [literally: forsaken] your first love” (Rev. 2:4 NKJV). The Lord compared the Church with a newlywed woman who lets go of her “first love” toward her husband. This is the real cause of apostasy, or departure from the faith: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1). As characteristics, Paul mentioned deceiving spirits, doctrines of demons, hypocritical lying, a seared conscience, forbidding marriage and certain foods, and a form of godliness without the power (vv.1-3; 2 Tim. 3:5). “Apostasy is the act of a professed Christian who knowingly and deliberately rejects revealed truth about the deity of Christ (1 Jn. 4:1-3) and redemption through His atoning sacrifice (Phil. 3:18; 2 Pet. 2:1). This is different from error through ignorance (Acts 19:1-6) or heresy, a result of falling into the snare of Satan (2 Tim. 2:25-26),” according to Unger’s Bible Dictionary.

The Impact Today
Unger’s dictionary continues by saying, “Error and heresy may, at least in part, be consistent with true faith. On the other hand, apostasy departs from the faith but not from the outward profession of it (3:5). Apostasy, whether among the angels (Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:15; Jude 6), in Israel (Isa. 1:1-6, 5:5-7), or in the Church (Rev. 3:14-16), is irremediable and awaits judgment. Mankind’s apostasy in Adam (Gen. 3:6-7) is curable only through the sacrifice of Christ. Apostates apparently can only be professors and not possessors of true salvation, otherwise their defection would incur severe chastening or, if this failed to restore them, untimely physical death (1 Cor. 5:5, 11:32; 1 Jn. 5:16).”

The Need To Stand Firm
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11). Many New Testament passages speak about the necessity to stand firm so we will not falter because of the enemy’s subtle attacks. The full armor is needed (vv.12-17). Then, on the battlefield we are to be “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (v.18). This is the only way to stand firm against the various subtle attacks we face. In view of the enemy’s attacks, Paul taught the believers at Colossae to pray “that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God” (Col. 4:12 ESV).

By Alfred Bouter