The Coming Storm

The New Testament warns of a future apostasy caused by deceivers and the Lawless One before the Day of the Lord arrives.

The New Testament repeatedly warns us that before Jesus returns his Church will be attacked from within by deceivers, “false anointed ones,” and “false prophets.” Before the “Day of the Lord” begins, his disciples will be confronted by the “Man of Lawlessness” whom the Apostle Paul links to the “Apostasy,” the final great “falling away” from the true faith.

[Lightning Strike - Photo by NOAA on Unsplash]

Jesus warned his followers to beware of the “many deceivers” who would come “in his name” and “deceive many,” namely, “false prophets” and “false anointed ones” who cause “lawlessness” to spread among his disciples. They will pronounce false information about the “coming of the Son of Man,” and use impressive “signs and wonders” to seduce as many as possible of the “Elect.” Only believers who persevere through this onslaught will be saved - (Matthew 24:5, 23-27).

Likewise, in the Book of Revelation, the “False Prophet” performs “great signs” that deceive many, causing them to give their allegiance to the “Beast from the Sea” rather than the “Slain Lamb.”

Already in the first century, deceivers were infiltrating the Seven Assemblies of Asia, “false apostles,” the “Nicolaitans,” the proponents of the doctrines of “Balaam,” and the “prophetess, Jezebel,” causing some members to engage in idolatry and otherwise compromise with the surrounding pagan society. This “Jezebel” is described with the same language used to describe “Babylon.”

“Mystery Babylon, the Great Whore” was attempting to destroy these early congregations from within, the same way Satan has been attacking the Church ever since. His efforts will intensify during the last phase of the present age; indeed, it can be argued this final onslaught is underway even now since many churches have been overrun by lying prophets and “false apostles.”

In Revelation, Satan does not wage “war” against modern Israel or other nation-states, but against the “saints” who have the “Faith of Jesus” and his “Testimony,” namely, anyone who “follows the Lamb wherever he goes.” This “war” includes the invasion of the Church by deceivers, false prophets, and clever deceptions.

Paul is specific in his second letter to the Thessalonians. The “Day of the Lord” and the “arrival” of Jesus will not come until two events occur – the “Apostasy” and the “revelation of the Man of Lawlessness.”

The term “apostasy” (Greek, ‘apostasia’) is applied consistently to apostatizing from the true faith in the Scriptures. When Paul warns that this “Lawless one” will deceive those who “refuse the love of the truth,” he is referring to believers who abandon their faith in Jesus. This is demonstrated by his declaration that the “truth” to which believers must cling is the “tradition you received” from the Apostle and his coworkers.

This Master Deceiver will “seat himself in the Sanctuary of God.” Elsewhere, Paul refers to the Body of Christ as the “Sanctuary of God,” not a stone building in Jerusalem. Thus, the “Lawless One” will target the Church of Jesus Christ for deception and apostasy, and perhaps he will receive a congenial reception in many congregations.

HOLD FAST TO THE TEACHINGS

Paul also warned Timothy about this coming Apostasy. The time is approaching when “some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” In the last days, “evil men and howling imposters will wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” Considering what was coming, he exhorted Timothy:

• “To preach the word, and be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure the sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will heap to themselves teachers after their lusts and will turn away their ears from the truth and turn aside to fables” – (1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:13, 4:1-4).

We should note Paul’s stress on “sound teaching” as the antidote to deception, apostasy, and the lies of deceivers.

The Apostle Peter also warns of “false prophets” and “false teachers” who will disseminate false doctrines and wreak havoc in the Church before the return of Jesus - (2 Peter 2:1-3).

In his epistles, John speaks of the coming “Antichrist.” However, of more immediate concern are the “many antichrists” active in the churches under John’s care. The “Last Days” are underway already, and this is demonstrated by the “Spirit of Antichrist” at work in the church through deceivers who spread false teachings and “damnable lies” – (1 John 2:18-22, 4:1-3).

Scripture provides a clear and consistent warning. Before the return of Jesus, the Church will experience apostasy because of “false prophets” and other deceivers and the unveiling of the “Man of Lawlessness.”

However, the Church is neither defenseless nor without hope. The fact that Jesus and his apostles warned of these coming events indicates we can avoid deception and apostasy, and we will do so by heeding the teachings of Jesus and his Apostles.

As Paul assured his readers, faithful believers will not be overtaken by the “Lawless One” despite his mighty “signs and wonders” IF they “hold fast” to the Apostolic Traditions handed down by him and his fellow Apostles. Those teachings are preserved for us in the New Testament. We neglect them at our peril – (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17).

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SEE ALSO:

• The Antichrist Spirit - (The Spirit of Antichrist operates in the world by sending deceivers into the church)

• The Apostasy - (Before Jesus returns, the Church will experience a great falling away from the faith as many believers are deceived by the Son of Destruction)

• Howling Imposters - (Paul describes deceivers in the church as imposters, deceiving and being deceived)

• Stand Fast! - (The New Testament repeatedly warns of coming deceivers and false prophets who will cause many disciples to depart from the faith)