(By Dave Williams) St. Paul forecast a time of apostasy prior to Christ’s coming. This apostasy would actually be the final action that would give rise to the satanic world leader. “Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed]” (2 Thess. 2:3, AMP).
Defection from the faith will increase. Jesus warned that the first sign of His return would be deception (Matt. 24:4, 23). Deception leads to delusion. Delusion leads to apostasy, and ultimately an abandonment of the fundamentals of Christianity. It was Israel’s apostasy throughout history that brought God’s judgment. Judgment begins in the house of God. The influence of the church on our nation and the world depends on solid Bible preaching and teaching from our pulpits, and God’s people reaching out to their loved ones and neighbors with the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Good News of his kingdom. CONTINUE
