Thots On "Falling Away"

2Thessalonians 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;


I was just thinking about how few people are interested in blog entries at this site – especially when the topic is about Biblical things. Political hot-topics get far more hits, far more searches, and far more comments. But when I post on the Bible, I get fewer hits, fewer searches and far fewer comments. Wonder why?

Then this verse came to mind. The headlines tell us that the time is coming and soon, that Christ will return for his church. One of the greatest signs of that coming is the falling away from the faith. There will be a deception, and many will fall for it. Many ARE falling for it.

The deception I’m talking about is seen in various forms today. It comes in the lab coat of the scientist who declares his test tube to be truth. It comes in the gray suit of the politician who declares his popularity to be truth – which comes and goes with the fads of the people. It comes in the black robe of the judge who declares his values to be superior because his title includes the name (Superior Court Justice). The deception comes in the form of the new age thinker who declares his experience to be more reliable than the testimony of the Scriptures over thousands of years. Yes, this deception comes in the form of the video and entertainment industry who regularly push their values through their craft and demean the believer for his values and faith. Money has replaced God as the power that makes the world go ‘round. Popular Science has replaced perfect Truth. History is being re-written, greed grows, and persecution pervades our world. The Bible is illegal in many places, and to relay its message is considered hate speech, all while these same judges decry peace and faith, taking instead violence and immorality as a standard we all have a right to “enjoy.”

Christians are not even interested (in large numbers) with the truth. Sometimes I read the Bible and shake my head in stunned surprise at the bluntness with which the words hit my heart. My biggest critics don’t like my preaching because I’m so “blunt” with the truth. My biggest supporters find that my strongest point. I have far more critics than supporters. The truth is not easy, but it will set you free. Christians need to be very careful these days not to fall away to comfort, ease, and entertainment. We must be growing in love with Christ and out of love with the world. Christians, however, are falling away in larger and larger numbers.

Devotion to doctrine and Scripture is eroding like a snowball rolling down hill, gaining speed and size as it travels. Theologians and congregations alike are rejecting the Biblical truths. For example: The virgin birth of Christ is rejected. Creation is not literal. Noah’s Ark didn’t happen. Moses’ Ten Commandments are the Ten Suggestions. God’s church has no order anymore – anyone may step into the pulpit, even if God didn’t put them there. Women are usurping the authority of men all over, raising themselves up as “prophetesses,” “apostles,” and “pastors.” God no longer hates sexual sins – in fact, God loves people so much that He doesn’t care if they sin or not any more. The gospel has been changed so that a person is no longer saved by faith, but by works – be they baptism, church membership, speaking in tongues that no one knows but anyone may be taught to do. One can find God without knowing Jesus Christ. Truth is relative – what’s true for me may not be true for you. And on and on the doctrine of the Scriptures is perverted so that today’s churches have mutated into something that the Bible could not recognize.

The hope? It is the same today as it always has been – Jesus Christ – the Jesus Christ of the Bible. He is alive, well, and returning for His own. But there will be a falling away first. Will you be found in Him, or will you fall away? I pray you will turn to Him, stay with Him, and be found in Him when He returns! Love Him, love His Word.