IT BEGINS GRADUALLY

IT BEGINS GRADUALLY!

2 Thess 2:3

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;

Luke 18:7-8

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

           In our first Scripture, Paul is encouraging the church to not panic while waiting for the Lord to come. He predicts a “great falling away” first. The Greek word here is apostasia which is the basis of our word apostasy. There will be a general abandonment of faith prior to the Lord’s return. Some have supposed this means the Rapture – but that would have to be “a great catching away” and there is not enough support for this view.

           Jesus, while encouraging prayer, asks an exasperated question. He asks if “faith” on the earth. The Greek word He chose is pistis which means moral conviction with constancy. He looks forward to His own return and wonders, out loud, if anyone will notice.

           I have observed that religious faith is never abandoned suddenly. In fact, after more than forty years as a pastor, I have seen it happen many times but it always happens gradually – almost imperceptibly. Eventually, someone will look up, look around, and ask me “what ever happened to old so-and-so.” I am amazed that they didn’t see it coming!

           Apostasy begins when we become self focused. It often begins when we feel slighted in some way. Comforts and preferences have been ignored and so we signal our dissatisfaction by beginning a slow withdrawal. We may remain cordial but we are no longer friendly – especially toward the one we feel has wounded us. It is the way adults pout.

           Have you begun a slow withdrawal from Jesus? Has He ignored your hurts or failed to supply your needs? Why not signal your dissatisfaction by beginning a slow withdrawal? You could stop praying and force Him to notice your absence. You could stop worshipping at church and your pastor would likely notice and pray for you. You could stand up and scream “look at me!” At least that would be honest. Apostasy begins slowly. Stop it now before it becomes a great falling away.

Hab 3:17-18

17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Dear Lord, help me to understand that my happiness depends on happenings while my joy depends on Jesus. Thank you that there is joy in my heart today. AMEN