It Starts Small

2 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, ² not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. ³ Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

being gathered to him

This is another beautiful reference to the rapture, a profound truth that Paul passionately expounded upon in 1 Thessalonians 4. At this glorious event, believers from every corner of the world will be joyously united with Christ!

not to become easily unsettled or alarmed

There are countless false teachers prowling the earth. The sinister work of Satan lies at the heart of this deception. God, in His infinite love, sends His message through believers, urging souls to draw near to Him. In stark contrast, Satan disperses his distorted message through false prophets. He leads people further into darkness and away from the light of God. One of his most insidious lies is the claim that Jesus has already returned. Are you aware of any cults that propagate this dangerous idea? Sadly, such deceptive groups lurk in every corner of the globe, pushing their misleading narratives and leading many astray.

Some of Satan’s most insidious attacks are aimed squarely at the world, using deceitful concepts like atheism. He knows that convincing committed believers of God’s non-existence is an uphill battle. So, targeting the church, he shifts his nefarious tactics. There is a frightening chance he could ensnare ill-prepared church members. They might start to believe that Jesus has already returned! Once this deception takes root, he won’t cease. He will relentlessly weave a web of lies. This so-called returned Jesus will claim to impart new revelations. These revelations stand in stark opposition to Scripture. The tragic outcome is a community that professes faith in Jesus by name. Yet, their actual beliefs drift perilously far from orthodoxy. Paul’s fervent exhortation for them—and for us—is to remain unshakeable and steadfast, unyielding in the face of such tumult!

 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way,

If you are deceived by something, are you responsible for it? This verse makes it appear that you are still responsible. Paul says not to let anyone deceive us. We can protect ourselves from being misled and prevent it from happening. How? Knowing the truth is the best protection against deception. If you know the truth, you will realize when someone tells you a lie. I could not deceive you that 2 plus 2 equals 3 because you know that is not the case. To protect yourselves from being misled by false teachers, study the Bible.

¹¹ Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Acts 17:11

Like the noble Bereans in Acts 17:11, you must cultivate the habit of studying the Scriptures independently. Continually challenge yourselves with the question, “Does the God’s Word truly affirm that?” You might not have journeyed through the entire Bible yet. Still, urge the teacher to reveal the biblical foundation of their opinions. If you encounter teachings that raise your eyebrows, resist the urge to judge them hastily. Instead, return home and diligently explore the issue for yourself until you unequivocally grasp what Scripture proclaims.

During the dark ages of the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church tried to control the minds of the faithful. They did this by forbidding them from immersing themselves in the Word. They didn’t just discourage study. They enacted brutal punishments, including death, for anyone daring to translate the Bible into languages other than Latin. They also punished those who attempted to share its life-giving truths in the vernacular. This plot was heinous and nothing short of Satanic. It aimed to shroud the light of truth. It also sought to obscure the detection of rampant false teachings of that era.

rebellion occurs

Apostasy signifies a devastating departure from the truth! Countless Christians fervently search for the Antichrist, yet this verse makes it crystal clear: apostasy must precede his emergence. Paul warns that in those final days, the church will shockingly turn away from Scriptural truth. Those who once boldly professed Christ will abandon the very foundations. This truth embodies the core of the gospel. It includes the profound mystery of Jesus’ manhood and divinity. It encompasses His miraculous virgin birth and the agony of His crucifixion. It also covers the glory of His bodily resurrection three days later. Additionally, it holds the sacred doctrine of the Trinity and the reality of a literal six-day creation. Apostasy isn’t about mere disagreements over ambiguous issues like eschatology. It’s about a heartbreaking departure from the unmistakable teachings of the Bible!

What, then, are the unmistakable signs of apostasy? Is it truly happening in our midst today? I recently came across a compelling article. It revealed a heart-wrenching list of several areas. Individuals within the church, or those who profess to be Christians, are straying from the unwavering truth. This is a call to action, urging us to recognize these shifts! You can view the list at the following link. (Article Here)

Here are a few of the ways mentioned:

• The utter denial of foundational truths like the Trinity is alarming.
• The splintering divisions among denominations only serve to weaken the Body of Christ.
• The ordination of homosexuals pushes the boundaries of biblical doctrine.
• Using the Lord’s name in vain diminishes the reverence we owe to the Almighty.
• Pastors more focused on expanding their congregation than proclaiming the truth are leading souls astray.
• The silence on sin and damnation from the pulpits is deafening and dangerous.
• Evolution undermines the miraculous creation story detailed in Scripture.
• The commercialization of the gospel, with marketing and merchandising for profit, tarnishes its sacred message.

Fifty years ago in America, most individuals proudly identified as Christians. Perhaps a hundred years ago in Europe, this was also the case. They stood firm in their belief in the Bible. Yet, how swiftly and drastically have things changed! False teachings have infiltrated our Western culture, seeping into the very heart of the church. So-called churches now permit the ordination of homosexuals, while the Pope suggests that animals may find their way to heaven. Seminary instructors boldly deny the Biblical account of a six-day creation, all in favor of evolution.

The undeniable teaching of Scripture has been cast aside as the church crumbles under cultural pressures. In a misguided quest to “become like the world to win the world,” genuine faith is sacrificed. Even if people are “won” through such strategies, they are drawn to something far removed from God’s true intention. This compromise is glaringly evident within the Catholic church, whose leadership capitulates on more and more critical issues. Sadly, this trend is becoming increasingly prevalent in mainline Protestant denominations as well. What can you do about this apostasy? How can you hold steadfast in your faith while those around you abandon it?

⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

James 1:6-8

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Cross-References

• 1 John 4:1
• Galatians 1:8
• 2 Corinthians 11:4

Discussion Questions

• What reminder does Paul give to the Thessalonians?
• Why do you think Paul would tell them this?

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