In considering the meaning of 'apostasy' another Bible verse that the Holy Spirit brings to mind is: BUT MARK THIS, THERE WILL BE TERRIBLE TIMES IN THE LAST DAYS. (2 Tim. 3:1 NIV)
People will be, HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS, BUT DENYING ITS POWER. (2 Tim. 3:5a NIV) What is the power of Christianity? JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED! We are told to stay away from these apostates who deny our Lord Jesus. HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH SUCH PEOPLE. (v. 5b)
It seems that apostasy can involve not only 'falling away' from Jesus, but can involve 'revolting' against God's moral laws too. This will be especially true in these last days we are living in, apostasy will grow even worse as we approach the end of this age. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 reveals this. The Contemporary English Version puts it this way: YOU CAN BE CERTAIN THAT IN THE LAST DAYS THERE WILL BE SOME VERY HARD TIMES. PEOPLE WILL LOVE ONLY THEMSELVES AND MONEY. THEY WILL BE PROUD, DISOBEDIENT TO THEIR PARENTS. THEY WILL ALSO BE UNGRATEFUL, GODLESS, HEARTLESS, AND HATEFUL. THEIR WORDS WILL BE CRUEL, AND THEY WILL HAVE NO SELF-CONTROL OR PITY. THESE PEOPLE WILL HATE EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD. THEY WILL BE SNEAKY, RECKLESS AND PUFFED UP WITH PRIDE. INSTEAD OF LOVING GOD, THEY WILL LOVE PLEASURE. EVEN THOUGH THEY WILL MAKE A SHOW OF BEING RELIGIOUS, THEIR RELIGION WON'T BE REAL. DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH SUCH PEOPLE. I have personally met so many men like this. It grieves my heart. Sad days we live in, but we have been warned.
Jesus says: "BEHOLD, I AM SENDING YOU OUT AS SHEEP IN THE MIDST OF WOLVES, SO BE WISE AS SERPENTS AND INNOCENT AS DOVES." (Mt. 10:16 ESV) I am naturally harmless as a dove, yet I have learned to b e wise as a seprent. Let us all learn that. Once I saw a snake slither away out of the side of my eye. So, I thought, "aha, I know where you are." Yet, when I looked and prodded the place in the leaves where I saw the snake go. It was gone. Now, that's as wise as a serpent. May we all learn to be that wise.
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