Young People's Group

STANDING AGAINST THE COMING APOSTASY

by Pastor Mitch
May 23, 2004

The Planned Deception Of The Anti-Christ

The apostasy that we see today in the Christian world is just a glimpse of things to come. Many churches no longer hold fast to the truth of God’s word. Spiritual lawlessness reigns in churches because they are no longer bastions of truth but promoters of false teachings. Paul warned of how such lawlessness would be in line with the coming of the anti-Christ.

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth…”
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10

The anti-Christ will be specially empowered by none other than the devil himself. He will be able to do great signs and wonders. Many people who do not love the truth will fall prey to his deception. Although the anti-Christ will only come after the rapture, the spirit of lawlessness is already at work (2 Thessalonians 2:7). Many have already been deceived by false teachings.

The Danger Of Being Shaken By False Teachings

“Not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter…” 
2 Thessalonians 2:2

Erroneous teachings can seriously cause a person’s mind and faith to be shaken. There were false teachers in the Thessalonian churches who claimed that the Lord Jesus had already come. Such greatly flawed concepts must have shaken the minds of the spiritually immature. Others were also deeply troubled. Brethren, we must not allow false teachings to affect our minds and our faith in any way.

The Challenge To Stand Fast Against The Growing Apostasy

1. Having a strong Biblical mindset

“Let no one deceive you by any means” 
2 Thessalonians 2:3

False teachings can infiltrate the Church through word of mouth or letters. We must build a strong Biblical mindset that will not be deceived by any means. Let’s seek to increase our spiritual knowledge.

2. Giving thanks for our salvation

“But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you… because God from the beginning chose you for salvation…” 
2 Thessalonians 2:13

We must also appreciate the salvation that the Lord has given. The Lord has chosen us for salvation. We have been personally called by God through the gospel. We ought to always give thanks for it. We must never allow false teachings to affect the assurance that we have in our salvation.

3. Holding fast to the Biblical traditions

“Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” 
2 Thessalonians 2:15

We are to stand fast against the coming apostasy. The Biblical traditions that have been taught to us must be held fast. Let’s not depart from what we have learned from the Scriptures. Young people, let’s build a strong defense against the growing apostasy in the world. Let’s seek to always stand fast.

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