PRÉCIS ON DISCERNING AND RESISTING THE FORCES OF APOSTASY IN THE LAST TIMES

SCRIPTURE. “Take care, brothers and sisters, that there not be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to trust and rely on the Lord, a heart] that turns away from the living God.But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called ‘Today’ [and there is an opportunity], so that none of you will be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [its cleverness, delusive glamour, and sophistication].” – HEBREWS 3:12-13, AMP

KEY TERM: “TAKE CARE.” ‘Blepó’ [βλέπω]: “‘To [truly] see;’ to take heed, expressing a more intent, earnest contemplation (than normal); to beware as a warning; to look up [in order to] recover one’s sight; to look away from all else save for one object; to gaze steadfastly; to be intently observant so that one can take appropriate action.” DK: To be discerning of the spirit of the other or the times,’ as with the wise Sons of Issachar (1 Chron. 12:32).

QUOTATION. “‘How shall a man judge what to do in such times?’ As he ever has
judged,’ said Aragorn. ‘Good and ill have not changed since yesteryear … It is a man’s part to discern them, as much in the Golden Wood as in his own house.’” ― J.R.R. TOLKIEN, The Lord of the Rings, 1954

COMMENTARY. “‘So all who profess to be believers should be constantly on guard against a pernicious heart of unbelief that might cause them to fall away from the living God.’ It is a constant menace. One antidote is mutual exhortation. Especially in days of difficulty and distress. God’s people should be daily urging others not to forsake Christ for religions that cannot deal with sin effectively …

‘To fall away is to be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.’ Sin often looks beautiful in anticipation. Here it offers escape from the reproach of Christ, lower standards of holiness, rituals that appeal to the aesthetic senses, and the promise of earthly gain. But it is hideous in retrospect. It leaves a man with no forgiveness of sins, no hope beyond the grave, and no possibility of repentance.” – WILLIAM MACDONALD, Believer’s Bible Commentary, 1995; edited

DK. Although Mr. MacDonald’s theology is strongly influenced by the Calvinist notion of absolute assurance of salvation, he departs here with solemn wisdom in severely warning of being enticed toward Apostasy. God repeatedly prophesies that the Last Days will be rife with multiple false doctrines of demons, temptations of material and political increase, and countless opportunities to move away from Christ and Canon (2 Thess. 2:3; Dan. 9:27; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; Luke 8:13; Heb. 6:4-6; 2 Pet. 2:20-22; Heb. 10:26-29; 2 Tim. 4:3-4; John 15:6; 2 Pet. 2:1; Matt. 24:12; etc.).

And yet we hear virtually nothing of such Warnings from the American Pulpit “Today,” beloved. Nothing! Thus, ‘The Great Falling Away’ is fully engaged right in front of us as the Messiah predicted, but precious few will heed it and take the appropriate precautions.  

‘Indeed, only a Remnant.’

‘Be one of those who remain, beloved,’ forsake not our magnificent King even one day more. Hold fast! Stand firm no matter what! And behold the fruit of your faithfulness shining forth like the noonday sun. Selah.