Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed…— 2 Thessalonians 2:3 AMP
Apostle Paul was correcting misinformation about Christ’s return, which was causing panic and alarm in the Thessalonian church. He told them that the “Day of the Lord” hasn’t happened yet and that they haven’t missed Jesus’ return because two significant and unmistakable events must first take place.
The events that must first happen are a massive worldwide rebellion against God, or a “falling away” from the Christian faith, and second, the revealing of the “man of lawlessness”.
I have often wondered what will cause or trigger this rebellion against God and the “falling away” from the Christian faith. Considering that these are Christians who have once tasted and seen the goodness of God, why would they suddenly turn their back on God? Why would they find nothing good in the Christian faith or about God?
Never has there been a time like the one we live in right now, when there’s been so much criticism of the church and its leaders. There are also growing questions about the existence of God and the reality or truth about God.
I know there are the usual, age-old questions by sceptics and non-believers when they question why God did not prevent such and such from happening! The criticism and questioning I’m talking about is from professed Christians. These are people who, for whatever reason, have not only left the church, abandoned the truth and the Christian faith, but have also denounced and denied the existence of God.
I believe several reasons will be responsible for this falling away and rebellion against God, as talked about by the apostle Paul. One reason that I have identified, in my opinion, is a weak foundation in Christ.
We hear of stories and testimonies of thousands of people every year, all over the world, coming to faith in Jesus Christ for the first time. While this is encouraging news and a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the power of God for salvation, I still have some concerns about the depth of their conversion.
My fear and concern are that many of these conversions may not be rooted in Jesus Christ as their rock and sure, firm foundation. I am concerned that these conversions may instead be rooted in the name of the church organisations and their preachers.
Some people, when giving testimony, say their lives have changed since they joined a particular church or started following or listening to a priest’s or pastor’s message. This may sound trivial; however, there are signs that this weak foundation in Christ is already playing out in a big way in the body of Christ.
We will unpack this in later articles.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 