“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come” (2 Tim. 3:1).
On my two previous posts I presented two giants that are presently confronting Christians, namely, indifference and the increasing chasm between believers and unbelievers. Today, I would like to focus on a third giant, perhaps the most ferocious of them all. I am referring to the apostasy which surrounds us nowadays—an apostasy hiding behind evangelical liturgy.
The apostasy
Since we are increasingly becoming preys (Isaiah 59:15), and are being made candidates for annihilation, it is very likely that persecution will assail us in the near future if it has not done it already. After all, Paul attests that:
…all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).
He doesn’t say, “might suffer persecution” but, “will suffer persecution”. His words are authoritative and certain.
As I wrote in my last post, the influence the Reformation had on our western culture has safeguarded us for a few centuries, but its effect is now wearing out and our society is drastically changing.
The new state of affairs triggers some important questions: Are we ready for what is coming ahead, or are we going to compromise and dim our light? Are we going to speak up, or are we going to withdraw into a comfortable silent zone? Are we going to hold to the Christian faith, i.e., in the warp and woof of an intolerant society, or depart from it as to avoid persecution? Are we going to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or a gospel made of palatable fragments? These are no small questions and we would do well to answer them with integrity of heart.
Tested by fire
Now, this new social shift will expose the fabric of our faith and bring a division between those who are disciples indeed and those who are not (John 8:31,32). For it will shake all that can be shaken, and this, to such an extent that only those that cannot be shaken shall remain. It will also—as Peter explains—consolidate the faith of God’s elect (Titus 1:1).
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6,7).
Consequently, the perilous times Paul refers to will be used as a purifying fire—at least in the life of the genuine disciples. A glimpse of it is seen in the Book of Revelation:
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” 14 And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rev. 7:13–17).
The nature of the apostasy
Of course not all who are called Christians will submit to that cleansing, some will run away from the purifying fire and hide behind the wall of disloyalty.
When I was new in the faith I thought the apostasy would consist of people denying Christianity altogether, and consequently, leaving our churches. But now I strongly believe it will take a subtler path than this. It will rather sneak in from behind, at a snail’s pace, as to avoid the observing eye. Its progress will unfold amidst hymns and prayers, i.e., in our churches, for people will not deny Christ per se, but rather what He believes and teaches in the realm of conflicting moral issues.
For convenience sake the apostates will refuse to identify themselves with the Crucified in view to avoid what He suffered. Consequently, in practice, they will depart from the faith of Christ—from what Jesus believes—while worshipping a fashionable “Jesus”. Paul expresses it in these words:
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Tim. 4:3,4).
When these words were written Paul was speaking of a time to come. And he referred to a group of people whom he called “they”. Obviously, he is here referring to churchgoers, to people pretending to learn Christian doctrines while turning their ears away from the truth Jesus teaches. This is precisely what the apostasy consists in; it is a transition from truth to fables, and it is already happening around us today.
Perilous times
So Paul was anticipating these perilous times, and I believe they are already on us. But beware, their manifestation is discrete and many are unable to recognize the perils they engender. Yet their effect is spine-chilling.
The Scriptures exhort us saying:
Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set” (Prov. 22:28).
But today some well-intended Christians are removing them—I am referring here to moral landmarks—and negotiate with the uncircumcised as to offer them the bargain of the day. All this should not surprise us, for the goats are still with the sheep and the separation is yet to come. But blessed are they who hold fast to Jesus’ name, and do not deny His faith even in days of great adversity (Revelation 2:13).
If you think this post can help somebody you can share it with the options presented bellow.
