Steadfast and Confident to the End - Part Two

“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exults himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” (2 Thess. 3:2-3).

Hey Gang:  I recently heard Mike Hucklebee make a very frightening, but I believe, true statement   He said that he has never seen so many churches that have the white flag of surrender flying from their mastheads.  I believe we could all agree there is an all-out attack on Christ and his Word.  

Backslidden theologians are redefining Jesus, attacking his divinity, heaping ridicule on the Bible, raising doubts about the authenticity of Scripture and compromising with the world culture.

The present generation also faces vile, raging temptations that were unknown to past generations.  Godly men and women, who at one time were watchful, are now becoming drawn into all kinds of addictions.  They have been assaulted and overcome, as Satan unleashes his evil principalities in a war against the steadfast faith of every follower of Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews warned of this very day when he wrote, “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the day of temptation in the wilderness” (Heb. 3:10).

All around us in the world today, there is terrorism, senseless violence, mounting financial crises and panic.  The effect upon the church has been one of great apostasy among once steadfast believers.  Satan’s powers of darkness have been sent expressly to wage battles that will wear down the confidence of God’s saints.

And I do not believe we have seen the worst he has to offer. As we grow nearer to the coming of Christ,  I believe this assault from hell is will only increase and become so devastating, so terrifying, we are going to need ever increasing powers from Abba Father, His Word and fellowship of believers to sustain us.   

Now is a time to take Paul's prayer with fervor, "That would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height or depth" (Eph. 3:10-12). 

Soooo,  is it not awesome to know that  "He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.  To whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Col. 1:13-14)!  We need to remember- when the rubber-hit-the-road, "The word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intention of the heart" (Heb. 4:12). 

Blessings,

Gramps