Dictionaries – Apostasy; Apostate

Below are articles from the following dictionary:

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Apostasy; Apostate:

a-pos’-ta-si, a-pos’-tat (he apostasia, “a standing away from”): i.e. a falling away, a withdrawal, a defection. Not found in the English Versions of the Bible, but used twice in the New Testament, in the Greek original, to express abandonment of the faith. Paul was falsely accused of teaching the Jews apostasy from Moses (Ac 21:21); he predicted the great apostasy from Christianity, foretold by Jesus (Mt 24:10-12) which would precede “the day of the Lord” (2Th 2:2). Apostasy, not in name but in fact, meets scathing rebuke in the Epistle of Jude, e.g. the apostasy of angels (Jude 1:6). Foretold, with warnings, as sure to abound in the latter days (1Ti 4:1-3; 2Th 2:3; 2Pe 3:17). Causes of: persecution (Mt 24:9,10); false teachers (Mt 24:11); temptation (Lu 8:13); worldliness (2Ti 4:4); defective knowledge of Christ (1 Joh 2:19); moral lapse (Heb 6:4-6); forsaking worship and spiritual living (Heb 10:25-31); unbelief (Heb 3:12). Biblical examples: Saul (1Sa 15:11); Amaziah (2Ch 25:14,27); many disciples (Joh 6:66); Hymeneus and Alexander (1Ti 1:19,20); Demas (2Ti 4:10). For further illustration see De 13:13; Ze 1:4-6; Ga 5:4; 2Pe 2:20,21.

I begin this post about Apostasy with this biblical definition because any interpretation of scripture needs to follow this example, scriptural support in assertion of any theory is required.

If we are to recognize the possibility of apostasy that could be happening in our time then we need to have a proper biblical definition of what it looks like.

The one thing that our God has done for us in this present age is to leave a substantial record of events from the past that warns us about both our current dangers and of those to come.

God is good and God alone is to be trusted when it comes to interpretation of scripture.

The first key in our instruction about apostasy is to not be deceived.

John 14:17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Thank God Jesus has sent us the Spirit of Truth to allow us to know the truth.

Do we know Him or have we already suffered a delusion of the enemy?

The second issue of apostasy is that we must be in the Word first before we could possibly fall away.

Matthew 24:8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

The thing Jesus tells us about the signs of the end times are said to be just the beginning of birth pains. What do we know about birth pains?

What we have hoped for is coming soon.

Our labor is just beginning.

The pains come closer together and more intense.

That is enough for now. We don’t have to try and make every birth experience about signs of the end because some labors are shorter than others and the conclusions are not all the same.

What is important to most of us about these signs is a desire to have a proper interpretation of the scriptures to support our hope in the promises of God. If our interpretations are wrong we can be disappointed. That does not mean the promises are wrong, only that our hopes might be driven by personal desires.

In relation to those signs and frequencies as indicated by birthing pains, are they more intense and closer together or is it just that news about events has come faster in this electronic age? It is faster than how information was shared 2,000 years ago. 

The very first thing Jesus had to say about these signs was this; Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.”

How reliable is the information we are gathering? With this new technology involving Artificial Intelligence illusions appear to be very real but are nothing more than creations of sick imaginations that seek to distort reality. The weak and sinful are drawn to the fantasy because the realities of this present time are ugly and dangerous. Or is my interpretation of the scriptures based more on a desire to see an end to all this rather than His second coming?

2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,

We are asked to gather together and talk about the scriptures with other believers.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

Paul uses the same warning first issued by Jesus even though he was not part of the twelve at the time that Jesus spoke those words in Matthew 24:4. While Paul repeats that warning, he adds another. A rebellion against the Word of Christ is coming. Or has it already begun? The Apostasy is predicted.