Disclosure And The Great Falling Away

The Bible tells us that before the Return of Christ there will be a great falling away where Christians will abandon their faith.

2 Thessalonians 2  gives us this end times prophecy warning of a rebellion or "falling away" before the Day of the Lord.

Day of the Lord > Jesus' second coming. God’s divine judgment and deliverance

Apostasy > a decision to reject one’s faith in rebellion to one's knowledge and relationship with God and abandoning one’s accepted Christian beliefs. Rejecting Jesus, His teachings, His Church, as well as His Divine nature and work of salvation.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 New King James Version

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

In Matthew 24  Jesus foretells that many will turn away from the faith and betray one another.

Matthew 24:4-10 New International Version

 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will  be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows.

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.  At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,

1 Timothy 4  States that some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits.

1 Timothy 4:1 New International Version

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

So who are these deceiving Spirits and things taught by demons?

Recently there has been a lot of Buzz about UAP's, Secret Government run programs and cover ups, Aliens, Drones, UFO;s, Orbs, USO's, Interstellar objects entering our Solar System. Strange entities and the like. We have also heard that disclosure about the true nature of these phenomena are about to be revealed. Is it Aliens from another world? Is it Angels and Demons? Is it Time Travelers or Interdimensional Beings?

Regardless of what the phenomena really is, it will certainly have an effect on the belief systems of people around the world. I have spoken to many people about this subject and have watched many eyewitness accounts from very credible people on video. Many claim to not know the exact origin of the phenomena but they all say that what they see, defies the technology we have available today. I have also seen the video's of many UAP's and there is evidence that some of these unidentified objects travel unlike anything we have seen before. There are some people who claim to know what we are seeing and experiencing, but have yet to deliver undeniable proof. 

So what is this phenomena?

I guess we may find out soon. President Trump recently required the release of some of the evidence that has been kept from the public for many years. We now have public access to some videos and documents with the anticipation of more to come. Some even point to the new Steven Spielberg movie called Disclosure Day as a way of explaining what the witnessed phenomena really is.

As a caution to all this hype about the subject, I think a disclosure of something that challenges our belief systems and what we know to be true about God and His creation, could cause some Christians to stumble and question their faith. Like the Passages of scripture tell us, there will be great falling away before the 2nd coming of Christ. 

So what do these end times look like? 

Here are some significant things to look for.

There will be the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, resulting in visions, dreams, and prophecy among believers.

Acts 2:17 New International Version

“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.

There will be false prophets and "false Christ's" that will perform signs and wonders that are so convincing they could deceive the elect, including calling down fire from heaven

There will be cosmic phenomena and dramatic changes in the sun, moon, and stars, including the sun darkening and the moon turning to blood.

Acts 2:20 New International Version

The sun will be turned to darkness  and the moon to blood
 before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

There will be Increased earthquakes, famines, plagues, pestilences, and massive storms.

There will be Intense wickedness, disobedience, hearts growing cold.

There will be Reports of "wars and rumors of wars" on a global scale.

So, what is the effect of disinformation on us and the Church?

In the last couple of years we see the growth of Artificial Intelligence. We all know that AI can be helpful but has already been used to fake video and subject us to disinformation. AI is generating social media bots and videos to deceive us into believing something that is not real.

Some Churches seem to be wrestling with their true mission and losing their "way" when it comes to having a biblical worldview. These churches are bending to the culture and justify reinterpreting the scripture, so what God considers sin, they calling are calling it good and allowable by God. 

The Good News is that Jesus is the author and perfector of our faith and one day  will return to gather up His people. The Bad news is that some people will fall away from their faith and be eternally separated from God. 

The UAP Disclosure could be that event that causes the Great Falling Away.

The Question is, Are believers standing on solid ground when it comes to their faith and trust in God?

Proverbs 3:5-6 tell us:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

In the midst of an earth shaking event we need the Lord's perspective.

God's Word also tells us to beware of False prophets:

Matthew 7:15-20 NLT

“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act

We need to beware of Satan, the Angel of Light himself:

John 8:44 New International Version

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 New International Version 

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

The schemes of the Devil play a role in the deception

 1 Peter 5:8 New International Version

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 

So, in this age of so called disclosure and artificial intelligence we have to rely on God and His Word to get the right perspective:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 New International Version 

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

If the enemy Satan is going to deceive people than we have to be able to distinguish between His deception from God's Word and truth. We have to keep in mind that Satan would delight in getting believers to turn away from God and deny Christ.

If we are told by a source that UAP's are extraterrestrial and entities from other worlds have been living among us for many years, we still have to see the proof. In this scenario there is a possibility we could be deceived because some of the proof seems to us to be credible and backed up by reputable people who believe in extraterrestrial life.  Since Angels and Demons along with Satan are real, there is the possibility we could be experiencing the spiritual realm disguised as something else.    

Remember the desired effect of disinformation and those who are anti Christ would be get believers to stumble and in some cases renounce their faith in the Lord. This could lead to the great falling away.

Everyday people are talking about this subject especially in social media and now in the mainstream media. A believer in Jesus should be focusing on the Lord and what he desires for their lives. A follower of Jesus needs to test everything with God's Word. 

Acts 17:10-12 New International Version

As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.

1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 New International Version

Do not treat prophecies with contempt  but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil

So, In the age of disclosure let's ask the Holy Spirit for discernment and guidance on how to properly address the issues that will arise.

Let's make sure we remain focused on the Gospel and the truth of God's Word. So for all that ask:

1 Peter 3:15-16 New International Version

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

 

 

Just Saying.............................Dave

 

How to Love Your Neighbor in a Broken and Divided Word

 The Lord commands us to love our neighbor. The Bible explains explains in more detail what this means.

Mark 12:28-31 English Standard Version

The Great Commandment

²⁸ And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” ²⁹ Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Matthew 5:43-48 English Standard Version

Love Your Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your brothers,^[a] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸ You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Yes, we live in turbulent times and yet followers of Jesus are to act in such a way that reflects  a new identity that imitates the character of Jesus, sometimes referred to as Christ-likeness.

So, what is Christ-likeness? Here is one definition I found:

Being “Christ-like” in the Bible means actively embodying the character, actions, and attitudes of Jesus, particularly through love, humility, service, and sacrifice. Rooted in scriptural commands to imitate God, it represents a transformation of heart—often through the Holy Spirit—to reflect divine qualities like forgiveness and mercy rather than mere rule-following. 

The important thing to gather from this definition is that it requires an eternal perspective, a renewed mind, and a transformed heart. 

An eternal perspective is seeing the long term big picture. You see, God created everything in our universe, we messed it up, and then God has a plan to make it right again. Followers of Jesus are part of that eternal plan to be with God. Those who reject the Lord and refuse to follow Jesus, do not walk through the door of salvation. They receive their eternal destiny from the desire to be separated from God. Or they may think through their good works earned them a place of honor with God in the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Jesus said this as plain as day:

 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Therefore Jesus is the only way to be reconciled back to God. And in fact He is the light in the darkness to show us the only way to be rescued from our sin is through Himself.

The Bible teaches that

In Jesus was life, and that life was the light of all mankind (John 1:4),  and that Jesus  is  the true light that gives light to everyone  (John 1:9)

A renewed mind means we no longer let the world define who we are or give us our perspective, morals and values. Only God gives us the truth, wisdom, discernment and principles we are to live by.  

Paul in the book of Romans and Philippians explains:

Romans 12:1-2 New International Version

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Philippians 4:8-9 New International Version

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

A Transformed Heart is needed:

Ephesians 4:22-24 New International Version

²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

And we are to share the hope we have been given even though the Gospel will be offensive to some:

1 Peter 3:15-16 New International Version

¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Jesus warns us that we will be hated for our identity and belief in Him.

John 15:18-19 New International Version

The World Hates the Disciples

¹⁸ “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. ¹⁹ If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

So what does this mean when it comes to loving our neighbor or even our enemies?

Jesus said it best on the cross while suffering for sinners and while facing those who mocked and rejected him:

Luke 23:34 New International Version

³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing

In our world today. People are acting in ways that are in total opposition to and rejection of God and His people because they are steeped in embracing their own sinful desires by allowing themselves to succumb to the sinful temptations and hatred embedded in the fallen nature of this broken world. Paul states it this way in Romans 1; their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools. They do not have the Holy Spirit to convict them to see how horrible they are treating others. They are unable to love those who are different.  

Some believers in Jesus struggle with the same kind of hatred and rejection of those who are different. Remember, those who are followers of Jesus are commanded to love their neighbor and pray for those who persecute them. This does not mean believers have to affirm other peoples sin. It does mean we should not hate others but feel compassion for them because they know not what they are doing. The lost are unable to see that Jesus can help them, and that He is the only way they can be rescued from the consequences of having a sin nature.  Here are some good principles to understand about hatred. 

1 John 2:9: "Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness".

1 John 4:20: "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen".

So, how can we love our neighbor in a broken and divided world?

This is what I do:

Pray and ask for God's help. Let the Holy Spirit filter my thoughts and recalibrate my emotions.

Seek wisdom from the Word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 New International Version

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Seek wise and Godly counsel.

And finally, Follow the Bibles instructions for Christian living  

Ephesians 4:17-32 New International Version

Instructions for Christian Living

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”^[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

 

Just sayin 

 

 

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