Except There Come a Falling Away...the Wayfarer

2 years, 1 month ago

Except There Come a Falling Away

"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that day of Christ is at hand.

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Who opposeth and exhalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

(Thessalonians 2:1-4)

That falling away, spoken of by Paul, prophesied by Christ, is in the process of coming to conclusion and fruition as the love of many has waxed colder than the subzero temperatures of winter in the Arctic climes of this insignificant speck of dust whirling continually toward the inevitable end that has been prepared for it from the beginning of time.

Yet time continues, briefly, an eye blink away from that conclusion, as decisions are allowed to be made in preparation for the time that those decisions are final, irrevocable, as must be the results of those decisions made by those making them.

As did Paul, I beseech those having made their own decision to follow Christ not to be shaken by the events or the clamor of those about us that still deny the need for any decision to be made, other than the options offered by men who would place themselves above the authority of God, and replace Him, were it possible, demanding that they themselves be viewed as the final authority, attempting to prove that authority despite the inept, incapable and impotent power they would seem to hold.

"Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because  they received not the love of truth, that they might be saved.

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

That they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

(Thessalonians 2:5-12)

Decisions are made constantly and continually in what is believed, and what is held as falsehood. Falsehood always exposes itself, as such, in result, and, in the actions of the one giving it, and the results of actions taken or untaken by them .

Likewise Truth manifests itself daily as those results bring the disharmony and agony created by those falsehoods.

Note that the seventh and eighth verses state that the iniquity at work is limited as to the scope of time it is allowed to continue, and that those responsible will be taken out of the way, consumed and destroyed along with the iniquity they instigate and initiate!

The choice of belief in the Truth, or the deception continues and for yet a brief time allow for decision of which master is followed, where the soul will reside, whether abiding peace and contentment are obtained or whether misery becomes the end result for the eternity of that soul, as chosen by the individual making that choice.

"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, brethren,stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."

(Thessalonians 2:13-17)

Yes, that falling away is in progress, has progressed far along the line of time established for the conclusion that is inevitable and preordained by God to occur, yet we are to endure, and take joy in the assurance of the final end result of the plan in place, remain in the Way, continue to recognize the Truth, and expect the Life that is promised.

That endurance and continuance remains in action as well as word, and must include obedience to both the commandment and commission left us, particularly as that progression and its results seemingly would cause consternation despite the assured victory promised as defeat is perceived by minds forgetting that promise!

"And Jesus answered and said unto them,Take heed that no man deceive you.

For many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places.

All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Then shall they deliver you to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

(Matthew 24:4-14)

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer