Defining the Great Falling Away
The modern believer lives in a time of unprecedented spiritual challenge. While the world outside grows darker, a more subtle danger threatens the church from within. This danger has a specific biblical name and a devastating consequence: Apostasy.
Apostasy, a term derived from the Greek word apostasia (meaning “a standing away” or “revolt”), is far more than a simple spiritual lapse or a temporary backsliding. It is the deliberate, conscious, and total abandonment of Christ, the fundamental truths of Scripture, and the faith once delivered unto the saints.
The Divine Warning: The Great Falling Away
The Holy Scriptures do not merely suggest the possibility of apostasy; they warn of its inevitability and scope in the last days. The Apostle Paul spoke plainly of this massive spiritual defection:
“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:” (2 Thessalonians 2:3, KJV)
This “falling away” is the very definition of apostasy. It signifies a widespread spiritual rebellion and a departure from the core, unchangeable tenets of the Christian faith. It is a precursor to the ultimate manifestation of the Antichrist and the return of our Lord.
The Two Faces of Apostasy
Apostasy can be generally observed in two primary forms, both equally destructive to the soul:
1. Doctrinal Apostasy (The Abandonment of Truth)
This is a rejection of sound doctrine, usually in favor of teachings that are more palatable to the natural man or the spirit of the age.
- Denying Christ’s Deity: Rejecting the biblical truth that Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16).
- Rejecting Scriptural Authority: Elevating human reason, experience, or modern revelation above the King James Word of God as the final, inerrant authority—a theme you are exploring in one of your upcoming chapters.
- Embracing False Gospels: Substituting the Gospel of the Cross with a “social gospel,” a prosperity gospel, or the doctrine of inner divinity—another specific topic of your work.
2. Moral Apostasy (The Abandonment of Holiness)
This involves a deliberate return to a worldly, unrepentant lifestyle, often justified by a twisted understanding of God’s grace that negates the need for personal sanctification.
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17, KJV)
The individual who continues in known sin, silencing the conviction of the Holy Spirit and rejecting the call to holiness, has spiritually separated themselves from the God who is holy.
The Subtle Erosion: How Apostasy Creeps In
Apostasy rarely announces itself with fanfare; it often enters the church through subtle, seemingly minor compromises. This is why the Apostle Peter warned:
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” (2 Peter 2:1, KJV)
The key word here is ‘privily’—secretly, subtly, and stealthily.
- Compromise with Culture: The desire to be “relevant” leads to embracing worldly values and philosophies that directly contradict biblical mandates.
- Spiritualizing Sin: Redefining sin as a “psychological issue” or a “misunderstanding” rather than a violation of God’s moral law.
- Focus on Self: Shifting the focus from the glory of God and the Hope of the Lord’s Return to self-esteem, self-fulfillment, and an elevation of the human will—the “Global Religion of Self” you plan to expose.
The Call to Vigilance
The antidote to apostasy is not complicated, but it is challenging: return to the old paths and stand fast in the faith.
“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13, KJV)
The true believer must anchor their soul firmly to the inerrant Word of God, remain unashamed of the distinctive doctrines of Christianity, and live in constant expectation of the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). For those who remain faithful to the truth, the hope of the Lord’s Return is the ultimate defense against the falling away.