ARE WE THERE YET? The day will come in the last days of Earth’ History when many, even those who once believed, will rebel against God. They will stop believing in God’s word and even in Him. Are we there yet?

We continue our study of the three angels’ messages in Revelation 14; within this context, we examine Satan’s final strategy in the war between good and evil, and we look at rebellion and apostasy and how we can avoid falling into Satan’s trap.

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Let Us Invite God’s Presence:

Holy Father, it appears that we are in the last days of earth’s history; help us to remain steadfast even amid apostasy or rebellion. In Jesus’ Name Amen

Rebelling against God and God’s Word is known as apostasy.  It is deliberate rejection, defiance, or disobedience to God’s word and His Authority. It entails a conscious and deliberate act of turning away from your faith in God, questioning or denying the existence of God, or rejecting the truth as it is written in the Bible.

In the Bible, it is called The Falling Away. Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4, 9–12 talks about this falling away, and he provides an identifying mark for the beast, the antichrist, that is the power that opposes Christ in this end time event.

I Thessalonians 2:3-4

3 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, 

4 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. (I Thessalonians 2:3-4)

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,

10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,

12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) 

So you see, in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul warns us of the time of the “falling away” This will be a time when many people will stop believing in God and stop believing Bible’s truth. In the place of God’s word, Satan will introduce a counterfeit system of religion designed to distort the Word of God. 

Paul expresses concern, even in his day, about the false teachings that were already creeping into the New Testament church. This false teaching would continue in the coming centuries on up to the second coming of Christ. These teachings would offer misleading information about the word of God.

As a matter of fact, Satan is the one behind this rebellion or apostasy. He is the real “Man of Sin” that Paul talks about in 2 Thessalonians 2:4. His aim is to exalt “himself above all that is called God” and sits in the “temple of God.” He wants our worship! But Satan is a liar. He is the great deceiver. In disguise, He works using human agents to accomplish his work.

For instance, when you look back at Daniel 7 and compare it with Revelation 13 and 14, you will find that Satan uses the little horn in Daniel 7. This little horn in Daniel 7 is the same power as the sea beast in Revelation 13 and 14.

In fact, the little horn and the sea beast are the same as the “man of sin”, the “lawless one,” spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2. So, all represent the same power.

The SDA Bible Commentary states: “A comparison with Daniel’s prophecy of the blasphemous power that follows pagan Rome . . . , and with John’s word picture of the leopardlike beast. . . . reveals many similarities between the three descriptions [of the little horn, the beast power, and the lawless one]. This leads us to the conclusion that Daniel, Paul, and John are speaking of the same power, . . . the papacy.”—Volume 7, p. 271.

We must remember that Daniel, Paul, and John are talking about a system of religion that has compromised God’s Word. This religious system has taught false ideas and replaced Bible teaching with human teachings and traditions. Therefore, God has provided us with these special messages in the Bible to warn everyone so that we will not be deceived. God loves us all so much. He does not desire that anyone should perish, even those under the sea beast power. He wants us to be ready for His coming. Thus, he has equipped us with the information we need to avoid being tricked by Satan and his evil tactics.

Because He loves us, God warns us not to become part of this false religious system, and if we are a part of this system that has rebelled, apostatized, and gone away from God’s word, the Bible, He warns us to come out of it, so that we are not destroyed with it and Satan.

The truth is that many are unaware that they are a part of this false religious system. God, therefore, does not abandon them and leave them in the arms of Satan. He, as in Revelation 18:4, calls them to come out of this false system that is led by Satan so that they will not be caught in it when it comes crashing down, as would individuals that perish in a broken-down building that collapses.

4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.  (Revelation 18:4)

Our world has come to the point that few trust governments and institutions. Thus, in pursuit of seeking someone morally fit to lead, Satan will disguise himself as that person or entity. How can we avoid not being deceived by him?  Find out in Part 4: Satan’s Final Strategy

Hebron Seventh-day Adventist Church

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