Destructive Heresies: Apostasy Is A Fundamental Component Of The Last Days

[angels4u]

One of the key elements of the last days is apostasy.

The definition of the word “apostasy” is when someone knows the truth but turns away from it. Those who have fallen prey to apostasy may have grown up knowing and embracing Jesus and the Bible, but then, at some point, they “de-church,” walking away from the faith. Likely, every Christian reading this article can attest to witnessing this chain of events unfold in someone they know.

There are various levels of apostasy. It can be walking away from the declaration of who Jesus is. It can also be abandoning Biblical truth by jumping on the bandwagon of heresy.

Titus 1:16 speaks of a time in which people will “profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” The book of Jude describes apostate teachers of the last days, likening them to clouds “without water” and hidden reefs that lives become shipwrecked upon.

Apostasy is an important aspect of last days’ events. Everywhere we look, we are bombarded with news of pastors and denominations turning away from the truth and pursuing apostasy.

One such example is Reverend Brent Hawkes in Canada, who believes that the church needs to adapt to become less offensive. In a recent sermon, Hawkes told his congregation that one “problematic” word in their church statement of faith has made him “uncomfortable.”

“When people now come to our church, many of them will first check the website to see what this church is about, what [we] believe,” he began. “Many of the folks who did that would tell me out in the community, ‘I looked up your church, and it sounded reasonable, but when I got to that word, Savior. It was a problem.'”

Hawkes insisted that the word “Savior” presents a problem to those from “another faith tradition,” those who are “interfaith,” those made uneasy by “fundamentalist” definitions of the word, and those who simply don’t accept Jesus as their “personal Lord and Savior.”

He then complained that his past attempts to banish the word “Savior” were met with opposition: “I quickly realized that one crucifixion was enough. I backed off and thought okay, this is not the right time to do that.”

“Then I had to figure out my own definition of the word… I would hope that someday, this church would see the possibility of changing that word because it is a stumbling block for so many who want to be here,” Hawkes asserted. “It is a stumbling block for people who do interfaith work. How do we explain that phrase to Muslims, to Jews, and to Hindus? I think the word guide just as effectively describes the meaning that Jesus is the one who guides us back into a healing relationship with God. It doesn’t say he’s the only guide. If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, join me. It’s okay. But if you want to redefine that word for you, that’s okay too.”

Those are words from the pit of Hell. What does the Bible say about Jesus? In Matthew 2:10-11, the angels announcing Jesus’ birth stated, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Why is it offensive or a stumbling block to refer to Jesus as the Savior? It is because of what it declares—that we are sinful, separated from God, and that we need a Savior to deliver us from the wrath of God. Jesus is the Savior of the world by His substitutionary death on the cross to pay for our sins. The apostle Peter in Acts 4:11 states that Jesus is the cornerstone, the rock that was rejected, and how the world will stumble over Him.

This “pastor” is not teaching the Jesus of the Bible. He is redefining the Savior and introducing destructive heresies. 2nd Peter 2:1 reads, “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.”

In my early 20s, I went to an ecumenical gathering of pastors under the pressure of many, including my own church. There was a Methodist Pastor there who wanted to discuss doing something together. I said, “We can’t do that because you and I don’t agree about who Jesus is, what Jesus has done, and how we have a relationship with God.” The man became extremely angry, and one of the pastors said, “Mark, he can define it however he wants, you can define it however you want, and everybody will be happy”—my answer to that is “everybody but God!”

Pastor Brent Hawkes should be warned that he is bringing the wrath of God upon himself and those who will embrace what he is saying. That is not my warning; that is precisely what the Bible teaches.

The apostle Peter goes on to say, “And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber” (2 Peter 2:2-3).

I share all that with you for this one reason: there will be false teachers, there will be great apostasy, and many will follow. Your friends and family may even follow these destructive heresies but hold on to the truth. Jesus is the truth. The Bible is the truth. And the truth shall set us free.  Mark Henry

[timf]

The word apostasy from the Greek apo stasis might also mean departure and be a reference to a rapture.

Most of the sad condition we can see with Christianity today may be more attributable to long term Satanic plans than a sudden departure from the faith at the end time.

Satan was able to turn Christian practice into a ritualized organizational system. Then with the Industrial Revolution, Satan was able to create a social world alternative to the natural world so that as people grew distant from the reality (truth) inducing natural world, they would become increasingly free to indulge vain imaginations.

His primary objective would be to stop people from becoming Christian at all. Failing that he would want Christians to remain immature and ineffective. To this end denominations that promote a doctrine uniquely correct and complete present Christianity as an agreement with a doctrine instead of growing personally in Christ-likeness.

Our present condition might be seen more as a continuation of a growing departure than a sudden rejection of sound doctrine. Our observation may make it seem sudden, but I see this as a continuing effect of Satan's plans.

[tatwo]

On 3/28/2025 at 8:08 AM, timf said:

Most of the sad condition we can see with Christianity today may be more attributable to long term Satanic plans than a sudden departure from the faith at the end time.

This...if true...and I would agree with you here @timf...is a powerful ideology. Most of the modern “institutional believers” are completely unaware of who and what this “long term satanic plan” has been and is producing.

This is the hideous and evil spirit that produces the “religious enslavement to Babylon.” The “woman” as referenced in Scripture...has been and is producing the “false church...false religion...false messiah”...and...has been “profiting” to an unimaginably increasing magnitude for the last 1700 years in the context of “church and Christianity.” Can you see the “apostasy?”

This “woman”...is drunk on the blood of the saints, meaning...that has she been and yet is...the primary opponent and enemy of the Kingdom of God on earth to date. And as such...Scripture describes her as...as having her cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication...and is referenced as “THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS “AND” OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”

The “great whore” as the KJV so eloquently states it...that has become the "mother of the abominations of the earth" in now all dressed up to match the beasts appearance while sitting astride the dragon’s beast...as if to be directing it?

Additionally...I can see a “sudden departure” from the faith that has gained momentum in just the last 20 years.

Tatwo...:)

[tatwo]

On 3/28/2025 at 8:08 AM, timf said:

Satan was able to turn Christian practice into a ritualized organizational system.

I can see it timf...I can see it...”Christian practice” as you put it...and if I understand you here...has become a “state controlled, state empowered institution”...and has been increasingly so...since “Constantine” in the early 4^th century AD really.

The result of having become another “agency of the state”...or simply another branch of state run governance...this “woman” has forfeited the divine power once afforded her. Her source of authority and power for that matter...has gone from the Holy Spirit whom she disobeyed and rebelled against to the power of the kings of the earth who rule the “all the kingdoms of the world” AKA...the nations of the dragon’s kosmos.

On 3/28/2025 at 8:08 AM, timf said:

Then with the Industrial Revolution, Satan was able to create a social world alternative to the natural world so that as people grew distant from the reality (truth) inducing natural world, they would become increasingly free to indulge vain imaginations.

Yeh...what an interesting picture? Few have ever recognized this.

Tatwo...:)

[tatwo]

On 3/28/2025 at 8:08 AM, timf said:

To this end denominations that promote a doctrine uniquely correct and complete present Christianity as an agreement with a doctrine instead of growing personally in Christ-likeness.

Unfortunately you are probably right timf.

On 3/28/2025 at 8:08 AM, timf said:

Our present condition might be seen more as a continuation of a growing departure than a sudden rejection of sound doctrine. Our observation may make it seem sudden, but I see this as a continuing effect of Satan's plans.

Well said...I just added some detail and color.

Tatwo...:)

[Marathoner]

On 3/28/2025 at 7:08 AM, timf said:

The word apostasy from the Greek apo stasis might also mean departure and be a reference to a rapture.

Most of the sad condition we can see with Christianity today may be more attributable to long term Satanic plans than a sudden departure from the faith at the end time.

Satan was able to turn Christian practice into a ritualized organizational system. Then with the Industrial Revolution, Satan was able to create a social world alternative to the natural world so that as people grew distant from the reality (truth) inducing natural world, they would become increasingly free to indulge vain imaginations.

His primary objective would be to stop people from becoming Christian at all. Failing that he would want Christians to remain immature and ineffective. To this end denominations that promote a doctrine uniquely correct and complete present Christianity as an agreement with a doctrine instead of growing personally in Christ-likeness.

Our present condition might be seen more as a continuation of a growing departure than a sudden rejection of sound doctrine. Our observation may make it seem sudden, but I see this as a continuing effect of Satan's plans.

My friend, you have managed to articulate my disconnect with Christianity briefly and succinctly. A disciple of Jesus Christ knows Him and is known by Him; His disciple has been added to His Body and as such, recognizes brothers and sisters for who they are. We grow in Christ-likeness being sealed by the Spirit of the Lord, for we are His temple raised without human hands. This is not a work of man nor his religious flesh. I have referred to the religiosity of man as demonic, a manifestation of the accuser's ploy to deceive mankind by propping up a religion devoid of the Lord whilst claiming His name. 

This counterfeit is all about believing "correct doctrine" and yet, believing "correctly" does not lead to knowing Christ nor being known by Him. The Lord is pleased to reveal Himself to those who love Him, but He resists the proud. Doctrine is what we are fed by the Lord as we are conformed to His image from glory to glory.