About 1975 years ago in writing to the early church in Thessalonica, Apostle Paul draws his letter to a close by referring to ‘the Day of the Lord’ and in a follow-up he goes into further detail about Jesus’ expected return.
The second chapter of his second letter refers to a particularly startling indicator of the wider Church’s failure in the faith and implicit lack of holiness and obedience to Jesus, as expanded upon in the Amplified Bible, wherein the third verse reads:
‘Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way, for that day will not come except the [a]apostasy comes first [unless the predicted great [b]falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come], and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of perdition),…’
[Note a,b – A possible rendering of the Greek ‘apostasia’ is “departure [of the church”].
Paul returns to that perplexing topic about 10-15 years later and prophesies in his first letter to Timothy (chapter 4)
‘But the [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach, 2 Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized)…’
Other than citing holy writ and the essential principles of spiritual headship and thus accountability, especially vital in deliverance ministry, this blog has covered this matter from a newsworthy angle under #Apostasy tag. So the following items are offered for my readers’ consideration:
Revd Brett’s timeline > https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069715806030
Here is fellow watcher John Barber’s even-handed analysis of the ‘pros and cons’:
A few extracts:
‘Perhaps, one of the most significant things (upon reflection, and not surprisingly) coming out of this announcement, in terms of how different Christians, especially those in leadership positions, reacted, is that in the main those in the negative camp seemed to be in agreement with many of the views that I have long been posting on my Facebook page and blogs concerning some of the important, significant things happening in the UK and beyond, and those, in the main, in the positive camp taking an opposite view. It confirmed to me that not only is the nation divided but so is the church.’
‘Obviously, not being an Anglican and coming from a very Low Church camp, I am not going to agree with all that Father Calvin said, but I agree with much of it. While I agree that leadership in churches, especially when it comes to exercising authority over men, should be male, the only priesthood I recognize is that of all believers.
Not mentioned but something what really sealed it for me, in coming to a view, was reading a post by one of my detracting Facebook friends including a video clip of Sarah Mullally’s telling us back in the days of the Covid scamdemic that it was our Christian duty to take the jab (see here). Another powerful video highlighting the concerns of those who think a wrong choice was made with this appointment making several damming indictments, including her pro-choice stance on the matter of abortion and her supporting or allowing LBGTQ+ ideology to prevail, including the brainwashing of our children over transgenderism (see here).’
GOD-INCIDENCE
Whilst writing I’m called to join my wife watching the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem’s celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles with David Parsons speaking on the Lord’s calling all nations towards Jerusalem and thereby encouraging the Jews to look forward to their Messiah Jesus’s return. This was broadcast yesterday morning
The main scriptures David cites are Zechariah but I note his emphasis upon the ‘NOW’ of prophecies and that this was only hours before the most welcome announcement of a cease-fire in Gaza.
SO Isaiah 66’s reference to the ‘last days’ and Jerusalem are most apposite:
SELAH!
See also previous End-Times Briefings here.
PS – Prime Stupidity (weekend 11-12 Oct news)
Furthermore, only now do I note we’ve double-22 once again (’44m’), as ‘God-incidental’ proof of content:
Genesis 14:18 is first mention, albeit implicit, of Jerusalem circa 4,000 years ago and I was impressed with its increasing significance throughout the Bible, for not only Jews but also all nations: eg Zechariah 12 & 14 and Jesus’ return.
Whilst prepping 
Richard's Watch 