Although we do not know the day or hour, Christ’s return is crucial to Christians. We’re excitedly awaiting this event. We long for it.
But at the same time, scoffers deny it. Many mock Christ, ridicule the things of God, the children of God and they oppose the gospel. Some want nothing to do with it and with that which God has commanded.
These folks don’t understand that the stakes are eternal!
A ‘scoffer’ refers to one who denies the truths of Christ and his holy Word. A scoffer will entice others to go along with their nonsense.
This is the spiritual deception Peter warned about.
“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.”
2 Peter 3:3
1 Timothy 4:1-2 says, “ in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars whose consciousness have been seared as with a hot iron”
Some have rejected God so often and so long that their conscience has been seared.
If you don’t study God’s Word for yourself, then your faith can’t grow. Then, you’re left to trust what others tell you and second-hand knowledge is what can get you in trouble.
There will always be, according to the Word of God, assaults on the truth from inside. And the Bible calls this, at least in one aspect, apostasy – that is a departure from the faith among those who have professed it, who have known it. We know that in the last days – and we are certainly in the last days – there will be the apostasy.
Anyone who calls himself a Christian and denies the true nature of God has defected from the truth. They are those, according to 2 Timothy 3:5 who “hold to a form of godliness, but deny its power.” They want you to believe that they belong within the realm of the true faith, but in reality, they have denied true godliness and its power. They are, in fact, not at all lovers of God, writes Paul in that same passage.)
From the “Grace to you Devo,” e.g., (“Copyright 2007, Grace to You. All rights reserved. Used by permission.”).
“Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2
But Mark this, there will be terrible times in these last days…
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Always remember, if the teaching does not include Jesus Christ as the only way, RUN!
Many blessings,
Connie Keyohara
