2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, …………..
Apostle Paul, in Thessalonians, reminds all believers concerning signs of the times
"You are the Christ." "And you are Peter. On the rock of fellowship I will build my CHURCH (paraphrased)".
associated with the Second Coming of Christ. Confusion continues to abound, as it did among the early believers, as to the signs that will herald the return of Christ. Paul explains to the Thessalonians that Christ will NOT return until societies see men ‘falling away’ from God. The ‘falling away’ will be followed by the rule of the Antichrist……Son of Satan who will come in the flesh…as the Son of God came in the flesh.
Christians generally believe the ‘falling away’ referrs to decreasing numbers in church participation and membership. But the Holy Spirit through scripture reveals that the ‘falling away’ referred to by Paul, is the same one referred to in Christ’s message to the church at Ephesus in the book of Revelations. Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love. The great ‘FALLING AWAY’ is, as with the Church at Ephesus, the LEAVING… or never having entered into…FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST…..which is the very foundation of Christ’s Church.
Christ REVEALED the true identity of HIS CHURCH in the conversation with Peter when He asked the following:
Matt 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
AND HE DID BUILD HIS CHURCH….by indwelling and empowering believers with HIS PRESENCE in the form of the Third Person of the Godhead…the HOLY COMFORTER. The FOUNDATION of the Church is ‘KNOWING JESUS IN PERSON, UP CLOSE, ONE-TO-ONE, REVEALED BY THE FATHER, WITH continuous CONVERSATION AND FELLOWSHIP . God’s purposed restoration of Eden fellowship with man through Jesus is why Jesus became angry when He entered the temple and saw Fellowship with the Living God exchanged for mere enterprise/money/temporal/worldly things. Luke 19:45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought 46Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. ‘Prayer’ means ‘talk.‘ God desires that we TALK with HIM as did Adam and Eve in Eden. HE LOVES US with a love one can’t know nor understand apart from interaction (talking) with Him.
2 Cor. 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Christ taught continuously concerning the characteristics of the CHURCH. But most, then as now, reject the authority of FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT as being synonymous with THE CHURCH. But Peter ‘KNEW.’ ( Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. ).
Acts 7:8 Howbeit the most HIGH dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet
1 Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Cor 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
CHURCH, CHRISTIANS, SO-CALLED BELEIVERS……..WE ARE THE ‘FALLING AWAY’ !!!!!!!!!!! WE L E F T CHRIST OUT OF HIS OWN TEMPLE…..our bodies…our ‘talking’ with Him….our allowing Him to dwell with us…our loving Him as He loves us…our worshipping(loving) Him in Spirit and Truth! ( John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is,when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
But in the place of ENJOYING THE PRESENCE OF OUR LOVING FATHER through spiritual association, we’ve made ourselves a lot of temporal buildings, put crosses on top, and called them ‘THE HOUSE OF GOD.’ I know He is merciful or He would have hit us all with lightning bolts! Instead, he ENDURES and gives us ample space to REPENT. REPENT, REPENT, REPENT……For the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is at hand (within reach, there for the taking, no charge..except the Death and Resurrection of the Soul of our Loving Lord Jesus).
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.
“God’s purposed restoration of Eden fellowship with man through Jesus is why Jesus became angry when He entered the temple and saw Fellowship with the Living God exchanged for mere enterprise/money/temporal/worldly things. Luke 19:45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought 46Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. ‘Prayer’ means ‘talk.‘ God desires that we TALK with HIM as did Adam and Eve in Eden. HE LOVES US with a love one can’t know nor understand apart from interaction (talking) with Him.”
Yes! This is something I’ve been sensing regarding believers myself, and God has been also teaching and growing me in this. He’s been calling me to spend time resting in Him, abiding in His love and having fellowship with Him and that this is our “call” above all else.
Thanks for sharing this! It was further confirmation on the confirmations God has already been bringing my way!
If we would only receive the things He attempts to GIVE to us….we would more fully understand the depth of His love for us. He just wants to give us His love. Love of the God kind does not take. It only GIVES. As we allow that Love in our hearts…we. too, can only GIVE…back to HIm…and to all His created beings. It is truly ‘more blessed to give than to receive.’ Thanks for your response. I rejoice at your ‘seeking’ Him.