STAY ALERT!

And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another (Matthew 24:10).

falling away

Studying the Bible reveals the warning of many individuals within the Body of Christ (the Church) falling away during the end-times and prior to the return of Christ. Were you surprised by this? I certainly was when I first read it.

The idea of individuals who have been active churchgoers for years and identified as Christians turning away from their faith may seem perplexing. Could it be that those who fall away were never genuinely Christians to begin with, despite their church attendance?

It is conceivable (we'll review Paul's writings later) that many Church attendees claiming to be Christian may not authentically be devoted believers.

On the Mount of Olives, Jesus informs His disciples while discussing the signs of His return in Matthew 24:10-14:

And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold.

In Paul's writings to the Thessalonian Church, it is clear that he is warning them of false teachings, inaccuracies, and other spiritual and physical beings and actions that are not of Jesus Christ. He cautions them in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3:

...that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed...

In Paul's original writings, he uses the Greek word apostasia which can be translated as “apostasy” here in the NASB, “falling away," “betrayal” or in the ESV, “rebellion." 

Thus, after reviewing Matthew 24 and 2 Thessalonians 2, it is reasonable to assume that we are talking about the same event prior to Christ's return.

Focusing on studying the Word of God is essential for staying alert and distinguishing between truth and falsehood. This helps one recognize false prophets, misleading teachings, and deceptive promises that are not aligned with the Bible.

Vannessa Horebuena Artwork.

When is Christ coming back? Once more, in Matthew 24, Jesus provides a response that may seem unsatisfactory to many, particularly those of us who are eager or impatient. However, as believers who believe Jesus is the Lord, we must set aside our selfish desires and heed His caution. In Matthew 24:42-44, we read:

Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming...For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

Being instructed to "must be ready" implies staying alert and watchful, discerning the signs of the times, and carefully scrutinizing every word, writing, and behavior in accordance with Biblical Truth. Merriam-Webster defines the noun form of alert as "a state of attentive observation and preparedness, particularly for potential danger or opportunity." Of particular importance is the term opportunity.

Periods of adversity, temptations, strife, and unpredictability present distinct opportunities for Christians to TURN (acrostic):

• Think about Biblical Truth

• Understand Scripture and the situation

• Reflect on and repent of any wrongdoing

• Now act and move in a new direction

Our dependence on Jesus and the Holy Spirit leads us to more consistently make righteous decisions, choosing good over evil.

how to stay alert?

Scripture is a vital weapon referred to as a Sword. It helps us cultivate a vigilant defensive mindset to stay alert and cut away our sinful thoughts before we act on them. It is crucial to keep this Sword, the living Word of God, in our thoughts or physically accessible. By studying, praying, understanding, and memorizing Scripture, we maintain a relationship and communication with our Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, guiding us in our daily living, loving, and leading with a Biblical worldview in mind.

During and after my service with the 82nd in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I regularly recited a short prayer I memorized:

Heavenly Father, help me put on the Full Armor of God to resist the devil's schemes. Expand my territory and bless me indeed so that I may be a source of blessings to others.

This prayer always puts me in an operational and offensive (alert) mindset. By voicing this prayer in my mind and sometimes out loud, my focus and reliance shifted to things above and, most importantly, Jesus.

Now we reflect on Mark's Gospel, where he shares an account of the same event where Jesus warns of the signs of the times and when He will return. We read in Mark 13:33-37:

Watch out, stay alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is...Therefore, stay alert...so that he does not come suddenly and find you asleep. What I say to you I say to all: ‘Stay alert!’

In the King James Version (KJV), Mark 13:33 reads: Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Mark used the term Blepe in the original Greek of the Gospels, which translates to "take heed" in English. Similarly, the word agrypnéō (from A, "not" and /hýpnos, "sleep") means "no sleeping" in a literal sense and "staying vigilant" in a figurative sense.

Another interpretation could be related to being intentional, circumspect, attentive, and prepared. In verses 35 and 37, the term grēgoreite is employed, which conveys the meaning of "watching."

Brothers and Sisters, Jesus urges us to take heed, be wakeful, and watchful, alert to the dangers around us. The devil seeks to steal, kill, and destroy.

What is evil?

Jonathan Cahn, an American Messianic Jewish Pastor, in his new book titled The Dragon's Prohesy: Israel, the Dark Resurrection, and the End of Days explains that God did not create evil and it should not exist. "It is not of the creation and thus exists in opposition to the creation order. Evil exists in defiance of existence."

We are not going to review Cahn's full explanation here; however, it is essential to take away one of his key points: "Personhood...a conscious entity...a created being that by its volition turned against the created order, against the existence itself, a being that became an anti-being, an inversion."

Considering the Biblical Truth of two beings capable of choosing between good and evil due to free will, one being human (mankind) and the other angelic (angels), as evil transcends the physical realm. The inevitable conclusion is that Satan is the one leading the battle against God, His creation, and all that is righteous. This rebellion is the reason why Satan was expelled from Heaven and granted dominion on earth.

Cahn defines evil as:

"an inversion of truth, of reality, of existence. Evil is, by nature, anti-nature...It is a negation and therefore seeks to negate...It has no true, ultimate, or absolute existence...And so evil, by nature, seeks destruction." 

The unseen realm is active and attacks God's children daily—every hour, every minute, and every second. But do not be afraid. We have our Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, all three Who are for us.

As Christians, we were once one way, but now we are different. Because of Jesus, we have hope and trust in Him, and with our guide, the Holy Spirit, we can stand firm on Biblical Truth and TURN from the enemy's schemes, fighting our battles in Jesus. These battles are "...against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).

Closing

Heavenly Father, help us put on Your armor and stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Broaden our territories and bless us so that we may be a blessing to others in our families, churches, cities, states, and nations. Help us stay alert, armored, and alive in Christ, choosing good over evil. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Stay tuned for future Blog posts that will encourage and challenge one another, we, the Body of Christ, to Stay Alert in the Bible and prayer, Stay Armored in the battle of spiritual warfare, and Stay Alive in Jesus Christ, our Bread of Life; Lord of lords and King of kings.

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