Yesterday, I mentioned that during the tribulation period there will be a great religious apostasy which will allow a religion from the depths of hell to rise to power while the protections of human government are obliterated. We saw that these things do not apply directly to those of us in this dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ. Before the tribulation period begins, our dispensation will end with the appearing of the Lord in heaven and the catching up of those who believe.

However, there is every reason for us to be on guard for these same dangers. Paul wrote to Timothy about the last days of the Church age and said,

2 Tim 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (KJV)

Obviously, this is not as extreme as the evil of the tribulation period, but things are heading in that direction.

Paul wrote Timothy about the seducing spirits of the latter times of the Church age.

1 Tim 4:1-2
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (KJV)

Again, this is but a foreshadowing of what will happen in the tribulation period when God will send “strong delusion” upon the people (II Thess 2:11).

To combat this evil in our own dispensation, we are to study God’s word (II Tim 2:15), preach God’s word (II Tim 4:2), and turn away from all that is not consistent with the truth of God’s word (II Tim 3:5).

In keeping with this we should be mindful of the fact that, in the tribulation period, people will stop believing in the power of law. The antichrist will be very popular at first even though he is described as the “lawless one”. The other day I read a letter to the editor of USA Today. The letter was from a lady who said it is more important to protect our families than it is to protect the civil liberties of those who are accused of terror related crimes. We all know how important it is to protect our families, but sometimes we may forget how important it is to live in a society that is governed by law.

Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com
Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/

James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com