Breathingbook

When Offence Becomes Apostasy

Greetings! In our last post, “Skin For Skin,” we covered how Satan, as the Accuser of the brethren (Rev 12:10), uses offence to entice believers into taking offence, either within themselves or in commission against others (Mat 18:7-8; Mat 24:10; Acts 24:16; Phil 1:10). Now, we’re just about done with Job (for now), but before we move on, there’s one more thing about offence that I want to cover and that’s the topic of Apostasy (2 Thes 2:3-4).

You see, as far as Job is concerned, Satan hedged his bets and failed (Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-7). God saved Job and Job came out restored (Job 42:10). But offence is something Satan already knows believers are going to commit and he knows believers can receive forgiveness from Jesus for it if they’ll just ask. So Satan’s real efforts towards believers aren’t really just to cause them to stumble or give them a few headaches, but what he really wants (and considers a complete success) is when a believer has a buildup of offence to the point of falling away from God, so that they don’t even ask for forgiveness anymore.

This is exactly what happens in 2 Thes 2:3-4, where the Greek word for “falling away“ (Gk. apostasia) actually means “Apostasy.”

2 Thes 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away (apostasia; apostasy) first, and that man of sin(harmartia) be revealed, the son of perdition (apoleia); who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as god sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Now, 2 Thes 2:3-4 is a prophecy which tells us this event of “falling away” will absolutely take place. So, it’s the meaning of this specific “falling away” (which is “Apostasy”) that I want to leave you with as we go back into the main book of Hebrews study.

Of course, it’s Apostasy that Satan was really seeking from Job when he tried to get him to curse God to His face (Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-7). Satan influenced and manipulated a tremendous onslaught of offence towards Job to get him to “give up on God.” This “giving up on God” is the same thing as “taking offence towards God,” which can dangerously lead into “falling away” (which is the Gk. word “apostasia” and where we get the word “Apostasy”).

Apostasy is not really a term most Christians are readily familiar with, but need to be. In fact, it’s somewhat of an enigma, because you really have to break down the meanings in the Greek behind the scriptures to find its definition. I’m going to cover it, because it may be one of the most important things I could write about, because the “falling away” of 2 Thes 2:3-4 can only happen to former Christians who have “defected from the truth” they were once “a part of” (Gk. apostasia; 2 Thes 2:3-4; 2 Thes 2:8-12).

G646, apostasia, ap-os-tas-ee’-ah; feminine of the same as G647; DEFECTION from the truth (properly the state) [“apostasy”] :- falling away, forsake.

Now, there’s a process that has to take place for Apostasy to happen, because Apostasy usually doesn’t happen overnight. It does happen, though, when believers walk down a continued path of sin and offence without ever truly seeking forgiveness (or repenting of it), and give up on (or deny) Christ to the point of defection from the truth (Mat 10:32-33; 1 Jn 2:22; 1 Jn 2:18-24).

Defection from the truth is what happened with Judas Iscariot the night Satan entered into him (Lk 22:3), because in his betrayal of Jesus, Judas also “denied” Him (Mat 10:32-33; Lk 22:2-6).

Mat 10:32-33 Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny (arneomai) Me before men, him will I also deny (arneomai) before My Father which is in heaven.

You see, because Judas had decided to fully carry out “denying” Christ, Mat 10:32-33 kicked into play.

Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve Apostles, a former full-fledged leader in the ministry of Jesus Christ for some three and a half years, manifesting power, and whom even the devils were subject to in Christ’s name (Lk 10:17). He had, for quite some time, stolen money from the treasury bag (Jn 12:6), knowing fully this was wrong. Yet, Jesus in His great grace and mercy, not only kept Judas near to Him, but left him in charge of the treasury bag, and gave Judas “space to repent” (Rom 2:4; Rev 2:20-21).

Rev 2:21 And I gave her space to repent (metanoeo) of her fornication; and she repented (metanoeo) not.

G3340. metanoeo, met-an-o-eh’-o; from G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally feel compunction):–repent.

But, Judas did not repent, but instead decided to betray Jesus to be crucified (Lk 22:47-48).

Lk 22:3 tells us Satan entered into Judas. Satan was only able to do this because Judas had already “made up his mind” to “deny” Christ (Mat 10:32-33). In other words, he was no longer going to be faithful.

Luke 22:2-6 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill Him; for they feared the people. 3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him unto them. 5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray Him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

This final betrayal of Jesus to the chief priests was simply a greater manifestation of the smaller culmination of offences within Judas which had taken place along the way. Each offence causing Judas to “draw back” further, away from Jesus and into the ways of life he had before.

Heb 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back(hupostello), my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back(hupostole) unto perdition (apoleia); but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

If you look at the first part of Heb 10:38-39, you’ll see it tells us those justified in Christ shall live by FAITH, but if any “draw back” from this, there’ll be no pleasure in him. You see, there’s no pleasure, because without faith it’s impossible to please God, on account of that those who come to God must believe first that He is, and that He’s a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6).

This first form of “drawing back” in Heb 10:38 is the Gk. word “hupostello” and speaks of the state where one is withholding or holding back from having a full commitment to God (i.e. they keep back, reserve or conceal).

G5288. hupostello, hoop-os-tel’-lo; from G5259 and G4724; to withhold under (out of sight), i.e. (reflexive) to cower or shrink, (figurative) to conceal (reserve):–draw (keep) back, shun, withdraw.

However, it’s the “drawing back” of the very next verse that is far more dangerous.

Heb 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back (“hupostole) unto perdition (apoleia); but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

G5289. hupostole, hoop-os-tol-ay’; from G5288; shrinkage (timidity), i.e. (by implication) APOSTASY:–draw back.

This “drawing back” is the Gk. word “hupostole” which is formed from the root of the first (hupostello) in Heb 10:38. So, it means “withholding or holding back from having a full commitment to God (keeps back, reserves or conceals), but adds “Apostasy” to its definition.

Heb 10:39 ends by saying this “drawing back” (or Apostasy) leads into “perdition” (Gk. apoleia).

Now, perdition is a term that you need to understand in order to grasp the full meaning of “Apostasy,” because an example of someone who was led into “perdition,” again, is Judas Iscariot, because Jesus called Judas “the son of perdition” in Jn 17:12.

Jn 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name: those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition (apoleia); that the scripture might be fulfilled.

This word “perdition” comes from the Gk. word “apoleia” and means “ruin, loss,” physical, spiritual, or eternal destruction.”

G684. apoleia, ap-o’-li-a; from a presumed derivative of G622; ruin or loss (physically, spiritual or eternal):–damnable (-nation), destruction, die, perdition, X perish, pernicious ways, waste.

If you’ve been following the Job bible studies, then you know this points to Satan, who is the angel of Destruction or the Destroying Angel named “Apollyon” in Rev 9:11 (see Why Satan Still Operates). Basically, this tells us the “son of perdition” means the “son of destruction” or “son of Satan.”

The “son of perdition” also happens to be a name given to the coming “antichrist” who is coming to deceive the whole world. This takes us back to 2 Thes 2:3-4 where the antichrist is called the “man of sin” and “son of perdition” who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, and tries to make people believe he is God (Rev 13:4-8; Rev 17:8; Rev 17:11).

2 Thes 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away (apostasia) first, and that man of sin (harmartia) be revealed, the son of perdition (apoleia); who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as god sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

You see, 2 Thes 2:3-4 is speaking of the coming “day” of the Lord (i.e. the Rapture; 2 Thes 2:1), telling us it will not take place until there is first a “falling away“ (Gk. apostasia) and the antichrist is revealed (2 Thes 2:3-4; 2 Thes 2:8-12).

Again, the term “falling away” is the Gk. word “apostasia.”

G646, apostasia, ap-os-tas-ee’-ah; feminine of the same as G647; defection from truth (properly the state) [“APOSTASY”]:- falling away, forsake.

G647. apostasion, ap-os-tas’-ee-on; neuter gender of a (presumed) adjective from a derivative of G868; properly something separative, i.e. (specifically) divorce:–(writing of) divorcement.

“Apostasia” (or Apostasy), then, is defined as a “divorce” or “defection from the truth.” And, only those once “in the truth” can “defect from it,” which means only former Christians can “fall away“ into apostasy (Gk. apostasia; 2 Thes 2:3-4).

Likewise, though there are many against Christ who never believed in Christ, John the Beloved’s explanation of antichrists also points to former Christians. John says they “went out from us” because “they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (1 Jn 2:18-19).

1 Jn 2:18-19 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

What is it that antichrists do? Well, Matthew and John tell us they “deny” Christ (Mat 10:32-33; 1 Jn 2:22; 1 Jn 2:18-24).

Mat 10:32-33 Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny (arneomai) Me before men, him will I also deny (arneomai) before My Father which is in heaven.

In other words, they deny the Father and the Son.

1 Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth (arneomai) that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist (antichristos), that denieth (arneomai) the Father and the Son.

G500. antichristos, an-tee’-khris-tos: from G473 and G5547; an opponent of the Messiah:–antichrist.

This word “denieth” is the Gk. word “arneomai” which means to contradict, disavow, reject, abnegate or refuse.

G720. arneomai, ar-neh’-om-ahee; perhaps from G1 (as a negative particle) and the middle voice of G4483; to contradict, i.e. disavow, reject, abnegate:–deny, refuse.

Now, because the definition of “arneomai,” contains so much, I’ve broken the various words down for you:

• To deny can be to hold back, renounce or deny knowledge of.
• To contradict is to negate, deny the truth of, or oppose.
• To disavow is renounce, reject or to declare untrue.
• To reject is to turn away, judge, rule-out, resist or refuse.
• To abnegate is to hold back, surrender to the enemy, or to give up on.

So, what does it mean to deny the Father and the Son? It means a clear cut decision to deny the truth about the Father and the Son (who is Jesus) which is revealed through God’s Word and the Gospel. Basically, then, it is to contradict the truth, speak against it, oppose it, give up on it, etc.

God’s Word is truth (Jn 17:17).

Jn 17:17 Sanctify them through Thy Truth: Thy Word is Truth.

All of these definitions, then, describe the dangerous end result that becoming offended with God (His Word; Jesus the Word) can lead into.

Now, there were also other former Christians clearly indicated in the NT who became “apostates” other than just Judas Iscariot and those who became antichrist (Jn 17:12; 2 Thes 2:3-4; 1 Jn 2:18-24; Rev 13:4-8). The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Tim 1:15 that all those of Asia had turned away from him, of whom were Phygellus (Gk. Phugellos) and Hermogenes (Gk. Hermogenes).

The definitions of these two people clearly show them as Apostate Christians.

G5436. Phugellos, foog’-el-los; probably from G5343; fugitive; Phygellus, an APOSTATE Christian:–Phygellus.

G2061. Hermogenes, her-mog-en’-ace; from G2060 and G1096; born of Hermes; Hermogenes, an APOSTATE Christian:–Hermogenes.

The Apostle Peter also denied Jesus during his “sifting” experience with Satan (Lk 22:57), but he never became Apostate, because he repented and was converted of it (Lk 22:32; Lk 22:31-34; Rom 2:4; Rev 2:20-21; ).

Lk 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

So, if you know someone who’s perhaps “fallen away,” never give up on them, but continue to pray for them. For though Ananias and Sapphira fell down dead at the feet of the Apostles for trying to lie to God (Acts 5:1-10), who knows how long God will suffer with us in order to save us (Rev 2:20-21).

Therefore, MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD, as all good Christians should. If you’ve lost your way, call out to Jesus for help and come back to Him. Seek prayer from other good Christian believers, for I believe with all my heart that Jesus is coming back soon.

This then is the danger of offence: that it has remained mostly covert and gone largely unrecognized by most Christians. I have presented here the information you need to know to be able to figure out for yourself where you are, what you need to pray to God about, and what you might need to watch out for in order to correct it.

Remember, no one can defect from the truth who was not first in the truth (apostasia; 2 Thes 2:3-4). Therefore, stay in the truth. Understand for yourself and those you love what scripture says about this “falling away,” and take heed to 2 Thes 2:3-4′s warning about one of Satan’s deadliest plans to bring unwitting believers down (Mat 11:6; Mat 13:41-43; Mat 18:7-8; Mat 24:10; Acts 24:16; Rom 14:20-21; 1 Cor 10:32-33; Phil 1:10).

Mat 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended (skandalizo) in Me.

G4624, skandalizo, skan-dal-id’-zo; from G4625; to entrap, i.e. trip up (figurative stumble [transitive] or entice to sin, APOSTASY or displeasure) :- (make to) offend.

May God bless you, strengthen you and keep you through the Divine power of His Word (2 Cor 10:4-6).

Peace out!

Loris Anne James