JESUS PREDICTED THE GREAT APOSTASY FROM CHRISTIANITY
Matthew 24:10-13: And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
• Many Christian’s first love has grown cold
o They were once hot
o But now they are cold
o Some are confused as to why they are cold
• Because vs. 12 said, “iniquity is abounding.”
o Iniquity is: sinfulness, evil, wickedness, crime immorality
o Sin is abounding: flourishing, it is thriving, and abundant
o Their “first love for Jesus” is waxing (growing) cold
Vs. 13 of Matthew 24 said: But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS, NOT THE INIQUITY
SO, WHAT IS A PROPHET:
A prophet receives messages from God concerning events that will take place in the future and then takes that message to a person or group of people whom God intends to hear the message.
THE BIBLE SHOWS THAT GOD ORDAINS TRUE PROPHETS
1 Cor 12:28-29: And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
Ephesians 4:11: And he (GOD) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
• The purpose is in vs. 12: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: vs. 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
• These offices are NOT to receive the worship of people
• Or to make people idols
GOD USED A PROPHET TO PROPHESY THE MESSIAH WOULD BE BORN IN BETHLEHEM
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
o And hundreds of years later, the Word is fulfilled in Jesus Christ
o Which increased the truth and validity of the scripture
PROPHETS ALSO DELIVERED GODS’ WORD TO SINFUL PEOPLE
John the Baptist: Matt 3:2: And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
1 John 4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Please, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.