My point was not individual 'falling away' but Christendom as a whole marching in lock step into the one world religion, pope as head! True believers enmasse following as well.
Its happening. A remnant resists.
hi Yet,
I remember learning about the antichrist spirit (as distinct from THE antichrist) a while back as being that which hates the Lord Jesus Christ, and also hates those who are His...we have seen it in the denominations and on these forums and anywhere the body of Christ ministers.
That hatred is fairly obvious and expected when it is directed at us as true believers but it is really troubling that people can be that way and think they are doing God a service. That is a vile process spoken of by Jesus also, (John 16:2) but subtly taking hold and gathering momentum in these last days, seemingly.
I know that I can speak a word of correction and have total peace about it, knowing that this is something the Lord will do in order to rescue His people from the devil's snare. But it seems to me that those who are going deeper into antichrist territory by actually walking in hatred and giving "words" of hatred ALSO have peace about it, thinking they do God a service, but it is not the peace that comes from God. It is more like delusion.
We know that to those who did not receive the love of the truth, God will send a strong delusion that they should believe a lie.
2 Thess 2
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And
with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;
because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Once hatred has lodged in a person's heart, to me, it is the thin end of the wedge that would gather like a carbuncle in the Spirit-hating churches, to erupt fully in support of THE antichrist at the appointed time.
We know that God is LOVE amen, and actually we know when hatred, the opposite of love, is taking hold in us even at a low level. Speaking personally I have felt its assault upon me so I know both its presence and its danger.
The love of God is a big powerful thing, full of mercy and good fruits; the hatred of the antichrist is a subtle thing, working through appearances and deception with all falseness of doctrine to APPEAR to be love, when it is not.
I am thinking if anyone is even slightly wondering if they are to any extent delusional, now is a good time to cry out to God for deliverance from everything that would be delusion in their hearts and minds and beliefs. The Lord knows who are His. The devil does too. The latter is trying to take down everyone who is weak through the wolves who see those who are not able even to walk in the Spirit, when in these last days we would need to know how to RUN.
Blessings!