Angels warning against Falling Away
As we delve deeper into our examination of Revelation 14:7, we must consider the relevance and significance of the first angel’s message, which calls for repentance: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgement has come.”
Living through recent years, like the ones we’ve experienced, is truly unprecedented in our lifetimes. Many of us can recall the Spanish flu, and most have grown up in a world where epidemics, pandemics, and other global challenges seem like common events. We find ourselves in a time when disease has brought the world to a standstill, impacting economies and communities worldwide. Earthquakes and climate disasters of many kinds
In Matt 24:3-14, Jesus describes signs that will precede His return, including false messiahs, wars, famines, earthquakes, and persecution of believers. These events are seen as part of the birth pains of a new age. Jesus warns that we will face persecution for our faith (Matt 24:9-10) and encourages us to persevere despite these challenges.
Jesus also makes reference to the “abomination of desolation” that the prophet Daniel foretold (Matt 24:15), which denotes the desecration of a temple or other significant religious site. Jesus speaks of His eventual return with power and glory (Matt 24:30) and encourages vigilance and readiness for His coming.
Then in chapter 25, you find the Parables of Readiness. In Matthew 25, Jesus shares parables like the Ten Virgins and the Talents, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and faithful while awaiting His return. These parables stress the need for watchfulness and wise stewardship of God’s gifts.
The chapter concludes with a depiction of the final judgment, where the Son of Man separates the righteous from the wicked, rewarding the faithful and condemning the unfaithful (Matt 25:31-46). This serves as a powerful reminder of the ultimate reckoning and the importance of living in accordance with our faith.
In Matt 24:10-12, we read:
“At that time, many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase in wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”
The most famous phrase from this passage is, “Because of the increase in wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”
This implies that as faith declines and evil rises in the world, there will be a loss of love and fervour for God and for one another. The warmth of faith and love will diminish. Many who were once part of the faith will turn away from it. It’s a time marked by a significant departure from the faith, characterised by betrayal, hatred, the influence of false teachers, and a general decline in love and devotion to God. This concept of “falling away” serves as a powerful reminder for us to remain vigilant and steadfast in our faith, especially during challenging times.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk