Lies, Faith and Apostasy
Today, I am writing about a vision I had about two weeks ago. This is a warning, a heads up about our nation. We are all aware about what is happening in the social/political arena, but this vision is pointing out the fact that God sees it too. We should not believe as some do, that God does not care or is unconcerned with what happens in the lives of the people of our country. God does care and He is concerned.
Because of spiritual blindness, often we do not appreciate the ramifications of our actions, our attitudes and our judgments. Just as the sins of a family member affect the entire family, the sins our our nation affect all who call America "home."
This vision came in four parts:
First I saw a thick black sauce being poured from a sauce pan into another container. The black sauce slopped over the sides of the container and onto the table.
Secondly, I saw a woman wearing glasses, putting on a sun bonnet. The back end of the bonnet was extended in length, and there was definitely something moving inside the bonnet. She seemed to be unaware, and went about tying the long blue ribbons under her chin.
Then I saw a bicycle going backwards.
Then in the last and fourth part of the vision, I saw a ten year old boy wearing army style, camouflage pants and a white t-shirt. He had blonde hair cut in a crew cut and was signaling with his arm, for others to come and follow him.
This is what I believe the vision means:
I. The black sauce is not food for nourishment, but instead, it represents the lies that are poured forth from various sources. Lies come with a desire to paint a picture, or create an illusion. Lies come with a desire to pervert the truth. They are evil in nature. Some lies have as their purpose to attack one group to elicit a defensive or self-righteous response. Some lies are brought about to undermine confidence in leadership and governmental institutions. These lies we might refer to as propaganda or lies for political gain. Some lies are for the purpose of creating disunity, disfunction and anarchy. Some lies create fear leading to wrong conclusions and poor judgment.
You can see clearly that one of the intents of a lie is to cause damage. It is a powerful weapon and difficult to control. However, there is one that uses lies as his weapon of choice. Jesus refers to him as the "the father of lies." He said, "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44
The black sauce is not contained. It runs down the sides of the container and spills onto the table top. Lies may hit the intended mark, but they are seldom contained. Lies get repeated and grow and invade the minds of others. Even those with discernment, can still be led astray. Like cancer, lies take root and destroy wherever they go.
For those who habitually choose to deceive others, their fate is clear: "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Revelations 21:8
We must pray for all those in authority, those that promote lies and those who are the victims of lies. Pray for our nation, that the truth will be revealed and that anything that is hidden in darkness will be revealed. God wants no one to perish!
II. The next part of the vision is the woman with a bonnet. The woman represents the American church. Her bonnet represents the role she plays in American society. Just as it was in the last century, hats denote an individual's trade or occupation. We can easily distinguish a sailor from a construction worker and a nurse from a stewardess, simply by the hat donned. We can distinguish a chef from a baseball player and a doorman from a soldier. So the bonnet in the vision represents the church's role in all aspects of American culture.
The long blue ribbons represent truth and godliness.
The bonnet was extended in the back, protruding beyond the head, giving room for something to move. I believe the "something" in the bonnet could have been a bee, hence the expression, "There's a bee in her bonnet!"
The normal response to finding a bee is distress, and alarm. Unfortunately for the woman in the vision, she is not only unaware of the bee, but she is also myopic - short-sighted - for she is wearing glasses. The American church is putting on a bonnet to look "godly," or to have the appearance of godliness and truth. However, within her role in America, there is a pest, a looming danger, of which she seems to be either ignoring or unaware. What is the pest? Could this pest be called, "political correctness?" Could this pest be the mentality that threatens free speech, and the freedom of religion, by labeling certain tenets of faith as "hate speech?" Could the pest be an interpretation of the law used to cripple messages coming from American pulpits, by challenging their "charitable status?"
God does not want the church to be unaware, to be complacent or unconcerned. We must be faithful to the gospel. We are entrusted to share the gospel, for that was Jesus' mandate. "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Mark 16:15 In spite of persecution or personal costs, the gospel must go forth.
III. The next part of the vision is a bicycle going backwards. I believe the bicycle represents the way or direction of a person's life. What path is he taking? Is he going on with God, or is he turning back, because the road has become difficult? When we talk of someone falling away from the church, or from the faith we might call it "backsliding." But there is another term, called "apostasy." Now before we talk of this subject, I must state that there are differences of opinion when it comes to the backslider, and to personal apostasy. Some are of the opinion that "once saved - always saved." And I am sure that those who agree with this statement have their supporting arguments. However, I must share what I believe the scriptures reveal about the subject.
1. Is personal apostasy possible? These are a few scriptures that state or imply that it is entirely possible:
"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." Hebrews 3:12
"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." Matthew 24:10-11
"If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." John 15:6
2. What is "the great falling away," spoken about in scriptures?
"Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction." 2 Thessalonians 2:3
Note from the Full Life Study Bible p. 1872 article "The Age of the Antichrist" :
The "rebellion" (Gk apostasia), literally meaning "departure," "falling away, " or "abandonment," will occur. In the last days, many within the professing church will depart from Biblical truth.... This "rebellion" within the church will have two dimensions. 1. Theological apostasy is the departure from and rejection of a part or all of the original teachings of Christ and ignore Christ's demand for repentance, separation from immorality, and loyalty to God and his standards. False gospels centering on human desires and goals of self-interest will become popular. 2. Moral apostasy is the severing of one's saving relationship with Christ and returning to sin and immorality. Apostates may proclaim right doctrine and New Testament teaching, yet abandon God's moral standards. Many churches will tolerate almost anything for the sake of numbers, money, success and honor. The gospel of the cross with its call to suffer, to radically renounce sin, to sacrifice for God's kingdom and to deny oneself will become rare.
3. Can backsliders inherit the kingdom of God?
"It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace." Hebrews 6:4-6
"It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? ...When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1-5
So the answer is "yes" and "no." In the first passage (Hebrews 6:4-6) It states that repentance is not possible after once tasting of the heavenly gift. However, in the second passage (1 Corinthians 1-5) the possibility of repentance comes when the backslider is turned out of the body and handed over to Satan. After suffering at the hands of Satan, the backslider will have had enough. He will seek repentance and return to God.
I saw this with a pastor, who fell into sin. I knew from what he taught in his class, that he wanted to be found out. He wanted help and didn't know how to ask for it. After his sin was discovered, he experienced true Godly sorrow. He lost nearly 100 pounds, through repentance. prayer and fasting. He was forgiven by the entire congregation, quite a moving sight, and after a time was fully restored. I believe with all my heart, that he is in heaven right now.
So God warns us of falling away from the faith. "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?" 2 Corinthians 13:5
IV. Now for the last portion of the vision, who does the 10 year old boy represent? He is dressed in army camouflage pants and a white shirt. He signals to others to join him. I believe he represents the faithful remnant of this next generation - those that will follow us. These are the people that will persevere in spite of fiery trials, and persecutions. These are the soldiers of the cross, the ones who have not "soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy." Revelations 3:4
They will "Fight the good fight of the faith." 1 Timothy 6:12
They will answer the call, as Paul did and encourage others. "Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 2:3
In summary, God's message to us is to be aware of lies that are put forth as truth to destroy unity, to cause fear, and to undermine the order and effectiveness of government. Lies bring division. They can fuel racial tension. They contribute to the throwing off restraint and the promotion of anarchy. These lies are entirely wicked. We must expose lies and pray "for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:2
We must remember the scripture: "Teach the people to obey authority, for all authority is God-given." Romans 13:1
We need to stand up for our beliefs, to not coware to "political correctness," especially when it stands in opposition to God's word. We need to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, for by it our freedoms are established and protected.
We need to take heed, to not succumb to the temptations of the flesh or be deceived by false teachers and false doctrine. We must test our faith, to make sure that it is truly genuine. And lastly we need to join together with those that are like minded, to carry the message of the gospel to the ends of the earth, and to continue to fight the good fight of faith.
