Apostasy and Its Effects on the Church (Matt. 24:1–28)
By Don Carson, TGC. (Podcast)
Don Carson continues his teaching from the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24:1–28, expounding on the significant effects of apostasy on the church. Discernment is crucial for churches, as dangerous false prophets deceive many with both overt wickedness and subtle deception. We also need to accurately interpret biblical prophecy and respond to persecution with bold gospel preaching and holiness.
Transcript
Don Carson: We have no reason to think that our relative freedoms will continue. We have every reason to think that they won’t. Short of the renewing grace of God and short of international revival, we have every expectation to think that, democracy or no democracy, the church will be persecuted again.
This text says that what is characteristic of this entire inter-advental age is opposition of the church of Jesus Christ. Nor is this text alone. You cannot read the last part of John 15 and the first part of John 16 without seeing that. You can’t read Paul (“Yea, all those who live godly lives in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”) without seeing that.
B) Apostasy
Verse 10: “At that time …” Again, the same connecting word, which simply means during this period. “… 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 of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” I don’t intend to embark on a long discussion on apostasy, but perhaps I should say a few words.
I think the cardinal reason many people have difficulty in coming to grips with the biblical doctrine of apostasy lies in their error to come to grips with the biblical doctrine of conversion. If conversion is defined as that change of life brought about by repentance and faith that perseveres to the end, then it is quite understandable that there may be another kind of “conversion” that introduces some changes, some transformation, some tasting of the Spirit, and some tasting of grace that does not continue to the end.
That theme, I want to argue, is found everywhere in Scripture. Hebrews 3:14 tells us, “We are made partakers with Christ Jesus if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.” The connection of tenses is remarkable. “We are made partakers with Christ Jesus if we continue to hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast until the end.”
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