Apostasy as defined by
Merriam-Webster is: an act of refusing to continue to follow,
obey, or
recognize a religious faith; abandonment of a previous loyalty.
“Woe to them! They have taken
the way
of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have
been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.” (Jude 11 emphasis mine)
As early as the first
century, apostasy was already creeping into the Church. Paul, James, Peter,
John and Jude all address this cancerous growth that was trying to eat away at
the true Gospel. Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote a very short letter,
but it really packs a punch. I am only going to use verse eleven, but all
twenty-five verses should be read.
Apostasy actually began with
Satan in the Garden of Eden when he successfully seduced Eve to believe his lie
against God’s truth. From Adam and Eve to Jude’s day this baby (apostasy) grew
into a monster. Satan has had many years to improve his technique and increase
his lies. From Jude to today, this monster has grown even more and is seducing
millions away from the true Gospel.
The carriers of apostasy are
said by Jude to go the way of Cain, rush to profit as in Balaam’s error, and
will be destroyed as in Korah’s rebellion.
WAY OF CAIN
In Genesis chapter four we
find the historical account of Cain.
Genesis 3:21 tells us that
God made a covering for Adam and Eve to hide their nakedness. This covering,
from an animal(s) that God sacrificed, denoted His righteousness covering them so
they could be presentable to be in His presence. This sacrificial system was
passed down by Adam and Eve to their children.
Both Cain and Abel knew they
were to present a blood sacrifice before God. Cain refused and then became
jealous when God accepted his brother’s sacrifice and refused his. This sinful
attitude resulted in Cain murdering his brother Abel.
Adam and Eve explained to
their children that because of their sin, they must present a sacrifice before
God. They explained that they, their children, their children’s children and
all their progeny would be required to offer a sacrifice for their sins until
God provides the final sacrifice for all mankind (Genesis 3:15, John 3:16). They
all knew that:
·
Man is a sinner
and is not righteous
·
The unrighteous
cannot be in the presence of God
·
Only the blood of
the innocent can provide righteousness
·
The innocent must
die for the guilty
Despite knowing this, Cain
depended on his own works, denied his sins and the blood redemption that is
required to be cleansed. He rejected faith and accepted religion instead
without the bloody sacrifice.
Those in apostasy today do
the same.
·
Don’t talk about
blood. That’s gross.
·
Don’t mention the
cross. The children might hear it.
·
Don’t need
repentance. Just believe.
·
Don’t talk about
judgment. That’s too scary.
Is Cain’s rejection of God’s
blood sacrifice any different than what is being proclaimed today about the
cross? Many in the so-called church crowd today deny the cross, the death,
burial and resurrection of Jesus, any need for repentance, and any thought of
judgment. Let’s just get together, have a salad, a meal, sing some modern
praise me songs and pat each other on the back, say they.
This is the way of Cain and
it is apostate.
ERROR OF BALAAM
The elders of Moab and Midian
were afraid Israel would consume their land after they witnessed what Israel
had done to the Amorites. Beginning in Numbers 22 God gives us the historical
account of Balaam being urged by Balak (king of the Moabites) to pronounce a
curse upon Israel.
At first Balaam could only
pronounce blessings, but finally he told Balak to introduce the daughters of
Moab to Israel. The beautiful daughters of Moab would marry the sons of Israel
and destroy Israel from within.
Jude calls this the “error”
of Balaam. Balaam knows that God is righteous, and assumes God must curse
Israel. He also assumes God must punish sin and sinners cannot be forgiven. He
thinks he has come up with a way for God to do the “dirty work” without him
being directly involved. Let God pronounce the curse, he thinks.
Over in 2 Peter 2:15, Peter
labels it the “way” of Balaam. Peter is describing Balaam as a profiteer
seeking to make money from God’s gift. If you could number the fleas on a dogs
back, you could probably have an idea of the number of apostate scammers that
have fleeced mankind. Your television (among other sources) provides a daily
dosage of these Balaam type apostates.
Revelation 2:14 mentions the
“doctrine” of Balaam in that he taught Balak how to corrupt Israel.
So here again Jude rightly
defines apostates with the likeness of Balaam who depicts God as without mercy
and only out to harm mankind.
REBELLION OF KORAH
In Numbers chapter 16 Korah
(a Levite) along with 250 of Israel’s finest, rose up against Moses and Aaron.
They were power hungry.
God had placed Moses and
Aaron in charge of leading Israel. Korah and this large group of power seekers
saw something they wanted … power. They forgot though that the power was not of
Moses and Aaron, but from God. So they said in effect, “We’re taking over.” God
said, “No you’re not.” For their rebellion they were swallowed up by the earth
and dropped alive into hell.
They rebelled against God’s
authority, and that was their fatal mistake.
SUMMING UP
Way of Cain: The apostate
rejects faith. His religion, whatever it may be, overrides anything God says.
Error of Balaam: The apostate
does not believe that a holy God would actually provide a way of forgiveness
through His Son.
Rebellion of Korah: The
apostate rebels against God’s authority.
So there you have it. The
apostate:
·
Rejects faith by
grace and clings to works
·
Rejects
forgiveness through Jesus Christ
·
Rejects God’s
authority. In other words, it doesn’t matter what the Bible says.
This is a very condensed
synopsis of what Jude was saying in this one powerful verse, but I’m sure you
understand his warning against apostates. Nothing but lies drip from their
tongues. The mother of these lies comes from the mouth of Lucifer as he whispered
in Eve’s ear, “Hath God said?”
The Bible is clear that in
the last days apostasy is one sign among many that the Lord’s return is near.
Apostasy today is off the charts, and I can’t imagine how full-blown it will
become during the Tribulation prior to Christ’s return.
How do I defend myself against
apostasy? How do I know what is true and what is false? There is only one
sure-fired way. Get in the Bible. Study God’s Word as we should be doing anyway
(2 Timothy 2:15) and ask Him to teach you.
Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html
