Complete in Christ, Defense against Christian Apostasy

 

”Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.” – John 10:25-30

When Jesus answered John the Baptist’s disciples in Matthew 11, his answer was definitive that the Kingdom of Heaven has already started at his birth. (Matthew 11:1-6) Jesus referred to the prophesies of Isaiah where the blind men are restored, the lame will walk, and the meek and poor men will rejoice. (Isaiah 29:18-19 & Isaiah 35:5-6). Jacob saw this in faith and knew that it will be fulfilled in the future just like Abraham did when he blessed his Son Judah, saying the sceptre shall not depart from Judah, until Shiloh comes and gathers all the people unto him. He was referring to Jesus and the kingdom of God. (Genesis 49:10) What does it mean that the Kingdom of God is at Hand? What are the implications of the kingdom of God is here in the present?

The best answer is given by Paul who understood the present Kingdom of God in earth, who had the divine privilege of witnessing God’s plans for the future when he was brought to the third heaven and shown things and was told not to reveal. (2 Corinthians 12:1-4) Let us look at what the scriptures reveal in Pauline Epistle on the implications of the Kingdom of God for us, God’s elect.

It is the hope that has been laid for us in Heaven, which has come unto us in all the world, the grace of truth. It was declared to us in love so that we might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. We are strengthened unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness because we are made partakers of the inheritance of the saints of light. We are translated into the kingdom of God through Christ Jesus and enjoy redemption through this blood for forgiveness of sins.

And Christ is the image of invisible God, and all things were created by him and for him. Be it visible or invisible, thrones or dominions or principalities or power all things are created by him and for him. And Christ is the head of both the visible and invisible Church of God. And if we continue in faith grounded and settled and not moved away from the gospel of hope knitted together in love we will have the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ. We are to be rooted and be steadfast in our faith in Christ to continue to build up in him and stablish in that faith with thanksgiving. We must be very sure of truth we proclaim in Christ and not let any man spoil us through philosophy, vain deceit, and go after traditions of men and rudiments of this world. We are made complete in Christ. (Colossians 1:5 – 2:10)

This is what it really means to be God’s elect in the Kingdom of God. Christ has all power, and nothing can take us away from the kingdom of God as long as we continue with the faith that was first stablished in us by the author and finisher of faith himself. (Hebrews 12:2) We are sealed by the holy spirt by Christ himself for the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:20-22) This seal cannot be broken. This seal is described by Christ in John 10. None has the power to pluck us out of his hand. Satan has no power against God’s elect.

If we are guaranteed by God’s grace and protection than why should we be worried about Satan leaving a mark on us? Let us look at what Jesus taught us in the parable of the kingdom of God in the Gospel of Matthew. The bridegroom came and the wise virgins went in with him in marriage and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:1-11). The door was shut. Kingdom of God shuts the door on those who are not God’s elect. And these are the ones that Satan leaves a mark on. Peter says in very clearly that Christ who is in Heaven and sits on the right hand of God has power over all angels, authorities, and power. (1Peter 3:22) He keeps us and preserves us for the glory of God. He will not allow God’s elect to be taken by Satan. He will never forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Who is this son of lawlessness? Who is this son of perdition? The scriptures are clear that he is the definitive sign of our Lord’s second coming. He is someone who does not hide his intentions and he will be visible to all and demand worship for himself and his images. The anti-Christ of the bible is someone who comes with power and works signs and wonders and will claim the temple throne and demand worship. And those who worship him will be marked by him. (Revelations 13:11-18). Paul knew this very clearly and expressed it to us in the letters to the Thessalonians. Paul says that the Anti-Christ will sit in the temple of God on earth and claim worship. But it is not the first definitive sign of our Lord’s second coming. The first definitive sign of our Lord’s coming according to Paul is the falling away of God’s elect. (2 Thessalonians 2:2-5) Paul boldly says that the works of the wicked will be plainly revealed. No deceptions but in full plain view. (2 Thessalonian 2:7-12)

At present we have many so-called professors of faith who speaks of God but dare not draw reference to Christ nor use his name and his true teachings to speak the biblical truth. These are the falling away of people who once heard the gospel and became Christians. The first sign is evident, but the second sign is not clear. We are given the assurance by God’s word that the Anti-Christ will not hide himself and will make know his intention very clearly and the mark of the beast does not apply to God’s elect. The Anti-Christ copies God’s method of using the seal of the Holy Spirit that Christ has given to God’s elect on the reprobates by using a mark to gather his own people to himself like Christ is doing at present as one final attempt to steal God’s glory. Do not be fooled by those who speak of the mark of the devil. The truth about the mark of the devil applies only for those the door is shut. We walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Let us conclude with what Jesus spoke to his disciples, “no man is able to pluck them out. I and my Father are one.” (John 10:25-30) Keep the faith that has be given to us, hold fast to the faith and not be shaken. And not let your doubts stumble someone else’s faith.

Soli Deo Gloria.