Category: apostasy

Demas, a Reverted Saint

Monday, September 12, 2011

“Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: for Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia” (2 Timothy 4:9,10 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is found near the conclusion of Paul’s final epistle. Recall that Paul is imprisoned and awaiting execution. He urges Timothy to come visit him in Rome, for “only Luke is with me” (verse 11). Beside Luke and the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul is alone. Today’s Scripture tells us that Titus, Crescens, and Demas have left. While we know not why Titus and Crescens are absent, Demas’ nonattendance is (sadly) explained.

Years earlier, Paul wrote to the believers in Colosse. One of his concluding remarks was, “Demas, greet you” (Colossians 4:14). He also wrote in Philemon 1:24 that Demas was one of his “fellow-labourers.”

Today’s Scripture says Demas “loved this present world”—that is not a good thing. Galatians 1:4 speaks of “this present evil world.” The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:4 that Satan is “the god of this world.” Demas had been helpful to Paul in the ministry, but as the years lapsed, Demas lost interest in the things of God.

Demas, evidently, reverted to his former lifestyle. Something evil had captivated his attention, and he abandoned Paul. Instead of standing beside his brothers in Christ, Luke and Paul, Demas fled Rome and was now in Thessalonica. While Demas never lost his salvation, he did trade his eternal wealth in Christ for the cheap, empty “pleasures” of this evil world.

How sad it is to see newly saved people return to their old, wild lifestyles. It is quite tragic to see children raised in the grace movement who later, as adults, abandon the rightly divided King James Bible for religion or a perverted modern Bible.

We need to “hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21b). Let Christ live His life in and through you as you study and believe the King James Bible rightly divided, and you will not end up like poor Demas, who discarded God’s riches for the world’s rubbish.

Never Settle for Eve’s Bible

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

“And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” (Genesis 3:2,3 KJV).

In today’s Scripture, Eve is speaking to Satan, who previously asked her what God’s instructions were (verse 1). Although her statements appear to be true, they are not. Poor Eve is using the wrong Bible version!

Genesis 2:16,17 relay God’s original instructions: “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

Compare today’s Scripture with the above paragraph. Eve omitted “freely,” denying she and Adam had free will. Interestingly, Eve added, “neither shall ye touch it,” an erroneous statement that God never spoke. Lastly, Eve watered down God’s Word, changing “thou shalt surely die” to “lest ye die” (“surely” was more affirmative).

It is rather fascinating to learn that modern Bibles utilize these same techniques to attack God’s Word! For example, NIV has 64,000 words less than KJV. Modern Bibles water down offensive terms (“sodomite” to “male shrine prostitute,” for instance).

With little to no manuscript authority, some modern Bible editors add words to or subtract words from Bible text, sometimes altering the whole meaning of the verse. Many modern Bibles are translated using “dynamic equivalence,” meaning editors are given permission to add or remove words from the Bible, as long as they convey the original thought of the passage.

Satan, just as he attacked God’s Word in Genesis 3, continues his quest to diminish or destroy the power of God’s Word. Alas, “the word of the Lord endureth forever” (1 Peter 1:25). The Bible will surely outlast its greatest critic.

In the Authorized Version King James Bible, we have the privilege of reading God’s Word (and His words) in our language. Never settle for Eve’s Bible!

A Heavenly Way to Hell

Friday, June 24, 2011

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3,4 KJV).

Today’s Scripture warns that as we draw nigh to the closing day of the Dispensation of Grace, there will be an increase in false teaching.

The fiery preachers of generations past are just that—generations past. Thankfully, some preachers unapologetically teach and proclaim God’s Word rightly divided. However, most “Christian” leaders have abandoned the truths of God’s Word to embrace “fables” (religious tradition, human viewpoint, et cetera).

Rather than fearing souls going to hell, many churches are merely interested in having lengthy membership rolls and sufficient funds in the collection plates! This is especially true in the mega-churches, notorious for their damnable social gospels that deify man’s “good” deeds and “feel-good” sermons that entertain. Christ’s words echoing, “Hypocrites, hypocrites, hypocrites!”

There is nothing evil about someone who speaks properly. However, God warns us on numerous occasions to beware of smooth-talking individuals, especially in religion. God cautions us to not be tricked by “enticing words” (Colossians 2:4). Romans 16:18 speaks of divisive people who “by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

In the Old Testament, Israel forbade God’s prophets from speaking against their sin. Israel wanted a feel-good message. “That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: which say unto the seers [prophets], See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us” (Isaiah 30:9-11).

“Give us a feel-good message, preacher! Nothing about sin, judgment, and hellfire—just tell us about love, blessings, and prosperity!” Sadly, those same words are shouted today in nearly every church.

Beloved, flee from the smooth-talking preachers and their “heavenly way to hell!”