LORD’S DAY, DECEMBER 31
2 Thessalonians 2:3-12
1 John 4:1-3

Start this week with God.

A FALLING AWAY

God’s Word foretells of a “falling away” or great apostasy in the Church before our Lord’s return (2 Thess 2:3). This “falling away” movement will be headed by a man who puts himself in the place of God, “whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2 Thess 2:9).

This “falling away” movement, from all evidences, appears to be the Ecumenical Movement led by the World Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church. The drawing together of the members of these two bodies has been significantly helped by the Charismatic movement which has adherents in both Protestant and Catholic churches. Mammoth “Holy Spirit Renewal” rallies have brought together all shades of Christians: liberals, modernists, new evangelicals, Catholics, cultists and others, in ecstatic effusion of tongues, in affectionate embrace, raising of hands, jubilant “dancing in the spirit” and loud “Hallelujahs!”

The question that naturally arises is: Does the Holy Spirit promote the fellowship of truth with error? Light with darkness? Protestants with Catholics? Liberals with evangelicals? Everywhere the Charismatics are reporting “loving, warm, affectionate fellowship” among all sorts and shades of Christians. The common bond is their “Spirit gifts” of tongues and prophecies, healings and “Hallelujahs.”

The main objective of practically all the Charismatic groups is ecumenical. Leading Charismatic David du Plesis spearheaded the return to Rome movement. His ambition: to work for the formation of a One-World Church under the Pope. He saw great hope in the erasing and removing of issues which divide the different parts of Christendom. Such a move received warmest support from the Pope and other ecumenical leaders. Following this trend many leading evangelicals in the Charismatic movement also enthusiastically fall in line with the Rome-ward crowd. And the Romeward march continues. The “Holy Spirit Movement” is of another spirit!

THOUGHT: (Read 2 Corinthians 11:4.)
PRAYER: Lord, keep me faithful to Thy truth.