“The Great Divorce”

This is the final message from the “No Turning Back" series and I want to give a prophetic view of scripture of a time where people will turn back from the faith- they will “fall away.”

The Bible uses the term “falling away” in 2 Thessalonians 2 – it means an apostasy, to defect, to turn away, the root word actually means divorce. We understand that in a divorce situation, there is someone that you loved that you no longer do; your love has gone cold. Jesus talked about this:     

Matthew 24:11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

There will be a great divorce in the Christian world and many will turn away from their faith. C.S. Lewis wrote a book back in 1945 called “The Great Divorce.”  It’s about sinners leaving “greytown”, which was hell, on a bus and making their way skyward and they were encountering spirit beings – “reborn” people that urged them to repent and come to heaven - but each one had their own excuse, even the local church Bishop, of why they must stay in greytown.

This will happen in the days to come, some who appear to be on the road to heaven will be on the road to greytown. There will be a great divorce; a defection; a turning away - the love of many will grow cold.

2 Thessalonians 2: 1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him….3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the “falling away” comes first…

Before Christ returns there will be a falling away.  How does that happen, well first of all, people fall away from the teaching of the Word. Then they fall away from the faith.

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…

They will have itching ears; they will want to hear a favourable gospel and not the truth of the Word.

Having fallen away from the Word; then they will fall away from the faith. There are many even now who are “deconstructing “their faith - they are analysing the Word of God against culture and instead of letting the Word of God dictate what the culture should be. So, what is the great advice of the whole chapter here as it pertains to “falling away” - here is the great advice and admonition of Paul.

2 Thess 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

Stand Fast - hang on to the Word - if you hang on to the Word - you will hold to your faith.

Join us in person on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. or via livestream by going to https://www.firstbaptistsudbury.com and clicking on livestream for “The Great Divorce.”  

Blessings,

Kevin