Antichrist and Lawlessness

Doctrinal Variations – Are these allowed?

Nope, No other Doctrine as apostle Paul charges it to the evangelist Timothy as well (evangelist itself means that these teachings ‘apply to all churches from any time period’) .

“If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,

But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness

I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,

that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”—

which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith.

Grace be with you.” – apostle Paul (1 Timothy 6:3, 11, 13 – 14, 20 – 21, NASB)

[Context: No other doctrine different from the Doctrine Given to apostle Paul to deliver to Gentile believers by Lord Jesus Christ].

Other similar related verses:

“For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.” – apostle Paul (1 Thessalonians 4:2, NASB)

“If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:37, NASB)

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1 – 2, NASB)

A Warning for those who teach contrary to it is given in verse in image too. Are such going to be justified by “works” (e. g. ministry) and ‘misplaced faith’ (against what apostle Paul wrote)?

Other similar warnings to those who teach a different doctrine or Gospel from apostle Paul (an obvious ‘first’ context in each quoted verse) :

“So then, you will know them by their fruits.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven will enter.

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’

“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:20 – 23, NASB)

“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46, NASB)

“Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.

So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.” – apostle Paul (1 Thessalonians 4:1, 8, NASB)

“But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:38, NASB)

If these things are not that important, why did apostle Paul write it under the command of the Lord?

To the things which those who teach contrary it say is ‘more important, did apostle Paul write ‘more of those things, whatever they may be’? So, if those things are more important, why apostle Paul didn’t emphasize ‘more’ on it?

Fact is, which is ‘more important’ is based on ‘what’s written in Scripture’. In fact, everything written in Scripture especially with New Testament revealed understanding of Doctrine (Perspective too) takes precedence for accurate theology according to ‘what is written only’ (e. g. Please note the word “write” in 1 Corinthians 14:37). Yes, if it’s important, it will be written in a verse.

We cannot be sure of ‘claimed tradition of men’ which are not written in Scripture and thus there is “no” obligation toward it. In fact, it’s best to keep away from such traditions of men which are not written in Scripture to be ‘safe’.

Regarding topics which are not addressed directly in Scripture (e. g. Tattoos or Cigarettes which either didn’t exist back then or no one in the churches practiced it, so there was no need to write about it), one may decide for themselves which is right. We are free to choose but not free from the consequence of our choices (so, let us be “wise”).

So, are we fulfilling the Great Commission without teaching “correct doctrine”?

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18 – 20, NASB)

Please note the phrase “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:20) in the Great Commission verses above. The “you” in first context is the “apostles” (the ‘eleven disciples’, context in Matthew 28:16 itself) and apostle Paul hasn’t been commissioned to the Gentiles yet either.

So, the context fits perfectly after apostle Paul was chosen to be the apostle of the Gentiles (singular) to deliver the commands of the Lord to every Gentile believer as well (Acts 9:15 – 16).

Hope for ‘those who disobey it in any way’? May God have Mercy as He Wills:

“So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.” (Romans 9:16, 18, NASB)

Yes, to be ‘approved from Lawlessness’ (Matthew 7:20 – 23), we require “obedience according to faith” and ‘not faith only’:

“through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake,” – apostle Paul (Romans 1:5, NASB)

P/S:

Where is the verse which says that at latter times, God Will raise up ‘men of God’ to teach ‘exactly opposite’ to ‘what He commanded to apostle Paul in writing’? (“verses”, e. g. 1 Timothy 2:12 or 1 Corinthians 14:34).

Such a verse does “not” exist.

In fact, during the ‘latter times’ (e. g. now too), it’s already been prophesied that a departing from “doctrine” too will happen and it has happened in so many ways (please note this word carefully in quoted verses to ‘realise this’).

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,

In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.

But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;

It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.

For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

Prescribe and teach these things” – apostle Paul (1 Timothy 4:1 – 2, 6 – 7, 9 – 11, NASB)

Can we see it? Are we able to understand it?

Conclusion

God lists down the Truth through the Inspired Writings instead of listing out every possible error. That is so smart, isn’t it? Why? so that we may not get carried away errors & new errors will be created by demons & deceiving spirits at different times too.

For example, in ‘first – context’ of verses listed above, it is clear that “teaching” (1 Timothy 4:11) that “God Will Save All men” (1 Timothy 4:10, 1 Timothy 2:4) but “believers are more special” (1 Timothy 4:10) is the Truth and NOT the “doctrine of deceiving spirits and demons” (1 Timothy 4:1).

Am I listening to the devil or listing out what is written even proving the context with “verses” and “agreeing” (not being against) to “what is written in each quoted verse”?

In fact, the ‘antichrist spirit’ is the one who teaches & does ‘against (or contrary) to what is written in Holy Scripture’, hence called the ‘Lawless one, or son of perdition’ too in veeses below:

“that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?

And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;

that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,

and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,

in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.” – apostle Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:2 – 3, 5 – 12, NASB)

Can you see it?

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:13 – 14, NASB)

‘There are many errors in doctrine but correct doctrine is only based on what is written in Holy Scripture (the Bible)’ – Anonymous

Bravo to the churches which have “kept” to “what is written”, I salute you!

Indeed,

“I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 18:8, NASB)

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:24, KJV)

Is it good to point these things out or should we just keep it to ourselves?

The Bible clearly calls the one pointing these things out to the “brethren” (or other believers) to be a “good servant of Christ Jesus” in 1 Timothy 4:6.

So, are we ‘good servants of Christ Jesus’?