Apostasy and Betrayal

At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other. (Matthew 24:10, NIV 1984)

My Musings – In the classical Greek, the term turn away is apostasia, from which we get the English word apostasy. Technically, the term means political revolt or defection. In the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) however, it is always used to refer to rebellion against God (Joshua 22:22; 2 Chronicles 29:19). 

There are two New Testament instances of the word.

• Turning Away – “Then they said to Paul: ‘You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs.'” (Acts 21:20–21, NIV 1984).
• Falling Away – “We ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. (2 Thessalonians 2:1–3, NIV 1984).

Apostasy has always been a danger to the church, but the end times before the Lord returns, will be characterized by widespread apostasy, heresy and scoffing.  During such things, Christians must fight the good fight, keep the faith, and finish the race.

My Advice – Fight the good fight, by keeping the faith and finishing the race. “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8–9, NIV 1984).

Sources:

Wood, A. S. (1996). Apostasy. In D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, & D. J. Wiseman (Eds.), New Bible dictionary (3rd ed., pp. 57–58). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (p. 131). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.