The clear morning glory of the church did not last long.
It was foreseen that a great apostasy would come. The
early ministers went forth with the knowledge that a long
dark night of superstition, error, and persecution lay
before them.
Jesus foretold this reign of
deception and warned the church. "Beware of false
prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by
their fruits." Matt. 7:15, 16. "For many shall
come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive
many. " Matt. 24:5. As you see, this reign of
deception was not to be merely local hut universal.
"Many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive
many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many
shall wax cold." Matt. 21:11, 12. "If it were
possible, they shall deceive the very elect. " Verse
24.
Paul gave to the church the
following warning and prediction of this great apostasy:
"For I know this, that after my departing shall
grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock:
also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse
things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore
watch, and remember that by the space of three years I
ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
" Acts 20: 29-31. " Now the Spirit speaketh
expressly, that in the latter days some shall depart from
the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines
of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy: having their
conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry,
and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath
created to be received with thanksgiving of them which
believe and know the truth." 1 Tim. 4: 1-3. "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 Tim. 4: 3, 4.
Peter foretold this time in the
following language: " But there were false prophets
also among the people, even as there shall be false
teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable
heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and
bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall
follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of
truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness
shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you:
whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their
damnation slumbereth not. " 2 Pet. 2: 1-3.
The foregoing texts foretell an
awful reign of darkness and deception to come upon the
church, a time when false prophets would deceive many by
turning their hearts away from the truth. These false
teachers would bring in damnable heresies, and many would
follow their pernicious ways; and because iniquity should
abound, the love of many would wax cold. What an awful
picture, and yet how true! The very things predicted came
to pass.
