April 11th 06, 01:00 PM
The apostasy that was “already at work” while some of Christ’s apostles
were still alive became prolific “in later periods of time,” that is,
after their death. The five telltale signs became increasingly apparent
from the second century on and reached a climax in the fourth century.
This mass apostasy was due to occur before the “presence of our Lord
Jesus Christ” and “the day of Jehovah.”—2 Thess. 2:1-12.
But other scriptures make it clear that even during “the last days” of
the present system of things, cases of apostasy would occur within the
true Christian congregation. The apostle Peter wrote:
“In the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule,
proceeding according to their own desires and saying: ‘Where is this
promised presence of his?’ .*.*. You, therefore, beloved ones, having
this advance knowledge, be on your guard that you may not be led away
with them by the error of the law-defying people and fall from your own
steadfastness.”—2 Pet. 3:3, 4, 17.
Peter was not merely warning his brothers against “ridiculers” and “law-
defying people” in the world. Christians have always been well aware of
danger from that quarter. Peter was also speaking of the danger of
being “led away” by some within the Christian congregation who would
become “ridiculers,” making light of the fulfillment of prophecies
concerning Christ’s “presence” and adopting a law-defying attitude
toward “the faithful and discreet slave,” the Governing Body of the
Christian congregation and the appointed elders.
were still alive became prolific “in later periods of time,” that is,
after their death. The five telltale signs became increasingly apparent
from the second century on and reached a climax in the fourth century.
This mass apostasy was due to occur before the “presence of our Lord
Jesus Christ” and “the day of Jehovah.”—2 Thess. 2:1-12.
But other scriptures make it clear that even during “the last days” of
the present system of things, cases of apostasy would occur within the
true Christian congregation. The apostle Peter wrote:
“In the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule,
proceeding according to their own desires and saying: ‘Where is this
promised presence of his?’ .*.*. You, therefore, beloved ones, having
this advance knowledge, be on your guard that you may not be led away
with them by the error of the law-defying people and fall from your own
steadfastness.”—2 Pet. 3:3, 4, 17.
Peter was not merely warning his brothers against “ridiculers” and “law-
defying people” in the world. Christians have always been well aware of
danger from that quarter. Peter was also speaking of the danger of
being “led away” by some within the Christian congregation who would
become “ridiculers,” making light of the fulfillment of prophecies
concerning Christ’s “presence” and adopting a law-defying attitude
toward “the faithful and discreet slave,” the Governing Body of the
Christian congregation and the appointed elders.