Source of Doctrine

.... As with all false doctrines, The heresies of the last days will deviate from a true Biblical basis of teaching. (I Tim 4:2; 2 Tim 3:8; 2 Peter 3:5)

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.... There are many religions in the world today, and each is founded on its own basis of wisdom. Christianity is founded on the Bible; Judaism draws its wisdom from the Old Testament and other Jewish writings; Islam is founded on the Koran;
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.... Humanism is founded on philosophies, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians; Eastern mysticism follows eastern ways, as Isaiah 2:6 mentions; Greek mythology depends on a sort of gnosticism, as Colossians describes. Even ancient, tribal religions draw their wisdom from superstition or folklore, and in each case their wisdom will teach them about their ‘god’.

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.... All religions have a body of wisdom from which their teachings are drawn, and the end-time heresies will be no exception. The Bible foretells a new type of wisdom that will arise in the world as the time of the end draws near. Three times, it is described as being peculiar to the last days ("In the latter times, in the last days, in the time that will come"– 1 Tim 4:1; 2 Tim 3:1; 4:3).

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.... It is evident, through the prophecy, that this false basis of wisdom will be an actual counterfeit to the Scriptures, cleverly masquerading itself as Biblical counsel, and possibly seeming to interact with the Scriptures as well (2 Tim 3:5, I Tim 4:1). This pretension to a Biblical basis requires a counterfeit basis as a prerequisite; and basically (even if Scriptures are quoted in the process,) the end-time heresies will owe themselves to this counterfeit rather than being Scriptural.
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.... The counterfeit wisdom of the end times will be extremely extensive in its study and application, (2 Tim 3:7), representing an entirely new realm of thinking from which a complete network of teachings may be drawn and cross-referenced. A separate basis of wisdom, of this very nature, is extensively outlined in 2 Tim 3:1-5, where its emphasis is thoroughly described as well.

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.... If this is true, and such a basis of wisdom is really foretold, then identifying this basis of wisdom is the key to unraveling the heresies of the last days.

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.... The end-time wisdom will teach about the end-time god. At its very foundation will be this principle:

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.... "For men will be lovers of themselves . . . rather than lovers of God."

(2 Tim 3:2-4)

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.... Basically, this is what we must understand: God is our God, and the Bible is our basis of wisdom for telling us about Him; but in the heresies of the last days, "self" will be exalted as god, and their basis of wisdom will actually be teaching them about themselves. Thus, they will need a new set of teachings about themselves as the 'Bible' of their self-ism. But even after this transition, their heresies may interact with Scripture to display a form of godliness. (2 Tim 3:5).

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.... Many will be deceived by this false basis of teaching when it arises (2 Pet 2:2; I Tim 4:1). It will find a very ready acceptance in the church, and many will teach according to it. (2 Tim 4:3,4). Men (and especially women) will prefer this false basis of wisdom to the truth: for even those following the truth will turn aside from it to follow these end-time teachings. (2 Tim 4:3,4; 3:6). True scriptural counsel will be blasphemed as a result. (2 Peter 2:1,2).

(continued below)

Characteristics of the End Time Heresies

Other characteristics of the End-Time Heresies will include:

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.... a. These teachings will pretend to the same claims as the gospel. (2 Tim 3:5/Rom 1:16; 2 Tim 4:1/2 Cor 11:3,4).

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.... The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, and as seen by many witnesses (1 Cor 15:1-4). Therefore, anything that the Scriptures describe in relation to the death, burial, or resurrection of Christ is considered an aspect of the gospel.

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.... For example, the gospel would include the forgiveness of sins, a new creation, grace, mercy, the resurrection from the dead, the promise of the Holy Spirit, the covenants of Abraham, righteousness, the adoption as sons, and many, many other things. All become ours through our direct faith in Jesus, in whom we abide, who died for our sins and rose on the third day (Rom 1:16).

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.... The end time heresies will address some of those same gospel subjects, but will offer an alternatives means for accomplishing the same things (as in Gal 2:21). Because of this pretension to the exclusive claims of the gospel, they become rival claimants, so Paul would refer to them as 'another gospel' (Gal 1:6-9; 2 Cor 11:4).

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.... At this point, please remember that these heresies retain a form of godliness (2 Tim 3:5). They may still give lip-service to the cross and even quote some Scriptures; yet by their actual nature they are another teaching entirely; having either replaced or mediated the true gospel through some 'additional ministry' (Gal 3:3; Romans 10:6-8). In other words, at the premise level they are depending on some other basis of wisdom, and Scriptural quotations are being filtered through this grid of reasoning. By this approach, the gospel has been ‘perverted’ (Gal 1:7).

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.... Not only do these heresies offer an alternative approach to the gospel subjects, but in so doing they imply the ineffectiveness of the gospel itself – since they offer an alternative and encourage us to seek it. This is the principle of exclusion, and it is a form of denying the faith (Gal 4:17; 5:4).

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.... Gospel substitutes are an example of doctrines of demons, which were prophesied for the end-times (see 2 Cor 11:3,4/ 1 Tim 4:1).

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.... By their actual nature, these teachings will be more complicated than the simplicity of Christ. Instead, they will corrupt the minds. (2 Cor 11:3,4). When coupled with the foregoing description of the heretical basis, which has a form of godliness and includes much learning, we may assume that the gospel provisions will be 'graduated' or 'delegated' in the light of reaching various understandings, (2 Tim 3:7; 4:3). Since the heretical basis of wisdom is self-centered, growth in this religion means learning more and more about yourself – though under a form of godliness (2 Tim 3:1-5)
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.... b. These teachings will address the problems of human behavior and sin, (2 Tim 3:1-6; 2 Pet 2:18-20) with scripturally unsupported leniency or actual license towards sin. (Jude 4).

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.... The Bible is very straightforward about God's viewpoint of sin. "God . . . commands all men everywhere to repent," (Acts 17:30) for "the wages of sin is death" (Rom 6:23) and "The soul who sins shall die." (Ezek 18:4)

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.... These teachings, however, will allow for pleasure in unrighteousness and love of self at the expense of our love for God, while offering a false comfort through a form of godliness (2 Tim 3:1-6). Sin is probably viewed philosophically rather than Scripturally, under the banner of 'grace' (Jude 4).

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.... c. These teachings will include deceptive terminology and phraseology, with the illusion of Scriptural counsel and godliness (2 Peter 2:3; 2 Tim 3:6)
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.... d. These teachings will be taught through the use of fables: short, non-Scriptural stories with a moral lesson or a case study, but contrary to sound doctrine. (2 Tim 4:3,4). The Bible condemns teaching by fables five times, including the passage referenced, which is a prophesy of the end-time heresies.

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.... Through the use of 'fables', the false basis of wisdom will be supplied with a philosophical 'proof text' for its claims. These little stories, or fables, 'prove' the point of the teachings through case studies.

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.... While seemingly innocent, these fables are actually quite dangerous because they turn one's ears away from the truth. (2 Timothy 4:4)

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.... Because these teachings are contrary to sound doctrine, there will be no reference to chapter-and-verse for proof text, or else such quotations will be mis-represented (2 Peter 3:16). Also, because these teachings entail so much learning (2 Tim 3:7) and there are so many who teach according to it (2 Tim 4:3), it is possible that proof texts will be offered by quoting other authors of the same persuasion, rather than sound, Scriptural quotations.

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.... Deceptive terminology and phraseology, mentioned previously, will probably be used to assist in disguising this weakness in presentation.

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.... e. Deceptive spirits of demonic origin may work in conjunction with these teachings. Within the false basis of wisdom, specific doctrines will arise that deal with the miraculous. Signs and wonders will follow certain of these heresies. (I Tim 4:1).

False Teachings about Jesus

.... The End-Time Heresies will include false teachings over Jesus Christ (I Tim 4:1/2 Cor 11:3,4) denying Him in the role of the atonement (2 Pet 2:2), either through the principle of exclusion or through outright unbelief or denial; the former being more prominent (2 Thes 2:10-12). These teachings will also challenge the fact of His Lordship (2 Peter 2:1; Jude 4).

.... In regard to excluding teachings over Christ, the principle of the golden calf may be used. (1 Cor 10:7,11). This involves belief in a heretical representation of Christ – heretical in regard to His inward and Divine nature. This is the sort of thing that Paul would refer to as 'another Jesus' – not the unique and true Son of God as the Scriptures truly describes Him. (2 Cor 11:3,4/ 1 Tim 4:1).

False Teachings about the Holy Spirit

.... Heresies will include false teachings over the Holy Spirit (I Tim 4:1/ 2 Cor 11:3,4). The end-time wisdom will include teachings about the Holy Spirit: but the 'Holy Spirit' as they see him is substantially different from the way the Bible actually portrays Him. Essentially, this is a counterpart to what we've just described about 'another Jesus'; it is something Paul would refer to as 'another spirit' (2 Cor 11:4). It is likely to find two different areas of exploitation:

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.... a. These teachings may address the direct aspects of the Holy Spirit's indwelling, such as the sealing of the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30), the baptism with the Holy Spirit (John 4:14; I Cor 12:13), our direct unity with the Lord (I Cor 6:17; I John 3:24), or any other aspect that is unique or eternal, directly equated to the Holy Spirit's actual Person or presence.

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.... b. These heresies may include counterfeit gifts and operations of the Spirit, such as prophecy and casting out demons. (Matt 7:22,23; 2 Tim 3:8; I Tim 4:1).

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.... As seen in the passage of the Beelzebub controversy, (Mt 12/Mk 3), mis-interpretation of the miraculous carries implications over the Holy Spirit Himself, under specific circumstances. This would occur if the originating source of the miracle is questioned.

.... As in the foregoing section; in teaching 'another spirit.' the principle of the golden calf may be used.

Profile of a False Teacher

.... The end time heresies glorify false teachers, rather than centering on the Lord. (2 Peter 2:18,19; 2 Tim 3:6; see gal 4:17 & Jude 4). There will be a blind allegiance to these false teachers, catering to the vainglory of the false teacher as a leader. (2 Cor 11:13,20). Some characteristics common to these false teachers will include:

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.... a. Their teachings will be introduced secretly. (2 Peter 2:1; Jude 4; Gal 2:4). This suggests a lay-ministry approach for actually introducing their false doctrine into the church, a low profile, and a cautious biding of time. Initially, their public speech may not make specific mention of the heresies within their dogma – until the time they have gained more personal acceptance.

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.... In this way, they will have an opportunity to become established in the church while remaining unnoticed in relation to their false doctrine (Jude 4). Stealth and subtlety are involved in this. (2 Tim 3:6; Jude 4; Gal 2:4). The wolves are dawning sheep's clothing to gain entrance to the fold. (Matt 7:15; 2 Cor 11:13-15).

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.... b. They will have an ability to speak out and to speak their mind, even though the things they are saying are wrong. They will have an outgoing, charismatic personality (Jude 3,16; 2 Peter 2:18). They will often exalt themselves (2 Cor 11:12,20) and often reprove others (Ch 11:20). They will actually be admired for this as a testimony of their 'righteousness' (vs 13-15), and this will be mis-interpreted as a higher calling from the Lord, (as in vs 13), probably attributed to zeal.

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.... Once the false teacher has become established in the church, his own thirst for recognition, aided by his charismatic personality, will bring his heresies out of secrecy more and more. (compare 5/a above to 1 Cor 11:19). The false teacher thrives on recognition. (same vs).

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.... c. Their speech will be high-sounding nonsense. They are dreamers. They will speak great, swelling words, foaming up their own shame (Jude 8,13,16); nevertheless, their speech will sound very convincing, being cloaked in Christian-sounding terminology (2 Peter 2:3; 2 Tim 3:5). It is designed for itching ears to hear, in turning them away from the truth (2 Tim 4:3,4; I Tim 4:1).

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.... d. Their ministry will address personal problems involving sin. They are up on all of the latest such doctrine (Compare Jude 12 to Eph 4:14). Through their doctrines, they will promise liberty from corruption; however, they will not be teaching the cross of Jesus Christ as the answer. (2 Pet 2:19,20; 2 Pet 2:1).

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.... Although the cross may be mentioned as a 'source' or 'beginning point', some "further ministry" always seems to be needed (Gal 3:1,3). They have stumbled at the stumbling block of simplicity and faith, (2 Cor 11:3,4), and are opting for things they can 'reason out' instead (2 Tim 3:7; 1 Cor 1:18-24).

.... Craftiness and deception are involved in teaching their doctrine under lip-service to the gospel (See Eph 4:14). Trickery is in operation.

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.... e. However good their teachings may sound, (2 Tim 3:5) The promises of such ministry will turn out to be empty. Sin will not be dealt with through their remedies. Actual harm will result instead. (Jude 12,13; 2 Pet 2:1719). This may not be apparent in the short run, but it will be in the long run.

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.... f. Although they may promise liberty through their doctrines, their own lives will not bear out the validity of their ministry. These ministers may seem to have a sound walk with the Lord in public (Matt 7:15; I Cor 11:19; 2 Cor 11:13-15), but in their private lives they, themselves, are slaves to corruption. (2 Peter 2:19). They actually know that their teachings are not a true answer, because they won't even work for them. Thus, in proclaiming the goodness of their ministry, they are speaking lies in hypocrisy. (I Tim 4:2).

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.... Also, they are past caring whether their teachings would harm another, their own conscience being seared with a hot iron (I Tim 4:2). All they care about is the honor and affections they wish to receive. (2 Cor 11:20; 2 Tim 3:6).

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.... From the time they became involved in the heretical teaching, their own growth in the Lord has actually ceased – as evidenced by how they will continue to center their lives around that very teaching. (2 Tim 3:8,9).

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.... g. The actual purpose of their ministry is three-fold: False teachers are motivated by a desire for the three G’s: gold, glory and girls. First, they want to gain money or other unrighteous wages (Jude 11; 2 Peter 2:3.13.15); second, they desire to gain a following of disciples for their own honor or desire, which will includes their third goal (2 Peter 2:2,3,14,18,19; Acts 10:19-21; Jude 16; 2 Tim 3:6; Gal 4:17).

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.... Although they know that their ministry could bring harm to a Christian in his walk with the Lord, they will purposely lead them into their ministry in order to gain these purposes. (2 Cor 11:3,4,12-15,20; Gal 1:7; 2:4; 4:17). They are Satan's ministers masquerading as ministers of righteousness.

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.... h. They will have no genuine respect for authority. In their hearts they despise it. (2 Peter 2:10; Jude 8). They are self-willed and presumptuous, and seek to exert an 'authority' of their own (Jude 11- rebellion of Korah). They are therefore their own authority.

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.... If they are ever reproved over their ministry, their response will take one of three directions:

... 1. In a natural sense, they would continue on as though nothing had ever happened, and be completely unafraid of the reproof. (Jude 12).

.... 2. If the reproof becomes widely known, their response will be to make a division over the matter (Jude 19). Since Scripture would not support the false teacher's arguments, we should expect any sort of divisive effort to center around non-Scriptural points, such as the false teacher's personality and acceptance, zeal, and other strengths in the image that he presents. He will make comparisons between himself and others (2 Cor 10:12). He will twist and mis-represent facts to justify himself and condemn his opponents; he is a blame-shifter: and in condemning others in this way, when he himself is actually the guilty party, he is actually self-condemned. (Titus 3:10,11).

.... The chiefest non-Scriptural tool to be used will be a hypocritical appeal for "love". Under the guise of 'love' he will try to gather sympathy to himself, and sympathetic supporters to his side. (Gal 4;17; Jude 12). We must understand how this works together with the blame-shifting:

.... While mis-representing the actual facts of the matter, he will claim that he is being picked on. (2 Cor 11:12,20,21). "Love is more important than doctrine, let's just love one another." (see Phil 1:9,10; Romans 12:9; I Cor 13;7 in response).

.... 3. If the false teacher knows that the reproof is going to stick, he will probably respond by reverting the ministry into secrecy, as when it was first brought in; (2 Peter 2:1): but he probably will not cease completely, since he despises the authority.

.... He may cease teaching it temporarily, however, if he sees an advantage or favor to be gained in so doing; then he would respond with flattery in order to gain the advantage (Jude 16). If he does this, he will probably take up the teaching again at some later time, since his life is so preoccupied with it and he is actually disapproved as concerning the faith. (2 Tim 3:8,9).

.... i. They are unafraid to rail upon principalities and powers. (2 Peter 2:1011; Jude 8-10). While professing expertise in spiritual warfare, they are nevertheless speaking of things they do not know. "False humility . . . intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head (Christ)", as in Col 2:18,19. They will accuse demons, rebuke them on their own cognizance, and become corrupt in this.

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.... By it's prominent mention in both 2 Peter 2 and in Jude, and its subsequent exposition (which is not granted to other points in these passages,) we might assume this trait to be fairly prominent and universal.

.... This characteristic also represents a contradiction at the center of the false teacher's heart, and tells us of a blindness that he is laboring under. The false teacher himself is referred to as 'a minister of Satan' (2 Corinthians 11:13-15); his teachings are referred to as 'doctrines of demons' (I Tim 4:1). Nevertheless he will center his lawless ministry around blaming Satan. (2 Peter 2;10,11; Jude 8-10; Matt 7:22,23).

.... This blindness can only be attributed to his self-seeking ways and presumption of self-authority. He cannot recognize the truth that he is serving Satan or else he refuses to face it (in fact, he believes that God is the author of his lawless ministry– Matt 7:22); nevertheless Satan uses it to his own advantages (see I Tim 3:6,7).

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.... j. They will scoff at the possibility of the Lord's imminent return. Probably, this will not be seen until the very end. When the Spirit says "Come." and the bride says "Come, Lord Jesus!" they will respond by saying:

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.... "Well, where is the promise of His coming?"

(Rev 22:7; 2 Pet 3:3,4).

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.... k. They are murmurers and complainers by nature. They speak evil about things they do not understand, without even searching them out: especially in regard to principalities and powers (section 5/i) or in relation to morality (Jude 18,19);

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. . . but they can be flatterers instead, if it would be to their advantage. (Jude 16).

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.... l. They are usually the offspring of another ministry that was similar to their own. That is where their training initiated, and where their lawless ideals were first observed and formed, as their hearts became corrupted. (2 Peter 2:14). This result is exactly what their mentor had hoped to accomplish, in order to gain a spin-off ministry as a credit to his own ministry (Gal 4:17; 6:13). They glory in their pupils, for reasons of their own glory; but the pupils also glory in their mentors for the same reason (as in Gal 6:12-13; see also 1 Cor 3:21). It would be perfectly consistent with this desire to find that an 'overseer' structure exists between them, probably including the issue of ministerial license and especiall ministerial titles.

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.... These false teachers are men who once followed the Lord, but they have now forsaken the way of truth, turning aside to seek personal gain (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 12). Having suffered shipwreck of the faith through heresy and their self-seeking ways, or being disfellowshipped by the church, they have fallen in league with the devil to do his will (I Tim 3:6; 2:19,20 / 2 Tim 2:17,26; John 8:44). They are apostates now (Matt 24:48-51). They are seeking their own desires (2 Peter 2:13,14).

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.... They are marked out for condemnation, and the blackness of darkness is reserved for them forever (Jude 4,13). For a long time their judgment has not been idle and their destruction does not slumber, and they shall utterly perish in their own corruptions. (2 Peter 2:3,12). The Lord will reserve them under punishment until that day. (2 Pet 2:9).

Victims of Choice

.... There are three types of people who will be caught up in this sort of lawless ministry. One group will both seek out the ministry and be sought out by them (a), while the other two groups will usually be sought out by the false teacher, apart from any effort of their own (b & c).

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.... a. The first category of followers will include the gullible who are laden with sin, and people who are basically unstable in their day-to-day lives (2 Tim 3:6; 2 Pet 2:14). There will be many in this category, and the testimony of this ministry in their lives will be appalling (2 Pet 2:2).

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.... Generally speaking, these people are poorly schooled in Scripture, easily swayed by smooth words and flattering speech, and easily deceived by false Scriptural representation or interpretation – if Scripture is being used in these teachings at all. (2 Thes 2:10,12; Rom 16:18; 2 Pet 2:2; 3:16). They are simple. They are not firm in their convictions, and are easily swayed by such ministry; especially when signs or wonders accompany them (2 Thes 2:10-12).

.... They will, however, withstand the true version of the same teachings if it is used to correct them, in showing them that they have been deceived. (2 Pet 2:2). They will not endure sound doctrine, but will turn their ears away from the truth, as in 2 Tim 4:3,4. They will also become defensive on behalf of the false teacher, and take personal offense against anyone who tries to convince them of their error (Gal 4:16,17).

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..... b. The second group includes the high-appeal type people: those who are zealous, but as yet unlearned, who are seeking an opportunity for ministry of their own although they are not founded firmly enough for such a thing so soon (1 Tim 3:6; 2 Tim 4:3,4). They are studious enough to learn, but have not yet grasped the importance of sound doctrine.

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.... The false teacher will take advantage of this desire in their heart, and will draw them into an isolated discipleship (Acts 20:30). By this a subtle corruption of pride is given a chance to fester (1 Tim 3:6), and they will look to the false teacher as their avenue to enter the ministry.

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.... Actually though, the false teacher does this to make his own ministry look good. High-appeal, zealous disciples give his ministry a favorable impression to those who are on the outside, catering to his honor and pride, as the zeal of the disciple is attributed to the quality of the discipler (Gal 4:17).

.... Eventually these disciples will arise as the next generation of false teachers, and they will be even more corrupt than their mentors. (2 Tim 3:13; Matt 23:15).

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.... c. The third type of disciple that the false teacher will purposely seek out will involve a fleshly situation, such as a cloaked romantic interest. Their victims are usually a combination of types a & b (2 Tim 3:6; 2 Pet 2:3,14). He is attracted to her, but she is also gullible enough to be deceived by his teaching. In time, she will come to rely on him as a spiritual guide or provider (2 Pet 2:18,19), coming under bondage to the doctrine, to the false teacher, and to sin.

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.... This is particularly a problem with a young minister who is single (2 Tim 2:22), but it is not limited to the young or to the single. Marriage is not respected in these situations (2 Pet 2:14).

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.... Two bits of terminology, 'beguiling' and 'making captive', describe the nature of the relationship between the false teacher and his victim. (2 Peter 2:14; 2 Tim 3:6). There is something about his ministry that he is 'holding over her head', fear or provocation being involved; and to some extent he is running her life for her.

.... Scripturally, it is most probable that he has imposed himself as a mediator of the gospel, as in Gal 3:20 (See Rom 10:6,7). "The cross made things possible for her; but he must complete the work through his 'additional ministry.'" He makes himself, by his knowledge, the necessary element in her life.

Mediation in the End Time Heresies

.... The following terminology will probably never be heard in describing the end-time heresies; but in closing this study, let's take a look at their ministry by its actual nature, and learn something of gospel mediation. By their underlying nature, these teachings actually go something like this:

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.... "When Jesus arose from the dead, He took all the 'spiritual provisions' of the resurrection with Him to heaven. Since she has not 'laid claim' to them, they are still there."

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.... But now the false teacher, by his 'further ministry', will 'ascend into heaven' for her, bring Christ down from above, and put Him in her heart, thus effecting that 'provision' of the resurrection in her life:

.... "But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down from above) . . .

(Rom 10:6)

.... Again, "The things accomplished through the death of Christ still lie 'dormant in the abyss', since she has not 'laid claim' to them. So in that sense, to her, Jesus died and stayed dead. Now the false teacher will 'descend into the abyss' for her, get Jesus, put Him in her heart and 'resurrect' Him there, through his 'additional ministry'."

.... . . . "or, 'Who will descend into the abyss?' " (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)

(Romans 10:7)

.... In this way, by ministry that 'comes along side' of true doctrine (2 Peter 2:1 Wuest), his ministry becomes a mediation of the gospel. Also in this way, if she is deceived, she will believe that she must go through him to have a relationship with the Lord. He becomes her spiritual provider or guide.

.... . . ."But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach)

(Romans 10:8)

.... There will be an unhealthy isolation from other involved in this sort of ministry (Acts 20:30; Jude 18,19). This aspect of the ministry will be conducted in private (2 Tim 3:6; 2 Peter 2:1).

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