1 Timothy 4 Pt. 1 End Times , Seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils.

Chapter 4 begins with a full paragraph warning all Christians about false teaching and spiritual warfare.

1 Timothy 4:1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 

The phrase "the Spirit speaketh expressly" connects with how the Spirit of God directly guided the apostles. 

When Jesus ascended to His Father, He then gave commandments to the apostles through the Spirit of God (See Acts 1:2).

For example, Paul and his fellow workers were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. Later, the Spirit did not allow them to enter into Bithynia at that time (See examples in Acts 13:2; 16:7-8; 28:25).  

When Ananias lied to Peter, the apostle told them that they actually lied to the Holy Ghost, and they forfeited their lives (See Acts 5:1-11). 

John 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 

Jesus tells us that the Spirit of truth will guide us into all truth. He shall relay all the truth that He hears from the risen Lord Jesus Christ, to His Church. He did this through the apostles of Jesus Christ.

The idea of "speaking expressly" is rhetoric in its purest form because it comes from the Holy Spirit. 

Thus, speaking expressly is using strong, persuasive words to communicate and essential truth. 

We must be fully persuaded of the spiritual realities that the Spirit of God gave us through the pen of Paul, regarding end times.

Ezekiel 1:3  The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him. 

The Word of Jehovah came expressly unto the prophet Ezekiel. This connects with what we read in Paul's letter to young pastor Timothy.

Jesus said "he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (See Revelation 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:29; 3:6; 3:13; and 3:22).

A real sense of urgency for Christians to hear and heed, is contained in what the Holy Spirit says to us, through the apostle Paul.

What are the "latter times?" The prophecies concerning antichrist, as well as prophecies concerning Christ, came from the Spirit. 

"Latter times" refers to the end of the age of the church, and the coming of Jesus Christ at the rapture. This will usher in the Great tribulation period, followed by final judgment and the great Day of the LORD.

No one knows how long the age of gospel preaching will last, so even today, we are living in the last days, as God's prophetic calendar draws toward His express final conclusion. 

The Holy Spirit spoke expressly of a general apostasy from faith in Christ and the pure worship of God. 

Such apostasy erupts in the latter times of the Church age. This is a time that the mystery of iniquity was already at work (See for example, 1 John 2:18-27).

Jude 1:17-18  But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18)  How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 

Peter, Paul, John, and Jude, along with the Old Testament prophets, all wrote about the last days. During the last times, Jesus Christ will come in flaming fire, taking vengeance upon all who rejected His gospel.

Some professing Christians shall depart from the faith, for there will be an apostasy from the truth of God's Word.

Some professing Christians but not all, for even in the worst times, God always has a remnant, according to the election of grace. 

They shall depart from the faith that was delivered to the saints. Churches and some professing Christians will discard the sound doctrine of the gospel (Jude 1:3).

Many will follow seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. 

1 Timothy 4:1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Thus, when apostasy erupts, some will follow heresies taught by false teachers. Others will actually believe doctrines of devils. 

One of the great instances of apostasy in the latter days, is giving heed to doctrines of demons. 

It will involve promoting doctrines that teach people to worship saints and angels, as intermediaries between the immortal God and mortal men. 

God's word is very clear on this truth. There is only one mediator between man and God and that is the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5).

Seducing spirits reflect Satan, their corrupt master.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14)  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15)  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 

Remember, Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, so that he can lead people into error. He is the force guiding false apostles who promote lies and falsehood. 

He fashions himself as an angle of light but he propagates another gospel that is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Because these things are true, we must be on guard. We must put on the whole armor of God in order to withstand his great deceptions (See Ephesians 6:10-20).

Devilish doctrines deny the Deity of Jesus Christ.

1 John 4:1-6  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2)  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3)  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4)  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5)  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6)  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 

The apostle John gives us truth. Those who deny the deity of Jesus Christ, are false prophets, seducing spirits guided by the Devil. 

Those who confess or believe or preach that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh are of the Spirit of God, the Spirit of truth. 

This truth connects with "God was manifest in the flesh" a powerful truth given by Paul at the end of the previous chapter.  (1 Timothy 3:16).

We must expend time and energy to read and understand the scriptures. The sword of the Spirit is our defense against error and apostasy.

We must ask the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth as He has promised to do. 

We must pray for our elders, pastors, and deacons to be on guard against spiritual error, and that they remain standing firm upon the foundation of God's Word.
Bob