May the peace of the Lord be with you and your household. May the eternal and almighty God bring openness of revelation, grace, and mercy to His own. In tonight’s teaching we will study the subject of apostasy manifested in doctrines. We will use as a basis the parable of the wheat and the tares found in Matthew chapter 13.
The Six Apostate Doctrines
The tares resemble the wheat, just as apostasy appears to be true but is not. Like tares, they occupy space as they grow, even though their final destination is the fiery furnace. Similarly, apostasy is not outside the wheat field, but within it. It looks like wheat, but it isn’t; it is simply tares.
The purpose of the tares is to take up space and destroy the wheat. Likewise, apostasy seeks to destroy the faith of the men and women whom God has chosen, called, and incorporated into His Kingdom. Today we will study six apostate doctrines that affect our beliefs and practices.
We have already analyzed several elements to understand what apostasy is. We have its etymological definition and how it appears in Scripture. Now we will identify specific apostate doctrines. We will discover that many are present in our ecclesiastical institutions, in the beliefs of men and women of faith, and in the practices of the communities to which we belong.
1. The Doctrine of Balaam
Let’s start with the book of Revelation, chapter 2, verse 14: “But I have some things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality“.
The verse clearly defines what this teaching consists of. Balaam was a false prophet; therefore, his teaching is based on a false prophetic movement, a pseudo-prophetic doctrine. Its purpose was to encourage believers to participate in idolatrous activities and celebrations, especially the consumption of food sacrificed to idols and fornication.
Many think that this teaching is a thing of the past, that it is not in effect today. But this doctrine is still alive and gaining strength in church institutions and Christian circles. It promotes licentiousness among men and women of faith, the idea that everything is permissible and that there are no things to be avoided.
The doctrine of Balaam suggests that believers should engage in the practices of the people in order to bear witness. At first glance, this may seem correct, but it is a mistake. When it comes to activities dedicated to demonic powers, we cannot participate or get involved. As 2 Corinthians 6 says, “What fellowship has light with darkness? What fellowship has Christ with Belial?“
This teaching encourages believers to participate not only in activities, but also in idolatrous meals. Some may say, “Idolatrous foods do not exist today. But they do. We have become so accustomed to them that they are part of our diet without our realizing it.
In many Latin American communities with an indigenous past, certain foods were consecrated to idols. Although someone might say, “That was in the past, no one celebrates idolatrous activities today,” the recipes have been preserved. For example, in some countries birds are cooked in their own blood, a practice with an idolatrous background that few recognize.
These ceremonial recipes, dedicated to idols centuries ago, remain in force. The Old Testament mentions a ceremonial food such as a young goat boiled in its mother’s milk, which is forbidden by God. Although the original idols may have disappeared, the recipes retain their idolatrous character.
The teaching of Balaam teaches that there is no problem participating in these things. Some even say, “With prayer, everything is purified. But if something was declared abominable by God in its origin, it retains that nature over time. In Acts 21:25, the elders of Jerusalem instructed the converted Gentiles to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. This confirms that the teaching of Balaam remains relevant.
2. The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans
Let’s move on to the second doctrine, in Revelation 2:15: “So you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I hate“. What is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans? Many have a vague idea. Some believe they were followers of Nicholas, a deacon mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, but this is a misinterpretation.
“Nicolaitans” comes from two Greek words: “Nike,” referring to the pagan goddess of victory (known today by the commercial brand), and “laos,” meaning “people. Thus, “Nicolaitans” means “the victory of the people. This apostate doctrine promoted that believers participate in celebrations dedicated to idols without hiding or segregating themselves.
Have you heard the argument: “How will the people witness to your faith if you don’t participate with them?” This shows how current this teaching is. But Scripture is clear in 2 Corinthians 6: “Do not touch what is unclean; come out from among them“. Men and women of faith should not attend pagan festivals.
Some say, “There are no more idols.” But idols are not only in Catholic churches; they are in society, commerce, and all environments. For example, Christmas is an idolatrous celebration not supported by Scripture. How many believers and congregations participate in it? There are even those who get upset if someone refuses to celebrate it.
Other pagan celebrations are Epiphany, on January 6, or February 14, both dedicated to mythological gods. In Puerto Rico, the street festivals of San Sebastian are an example of pagan celebrations in which even churches participate with songs. This is not history, but a current reality.
In addition, there are inclusive churches that tolerate homosexuality and lesbianism without demanding changes. This is not the teaching of the gospel as the Word says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand“. If change is not promoted in those who live in sin, that is apostasy, not the church of the Lord.
Churches such as Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist have ordained gay and lesbian ministers. This must be denounced, as Ezekiel says: “Son of man, have you not seen what they do in secret?“. The doctrine of the Nicolaitans is still alive and strong.
3. The Doctrine of Worship to the Heavenly Hosts
The third teaching is found in Deuteronomy 17:2-4: “If there is found among you, in any of your gates which the LORD your God gives you, a man or woman who has done wickedly in the sight of the LORD your God, and has transgressed his covenant, and has gone and served other gods, and has worshiped them, either the sun, or the moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded“.
This teaching includes those who practice astrology or rely on horoscopes. Zephaniah 1:4-5 says, “I will stretch out My hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem… and against those who worship the host of heaven on the housetops“. The spring equinox and winter solstice are examples of astral cults in which many believers participate.
We should not rely on the sun, moon, or stars, nor should we invoke angels. Objects with figures of suns, moons, or angels in Christian homes open the door to apostasy. This may explain the rebellion of the children because we have allowed these practices in our homes.
Ezekiel 8:15-16 describes men worshipping the sun in the temple of Jehovah. These customs persist, such as observing the sunrise or sunset. We must repent or the darkness will retain legal rights over our lives, health, and finances.
4. The Doctrine of Preterism
The fourth doctrine is found in 2 Timothy 2:18: “There are some who stray from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place; and they cast doubt on the faith of some“. This is the doctrine of preterism, which asserts that the prophecies of Revelation and Matthew 24 have already been fulfilled, including the coming of Jesus.
Preterism is based on words like those in Matthew 24:34: “This generation will not pass away until all these things take place“. They say everything has already happened, but that is apostasy. The resurrection and the coming of Jesus have not happened; we are near, but not yet. Those who have accepted this teaching have overthrown their faith and the faith of others.
5. The Doctrine of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture
The fifth doctrine is that of the pre-tribulation rapture. It affirms that the church will be raptured before the tribulation (some say 3.5 years, others 7 years). But Matthew 24:29-31 says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days… He will send His angels… and they will gather together His elect.” The coming of Jesus and the rapture are simultaneous, not prior.
2 Thessalonians 2:1 confirms: “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Himself.” Also 1 Corinthians 15:23: “Then those who are Christ’s at His coming.” And 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 describes the living and the dead being caught up together when Jesus comes. This apostate teaching does not prepare the Church for the Tribulation.
Many believers, trusting in a prior rapture, do not prepare for persecution. When it comes, they may deny their faith. The Church will go through tribulation, but the Spirit will work supernaturally. We must renounce this doctrine in order not to lose faith, grace, and salvation.
6. The Economic Doctrine of the Beast
The sixth teaching in Revelation 13:17 is economic: “That no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark…of the beast.” Today, churches are adopting this model: “Subscribe, pay a fee, and receive instruction.” This commodifies the Word, something Jesus condemned when He drove the money changers out of the temple.
This subtle teaching infiltrates churches and businesses: “Become a member and receive benefits.” But the Word is not for sale. The apostasy is within the church, not without. Let’s examine our congregations: if they tolerate sin without demanding change, they are not of God. We must come out of the unclean, as 2 Corinthians 6:17 says.
Father, thank you for opening our eyes, ears, and hearts with Your Word. May no one, knowing this, walk in error or to destruction. In the name of Jesus, amen. I bless you; may the peace of the Lord and the grace of the eternal God be with you. Amen.
