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Throughout history, there have been many examples of groups of people rejecting the norms of society in order to develop new ways of doing things. Sometimes this change was good, sometimes bad. Examples of good change are readily seen in groups and even nations that decided to put their trust in God. These, without fail, began to see the blessings of God Almighty come upon them. Likewise, bad change always comes to those who reject God. In fact, all who reject God, even the mightiest of nations, fade into obscurity as SIN overtakes them. [1] Prophetically, the Apostle Paul spoke of a time when the entire world would change for the worse because they reject God. As a result, God will mark this time by turning the masses over to minds that do inconvenient things. Therefore, this time could be labeled The Rise of the Reprobates.
Romans 1:28
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” [2]
Perhaps the best place to begin to examine ‘The Rise of the Reprobates’ is to define the ‘Who, What, When, Where and Why’ of a reprobate along with ‘How’ they prosper. This is because fully understanding a reprobate is a vital part of knowing how to deal with them.
Who is a Reprobate?
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines a reprobate as an unprincipled or depraved person: one who is morally corrupt. [3] Strong’s Concordance indicates this word refers to one who has become worthless and thereby rejected or castaway. [4] Therefore, a reprobate is an unprincipled, depraved, morally corrupt person who has been deemed worthless by God and consequently rejected.
This means those who are deemed reprobate by God will become the greatest opponents to righteousness and those who pursue it. They could even be considered enemies as they will undoubtedly despitefully use those who have chosen to honor God with their whole heart. This is a bit of a hint as to where this article is going.
What is a Reprobate?
With this in mind, ‘What’ are the traits of a reprobate? Reprobates are those who, because they have rejected God in their knowledge, do things that are improper. The Apostle Paul describes reprobates as those who are:
Romans 1:29-32
“Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
It should be made clear that God alone turns one over to a reprobate mind. He is the perfect one who can discern when it is appropriate to turn someone over to this very inconvenient lifestyle.
When is One Considered a Reprobate?
Scripture clearly defines ‘When’ a person becomes reprobate. Once a person fully recognizes that God is God and rejects him, preferring their own wisdom, at which point they will begin to worship many other things as gods, He will then reject them and turn them over as reprobates. The Apostle Paul describes the process this way:
Romans 1:18-27
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
“Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”
Where are Reprobates Functioning?
The “Where” of the rise of the reprobates is revealed in the above passage, “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven unto all who hold truth in unrighteousness” (Rom 1:18). In other words, all of the inhabitants of earth who suppress the truth by their wickedness are to be considered the dwelling place of reprobation. Therefore, just like the church (the wheat) is ‘salt and light’ to the world, which holds decay at bay, the reprobates (the tares) are ‘savorless and full of darkness,’ and they too affect the entire world by enhancing its deterioration. [5]
Why are Reprobates Deemed Worthless?
The primary text clearly describes ‘Why’ reprobates are deemed worthless, “they did not like to retain God in their knowledge” (Rom 1:28). Think about this statement for a moment in the context of the original sin. In the Garden of Eden, Eve was tempted by hearing the words, “you will be as gods, knowing good and evil (Gen 3:5).” Since God is the only one who can be properly called good (Matt 19:17), reprobates have chosen to reject good (God) for evil. Therefore, reprobates, because they reject God, are they who have decided to hold dear only evil while rejecting good. This sounds a whole lot like the description of the inhabitants of the world just prior to the flood of Noah’s day:
Genesis 6:5
“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
How Are Reprobates Rising?
The final aspect of the definition of the reprobate is ‘How’ have they grown so influential? The Word of God marks one who has been turned over to a reprobate mind as one who, because of their reprobate mind, does things that are inconvenient or improper. Incredibly, this mindset sounds just like the world we now live in. In fact, it is hard to imagine how society could be more upside-down than it is right now. Indeed, we live in a time when every facet of normality has been deemed unsatisfactory and change is being implemented at every level. There is a very simple explanation.
Scripture describes what is happening as the process of a little leaven leavening the whole lump. Examination of God’s Word reveals that leaven is spoken of as an agent of change which can be used for good or evil. In fact, Jesus speaks of the kingdom of heaven being like leaven, which, when mixed into separate measures of flour, all become leavened (Matt 13:33). On the other hand, He warns the people to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees and even of the leaven of Herod (Matt 23:33; Mark 8:15). Paul speaks of leaven as something that has persuaded those who began in the faith to trust in the former works of the flesh (Gal 5:7-8).
Thus, through the leavening process, the reprobates are rising globally, and this indicates only one thing: the end of days is upon us. For, according to Scripture, the only time this will happen is right before the Day of the Lord, which begins after the rapture:
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3a
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first…”
This portion of this highly controversial passage is all that is included here, as it is the portion that contains the information pertinent to this discussion. For further treatment, see the companion article, “The Man of Sin Arising,” which deals with the full context of the passage. [6]
The reason this is a true sign of the last of days is the fact that this leavening process, which is bringing about negative ‘change’ (falling away), is happening globally for the first time since taking place before the flood of Noah’s day (Gen 6-9). Another recently penned article, “The Return of the Godless,” deals at length with how the rise of the reprobates is prospering. [7]
Conclusion
Reprobates are everywhere you look. Sadly, few of us can say we do not have some in our own families. The simple truth is clear: Jesus paid the price for all of mankind’s salvation. His spotless blood has atoned for all who choose to believe in Him. The rise of the Reprobates indicates fewer are choosing to believe the truth of God’s Word. But the fact that God has turned them over to reprobate minds is not necessarily a terrible thing because, from this position of utter sinfulness, they may just come to realize they need a savior.
Our part, as alluded to earlier, is to pray for those who have become reprobates, even though they have become our chief enemies and despitefully use us. [8] After all, answered prayers for the salvation of reprobates would cause our enemies to become friends because they have chosen to follow Jesus on the same narrow path we are on (Matt 7:14). Jesus said it best:
Matthew 5:44
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
**Special Message… If you are reading this after the rapture, you still have hope, even though you rejected the truth previously. See the article, “Open Letter to Those Who Miss the Rapture.” [9]
Website: In His Commission
[1] For greater understanding, see the article, “SIN.”
[2] “Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the King James Version.”
[3] For greater understanding about the term reprobate, see Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.
[4] For greater understanding about the term reprobate, see Strong’s Concordance via Bible Hub.
[5] For greater understanding, see the article, “The Coming False Flag of Pride.”
[6] For greater understanding, see the article, “The Man of Sin Arising.”
[7] For greater understanding, see the article, “The Return of the Godless.”
[8] For greater understanding, see the article, “Vengeance Cometh – Make Room.”
[9] For greater understanding, see the article, “Open Letter to Those Who Miss the Rapture.”
The post The Rise of the Reprobates :: By Charles Gray Adams Jr appeared first on Rapture Ready.
