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The final end of suppressors

What will be the future end of those who suppress the truth about God?

The Bible has much to say on the matter. Philippians 3:17-19 provides a simple summary that includes not only the end situation of suppressors, but why they will meet with such an end (italics added).

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things (Philippians 3:17-19 ESV).

Paul encourages the believers at Philippi to continue to hold to the truths about God and Christ which they were taught, and to imitate Paul’s life and beliefs about Christ. The apostle explains the reason for his admonition: “For many…walk as enemies of Christ.” You will notice that Paul states that he has often warned his readers about those who live as enemies of Christ. In fact, the New Testament repeatedly warns about suppressors of the truth, false teachers, and those who attempt to lead people away from God. One such example can be found in the entirety of 2 Peter, chapter 2. Peter’s description and explanation of the final end of suppressors and false teachers is so extensive and descriptive that I decided to use Paul’s shorter summary. The point here is that the biblical text strongly warns readers about such false teachers and those who lead people away from the truth.

So, why do suppressors suppress the truth? One of the primary reasons, as stated by Paul, is due to suppressors being enemies of the cross of Jesus Christ. As I have said, humanity lives on a grand battlefield. There seems little reason to again discuss the battlefield conduct of enemies and opposing battlefield forces except to say that enemies oppose their foes and conduct themselves in such a manner as to thwart the advance and well-being of their enemy. This is the root cause for those who suppress the truth as describe in Romans 1:18.

Leading up to the end

And the cause for their posture as enemies of Christ? What leads them on to the end? Paul explains this too, saying, “…their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things”. Here is the underlying issue for those who suppress the truth. Suppressors have no god except their own belly, that is, themselves. Suppressors also glory in their own anti-God conduct and boast about their opinion of God and their prerogative of living their life free from God.

Finally, suppressors view their lives only as an earthly venture where there is no cause to consider the future and no reason to believe that there will be any ultimate accountability for their actions.

Consider a few statements from such suppressors:

“If I had to choose a religion, the sun as the universal giver of life would be my god.”--Napoleon Bonaparte

“But here steps in Satan, the eternal rebel, the first freethinker and the emancipator of worlds. He makes man ashamed of his bestial ignorance and obedience; he emancipates him, stamps upon his brow the seal of liberty and humanity, in urging him to disobey and eat of the fruit of knowledge.”--Mikhail Bakunin

“If you're an atheist, you know, you believe, this is the only life you're going to get. It's a precious life. It's a beautiful life. Its something we should live to the full, to the end of our days. Where if you're religious and you believe in another life somehow, that means you don't live this life to the full because you think you're going to get another one. That's an awfully negative way to live a life. Being an atheist frees you up to live this life properly, happily and fully.”--Richard Dawkins

The end

What is the end of those who suppress the truth and "stumble because they disobey the word" (1 Peter 2:8 ESV)? As enemies of the cross, suppressor’s end situation is described simply as, "Their end is destruction"(Philippians 3:19 ESV).

Almost finished! Let’s continue on to the final comments and discuss why it is important to discuss these matters.