The Great Apostasy

2 Now, brethren, ^(A)concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ ^(B)and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, ^2 (C)not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of ^[a]Christ had come.

^2 (A)“I know your works, your labor, your ^[a]patience, and that you cannot ^[b]bear those who are evil. And ^(B)you have tested those ^(C)who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

¹² But what I do, I will also continue to do, ^(A)that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. ¹³ For such ^(B)are false apostles, ^(C)deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into ^(D)an angel of light. ¹⁵ Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, ^(E)whose end will be according to their works.