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The Great Falling Away
The scriptures reveal that in the last days, the Church will experience perilous times. Evil will become so pervasive that many will fall away from the faith and pull others away with them.
7% of the U.S. adults (18 million) now describe themselves as atheists, up from 2% in 2009. While it’s easy to point to the significant exodus after the pandemic as a temporary loss, the truth is the exit has been happening for decades, even for generations.
Paul warned his apprentice Timothy to avoid false Christians "having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power". John of Patmos spoke of believers whose lukewarm faith so repulsed God that he'll spew them from his mouth (Rev. 3:16). While this sounds harsh, God is encouraging them to be profitable servants. He is asking them to be useful, that is, hot or cold. God will not abide a lukewarm Christianity or a heart that is only partially His.
Jesus said even devout Christians will be tempted to fall away. 1 Timothy 4:1-2, “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; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). The problem is that the devil is very astute, and we Christians are often foolish.
Paul was filled with anguish when he said "For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ" (Phil. 3:18). A worldly-minded Christian that chooses to engage in a carnal lifestyle, lives as enemies of the Cross of Christ, to their own disadvantage and detriment.
In the midst of the worst of tribulations, however, God always has good news for his people. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?" (Rom. 8:35). During difficult times, God is not merely watching his people from above, he comes into the trenches with us. He fights with us and for us. Not only are we not separated from God’s love, but he provides the armor of his love to be able to endure our battles.
Christ's church was actually born into a world of wickedness and cruelty, subject to the tyranny of Roman rule. When turmoil abounds in the world and we face an onslaught of evil, the faithful are moved to turn to God to discern the times and perceive the movement of his Spirit. In a time when Satan has darkened minds with evil deception, we'll see a testimony rise up which is not always easy to realize. Every heart that hungers for righteousness, sowing tears over a broken world, will be fed by the Lord's Spirit himself.
Just when the enemies of God sense victory, their plots and snares will be crushed leaving them in disillusionment. "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision" (Psalms 2:4). Christ's body will offer this witness: "And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony..." (Rev. 12-11). The conclusion of the story is victorious, sealed by the Father of Lights despite all of the world's delusions and despair. "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 2:24).
7% of the U.S. adults (18 million) now describe themselves as atheists, up from 2% in 2009. While it’s easy to point to the significant exodus after the pandemic as a temporary loss, the truth is the exit has been happening for decades, even for generations.
Paul warned his apprentice Timothy to avoid false Christians "having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power". John of Patmos spoke of believers whose lukewarm faith so repulsed God that he'll spew them from his mouth (Rev. 3:16). While this sounds harsh, God is encouraging them to be profitable servants. He is asking them to be useful, that is, hot or cold. God will not abide a lukewarm Christianity or a heart that is only partially His.
Jesus said even devout Christians will be tempted to fall away. 1 Timothy 4:1-2, “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; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). The problem is that the devil is very astute, and we Christians are often foolish.
Paul was filled with anguish when he said "For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ" (Phil. 3:18). A worldly-minded Christian that chooses to engage in a carnal lifestyle, lives as enemies of the Cross of Christ, to their own disadvantage and detriment.
In the midst of the worst of tribulations, however, God always has good news for his people. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?" (Rom. 8:35). During difficult times, God is not merely watching his people from above, he comes into the trenches with us. He fights with us and for us. Not only are we not separated from God’s love, but he provides the armor of his love to be able to endure our battles.
Christ's church was actually born into a world of wickedness and cruelty, subject to the tyranny of Roman rule. When turmoil abounds in the world and we face an onslaught of evil, the faithful are moved to turn to God to discern the times and perceive the movement of his Spirit. In a time when Satan has darkened minds with evil deception, we'll see a testimony rise up which is not always easy to realize. Every heart that hungers for righteousness, sowing tears over a broken world, will be fed by the Lord's Spirit himself.
Just when the enemies of God sense victory, their plots and snares will be crushed leaving them in disillusionment. "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision" (Psalms 2:4). Christ's body will offer this witness: "And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony..." (Rev. 12-11). The conclusion of the story is victorious, sealed by the Father of Lights despite all of the world's delusions and despair. "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 2:24).
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