Signs of the Times

Apostasy/ Worldliness





PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE:
Apostasy or "falling away" is the subject of several end-times warnings in the Bible. Just at the time that people should be most interested in God's Word, there will an increase of evil in society, caused in part by a failure of God's people to stand for biblical principles. However, as the darkness increases, the light of truth will shine brighter as it emanates from Godly believers. Therefore, it is likely that at the same time that the church in general becomes more worldly, there will be a great end-times revival as well.

Key Scriptures
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Insight from 2012: The Year the World Didn't End
Insight From 2011 In Review: The Year In Prophecy
Insight from 2009 In Prophecy: The Year In Review
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Key Scriptures

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Apostasy
Matthew 24:12 Further Study
Romans 12:1-2
Further Study
1 Corinthians 2:14-3:3
Further Study
1 Timothy 4:1-3 Further Study
2 Timothy 3:1-8 Further Study
2 Timothy 4:2-4 Further Study
2 Thessalonians 2:3
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1 John 2:14-17
Further Study
Revelation 3:14-22 Further Study

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Current Events and Links


Prophetic Significance of Apostasy

See also:
Abortion
Homosexuality
Religions
Revival


Notice: Sources often remove their news links after a period of time. Some of them move older stories to a subscription-only section. Even if the story is no longer on line, our summary will still be available on this page.


See more recent articles: After December 31, 2014


Pro-abortion reverend calls pro-lifers “wolves” and “false prophets” in Christmas greeting

Dec. 28, 2014 - Reverend Harry Knox is director of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC). It is the largest faith-based pro-abortion organization in the nation.
Churches like the United Methodists, Evangelical Lutheran, Presbyterian USA, and Episcopals, as well as a host of more well-known liberal churches, are the composite of this campaign for death in the name of the One who came to bring us life.
Knox perverts what the Bible has to say and calls anti-abortion leaders "wolves in sheep's clothing" and "false prophets."
Source: Live Action News

Prophetic Significance of Apostasy


Mars Hill Church's Former Pastor Mark Driscoll Is Back With A Flashy New Website

Dec. 27, 2014 -
The disgraced evangelical preacher, who recently resigned from the Seattle megachurch network he spent 18 years building, has reportedly launched a website filled with sermons and other free resources.
Source: Huffington Post



'Hip' church gives biblical Christians new label: 'Hater'

Dec. 18, 2014 - Writer Jim Fletcher points out that a growing number of young millennial pastors, are challenging traditional evangelicals "to basically get out of the way, because their time is past."
Witness Mr. Jonathan Merritt. I consider Merritt – son of former president of the Southern Baptist Convention Dr. James Merritt – to be a leading change agent within evangelicalism, in the broader attempt to move evangelicals to center-left perspectives.
One example is Merritt's approval of Rob Bell, who lost his standing with mainstream Christianity when he questioned whether or not hell was real. He then moved into the orb of the Oprah Winfrey Network. Commenting on the affair, Merritt said that Bell did well, “by quietly bidding his haters adieu, leaving his church and attaining even more success.”
Source: Jim Fletcher - WND

Rick Warren’s Call for Christians to Unite With Catholics, ‘Holy Father’ Raising Concerns

Dec. 16, 2014 - In a new video, megachurch leader and author Rick Warren calls for “an ecumenical vision for Catholics and Protestants to work together to defend the sanctity of life, sex and marriage."

Apologist Matt Slick from Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM) warns that there are major differences between Protestants and Catholics.

“Though it’s technically correct to say that Catholics believe in salvation through Jesus Christ, they reject justification by faith in Christ alone. Instead, it teaches that good works of various kinds are necessary for salvation.”
He also points to serious non-biblical teaching about Mary and "offering of money for the sins of the dead.”

Source: Christian News

20-something ways to know we’ve Left what’s Right

Dec. 14, 2014 - Twenty-nine ways that our "progressive" culture redefines good as evil and evil as good.
Source: OneNewsNow

How do you sell God in the 21st century? More heaven, less hell

Dec/13. 2014 - The writer gives an interpretation of the metamorphosis of Evangelical preaching from declarations about a fiery hell to the denial by some, like Rob Bell of a literal place of judgment.
Source: Meghan O'Gieblyn - The Guardian - UK

Rev. Franklin Graham: Muslim Prayer Service at National Cathedral ‘Sad to See’

Nov. 15, 2014 - Franklin Graham objected to the use of the National Cathedral yesterday for a first-ever Muslim prayer service. On Facebook Graham said,
“It’s sad to see a church open its doors to the worship of anything other than the One True God of the Bible who sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to earth to save us from our sins,”
He also mentioned that Jesus claimed to be the only way to the Father - John 14:6

Carpets were arranged so Muslims could bow toward Mecca and not need to look at crosses or Christian icons, because they are not allowed to pray in view of symbols of other faiths.

Source: CNS News
National Cathedral Holds Friday Muslim Prayers - Voice of America
Christians: Muslims 'conquering' Washington National Cathedral - WND
Analysis: 11/29/14 - Inside the National Cathedral 'prayer service' - Diana West - TribWest

New Poll Finds Evangelicals’ Favorite Heresies

Oct. 28, 2014 - A new survey by LifeWay Research for Ligonier Ministries shows that American Evangelicals hold the essentials of Christianity but have "a significant level of theological confusion, about many important issues. Here is the good news:
Nearly all believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead (96%), and that salvation is found through Jesus alone (92%). Strong majorities said that God is sovereign over all people (89%) and that the Bible is the Word of God (88%).
However, the survey found that many evangelicals do not have orthodox views about the Trinity and the process of salvation.
Source:Christianity Today

James Dobson: America headed toward 'depravity,'needs revival

Oct. 25, 2014 - In his recent newsletter James Dobson recounted the Bible story of the depravity of Sodom and Gomorrah and their destruction by God. He said America is heading in the same direction.
Dobson added, “Judge Robert Bork, the brilliant jurist who was shamefully denied a seat on the Supreme Court, wrote a book about this danger 18 years ago. It was titled, ‘Slouching Towards Gomorrah.’ I think he had it right.”
Dobson's stern warning was matched by Evangelist Billy Graham's assessment in the latest Decision magazine. Graham said America is just as wicked as Sodom and Gomorrah. However, he wrote that, "God would spare us if we were earnestly praying, with hearts that been cleansed and washed by the blood of Christ.”
Source: WND
The Cause to Which I Was Born - James Dobson
Turning the Tide of History - Billy Graham

Good news, bad news: Barna shares state of church, family

Sept. 27, 2014 - Pollster George Barna told the Values Voter Summit that the United States is not the same country it was 20 years ago. The three foundations of our past strength - family, church, and government - are all "cracked if not broken." He said,
•Four percent of adults have a biblical worldview
•The number of couples who choose to cohabitate has doubled since 1990 while marriage has declined from 72 percent in 1960 to 51 percent in 2012
•Only 33 percent of Americans say they follow politics closely
On the positive side, Barna said, “Do not give up hope.” There are still enough Christians in the country to turn the tide if they can be mobilized.
Source: OneNewsNow

New Study: Common Core ELA Standards Harms U.S. History Instruction

Sept. 2, 2014 - One of the problems conservatives cite with "Common Core" standards is that English teachers are being expected to teach U.S. History, and in the process the curriculum leaves out essential historical information.
For example, there are no themes on federalism, separation of powers, the Federalist Papers, or the Gettysburg Address. The curriculum doesn’t ask teachers to teach about Benjamin Franklin and contains no mention of Thomas Jefferson or James Madison.
Another example is the fact that the September 11, 2001 disasters are never referred to as terrorist attacks.
Source: Caffeinated Thoughts

Imperiling the Republic: The Fate of U.S. History Instruction under Common Core by Ralph Ketcham, Anders Lewis and Sandra Stotsky

Editor's notes: For insight on how the ideas of progressive education have contributed to the moral decay of our culture, read the following segments in our "Rejoicing in Revelation" commentary section:
The Slippery Slope -Public education was infiltrated by agnostic and evolutionary influences
Moral Relativism and the Sexual Revolution - The schools, which had already been greatly influenced by progressive education, were then faced with the dilemma of how to teach good behavior when the ...
The Plot Thickens - The progressive element in education and government endorses or allows a catalog of behaviors that have always been considered sinful by Bible-believing ...
Progressive education is also explained in our new book: The Church in Prophecy and History
Attorney: District breaking trust with parents over sex-ed textbook - OneNewsNow

We Need More than Liturgy

Aug. 21, 2014 -
Liturgical worship is the rage among many evangelicals. 'Not so fast,' says a liturgical Christian.
Our summary of the article: Why, at a good evangelical college, would young adults pack out an elaborate liturgical service with its beautiful sights and sounds, and then rush off to ungodly week-end parties where they act like pagans? Beautifully crafted forms of worship have their place, but without a right relationship with the Lord they are meaningless.
Source: Kirsten Guidero - Christianity Today

Fate of Christianity in UK not too far from U.S., warns evangelist

July 9, 2014 - British evangelist Nate Steuer of Jeremiah Cry Ministries laments the fact that church buildings in England have now become museums, stores and even nightclubs. Evangelism there is stifled by a strong belief in evolution and the homosexual-rights movement. He says the same condition is beginning to affect the American church:
"And if Christians do not wake up, and they do not go from the seats into the streets, make their voices be heard, it's going to be just like the UK."
Source: OneNewsNow
-

Is hit book 'Jesus Calling' pushing New Age?

Jun. 6, 2014 - Sarah Young’s wildly popular book, “Jesus Calling,” first published in 2004 by Thomas Nelson, has now sold more than 10 million copies. But, as researcher and writer Warren Smith says in his book, “Another Jesus Calling,” the book has considerable New Age influence.
Source: WND

Here's What Americans Consider Moral And Immoral

Jun. 8, 2014 -
Americans have largely come to accept divorce, premarital sex, and homosexual relations since 2001, when Gallup first conducted a moral acceptability poll.
Source: Business Insider

Here are a couple of articles from Christianity Today that encourage Christians to abstain from drinking

Jun. 6, 2016
Why I Gave Up Alcohol - In a rush to shed our separatist past, have young evangelicals forgotten to love their neighbors? - D.L. Mayfield - Christianity Today
The Teetotalers I Never Knew - Abstaining Christian activists of previous generations were radically committed to the common good. - Jennifer Woodruff Tait - Christianity Today

6 truths about pornography

Jun. 1, 2014 -
Studies indicate that at least 70 percent of American men and 30 percent of American women regularly view online pornography. . . . 50 percent of Christian men and 20 percent of Christian women regularly use porn.
Matt Barber gives six scriptural insights about this problem.
Source: WND

Five Reasons Why Most Southern Baptist Churches Baptize Almost No Millennials

May 29, 2014 - The number of baptisms in the Southern Baptist church has been dropping for seven years, especially among teens and young adults.
While the loss of nearly 4,600 baptisms was not as steep as last year's drop. . . LifeWay Christian Resources president [said] "I am grieved we are clearly losing our evangelistic effectiveness."
The first of five reasons given for the trend is that many pastors and churches are not intentionally sharing the gospel, but are continuing to try to build the church through other activities.
Source: Christianity Today

Can Christianity in the West endure?

May 28, 2014 - Author Ken Connor reports on a trip to England to examine the English Reformation. Part of the incredibly rich Christian history there involves the faith of persecuted Christians during the Reformation. Their stories are most inspiring. Connor laments,
Sadly, despite its rich Christian heritage, England and its flagship universities have embraced the reigning culture of secularism and with it its handmaidens, materialism and consumerism.
He concludes that Europeans and Americans have also become complacent and apathetic. We have embraced relativism and materialism. We take our freedom and our God for granted, but hopes we can rekindle our vision of Christianity before it is too late.
Source: Renew America

Harvard's satanic black mass canceled after outrage

May 12, 2014 -
MyFoxBoston.com reports that The Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club announced Monday it would no longer hold the event because negotiations broke down between the group and the bar where it was scheduled to be held. The club was unable to find another location to hold the mass.
Source: Fox

Harvard's satanic black mass to be held despite growing outrage

May 12, 2014 - The Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club and the New York-based Satanic Temple will join forces to conduct a satanic black mass at an on-campus bar tonight. Officials of the Catholic church are furious that the school would allow the event.
“I would say that the event is an attack on the Eucharist, regardless of what the organizers state,” archdiocese spokesman Terry Donilon wrote FoxNews.com in an email. “The event is offensive to Catholics and people of good will.”
Source: Fox
Harvard's 'black Mass' angers Catholics - CNN
The Truth Behind Hip Hop and Celebrities who serve Satan - lybrah

Christian singer's tweets 'boggle the mind'

Apr. 28, 2014 - Dan Haseltine of the popular Christian music group Jars of Clay has caused considerable controversy lately with a string of tweets supporting homosexual "marriage" and questioning whether the Bible is clear on what's moral and immoral.
Source: OneNewsNow

Former archbishop of Canterbury: Britain is a post-Christian nation

Apr. 28,, 2014 - Lord Williams of Oystermouth, former Archbishop of Canterbury, said that Britain is no longer a Christian nation. He added, "Research suggests that the majority of Anglicans and Roman Catholics now feel afraid to express their beliefs."
Source: Telegraph - UK

Do Bible Skeptics Now Equal Bible Lovers? American Bible Society Thinks So

Apr. 9, 2014 - A New survey, conducted by the Barna Group for the American Bible Society indicates that, while the majority of Americans still believe that the Bible is the Word of God (53%), the number of people who are skeptical about it (19%) has risen to the same level as the people who are "Bible lovers." Read the article and see the summary of the study at the bottom of the page.
Source: Christianity Today

Americans Losing Religion Due to Internet, Education, Says New Study

Apr. 8, 2014 - A new study titled Religious Affiliation, Education and Internet Use just published in MIT Technology Review found that increases in college education and the use of the Internet have resulted in a significant drop in religious affiliation of Americans over the last two decades.
Source: The Christian Post

Megapastor quits due to 'moral failing'

South Florida’s Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale says Bob Coy stepped down April 3, “effective immediately, after confessing to a moral failing in his life which disqualifies him from continuing his leadership role at the church he has led since its founding in 1985.”
Source: WND

Ken Ham: The Unbiblical ‘Noah’ Is a Fable of a Film

Mar. 30, 2014 - According to creationist Ken Ham, who recently debated Bill Nye,
“Noah” is an insult to Bible-believing Christians, an insult to the character of Noah, and most of all, an insult to the God of the Bible. As a result, I believe Hollywood will have a much harder time in marketing future biblically themed movies to Christians.
Source: Time
Editor's Note: You can definitely see the spiritual warfare being waged on the big-screen with a number of biblical and inspiring movies like "Son of God," and "God's Not Dead," versus this unfortunate portrayal of "Noah."
Moviegoers flood 'Noah' with $44 million - WND
'Noah': Fresh take or age-old lie? - Drew Zahn - WND

California sued over coed-bathrooms vote

Mar. 26, 2014 - The Pacific Justice Institute filed a lawsuit against the State of California for throwing out 131,000 signatures, which would have qualified a voter's referendum on a law passed last year that ...
... essentially allows students in public schools to use gender-specific facilities, such as restrooms and locker rooms, according to the gender with which they choose to identify.
Source: Bob Unruh - WND

Reaction: World Vision's credibility gone 'with one fell swoop'

Mar. 25, 2014 -
World Vision announced on Monday it is making what it described as a “very narrow policy change” allowing the charity to employ homosexuals who claim to be Christians and are married in states where same-sex “marriage” is legal.
Richard Stearns, president of the billion-dollar charity, told Christianity Today: “We are an operational arm of the global church, we’re not a theological arm of the church.”

Matt Barber, president of Liberty Counsel Action, disagrees. He said that both arms of the church should operate on the basis of scripture. He also said that he does not expect organizations that adhere to biblical truth to follow World Vision's example.

Source: One News Now
World Vision: Why We're Hiring Gay Christians in Same-Sex Marriages - Christianity Today
Christian Leaders Shocked, Grieved by World Vision's Decision to Hire Employees in Same-Sex Marriages - Christian Post
Update 3/26/14 - World Vision reverses its decision - One News Now

Anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church leader Fred Phelps dies

Mar. 21, 2014 - Fred Phelps Sr, founder of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, died on Wednesday evening at 84. Phelps and his church, which consists mostly of his family, gained notoriety by picketing funerals of fallen US troops. They used shocking slogans like, "God hates fags."
Source: BBC
Hate and How to Overcome It: How Should We Respond to the Tragic Death of Fred Phelps? - Christianity Today
Reactions from Around the Web to the Death of Fred Phelps - Christianity Today
Ed. note: Phelps style was an example of "how not to represent Christianity." We hope that his followers will not carry on the tradition of hate. We should emphasize that God is love, but follow what the Bible teaches about sin. Read our article on Homosexuality and the Bible.

Will PC culture trump biblical truth at Eastern Mennonite University

Mar. 20, 2014 -
Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, is reviewing its hiring practices regarding people who are in "covenanted" same-sex relationships. The review includes a six-month "listening process" that began in January; and the school is soliciting input from the general public.
Source: One News Now
Ed. Note: We are all sinners. Homosexuality is not worse than other sins. However it is not the loving thing to do to condone any sin, or to agree with those who say homosexuality is not a sin. See: Homosexuality and the Bible
Get involved: Take the survey and let the university know where you stand.

Would 'kill switch' on phones deter cell phone robbers?

Mar. 4, 2014 - New York, California, and other states are considering a "Secure our Smartphones" initiative that would require a "kill switch" on smart phones. According to Consumer Reports, more than one and a half million Americans were victimized by smartphone thieves in 2012. The crime is so common that it has its own name - "apple picking."
Also discouraged by the slow process, and on-hand for Monday's announcement was the family of Megan Boken, a college student who was shot to death 18 months ago in St. Louis for her cellphone.
Source: ABC

Putin: America Is Godless, Has Turned Away from Christian Values

Jan. 29, 2014 - Russian President Vladimir Putin decried the slide of Western nations away from their Christian roots. He said, "Policies are being pursued that place on the same level a multi-child family and a same-sex partnership, a faith in God and a belief in Satan.”

For their part, Russia has recently adopted laws that ban homosexual propaganda and criminalizes the insulting of religious sensibilities. It is ironic that in 1983, Ronald Reagan called Russia the focus of evil in the modern world and called on Americans to pray for those who live in that totalitarian darkness.

Source: Breitbart
Discover why America is sliding toward a Worldly, Lukewarm Christianity - Revelation Commentary

Are Christians to blame for a Godless entertainment industry?

Jan. 29, 2014 - This year's Grammy Awards featured same-sex weddings, profanity, sexual immorality, insults to Christianity, and a shocking tribute to Satanism. The show does still have awards in the Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music category, but some Christian artists are wondering if they should even pursue awards from such a godless organization. Natalie Grant was obviously disturbed and left the event early.

Al Menconi, author of The Christian Music Challenge, thinks the moral decline of the music industry is partly because Christian music has mostly withdrawn from the secular stage and formed its own organizations. He said,

"The Hollywood industry is run by Hell because we chose to leave – and it's the same with DVDs... we've got to get back in there and have a presence there."
Source: OneNewsNow
Natalie Grant responds after leaving Grammys early; Mass wedding at award show criticized as 'political stunt' to push gay marriage agenda - Christian Today
The Grammys, Grace, and the Gospel: 3 Things the Grammys Can Remind Christians - Christianity Today
Katy Perry: Illuminati Priestess Conducts Witchcraft Ceremony In Front Of The Entire World -End of the American Dream

California "Bathroom Law" on hold because of voter initiative

Jan. 2, 2014 - California law AB 1266 (transsexual-rights “bathroom” law) is now in effect, but it might not be implemented until voters have the opportunity to repeal it. The bill allows students to decide which bathroom they want to use based on their gender preference, and to use the locker rooms designated for that gender. A rapid response by California citizens delivered more than 600,000 signatures to official state offices. Only about 505,000 signatures are necessary to place the measure on the ballot. Some of the petitions were hand-delivered to the Tulare County clerk’s office before the deadline but the office did not consider them acceptable.

Today Judge Allen Sumner issued a tentative ruling that would validate the signatures.

Sumner, of the Sacramento County Superior Court, said the thousands of signatures that were delivered to the Tulare County clerk’s office before the deadline should be counted, even though the office took no action on them until after the deadline.

Source: Bob Unruh - WND
Signatures delay controversial Calif. transgender law - OneNewsNow
Text of AB 1266

See Nov. 13, 2013 article: Record number want 'bathroom bill' killed

Parents! Download Notice of Reasonable Expectation of Privacy to protect your child!
Update 1/21/14 - Colorado has the same issue now - It's privacy rights vs. transgender rights in Colo. school - One News Now

See earlier stories: before Jan. 1, 2014




















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Apostasy Links

Changing the Face of Christianity
American Center For Law and Justice
American Family Association
Bob Enyart Live
Capitol Resources Institute
Christian Coalition
Concerned Women For America
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Eagle Forum - Phyllis Schafley
Family Research Council
Focus On The Family: CitizenLink
Michael Reagan
Pacific Justice Institute
The Rutherford Institute
The Sentinel Group - Geroge Otis Jr.
ShadowGov.com
Understand The Times

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