By Edward Jeffries at the Overcoming The Times Blog
As you and I read various news articles from around the Christian community, it is hard not to notice that many churches and denominations appear to be stepping away from “controversial” biblical teachings in favor of a world view version of the bible. I believe this means that tough subjects such as homosexuality, abortion, adultery, same sex marriage, and going to hell for not acknowledging Jesus as Lord and Savior, are no longer being discussed, let alone preached about in churches.
Moral relativism and congregational entertainment seem to be all the rage. Are we in the period prophesied in the Bible as the “great falling away” of the church; the age of the church apostasy?…..Read the rest of the post here: The Falling Away of the Church
Truth in Palmyra 
November 17, 2016 at 18:45
and if they are being preached, it’s usually contrary to the actual teachings of scripture… 😦
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November 17, 2016 at 19:46
Wow, that is a sobering thought. That’s even worse than just not talking about these things…to teach them in error. Well said friend
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November 17, 2016 at 18:58
I’m curious about what you think,Wally? Are we experiencing the great falling away? I’m really not sure, I just know that doctrine,scripture,theology, got really important to me all of the sudden. About ten years ago I was patient, tolerant, you could say something like, “there are many paths to the Father,” and I would just sigh and think, “well perhaps God will help you sort that one out.” Today I’m like, if someone said something like that in church and it went unchallenged, I’d have to find a new church.
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November 17, 2016 at 19:49
I gotta say IB…I have no clue! I have studied it some, and really don’t have a fleshed out thought on it. It seems there are many thoughts on it, and many seem correct and supportable Biblically.
As far as you? You are just growing. I have noticed that in your conversations and your post, though, in that you seem more concerned about those things. I happen to think that is a good thing myself.
I am going to refer your original question to Andy up there..he seems to have a thought, and I would personally love to hear it myself. I simply have to confess this is not an area I really feel I can help much with.
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November 17, 2016 at 19:42
A part of the “great apostasy”
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November 17, 2016 at 19:51
Hey Andy…thanks. Now a request for you. You have many more years of Bible study under your belt than me…so many thing I have yet to really study, and eschatology in general is one of them. IB has asked a question and I invite you to share your thoughts on this matter with her. Take all the room you want, in fact.
That’s open to anybody reading, by the way.
Just everybody be nice.
LOL
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November 17, 2016 at 19:58
I will be glad to approach her question Wally. However, it will be in the morning as I am babysitting my “terrible two'” granddaughter. Thanks for the invitation.
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November 17, 2016 at 20:11
That’s cool by me Andy…provided we are still here in the morning. And, if we are not, then I really won’t need you to answer it anymore, because I can ask Jesus.
🙂
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November 17, 2016 at 20:16
I’m with you Brother. It will be so sweet to ask Him so many questions! Of course we probably won’t care anymore as it will be all joy😃
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November 17, 2016 at 20:03
2 Thess 2
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January 17, 2017 at 18:19
Evening all. We have been in the great Falling away for years. What’s called Christianity today is a far cry from what the apostles knew or even men like Spurgeon or Finney. Ask yourself where are the miracles of the Bible. God never changes and if His people align themselves with his Word He’ll confirm it with signs and wonders following.
I wrote an article I’d like to share called Dissecting Faith. Hope it helps.
https://jprobinson.org/2016/12/17/dissecting-faith/
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January 17, 2017 at 18:32
Good evening brother. Thanks for adding to this discussion. I haven’t read these thoroughly, but I appreciate you comment very much. I suspect I won’t have much to add, as you seem very considered in your thoughts. Blessings to you.
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November 17, 2016 at 21:36
The flesh loves to be entertained. What we see in the churches today is reminiscent of the conditions of the churches we see mentioned in the first three chapters of Revelation. Notice after the last church is mentioned (Laodicea) you see a strange comment; Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. John now directs attention to the individual. Is it possible that that we are mirroring this pattern, finally arriving at the point where God is dealing with individuals because the churches have become ineffective? Just after this last statement we move into chapter 4:1 “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” This is a reference to what we refer to as “the rapture”. It is immediately followed by the tribulation. After this point you will not find the church mentioned in the book of Revelation until chapter 19 when we come back to rule and reign with Him.
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November 18, 2016 at 06:36
That was very informative, thanks
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November 18, 2016 at 13:41
I should have said that is one position or thought, while that rapture is not specifically referenced here, many believe it is an allusion to it. A belief in share.
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November 18, 2016 at 13:47
Ha…too late! I had already studied and realized that is what you meant! But, I say thanks for sending me on a studying mission.
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January 17, 2017 at 18:21
I heard a man named William Branham say the same thing. I believe that. Christ had been rejected by the churches and now seeks to find individuals who have ears to hear.
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November 18, 2016 at 06:45
Paul is writing about the return of Jesus in his second letter to the church at Thessalonica. He addresses this subject in most of his letters to different churches. He wanted Christians to be ready for Christ coming and to not allow the darkness of this world to change their hearts whether through someone giving a word of untruth or even by their own thoughts. There are so many times we ourselves question this doctrine, simply because we are human and find it hard to believe in our feeble minds. Yet we must hold fast to our belief and not be swayed by any form of deception.
Many believers of Paul’s time were beginning to fall away from the Gospel and Paul addresses that here. “. . .we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly unsettled or alarmed either by a [so-called prophetic revelation of a] spirit or a message or a letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] come (2 Thess. 2:3 Amplified Bible).
He goes on to write, “Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed], who opposes and exalts himself [so proudly and so insolently] above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he [actually enters and] takes his seat in the temple of God, publicly proclaiming that he himself is God” (vs. 3-4)
“For the mystery of lawlessness [rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness] is already at work; [but it is restrained] only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way” (vs. 7)
Paul is concerned for the brethren. He believes, as do the apostles and many others, that Christ will return in their lifetime. Paul warning is heartfelt in reminding them that Satan is at work and the son of lawlessness is right in the middle. Now is not the time to question divine authority but to hold fast to the truth he has taught them.
You see it is no different in our day. I believe it is worse due to the technologies, etc. that we have available. If you have noticed the greed, the lies, the hatred, the immorality of today has expounded in leaps and bounds and people are beginning to accept them as being tolerable, soon to be acceptable as the norm. Christianity is being trampled. As followers of Christ we are now racist, bigots, xenophobes, homophobes, haters of others, an on and on we go.
God has many attributes. He is Truth, merciful, faithful, sovereign, righteous, love, etc. There are so many more but above all these I believe He is first and foremost Holy. That is our goal, to become like Christ. To love those who are in sin, but not the sin. To share the gospel as commanded in Mark 16:15-16. If we allow ourselves to tolerate the sin we allow ourselves a door for satan to enter in our own lives.
The TRUTH was being kidnapped in Paul’s day, just as it is in ours. The reason is to allow the son of Lawlessness to reign. Satan knows, and we know, if we read the scripture, that it is going to happen, and is indeed happening now.
This second chapter of Thessalonians tells us there will be a great apostasy, or falling away before Christ return. He will not return until it happens. “ . . .and by unlimited seduction to evil and with all the deception of wickedness for those who are perishing, because they did not welcome the love of the truth [of the gospel] so as to be saved [they were spiritually blind, and rejected the truth that would have saved them]. Because of this God will send upon them a misleading influence, [an activity of error and deception] so they will believe the lie, in order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe the truth [about their sin, and the need for salvation through Christ], but instead took pleasure in unrighteousness.”
In answer to IB’s question, “Are we experiencing the great falling away? I’m really not sure.” Yes, we are experiencing the falling away, the great apostasy. It has been going on, as you read, since the beginning of the Church. It will continue until Christ return. It is satan’s joy to make believers fall away. I am by no means a theologian, but I believe the church is in a funk of complacency. So many consider if they are members of a church, or “just believe” as the word says, they are just fine and have nothing to worry about. Well, satan “believes.”
1 Timothy 4:1 (AMP) Apostasy “But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons,
People like Joel Osteen sadden me. His mega-church includes thousands of people allowing themselves to be deceived. He teaches godhood and how much God wants you to be like Him. He teaches that if you will give your money (a seed as he puts it) God will multiply it and give you the things you desire. Followers remain poor while his wealth explodes. He may have used the name of Jesus only a few times, over the years, when he preaches, and it is usually to enhance his own ministry and pocketbook, not the Gospel. These people are searching for Truth. They may have known it at one time, but have fallen away for a gospel of lawlessness that keeps them uncertain in their faith. This is the kind of false spirit, false teaching Paul warns us against. These are the kind of people we need to reach out to and remind them of the TRUTH.
We must be diligent. Christ is coming back. Are you ready? In your daily walk I challenge you to pay attention to what is happening around you. Darkness is everywhere and will ensnare you if you are not careful. This great falling away must happen before Christ comes.
Paul says, “ . . .we beg you not to allow your minds to become unsettled or disturbed or kept excited or alarmed . . .let no one deceive you . . . “
I hope this has answered her question Wally. Like I said, I am not theologian. I appreciate the opportunity to look this up and remind even myself of what is happening around us today. I hope I was not too preachy as I am sometimes told. Blessings my friend.
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November 18, 2016 at 06:48
I think that was great, Andy! And you feel free to preach away,as I invited you to do so.
So, you would say this falling away is more of an ongoing thing for years rather than one “event?”. I can get on board with that.
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November 18, 2016 at 07:08
Yes, I believe it is an ongoing but I also believe that before Christ return there will a greater falling away of the church and that is what Paul is warning us of. Not to get caught up in it. Thanks Wally!
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November 18, 2016 at 07:23
I kind of like what you have said here Andy. I am glad you jumped in. You ought to reply to one of IBs comments so she knows to be looking for your comment. She might miss it if you don’t.
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November 18, 2016 at 07:26
Ok, thanks Wally
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November 18, 2016 at 07:09
Let me know what IB thinks please.
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November 18, 2016 at 08:32
That was wonderful, Andy, thank you. Very truthful, but comforting, too. I really appreciate your taking the time to talk about it all. There’s some dark stuff going on in the world and so I hang onto those words about birth pains and rejoice, again I say rejoice. We tend to get distressed, when in fact we’re actually awaiting the arrival of a King, something calling for a bit of celebration, not anxiety.
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November 18, 2016 at 12:37
Thanks for sharing this Wally. Sobering. This made me want to preach the full counsel of the Word of God as a pastor.
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November 18, 2016 at 12:44
You are welcome brother. Honestly, I hope more than one preacher might read it and respond that way. The rest of us are counting on you guys.
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November 18, 2016 at 12:45
Wally, good point, I hope and just prayed the preachers that really need this would providentially find this post (the original and your repost).
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November 18, 2016 at 21:04
My two bobs worth Wally. The Bible is written in times of ancient beliefs and laws I believe starting in about the sixth century. As you know nothing stays the same, society will eventually reject what was once seen as normal acceptable behaviour and demand change, therefore our laws have evolved subsequently creating more moralistic, tolerant and caring societies. I think this “world view” is reflected in all areas whether it is good, bad or indifferent it is the natural step for most human societies religiously, socially and politically.
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November 18, 2016 at 22:17
Hey Steve thanks
Just a recommendation for you if you don’t mind. I strongly suggest some fact checking on your dates for the writing of the Bible. Even the most ardent critics of it would not say it was written starting in the sixth century. But I suppose if as said….you believe it to be so
I strongly suggest you educate yourself before chiming in on what is actually a discussion about what the Bible teaches
So not only was your comment built around a basis of untruth but was actually quite irrelevant to the actual conversations
Your entire position is based on what you believe and making up facts
Odd really
Good night Steve and I would not waste my time further if I were you as I have no interest in chasing the nonsensical this month
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January 17, 2017 at 18:11
Amen. It’s refreshing to see such spiritual bluntness. I’m glad to say that there are a few churches which still preach against such abominations and more. If you get a chance visit branham.org. that’s the ministry that really taught me the value of preaching everything the Bible says not just the “feel good”parts.
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