Apostasy, basically means to fall away from the truth. Therefore, an apostate is someone who has once believed and then rejected the truth of God. Apostasy is a rebellion against God because it is a rebellion against truth. In the Old Testament, God warned the Jewish people about their idolatry and their lack of trust in Him. In the New Testament the epistles warned us about not falling away from the truth. Apostasy is a very real and dangerous threat. It is by no coincidence the Churches have become apostate. Satan has devised this wicked plan. As we head into the New World Order and the Antichrist takes over, the churches will become so lukewarm and so lacking discernment that they will blindly follow what their Pastor says. By this time most of the Pastors will be so blind to the Gospel that they will lead their churches to worship the Antichrist and accept the mark of the beast. This explains why most Pastors and Christians will not make it to Heaven. Any faithful Pastors and their followers left during this time will be either martyrd or will flee for their lives, and their churches (buildings) will be destroyed. Very shortly, there will be very few Spirit filled and faithful Pastors left in the world.
"Let no one in any way deceive you, for it (Jesus return) will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction." 2 Thess. 2:3
14 Signs of an Apostate Church
- Prosperity Gospel and "Word Faith" Church. "Money" and "Me" is the focus.
- Seeking out Evil spirits, (kundalini) new age ideals, (mysticism) idolatry, (statues) etc, instead of seeking Jesus
- Believe in OSAS - "Once Saved Always Saved" even if you have unbridled sin in your life
- Woman Pastor - Women should never have authority over the Church, her husband or other "Godly" men
- Evangelism is NOT a Priority. The Great Commission is not taken seriously
- Ungodly leadership that act more like CEO's and Celebrities, instead of of Godly men
- "Sinner's Prayer" or "ask Jesus into your heart" altar calls
- Baptism is put on hold for any length of time and/or is NOT a full submersion baptism
- Repentance or Obedience of God's word is NOT a part of the Gospel. "Just Believe or Easy Believism "
- There is NO true fellowship between its members. Members do not care for their sick or hungry members
- Believes that Sunday is the true Sabbath Day. Pagans worship the Sun on "Sun"day
- Church becomes a big business and there is more concern for growth in numbers than personal growth
- Personal prayer or praying in your prayer closet/room is seen as optional or unimportant
- The true Gospel is sacrificed for the purpose of unity of all religions - Ecumenicalism/New World Order
I agree, overall, with your message. There are three items that I would like some clarity on. Please know that I approach this in good faith, and even if we disagree on the details we're on the same team.
Three - Is salvation "revocable"? Once a person declares Jesus his or her Lord and Savior, what human actions can undo that Heavenly Seal? And don't we all have unbridled sin in our lives? If we could choose to be good enough, the Cross would be irrelevant.
Eight - Is Baptism by water required for reconciliation with God? Isn't that just an outward declaration of an internal decision? I find it hard to believe that separation from God could be the outcome of failing to do an activity.
Eleven - This seems like a fairly minor detail. Go to church on Sunday. Go to church on Saturday. I meet with my church community on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sunday mornings. I don't keep any of those days "as the Sabbath."
AGAIN - I am not trying to start a fight. I am legitimately interested in hearing more about why these three points made it onto your list. Think of this as a chance to teach, rather than prove. Please and thanks!
Edit - changed the formatting (3 to three, etc).
“I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:24-32).
Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
“So He (Christ) came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read“ (Luke 4:16).
Thanks for the verses. Quick question about Matthew 12:31...
Does that mean that you can skip the full immersion baptism and / or go to church on the wrong day and still be reconciled with God?
that would be up to Jah to read ur heart
Now THAT is a statement that I agree with!
=)