Shadows of Apostasy

As the shadows of apostasy increasingly overtook the early church, its leaders earnestly sought to meet the challenges; thus, Jude (and John) warned the church of “ungodly” and false men who had “crept in unawares” (Jude 1:1,15) with perverse doctrines and conducts that were polluting the church and leading the unsuspecting astray. Jude forthrightly identified these errors and counseled the church leaders how they might resist them.

Similarly, in recent times the church has experienced a wave of monumental unprecedented shift away from mainstream doctrinal belief, by some of its Frontline Ministers, to embrace a doctrine of deception that brushes aside and ignores some of the fundamental tenets of our faith. 

As a result, we have to be vigilant to identify and avoid these wolves in sheep's clothing whose mission is to lead the unsuspecting saint astray with their strange doctrine. It is remarkable that Satan’s tools and Man’s nature have not changed; which is to “Steal, kill, and destroy;” But Jesus came that we might have life more abundantly (John 10:10).

Indeed, there are wolves in the church today, and by this I mean clergy and laity speaking perverse things, diverting from the truth of God’s word, and being obstinate in the wrong, willfully in order to draw the weak and unwary members of the church after them. This is evident in our country, causing many to question the relevance of the church in a postmodern era.

Every Christian should ask himself this question, "Is apostasy occurring in my church?" The answer to this question can only be realized when we first look in our own house, for the Bible tells us that judgment will begin in the house of the Lord (1 Peter 4:17).

Therefore, we would not know it unless we first closely examine the Bible, our standard of truth, and then compare the present day Church to the Word of God; that is the measuring rod by which apostasy can be detected.
 
However, the arrival of the Antichrist cannot occur until sufficient apostasy has taken place, and we have already begun to see an increase in disaffection among church goers almost on a daily basis worldwide.



Apostasy means to fall away from the truth.  Hence, an apostate is someone who has once believed and then rejected the truth of God’s word.  As a consequence, 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 warn us about not falling away from the truth.  Apostasy is a very real and dangerous threat. A denial of the following (to name a few) would suggest apostasy:

• Inerrancy of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16)
• Virgin Birth of Jesus - relates to incarnation of Christ as God and man.
• Fidelity in marriage in heterosexual relationships (1 Cor. 6:9)
• The condemnation of homosexuality (Rom. 1:26-27)

Therefore, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1Pet. 5:8).

Significant Events for the Church to Watch

Jesus and the apostles exhort us to actively "watch"! The two Greek words ( gregoreuo and agrupneo ), both have similar meanings, which is to “stay awake” and to “be sleepless.” Though used metaphorical in a spiritual sense it means to be vigilant and always on guard, fully alert and intently focused.Jesus said "when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28).

Therefore, allow me to highlight some events that are of significance to the church which are scheduled to take place this summer and early fall, particularly the month of September which has a lot of things planned for Israel. What is the significance of these events for the church today?

1. The return of The Bethlehem Star after 2000 years - June 30th, Scientifically confirms Biblical Events.
2. There is the Feast of Trumpets Sept. 13th & 14th
3. The 7 year Shemittah ending on Sept. 13th
4. Partial Solar eclipse on Sept. 13th
5. The Day of Atonement on Sept. 24th
6. The Year of Jubilee after 7 Shemittah on Sept 24th
7. The 4th Super Blood Moon on Sept. 28th
8. The Feast of Tabernacle Sept. 28th to Oct. 4th

Also, there are some other things happening in the USA this summer to pray about:

1. JADE HELM 15 (What is it?) – July 15th to Sept. 15th
2. Pope Francis makes unprecedented address to Congress & UNGA on Sept. 24th & 25th
3. Pope Francis reaches out to Protestants to reunite with the Catholic Church.
4. CERN opens the Abyss & removal of the "veil" International Year of Light Sept 25th.
5. The Georgia Guidestones Depopulation and Agenda 21 
6. Prophet Efrain Rodriguez Message to America 
7. The Continuing Harbingers of the USA

Also, on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, speaking in Washington before a meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry, the French Foreign Minister Lauren Fabius started the countdown to climate change disaster, when he said, and I quote "We have 500 days to avoid climate chaos.”

The French foreign minister continued to say, “And we have – as I said, we have 500 days to avoid climate chaos, and I know that President Obama and John Kerry himself are committed on this subject and I’m sure that with them, with a lot of other friends, we shall be able to reach success on this very important matter.” My question is, are we facing a pending Extinction Level Event (ELE) as warned by Prophet Efrain Rodriguez? Much prayer is needed here to discern the signs of the time we’re living in!

The apostle Paul instructed the church to study to show ourselves approved unto God. This is one instruction that the church is by far ignoring and as a result the people are perishing for lack of knowledge. However, born-again believers have nothing to fear, because the eternal God is our refuge and He promised to take care of His own; and, we know that "God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Thes. 5:9).

Pray for the harvest of souls! "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition" (2Thes. 2:1-3).

A Call Unto Holiness

In this day of “exhilarating worship teams, influential preaching skills, popular name speakers, TV ministries, mega Church's ministries, rousing music, creative programs, great crusades, and exciting revivals,” there is one thing that gets slight attention and little emphasis in the church, but gets buried in all the “theatrics:”  HOLINESS! Holiness should be our ‘watchword’ in these last days. Hebrews 12:14 tells us to "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."



God wants us to be holy unto Him. Why? He wants us to be Holy because He is Holy, and has separated us from other people, so that we could be His (Lev. 20:26). John 3:16 gave us an undisputed demonstration of God’s love, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

Jesus came into the world, died to save sinners, rose from the grave and ascended into Heaven. He is coming back for His Bride and we must be ready; sanctified and cleansed with the “washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be Holy and without blemish” (Eph5:26-27). Therefore, the church needs a revival to awaken it from a lukewarm state to be on fire for the Lord while witnessing and winning souls for the Kingdom of Christ.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for He is faithful that promised. May God bless and reward you for the great work you’re doing in His name. Continue to “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou are also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1Tim. 6:12).



Father in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I come before You to make supplications for my family, my friends and country because the world seems to be out of control, but we know you are sovereign over everything. We pray that your will be done in the hearts of our leaders; that you will forgive our sins and heal our land. Give them wisdom to lead that we may prosper and live in peace; and by the same token, give us strength for the spiritual battles we face every day, knowing that you have won the ultimate victory and that we will one day live eternally with you, in Jesus' name Amen.

Now "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch" (Mark 13:35-37).