The Corrupt Church

The church today is under relentless attack by the enemy. Many churches have already compromised with the world, allowing sin to be tolerated and even celebrated among its members. As weak and watered-down as the leadership seems to be regarding the Gospel and promoting godly living, it is losing its power to lead the lost to Christ.

Part of the end-time prophecy exposes how the restlessness and selfishness of world will eventually lead to a complete breakdown in family and faith. Many will give up on seeking a godly purpose in life and look for a worldly savior to rescue them from the world’s social and economic problems. If you have been watching the news, the new Catholic Pope, Leo XIV, is now proposing a joint effort with other religions to usher in world peace. This is setting the stage for the false prophet to be marketed to the world to bring hope and acceptance.

The Ultimate Temptation

In a concerted effort, the false prophet and the beast (aka the antichrist) will change the world, but not for the better (Revelation 13:11-13). This beast will make a false peace agreement and then break it (Daniel 9:25-27). He will then declare himself God and viciously oppose all other gods (Revelation 13:5-6). In a big power move, he will take global power over all nations and impose strict and oppressive mandates and regulations that will make life horrible (Revelation 13:7-8). Think China plus North Korea times seven! Everyone will be required to surrender to the antichrist and pledge allegiance to him. This will include participation in his economic system. Everyone will be required to take a mark in their right hand or on their forehead to be able to buy or sell, and probably just have any freedom at all (Revelation 13:15-17). This mark is very likely a microchip implant which is already being tested today.

Jesus told us that the one that endures to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:9-13; Revelation 13:10). John also echoed this serious point of faith (Revelation 14:12). So faith will be required to realize your salvation. There are several passages that warn us that many believers will abandon their faith during this time. By taking the mark of the beast and worshipping the beast, many will abandon the faith and will suffer eternal torment for it (Revelation 14:9-11). Paul told us there would be great apostasy in the end time when the man of sin (antichrist, beast) is revealed. Jesus and Daniel warned us how to recognize when this leader takes control. Jesus referred to the “abomination that causes desolation” as the event when the antichrist desecrates the new temple by declaring himself to replace the one true God (Daniel 9:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, Matthew 24:15-16,21). Many will flee in fear. As believers we must be prepared to obey and flee. Don’t try to take it on as the Bible prophesies that he will be given power over the saints for a short season. We must flee but must be willing to die for our faith rather than deny our faith (Revelation 7:13-17). Those that deny their faith hoping to live a little longer will end up losing their soul.

Endurance in Salvation

Don’t become complacent in your faith. Pray daily that the Holy Spirit will strengthen you to stand firm in your faith at all times. If we indeed are facing living in the end times (which I firmly believe we are the last generation before Christ returns in glory), we must settle within ourselves that we should commit to pleasing him even to the death.