HELEN SANDERS
4-11-2021
REVIVAL OR FALLING AWAY?
As I study II Thessalonians chapter 2, verse 3 says, “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.” Many preachers have taken the word falling away and teach that it means the “rapture” of the church. The Greek word in this verse for “falling away” is apostasia, which means defection from the truth. That doesn’t sound like a rapture of the church to me, it sounds like turning their back on the truth of the scriptures.
Many are expecting a great end-time revival, but this scripture plainly says that the “man of sin” will not be revealed until there is apostacy, or a falling away from truth. I believe that we are living in those days. I see so many churches full of people (I have personally visited them) and never see an altar call, or messages for people to come forward to repent. Now you may call me a “gloom and doom” prophet, but this is the truth my friends. The church in America has become lukewarm. It has its programs, and it has its worship team with black lights and smoke, and it has its activities, but where is the passion for lost souls?
I would say for the most part that the church has become so much like the world that you can’t tell the difference. People don’t prepare their lives in attitude or dress to go into the House of God. They show up with the attitude that how we are dressed and act doesn’t matter. Clothing will never save you my friends, but where is the modesty in church? Where is the desire to be more like Jesus, intent on doing what he told those that he gave the talents to? Are we burying them in the ground or are we doing something with these “talents?”
I believe many will be greatly disappointed as the days go on when they don’t see anything but a “false revival” full of the same things that the world has to offer. I also believe there are many that call themselves prophets but do it for filthy lucre that God will bring down. Ministry is not about money! It is about souls.
How can revival happen to a lukewarm church? It can’t without repentance. Look in the Book of Revelation and see what happened to Laodicea. They had everything money could buy, but God called, them “poor, wretched, and naked.” Ministry is about faithfulness. Faithful to do what God has called you to do whether anyone else does it or not. It’s about being faithful to witness to those that are lost whenever we can.
I believe there is a remnant that have passed through fiery trials that will rise up and be light in the soon coming darkness. I believe there will be miracles, signs, and wonders, but like the two witnesses that will come to Jerusalem, the world will persecute the remnant, and many will be martyred. I doubt if you hear that in a Church sermon, but it is in the scriptures.
We must count the cost if we are to serve and hear the Lord say, “Well done, thou good and FAITHFUL servant.” I pray that you take this to heart.
