Why Are Biblically Solid Churches Disappearing in the World?

Biblically solid churches are disappearing quickly, so what’s happening?

Falling Away

Biblically solid churches are disappearing quickly, so what’s happening? The Apostle Paul warned that “the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Tim 4:3). This is why Paul puts such importance on telling Timothy he must “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 1:13). Those words from Paul surely included the gospel of repentance and faith, which he says was “what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2). In other words, stick to Scripture; cling to the gospel, never deviate. Hold fast to the truth. We too must do what Timothy was commanded to do and “Remind them of these things, and charge them before God” (2 Tim 2:14).

Another “Gospel”

If anyone brings another gospel other than repent and believe, then they are cursed by God. The Apostle Paul says it’s another gospel, but at the same time, not really the gospel at all. Paul was “astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel” (Gal 1:6). What grieved Paul was “there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Gal 1:7), just like today. They trouble me too. How about you? In one of the strongest warnings from Paul and from Scripture, Paul warns that “even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal 1:9). He repeats that curse in Galatians 1:10. The “curse” in the Greek refers to condemnation or judgment, and it’s one of the strongest judgments in Scripture. If your church is preaching another gospel, get out as fast as you can. Don’t walk…run!

Pragmatism

Churches are so afraid to offend people today that they avoid such subjects like homosexuality or adultery and they skip chapters such as 1 Corinthians 6 and Ephesians 5:19-21. They want to please the people or tickle their ears so that they can fill the parking and fill the pews, but sadly, not fill heaven. They figure that if it works for most people most of the time, it must be right. That’s called pragmatism and it’s truly compromising with the world. We are to come out of the world, not compromise or have the world come into the church unconverted. Jesus said we must repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15), but few mention repentance or sin or holiness or sanctification. They stress “your best life now” thinking.

Satan’s Churches & Ministers

Since Satan has his own ministers, we must surmise that he must have his own churches, and today, even his own denominations. Of course, he doesn’t have the appearance of Satan, but is often a slick speaker, well dressed and having lots of charisma, but one clear sign is the decay of bedrock truth as taught in the Scripture. That truth has been supplanted by a paltry pabulum that cannot pass as doctrine. Not only that, the sheep in these churches are literally starving to death, while at the same time, the flock is being fleeced by wolves in sheep’s clothing. We should not be caught off guard because there are so many false churches and apostate pastors since “even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Cor 11:14). Since Satan can be passed off today as a preacher of righteousness, “it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds” (2 Cor 11:15). If you see compromise in your church, get out! That is not Jesus’ church. He is the Head of His church and His church does not teach doctrines of demons and compromise on condoning sin, for example same-sex marriage or allow women pastors.

The Immoral Majority

Have you ever noticed that when the people voted or choose in the Bible, the majority was almost always wrong! The ten spies who gave a bad report about the Promised Land compared to the two faithful ones who gave a good report and wanted to enter immediately. The people wanted a king (Saul) even though it was rejecting God as their King. What we want is often not what is best for us, and today in society, you might notice that the majority is almost always wrong. Most people support abortion rights but we know this is wrong and is murder, so that majority is wrong in this case too. Just because most people think something is right, doesn’t mean it is. What we think does not change what is true. We might think something is fine, but if Scripture says it is sin, then it is not fine and must be repented of.

Be Prepared

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we must “understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty” (2 Tim 3:1). People’s love will grow cold; violence will escalate, and people who used to love the truth will reject and accept a lie. Jesus Christ and the Bible will be spurned and rejected in public more and more as times grow more evil. The world’s not getting better…it is getting worse and worse, just like in the days of Noah (Luke 17:26-27) when the judgment of God came in waves, people will be unprepared for Jesus coming (Rev 1:7).

Conclusion

Have you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? If not, you are in immediate danger, being only one breath, one heartbeat…or one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Make today your day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is not guaranteed to anyone. I pray you repent today and put your trust in Jesus Christ. If not, you will face God’s judgment after death (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s second coming (Rev 20:12-15), whichever happens first for you.

Here is some related reading for you: How to Find a Bible-Believing Church

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Tagged as: Apostate Churches, End Times, Falling Away, last days, Satan's Churches