For those who know their Bible, there is no shortage of signs of the end times. Believers throughout history have studied prophecy, yearning for the day we are physically united with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Never in history have so many Bible prophesies aligned as they have today. Weather events, corruption, lawlessness and deception and so many other signs of the times are happening right before our very eyes. But what does the Bible say about the church in the last days?

2 Thessalonians 2 and 1 Timothy 4 reference the falling away (apostasy) of the church. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul warns the church not to be shaken in mind or troubled, and not to be deceived by false claims of the rapture, for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first. The falling away of the church is a prerequisite for the rapture. It’s going to happen!

In writing to Timothy, the apostle Paul then defined the apostasy to come:

4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, ² speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.

~1 Timothy 4:1

COVID seemed to be the perfect catalyst to trigger departure from the faith. Indeed, if not firmly rooted in Scripture, faith fell away as many church-goers did not return as churches re-opened. True, doing “church things” is not proof of one’s relationship with God, but we know that coals grow cold when taken away from the fire. There are no healthy “lone ranger Christians.”

More concerning, though, is the rise of deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons speaking lies in hypocrisy. That has played out with the rise of culture infiltrating the church rather than the church influencing culture. Radical agendas, including homosexuality and transgenderism, have invaded the church. Some have gone “all in,” flying pride flags in the name of tolerance and love. Others have embraced false ideology such as replacement theology and new apostolic reformation. Those and other errant beliefs are leading the church away from pure Biblical truth and into apostasy.

The church as a whole is in trouble. However, there are signs of an awakening. Strong pastors such as Jack Hibbs, Rob McCoy, Gary Hamrick, David Jeremiah and others are leading a charge to challenge church leaders and their congregations to return to the truth of God’s Word and to take a stand against the societal pressures that surround us.

As Christians, every one of us must engage and live out their faith in the public square. There is no such thing as “political” issues and “religious” issues. The Bible speaks clearly of how we ought to live, and it doesn’t apply only within the church walls. Is a silent church to blame for our slide into post-Christian America? That argument can certainly be made. Consider these quotes from Pastor Jack Hibbs:

"The Church has been viewed as something irrelevant. And listen, let's be honest. Much of that accusation against us is true. Somehow, the Church has gotten out of the lane of being the salt and light that God has called us to be."

"According to your Bible, God established the government. Did you know that? He didn't invent politics. That's what man invented. When man doesn't want God involved in government, he turns it around, throws God out and makes it political."

"'You can't talk about marriage because that's a political issue.' Really? I thought that was in my Bible. 'You can't talk about abortion because that's a political issue.' Really? I thought that was in my Bible. 'You can't talk about gender. It's a political issue.' Really? I thought that was in my Bible. ...We are a post-Christian nation, and we are starting to reap the detriment of that position. But how did we get here? We got here by being silent."

Are those quotes true? If not, what evidence do we have to refute them? If they are true, what are we willing to do to restore the church to its place of calling in the world today?