By Brother Joseph Timothy
August 25, 2023
PDF: SPECIAL REPORT: The Great Falling Away: Research Shows American Churches in Decline and WHY
Key Points
- The research on The Great Falling Awayshows that Americas experience differs from experiences in Europe.
- The event of The Great Falling Awayhappens during The Last Days which begins with the act of The Great Apostasy.
- Various American policies; such as, legalizing abortion, sodomy, and other such wicked things caused the falling away in America to differ from how it unfolded in Europe.
- All of the signs with regard to The Great Apostasyand The Great Falling Away tell us that we are in The Last Days.
- God’s judgment, like other times in salvation history, clearly indicate a punishment to come, just as it did in Jeremiah’s day.
- God promises salvation to those who endure these days.
America’s Great Falling Away From the Christian Faith
I have written a number of articles about The Last Days, The Great Apostasy, and The Great Falling Away over the last two years,
[https://brotherjt.wordpress.com/category/mission/articles/end-times/]
Most of these articles were based off of research put out documenting this great decline in Christian faith in various parts of the world. Recently another article came out referencing a book which documented much research regarding The Great Falling Away from the Christian faith here in America,
There is good reason to keep talking about The Great Falling Away, and that is because the Lord Jesus Christ warned that it would happen. In His warning He described the kind of crisis that would come and the persecution that would accompany such an event. More than this, He said that this event would precede His return in Glory, wherein He would judge the world.
In this article I want to make the research of the implications of The Great Falling Away done by Professor Stephen Bullivant available to all, so that you are more aware of the times we live in and can prepare for the crisis that follows this great event. Secondly, I want to correct the causes the he lists as to the reasons “why?” people are leaving the faith. Third, I want to warn of the coming judgment of God, not just the punishment for a wayward nation, but the punishments of The Last Days. Finally, I do want to encourage everyone who is seeing The Great Falling Away in their family and friend to not be discouraged but rather to know that this is to be expected in these Last Days.
The Research and Book Documenting the Falling Away in America
The article I am addressing, “A Mass Exodus From Christianity Is Underway in America” by Anna Deen came out on December 17th 2022. In this article she interviews Professor Stephen Bullivant, a practicing Catholic, and a theology and sociology professor at St Mary’s University in London and the University of Notre Dame in Sydney. Anna conducted this interview based upon the recent publication of Stephens latest book, “Nonverts: The Making of Ex-Christian America”which came out on December 1st 2022 in the U.S. market.
Stephen identifies those ditching Christianity for secular humanism as “nonverts”. In his book he cites the Pew Research Centers estimates regarding their tracking of the decline in Christianity here in American, finding that, “Christians will be a minority of Americans by 2070 if current trends continue.”
One of the observations found in the evidence regarding this decline of Christians in America is that, there is an absence of Christians found more in the younger generations, rather than in the older generations. Over the past 50 years adults under 30 claiming no religion have increased, and these numbers not only continue, but increase with each older generation. This means that the trend towards secular humanism and away from the Christian faith have been increasing with each new generation.
A concerning and confusing point among Christians is a false sense of hope that many of these “nonverts” will return to the Christian faith. All of the research shows that this hope is in vain, that “nonverts” tend not to return to the Christian faith. More than this they tend to raise their children as “nonverts” and when they do they usually stay that way.
The article touches on the trend towards secular humanism and compares Europe’s plight to Americas plight. Stephen addresses the research stating that; Europe’s move towards atheism and agnosticism has been slow but steady, but this trend in the U.S. really didn’t kick off until the early 2000’s. Research shows that these declines “tend to occur over many generations” which raises the question, why was this change different in the U.S.?
In answering these anomalies Stephen cites three reasons why he believes this trend, among the others raised, are happening here (the reasons why “nonverts” are not returning, the reason why they raise children who are not likely to become religious) in the U.S. The three causes for the trends are as follows: the Cold War, 9/11, and the internet.
The Cold War factor: During the cold war it was framed as Christian American and the West vs Communist Atheist USSR and China. After the Cold War that talking point went away and people were “free” to question Christianity in a way they were not before. For 9/11 there was initially a negative reaction to Islam, but then a quick attempt to disassociate Islam from terrorism. Amidst this you have these “new atheists” Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, and Richard Dawkins, who turned the criticism of radical religious behavior towards Christianity. At the same time that 9/11 happened the internet began happening and this gave a loud voice to every critic, especially those who were critical of the Christian faith, such as the new atheists.
Stephen adds to this saying; those churches that responded to this problem that, “churches shifting with the times” to counter the trend they see, actually create greater declines or themselves when they shift with the times. For this he cites an example in what the Episcopal Church did, and as a result of their “shifting with the times” they compounded their decline. Many churches in America had, to some degree or another, shifted to the times, and this added to the already declining numbers.
Finally Stephen adds that the cataclysmic event of the Covid panic has compounded everything creating greater numbers of “nonverts” than ever before. Normally cataclysmic events will trigger revivals, such as it was with World War II. However in the case of the Covid event this did not happen, rather churches shrunk and many Christians did not return to their faiths. Instead the data indicates that the number of secular humanist rose during and after this event.
The Great Apostasy as the Cause of the Great Falling Away
While I find all of the research and reasoning out of the data very valuable, and that this research factors into understanding the problem in the great falling away, I did disagree with the causes cited. I believe the causes are explained in the Bible by the teachings of Christ and His Apostles and that they are The Great Falling Away and all that comes with that event.
This is not to say that there is no truth or value in the explanations above, rather I am appealing to a proper biblical understanding of how they factor in to the whole. So with all due respect and appreciation for this article, I will give my reasons for the great falling away and all of the anomalies (why Americas decline doesn’t fit the reasonable pattern, the reasons why “nonverts” are not returning, the reason why they raise children who are not likely to become religious) cited above.
What is The Great Falling Away?
The event of The Great Falling Away, is the moment in The Last Days wherein a great number of people will either lose the Christian faith or not chose it. This moment will happen, as was said, in The Last Days and in those days there will be signs.
SIGNS OF THE LAST DAYS
We are not the only ones to wonder about The Last Days for the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ wondered and asked for the sign of when those days would come. Jesus answered them and described the signs and events within this time which would come, saying;
“And Jesus answering, said to them: …
…
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be pestilences, and famines, and earthquakes in places:
Now all these are the beginnings of sorrows.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall put you to death: and you shall be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.
And then shall many be scandalized: and shall betray one another: and shall hate one another.
And many false prophets shall arise, and shall seduce many.”
– Matthew 24:4, 7-11
Clearly the Lord is warning his disciples and all who would follow about the seductions and scandals that will take place in The Last Days. He also warns that the hearts of mankind would “grow cold” because of all that would take place in this time;
“And because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold.”
– Matthew 24:12
Yes, all that the Lord warns of that which would take place is terrifying, but one question looms, is there a cause for these things? Is there something that would be definitive proof that we are in The Last Days and activate many if not all of the woes to come? Yes, I believe there is an event that would that will, and that is the event of The Great Apostasy and I believe that this event has already come.
THE GREAT APOSTASY
The event of The Great Apostasy is that instance wherein the religious leaders formally rebel against the Lord Jesus Christ. This act of rebellion committed by the religious leaders then becomes a sign for everyone that we are in The Last Days, which triggers the woes in these days to come upon the church as a great tribulation.
Once The Great Apostasy takes place all of the seeds that had been planted for The Last Days, seed that had been spouting and showing signs, will suddenly erupt due to this great act of apostasy by the religious leaders. All of the faint signs of The Last Days then become clear to everyone as the world slips into a tribulation period.
“When therefore you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place: he that readeth let him understand.”
– Matthew 24:15
I believe that is has become very evident that The Great Apostasy is the Vatican II council of the Church (1962 – 1965). There at Vatican II we see that the council fathers had formally committed an act of apostasy and every pope during and after the council continued in this apostasy. We see also that the Church has suffered greatly since this council, losing priestly vocations, religious vocations, closing churches and monasteries and schools, defacing altars, and on and on
The Church is the light of the world, once the Church’s light was put out by this council, everyone and everything was left in darkness, and this darkness manifests into what we see, in the signs of The Last Days.
The Great Apostasy is the cause of The Great Falling Away and by understanding this we can better understand how the falling away occurs and even how it may slightly differ from place to place, even here in America.
THE GREAT FALLING AWAY
Jesus describes the conditions of a great falling away in Matthew 24, and others like Saint Paul cite it directly,
“Let no man deceive you by any means, for unless there come a revolt first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,
Who opposeth, and is lifted up above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself as if he were God.”
– II Thessalonians 2:3-4
In this passage Saint Paul explains this “revolt” this apostasy from the faith as a earth shaking event. He explains how a “man of sin” will present himself as if he were God and that this man will facilitate in causing this event of the falling away. But what causes people to follow this man?
The Lord Jesus Christ explains what is behind mankinds choice to follow after sin. There are two points I will identify that are behinds mankinds choices to rebel against God, and they are: Pride and The Love of Sin.
In PRIDE we see the Lord Jesus Christ correcting the religious leaders as they try desperately to “correct” Him and His disciples. Jesus warns his disciple of their error saying,
“But he (Jesus) said that the things which come out from man, they defile a man.
For from within out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornication, murders,
Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
All these evil things come from within, and defile a man.”
– Mark 7:21-23
Pride is a terrible sin, for it is the sin which caused Lucifer to fall from heaven, “your heart became proud on account of your beauty, …” (Ezekiel 23:16-17). For pride one will resist correction and stay to their sin, thinking themselves to be better than God. And when mankind turns to pride he sins in the same manner as Lucifer did, declaring themselves to be god directly or indirectly, “…: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God ….” (Isaiah 14:12-17).
In THE LOVE OF SIN, we see that when we love sin more than God, righteousness, and truth that people will run from God for the sake of their sin. The Lord Jesus explains this in the Gospel of John, saying;
“For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting.
For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world but that the world may be saved by him.
He that believeth in him is not judged. But he that doth not believe, is already judged: because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the judgment: because the light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the light: for their works were evil.
For every one that doth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, that his works may not be reproved.
But he that doth truth, cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, because they are done in God.”
– John 3:16-21
The true desires in the heart are the reason why a person chooses to walk away from God. And if there is a darkness to mask their reasoning, then they will make the move.
Jesus gets into specific sins which people love more than God. in one of his teachings He explains it through a parable of a sower sowing his seeds. In the end of the parable he gives his explanation saying;
“Hear you therefore the parable of the sower.
When any one heareth the word of t he kingdom, and understandeth it not, there cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart: this is he that receiveth the seed by the way side.
And he that received the seed upon stony ground, is he that heareth the word, and immediately receiveth it with joy.
Yet hath he not root in himself, but is only for a time: and when there ariseth tribulation and persecution because of the word, he is presently scandalized.
And he that received the seed among thorns, is he that heareth the word, and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choketh up the word, and he becometh fruitless.
But he that received the seed upon good ground, is he that heareth the word, and understandeth, and beareth fruit, and yieldeth the one an hundredfold, and another sixty, and another thirty.”
– Matthew 13:18-23
Here we see various reasons for anyone to leave the faith, sins that draw people away. When someone love their sin more than God and are to proud to admit that they are wrong, thinking themselves to be better than God, then we see a person falling away to sin.
The very event of The Great Apostasy would create the right conditions for this event of The Great Falling Away and would set about rumblings of those signs of The Last Days. Though The Great Falling Away will come for the whole world it may vary in some minor aspect in different locations. In American we see subtle ways it does differ, however it will differ within the framework of The Last Days ignited by The Great Apostasy.
Why The Great Falling Away is Different In America
There are many events which happened in America that signaled the judgment of God, a judgment which was not taken seriously by the religious leaders. Just the same there are events which happened in America which were wicked and indicated the corruption of a culture. Of the events which could easily be written for a book we will only visit a few, ones which seem key to the American decline falling away from the Christian faith.
In addressing the events which are unique in time to Americas great falling away, we must address a few earlier events which set the table for the later events. But in addressing any of these events we will divide into two categories; that which happened before The Great Apostasy and that which happened after The Great Apostasy. For it was The Great Apostasy that began The Great Falling Away and turned each event from a minor occurrence into a critical disaster.
What causes the differences in a “falling away” for nations?
The differences comes from how a nation, when called out for their wickedness, responds to God’s warning of judgment and a coming punishment. An example of this would be the way a nation may respond to the wicked sin of abortion. If a nation repents of abortion, there may be a grace God would give which would delay the judgment and punishment of that nation, till the nation repents of the remaining sins. For America the response mixed at first, but after The Great Apostasy there was a slide down which consisted of a series of wicked events which indicated that, as a nation, America chose evil.
Another note; there are churches boasting members inspite of their rebellion, these numbers are misleading. Though church attendance does say something, it should not be the measuring rod of The Great Falling Away. For Jesus himself was critical of the great numbers of converts used by the religious leaders in his day, saying, “… you go round about the sea and the land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, you make him the child of hell twofold more than yourselves.” (Matthew 23:15). It is because of this, and many other reasons, that just the numbers in a local church cannot be used by itself to determine faithfulness, righteousness, and obedience. We must look deeper than the surface when judging these things.
The following are a list of certain events prior to and after The Great Apostasy;
AMERICA PRIOR TO THE GREAT APOSTASY
America was born as a Free Masonic Republic, so prior to The Great Apostasy America was already primed for a falling away. In America, Protestantism was dominating the landscape and Free Masonic principles were enshrined in the American Constitution. Public Schools would later dominate in the 19th century and become normative in the 20th century as the country slipped further and further into secular humanism. There were a host of things that would be set in place to prepare the ground for this falling away, much that could be said about that.
Although the crisis in the churches in America can be traced back to America’s foundation, the signs of real trouble began in the 19th century, roughly 100 years before The Great Apostasy. In 1867 congress passed the “Free School Act” which meant that every private school which received subsidized were required to become public. Prior to this the American government had been pushing subsidies in order to entice Catholic families along the East Coast into schools that were not Catholic. The effect of this policy can be seen in the numbers, for prior to 1867 roughly 93 percent of children were taught at home or in a private Christian school or church. Not long after 1867 most schools quickly became public and most children belonged to them.
How do public schools create a crisis in the Church?
Public/government schools have a great effect on both the natural family and the Church. Both are institutions created by God for the raising/schooling of children. When families intentionally send their children over to these institutions those parents shirk their responsibilities as parents, they defy how God wanted the family to function, with the family assisted by the Church teaching children. Just the same when a church intentionally allows or encourages families to send their children over to these schools, that church betrays that family and God and neglects God’s design and command for the family and the Church together to raise children.
How a child is raised greatly impacts their beliefs. Children who are taught at home or in a church school will more than likely retain the faith their taught (numbers average a little over 75%). However, a child is much less likely to retain their faith if they are taught in a public school (numbers drop below 35%). Thus, the Church loses one of its primary functions when it hands over the education of family and children to the state. Unfortunately this is exactly what has been happening with the public/government schools. Ever since the church gave up on her God given work in assisting families with the raising of children society has been in a serious state of decay and families have been abandoning the faith in great numbers.
The idea of a public/government school came from secular humanist as a means by which to remove the church from the center of society and to rid the population of the Christian faith. The secular humanists pursued the concept of an institution which would represent the state, be the center of culture, be the experts on the various field of study (science, literature, etc), be the experts of family and raising children, and on and on. Secular humanists found this institution in the public/government schools and pursued their development and implementation. From out of these institutions the secular humanists in the government would begin to shape society and the next generations of people and achieve their goal of a secular humanist America. More than this, within a few generations of being formally instituted in America, nobody questioned whether or not there should public/government schools.
The worse is yet to come for 100 years after the “Free School Act” would pass, the act of The Great Apostasy would come and it came in the following manner: Shortly after Pope John XIII would take over the papacy in 1958 he would announced to the world that the Church would hold a council (Vatican II). The religious leaders would gather and meet at the Vatican and from 1962 to 1965 these religious leaders would form documents which could be considered nothing less than a great act of apostasy. These leaders would put forth heretical teachings that run contrary to Catholic doctrine and set a course for disaster.
Shortly after the council would commence we would see The Great Falling Away begin. And so we also see another saying manifest in it’s reality when all of this happen, and that is this; that “when the light goes out in the church it goes out in the world.” The compromise that these church leaders would make would open the doors to all kinds of evils which would cause the world to fall into a state of wickedness and sin. This collapse effected every area of the Church. And so in the next section we will visit briefly some of the areas we see collapse in the Church here on earth.
AFTER TO THE GREAT APOSTASY
After The Great Apostasy all that was in place in America for a falling away would play key pivotal roles in allowing the evils of past evil empires (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greek, Rome, etc) to return in wrath and become active for The Last Days. Evidence that this act of Apostasy was detrimental is what followed, a litany of laws and cultural changes which would become evident of a nation becoming corrupt.
The act of The Great Apostasy put forth practices and created a disposition which would cause a sense that the Church must be complicate in everything the authorities of the State would dictate and make into law. So as each event was fought and then lost, many would comply giving little to no fight to the evil policies put into place. Though this would not apply to all religious leaders and organizations, it effected enough of them to make resistance to wicked policies minimal and mostly ineffective.
The effects of The Great Apostasy changed much of what the church taught and practiced, as explained above. These changes in the Church turned the lights out in the world and opened the doors to the devils attack on all that God cherishes. And so this apostasy would effect the family (divorce, government schools, etc), society (sexual revolutions. The rise in wicked religions: new age beliefs, atheism, satanism. Laws opening doors to sodomy, abortion, etc), and the Church’s congregations (removing altars, clown masses, etc).
The changes in the Church which allowed for a darkness to reign brought forth particular evils that America formally made policy. These are the acts which put America in the judgment of God and set unique course it finds itself in today. The policies which are causing America’s great falling away to unfold differently than other nations are as follows:
Sodomy Laws, (1961, 2003): Sodomy is a sexual sin which God has condemned in sever ways, which is something I have covered many times (https://brotherjt.wordpress.com/category/mission/articles/sodomy/). Back in the 17th century when this country had some Christian resemblance to it, sodomy laws were put in place. These laws mostly prohibited people from having sex with anyone except the one they were married to, which had to be a qualified member of the opposite sex. The “decriminalization” of same-sex laws in the United States would begin in 1962 and continue on through to 2003 (Lawence v. Texas) when the Supreme Court would change its opinion and revered the decision. Illinois removed sodomy laws, as recommended by the American Law Institute in 1955, which led to 19 more states (CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, IN, IO, ME, ND, NE, NJ, OH, OR, SD, VT, WA, WV, WY) removing their sodomy laws by 1971 and eventually led to the 2003 Supreme Court decision. And so the “days of Lot” (Luke 17:26-28) would rise up on the West, yes even America, and be one of the many signs of The Last Days.
Abortion Law, (1962, 1973, 2022): Abortion is the murderous act of killing an innocent child in the womb. I have written about the wickedness of abortion before, showing just how satanic it is (https://brotherjt.wordpress.com/category/mission/articles/abortion/). Abortion was condemned early on in America, in the same way that Sodomy was. There was much push by feminists to legalize it and in 1962 the opportunity to do just that. In 1962 a woman named Sherri Finkbine traveled from Arizona to Sweden to obtain a “legal” abortion. This wicked act of hers marked a turning point for the fight on abortion, because it created a platform for feminists. In 1965 Griswold v. Connecticut, struck down all of the remaining contraception laws and not long after that in 1967 Colorado became the first state to decriminalize abortion, in cases of rape, incest, or when pregnancy would lead to permanent physical disability of the woman. Similar laws followed in California, Oregon, and North Carolina. All of these moves by these states set the ground for 1973 (Roe v. Wade) when the Supreme Court would make abortion a right in every state. Although recently there has been some victories, the greatest being in 2022 when the Supreme Court struck down 1973’s Roe v. Wade, those fighting for the evil of abortion have been able to gain much of their wicked “rights” back, including making “ritual” abortions done by Satanists legal. And so the, just as the rise of Sodomy confirmed the “days of Lot” now abortion would confirm the “days of Noah” (Luke 17:26-28) as it would envelope the West, it too would be one of the many signs of The Last Days.
Feminism, (1961, 1969): The history of “feminism” is long and marred with baggage. The “feminism” I am referring to is the movement today which seeks to subvert the man and woman relations and roles God designed for mankind “In The Beginning” (Genesis 2). The “feminism” we see today has it’s origins in the Garden of Eden when in Genesis 3 we see the serpent deceive Eve and use her to trip up Adam into sin. The “feminism” we see today seeks to destroy the family because of what it images, God’s love for his Church (Ephesians 5). So the serpent from the garden still seeks to trick women in the same manner that he did Eve in the garden (I Corinthians 11:1-4), which aims at striking any and every shepherd in order to scatter the sheep (Matthew 26:31). This is what “feminism” is today, it is the voice of the serpent, which sold lies to Eve in order to destroy the family and the church. And so the second wave of feminism began in the 1960’s, but it was preceded by a toy, the “Barbie” doll, which helped set the table for this wave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKp-A6BBg-E). This wave of feminism helped bring about the “sexual revolution” of the 1960’s. But of all of the laws passed throughout the 1960’s the most wicked and disastrous was the “no fault” divorce law in 1969 which brought about a destruction throughout society, though it would be labeled as a “woman’s right”.
Public/Government Schools, (1867, 1962, 1963, 1967): After congress passed the “Free School Act” in 1867 Christian families and churches have been sending their children in to be raised by the state through schools in complete defiance against Gods design. Since then Christian families and Churches have largely been reduced to fighting for better schools instead of doing “schooling” God’s way, through families and churches. We can see the result of this error throughout the history of the public/government schools institutions. But of those errors two of the most obvious and hazardous happened in the 1960’s; the eradication of prayer and bible reading (Engel v. Vitale1962, Abington School District v. Schempp1963) and the integration of the wicked teachings of evolution (Epperson v. Arkansas 1968). These ruling clearly indicate that the State will dictate to the family and to the Church what they will teach and allow and what they will not teach and allow. The public schools belong to the states, thus they are controlled by the states. The anti-prayer and pro-evolution laws clearly indicated a complete and total removal of God in the schools, this removal is indicative of what schools are, institution created by mankind aimed at removing and replacing the institutions God created, the Church and the Family.
We can see in all of these cases the that they share the same time frame, in that the positions on these evil practices were fought and won in the 1960’s the same decade as when The Great Apostasy took place. This is no coincidence, rather this is what happens when Christ’s Church betrays Him. This is also the sign that what happened in the Vatican II council, together with all of the other events in the church (decline in priesthood, clown masses, etc) was The Great Apostasy.
God’s Judgment on an Unrepentant People
We see that the confirmation of these sins committed in the 60’s as the sins which is causing this great falling away. These sins are confirmed through the scriptures and are connected to the signs of the times. We see this in the repealing of the laws prohibiting abortion are seen in the return of “The Days of Noah” (Luke 17:26-27), we see that in the repealing of the laws prohibiting Sodomy are seen in the return of “The Days of Lot” (Luke 17:28), we see in the rise of feminism aiming at destroying the family (Matthew 24:10, 10:21), and we see this in the deception of public/government schools (Matthew 24:19).
Each of these actions not only are seen in the descriptions of The Last Days but are also, indicative of “falling away”, indicators of “apostasy”, and acts that have always brought about the judgment and punishment of God. One of the most notable instances of this fact is found in the book of Jeremiah.
In the book of Jeremiah we begin with God’s call to Jeremiah to become a prophet. This calling is followed by God explaining why he is being called to be a prophet. The Lord tells Jeremiah about how Judah’s sins have become to much and that there has been nor is any current signs that the nation will repent of them. To this God follows with instructions for Jeremiah to warn Judah of God’s judgment which will come upon them for their wickedness, less they repent. And so Jeremiah goes, as the Lord tells him, and in one of his sermons, there at the Temple, he appeals to the people of Jerusalem, in Judea, and says;
“… Hear ye the word of the Lord, all ye men of Juda, that enter in at these gates, to adore the Lord.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel: Make your ways and your doings good: and I will dwell with you in this place.
Trust not in lying words, saying: The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, it is the temple of the Lord.
For if you will order well your ways, and your doings: if you will execute judgment between a man and his neighbor,
If you opress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, and walk after strange gods to your own hurt,
I will dwell with you in this place: in the land, which I gave to your fathers from the beginning and for evemore.
Behold you put your trust in lying words, which shall not profit you:
To steal, to murder, to commit adultery, to swear falsely, to offer to Baalim, and to go after strange gods, which you know not.
And you have come, and stood before me in this house, in which my name is called upon, and have said: We are delivered, and because we have done all these abominations.
Is this house the, in which my name hath been called upon, in your eyes become a den of robbers? I, I am he” I have seen it, saith the Lord.”
– Jeremiah 7:2-11
This is how God judged Judah in the time of Jeremiah, he warned the people and if the people didn’t repent He would make a judgment and bring punishment upon them. Now it seems as though America has gone the same way in these last days. For each of these formal acts of law in this country here in America, there was a great effect and darkness added. In this darkness we see God acting in judgment as he has with other countries wherein he allows “Thy own wickedness shall reprove thee, ….” (Jeremiah 2:19) We see that most of these acts of law happened in the 60’s and 70’s after The Great Apostasy and from this point we see the darkness come in the following ways; the sexual revolution of the 60’s, the rise of the trans-cult, the return and spread of eugenics, and on and on.
How does this sermon by Jeremiah apply to The Last Days?
If God judged and punished his own people for wickedness committed as a nation outside of The Last Days then we should expect the same kind of judgment for The Last Days. We should not think that God would not judge for any reason, whether our misguided application of the indefectability of the church or whether it be because of The Last Days being an ordained time. Many Catholics, both modern and traditional, think that the indefectability of the Church will save her members from the punishments of God when he judges those members, especially the religious leaders for their wicked conduct. This misguided thinking is exactly what plagued the people in the time of Jeremiah and is evident in the words “The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, it is the temple of the Lord.”
God’s judgment will be no less for those who sin in the time of The Last Days. Our need to hear and follow the Gospel is ever the more evident. Just the same the necessity to preach the Gospel and to warn people of the tribulation that is here and to come is clear and shouts to with every disaster and wicked at that presents itself in our day to day. Jeremiah sets the example of what we must do in our day.
The Cross and the Empty Tomb
It is true, we are in The Last Days and the Christian’s in America are turning their backs on God, just as the Lord Jesus Christ said they would. We are experiencing The Great Falling Away and ever since The Great Apostasy began we have seen many loved ones leave the faith. I know many hearts are broken and many tears have been shed in prayer over our loved ones who have become prodigals.
Yes, here in America there is a slight difference in the way American’s are turning their backs on the Lord Jesus Christ. All of the data shows a multitude of things that have contributed, but in essence all of it has been fueled by The Great Apostasy. So if we are to save our loved ones and ourselves we must address the The Great Apostasy, Vatican II, denounce it, and warn people of the deception in thinking it was a council of the Church.
In essence, this nation is not different from any other, no different than their fathers. For our religious leaders have betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ into the hands of the State, where the leaders of our nation are condemning the Lord Jesus Christ before a waiting and watching world. We are there again with the Lord Jesus Christ as He is standing before Pilate, the Chief Priest, and the whole of Jerusalem being condemned. But as they bring about these condemnations we must stand firm and receive this cross and be crucified with Him.
The times of tribulation are here and there is much suffering ahead of us. So in Matthew 24 as the Lord Jesus Christ is warning His disciples of what is to come, he also comforts them with these words;
“But he that shall preserve to the end, he shall be saved.”
– Matthew 24:13
Yes, it is a strange way to comfort those you are informing of a troubling and terrible time period that is here and yet at the same time still to come. But then again, this is exactly what taking up the cross consist of, salvation on the other side of a terrible experience. Shall we expect anything less in this life than a cross and an empty tomb when we follow the Lord Jesus Christ?
The Grace of the Lord be with you
Brother Joseph Timothy 
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