What is "apostasy"?

The dictionary states it to be "an abandoning of what one has believed in, as a faith, cause, principles, etc."

That is what is taking place in too many places within the global church.

There was once held the biblical principles, the scriptural teachings, the basic beliefs of Christendom. These were what tied together the various segments of the worldwide Christian Church.

If one were truly Christian, one could count on a reliable biblical foundation behind the testimony of others. There might be shades of doctrinal differences between various denominational groupings; but the basic moorings would still be there.

Today the scriptural foundation is giving way. The walls of biblical doctrine are crumbling. The time-honored postulates once died for by martyrs are now treated with cavalier disregard. In some instances, they are dispensed with with flares of public disdain.

One of the major inroads for blasphemy in today's global church is the "gay agenda." It has threatened every major mainline denomination--on all levels.

With the world consumed with sex, the church cannot escape. With many professed Christians compromising themselves sexually in the heterosexual definition, it is no wonder that homosexual thrusts are keeping pace.

I recall walking into an Episcopal Cathedral two years ago. I was welcomed by one of the leading laymen. As we chatted, he informed me that his congregation was now "inclusive." That of course was the buzz word to define his church as pro-gay, that is, supporting same-sex unions and anything else one wanted to tie to "the cause".

Yesterday I walked into that same cathedral to find the verbal now printed. What was told to me is now in brochure form in the tract rack in the entrance to the sanctuary. In other words, the "gay agenda" has become baptized as legitimate, bureaucratically condoned, professionally acceptable--indeed "Christian."

I walked past a Baptist Church in our inner city. There embossed on the large church sign was, beneath the naming of the church, the wording "An Inclusive Community." The pastor who saw through that agenda lived through some static from traditional believers within the congregation; then he left and another pastor was named. In time, the traditional believers either left or were worn to a frazzle as the new pastor took up the cause with a more cautious but still determined mind. The sign's wording still stands proudly there in public view.

As I read of the annual conclave of the Presbyterian Church of America, I learned of the same inroad. Now the newly elected head of this segment goes back to his regions to try to convince the grassroots to say "Yes" to the general convention's apostasy.

I read in FRIENDS JOURNAL recently that a Quaker writer of a lead article gives thanks to the "Holy Spirit" for the increase of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders swelling the Friends' memberships throughout the continent. This is a "moving of the Spirit" for which Quakers are to raise their voices in praise to heaven.

I read the same in a leading Mennonite publication.

Where is it going to stop?

It won't. Why? Because we are living in the "End Times." It won't stop. It will increase.

The spirit of the age will be taken over by unholy spirits of hell. That is pointed language but it is truth. And more times than not bald truth with biblical backing is not easy to phrase in indirect terms.

With these End Times, there is the increase of sin, just as Jesus prophesied. And that sin is taking all sorts of awful images. It is also taking up housing in all kinds of corners, particularly so-called "religious" corners.

Therefore, what is the righteous remnant to do?

* Check to make certain that you are indeed a part of that remnant. Or are you yourself compromising biblical convictions for your own comforts and safety? It can happen. It is happening. Rationalization is an easy trick to play. That is one of the reasons for the soft underbelly today in the global church.

* Learn from Jesus what stance to take in these turbulent, anti-Christian days. He said ". . .the time is near. Let the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.

Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end." Revelation 22:1-13.

* Share this comfort / warning with your believing friends. Band together in intercessory prayer for the global church--its genuine witness and its apostasy. Pray that the genuine witness will be strengthened in biblical resolve and that the apostasy will repent of its sin.

* Be bold. Do not hesitate to speak the biblical truth, live the biblical truth, and pray in the spirit of the biblical truth.

* Do not continue "life as usual." From here on out until Jesus returns, nothing will be "as usual." The world is turning upside down, including the global church. Face reality. Therefore, these days of pre-tribulation events call for astounding courage in the Holy Ghost.

* Do not be afraid of loneliness in the Spirit of God. Comradeship which is real will diminish because the righteous remnant is not that numerous. But of course only a few are ever on the straight and narrow. Yet that straight and narrow will continue to become even more straight and narrow. Stay on it, even if walking it alone at times.

* Do not salve your wounds by amassing things, hoping that tangibles will bring comfort to your weary soul. Society is overcome with grabbing items--storing them away, stashing them in bins, stuffing garages and barns and basements. For what? For nothing much. Do not succumb to that lunacy. Keep your lifestyle simple and unadorned except for the heavenly graces.

* Keep sane in the Spirit. Unholy spirits are attacking human spirits and minds. Many are held prey to confusion, bewilderment and fears of all sorts. Marriages of good people are in trouble. Children from Christian homes are turning prodigal. There is an unhappiness "out there" that is putting heads in vices and squeezing hearts dry. Determine to realize this; then will to think increasingly the "mind of Christ."

* Study the Bible. Saturate your soul in it. Read it in the morning. Read it at noon. Read it in the evening. Take it with you in your pocket. You cannot get enough of it. Then put it into daily practice.

* Pray for the discerning of the spirits. There are holy spirits about you. There are also unholy spirits about you. Know which is which. When confused, ask God to assist you until your soul becomes clear.

J. Grant Swank, Jr.