INSTITUTIONAL CHRISTIANITY AND THE END OF TIMES
For years I have
wondered what it will happen with established churches when the time of the
Antichrist comes.
In 40 years of
Christianity, where I developed from Roman Catholicism, where I was born; into Anglicanism,
a traditional form of Reformed Christianity; to finally, after seven years of formal
Theological studies and a Masters in that discipline, ended up as a true Evangelical;
it is natural that I have considered many different opinions on the subject.
From the traditional
primitive patristic ideas, to the medieval idea that the Antichrist was Emperor
Nero or the Pope; through the idea that the Antichrist is a socio-political
system; and even the ridiculous idea that the Antichrist was Lenin, and who
stopped him from manifesting was the Russian Tzar.
However, even
though I considered all these theories, I never accepted any of them.
I have always
believed, from the beginning, that the Scripture speaks of a human being, who
will grow in political and economic power, to the point to impose himself over
the world’s politics and religion. The ‘Man of Lawlessness’ or ‘Son of
Destruction’, or ‘Beast of the Sea’, as the Bible names him (2Thessalonians 2:3;
Revelation 13:1-4)
It is clear
also, that he will dominate world religion, with the help of an ally, whom the
Scripture calls ‘The False Prophet’ or ‘Second Beast’ (Revelation 13:11-14;
19:20).
But whether we
think this Beast is an institution, a social system, or a person; we all agree
that it will persecute Christians and opponents to its rule. And this is also
whether we believe in a sudden secret rapture or that the Church will remain
through the Tribulation, since we all agree there will be people of faith
during the persecution; the ones ‘left behind’ or a chosen remanent of
believers.
(2Thessalonians 2:4;
Revelation 13:7).
So the question
arises again, what will happen with institutional Christianity during this
period of time?
Where is the
place of the Roman Church, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodist,
Uniting Church and any other minor evangelical independent congregation during
this time?
Even if we
consider that we will be raptured into Heaven and this is not our concern, it
is the concern of the ones left on Earth, according to the ‘Secret Rapture’
believers; and even more for the ones like me, who believe that the Church will
remain through the Tribulation (Matthew 24:9-14).
If the False
Prophet will oblige the whole planet to submit to the Antichrist, through deceiving
speech and false tricks passing as ‘godly miracles’ (Revelation 13:12-15), embarking
in an obvious moral and religious control, it is only logical to think that he
will be able to exercise control over all of the world’s faiths, or at least, over
a significant part of them.
If this is the
case, what will be the role of the Christian churches during this time?
If the Second
Beast can control the faith of the world, there can only be two possibilities for
the future. Either the whole Christian
Church will be persecuted for opposing the Beast, having her buildings and
materials goods confiscated; or they will submit to the False Prophet. There is
no other possibility.
In both cases,
there will be a remnant faithful to God, Jesus, the Spirit and the Gospel who
will suffer persecution (Matthew 24:13; Daniel 7:25; Revelation 12:17); but
whatever the case, institutional religion will end.
Christian
temples and worship, as we know them, will be proscribed or submitted to the
Antichrist.
But from these
two perspectives, the second one is the worst.
If institutional
Christianity becomes extinct, we should not worry much, since we will carry our
religion to wherever we go. But if it becomes corrupted, then it turns into a
darker option.
In a corrupted
condition, the established Christian churches will remain open, with the same
buildings and institutions we know now.
Catholics,
Orthodox, Protestants and Evangelicals, as well as other non-Christian groups,
will look exactly as they look today; but they all will be in communion between
themselves and all with the Antichrist, through the guidance of the False
Prophet (Revelation 13:13-17). They will look genuine, but in truth, they all,
without exception, will have become the ‘Synagogue of Satan’ (Revelation 2:9).
FINAL WORD
There are many
theories about these events, and many lean towards one side or the other, but
this is a matter of serious and calm consideration.
If you believe
there won’t be a tribulation, because you think the ‘Antichrist’ is a dead
roman emperor; or that you will be raptured to Heaven, then you may not have to
worry. BUT if that is not the case, then, we all need to worry.
The sight of a
dead and false Christianity starts to be seen now.
The Gospel has
been betrayed for homosexuality, abortions, female control, fear to government and
mass sicknesses, immorality and relativism.
Scriptures are
not anymore the ultimate rule of Faith, but our own reason and the public
opinion.
We have ‘discovered’
that distant electronic worship is acceptable, and that it is more comfortable
to worship from a couch at home, than having physical communion with other
Christians and offer God a proper worship.
We have
discovered that our ‘strong faith’, was not so strong, since we put our trust
in masks and man-made medicine instead of God’s power to protect us. We made
millions of excuses, but the fact is one. With our actions, we said ‘God cannot
save us from this virus, but medicine can’.
All the
conditions are given for the submission to the Beast.
Institutional
religion just needs another push to fall fully into Satan’s hands.
The time will
come, when the true Pope won’t be in the Vatican, and the true leader of
Anglicanism won’t be in Canterbury or York or Africa. The time will come when
the true Orthodox leader won’t be in Constantinople or Moscow, or Alexandria or
Iraq. The time will come when all small evangelical churches will unite as one
to the Beast.
The time will
come when in all Christian Churches, Catholic and Protestant will abandon Jesus
of Nazareth as the only savior, and take him only as one of many spiritual
gurus.
The time is coming,
when all religions in the world, including Christianity; that is institutional
Christianity, will be a home of demons and deceit (Revelation 18:2)
But GOD will
keep a remnant faithful to the end.
(Romans 11:4)
And we must be
prevented before it happens.
Omar Flores.
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