A Sign of the Times

Can ye not discern the signs of the times? — Matthew 16:3

This week the Pew Research Center released newest report, “America’s Changing Religious Landscape.”  This survey of 35,000 people across America contained some bad news and some good news.

First, the bad news:  There are dramatic shifts in the “religious landscape” of America as more and more people are departing local churches and shedding spiritual connections along the way.  While nearly 86% of Americans say they grew up as Christians, nearly one in five (19%) say they aren’t so anymore.  There are more than four former Christians for every convert to Christianity, according the survey.  Atheists and agnostics have nearly doubled their share of the religious marketplace, and overall indifference to religion of any sort is rising as well.  Bad news indeed!

Now, here is some good news. This new report should not surprise a Bible believer, because it confirms what the Bible prophesied would happen in the latter times—Apostasy would be on the rise and Christianity would be on decrease.  For example: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall DEPART from the faith” (1 Tim. 4:1).  Again, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days SCOFFERS” (2 Pet. 3:3).  Again, “in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be … lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:1, 4).  There is nothing in the Bible that predicts there will be a world-wide revival in the last days. On the contrary, the Bible says things will be going steadily down hill spiritually and “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13).  Jesus said, “iniquity shall abound” and “the love of many shall wax cold” (Mt. 24:12). Since the Bible prophesies these things, it cannot be otherwise.  Things are happening today just as God said they would.

While I’m not happy with today’s decline of Bible believing Christianity, I’m not discouraged either!  It fact, this latest poll motivates me to (1) Accelerate my evangelistic efforts, and (2) be more watchful for the coming of Christ!

How does this new survey affect you?

[NOTE: You can read the complete report at this LINK}