Falling Away?

Are we living in the perilous times the Bible speaks about in 2 Tim. 3:1?

2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

The more I view the world through the filter of God's Word, the more I am convinced that we are indeed living in perilous times. The Bible tells us:

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

The words "falling away" were translated from the Greek word "apostasia" which means "defection from truth". "Falling away" doesn't mean that there will be less religious activity although many people who used to be involved and active in the Lord's work have fallen away. They have defected. It doesn't even mean that there will be fewer people attending church services although many people who once faithfully attended church have fallen away.

The most dangerous (perilous) thing about this falling away is the defection from the truth. The truth is absolute. It is not subject to societal circumstances or changing times. The Lord Jesus Christ said in John 17:17: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

The greatest danger is posed not by those who have quit serving the Lord or by those who have quit attending church. The greatest danger is posed by those who are continuing right along with their religious agenda but with no regard for the truth of God's word.

About two years ago a church in a neighboring community fired their pastor because he preached that a 15 year old should not be engaging in promiscuous sexual activity. This is not hearsay. I heard it from the pastor himself.

I've been told about another church not far from the church I pastor that requires potential pastoral candidates to sign a written agreement stating that they will not preach against homosexuality before they will be considered for the position of pastor.

There has been a great controversy and debate over whether women should be ordained into the pastorate while the Bible clearly states:

1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Again, many are simply going right along with their religious agenda with no regard for the truth of God's word. I must also mention that I don't see how there could even be a debate about whether to ordain homosexuals into the ministry yet it is happening.

2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

There are many other examples of how the modern church is defecting from the truth but these examples are enough to show us that we indeed are living in.........perilous times.