At no time in history has man possessed more knowledge than today, (Dan 12:4). Consequently, things have never been more confusing for someone seeking the truth. At the same time that mankind is trying to keep up with the information overload a revived interest in spirituality is spawning and nurturing a plethora of false doctrines and religions, (2 Tim 3:13), a large percentage of which label and market themselves as Christianity. An ecumenical brotherhood has risen out of an unbiblical tolerance, acceptance, (2 John 7-11), and even embracing of these gospels and doctrines of men, (Col 2:8). Indeed the only gospel and doctrine the world adamantly refuses to tolerate without perversion is that of the Bible and our Lord Jesus Christ, (2 Peter 2:1-2). Clearly we're living in those days Paul warned us about in which man would not put up with sound doctrine but would instead promote doctrines of men, (2 Tim 4:3-4).

When asked specifically about the signs of His return Jesus first response was to warn of deception, (Matt 24:4), and before completing His reply He warned of it twice more, (Matt 24:5,11). The deception is to be so great in the last days that if it were possible it would fool even the very elect, (Matt 24:24). Punctuating the pervasiveness of the apostasy and delusion just prior to His return, Jesus questions if when He comes again He will find faith on the earth, (Luke 18:8). Through the Bible God provides us with much insight into the last days. Jesus gave us many indicators Himself. Jesus' coming is to be as a thief in the night, (1 Thes 5:2), and no one but God knows when that day and hour is, (Mark 13:32). For this reason the general consensus among most calling themselves Christian is that we should go about our lives without expecting or looking for the Lord's return. Here we have a classic example of a misunderstanding of scriptures, for if we go one verse further we find that not knowing the day and hour is exactly why we are commanded to take heed, watch and pray, (Mark 13:33). Yes, we are clearly told it is useless to involve ourselves in "date setting", (1 Thes 5:1-2), and we are to continue with our day-to-day lives while waiting for His return, (1 Thes 4:11-12). Don’t ignore that we are also told Jesus’ return is imminent and that we're always to be looking for it as our blessed hope, (Titus 2:12-13). This has been made clear to the Christian since the New Testament church began, but is especially apropos today as we see more prophecies coming true and know that day is near, (Matt 24:33). Mark 13:37; "And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."

You see, it is with good reason that we have been made aware of these things. Paul tells us that those who follow Jesus are not children of darkness that this day should overtake them as a thief, but rather we are children of light and should not be caught sleeping, (1 Thes 5:4-8). We should be anxiously anticipating his return, (Luke 12:35-40, Phil 3:20, 1 Thes 1:10, Heb 9:28, etc.), looking to heaven, knowing that our redemption draws nigh, (Luke 21:28). We need to study God's word and grow in our understanding as that is how we come to know the truth which "sets us free," as Jesus promised us, (John 8:31-32). Nearly 27% of the Bible is prophecy, telling us about the future from when it was written. Most of that is now history, but the proven flawless accuracy of those prophecies should convince us to heed what remains to be fulfilled. It is by the Bible's accuracy, consistency and detail that we know this book could only be the inspired word of God, so we will dedicate an appropriate amount of space to prophecy. Jesus rebuked the men on the road to Emmaus for not paying attention to what the prophets had foretold, (Luke 24:25-27), just as he criticized the Pharisees and Sadducees for not discerning the signs of their times, (Matt 16:1-4), and the people in general, (Luke 12:54-57). God did not waste space in his message to us, so everything in the Bible is intended for us to study, learn and instruct from, as well as for use in correcting and rebuking false doctrines, (2 Tim 3:16).

Many who call themselves Christian today are either at best carnal, or at worst deluded and following false teachers into the anti-Christ's one world church, all in the name of a false Christ, (2 Cor 11:3-4). In other words they are at very least tolerating, if not contributing to and participating in this false church we are warned about, (John 5:43). We are living in the last days before Christ's return, when false prophets are prolific, (2 Tim 3:13). We are responsible for knowing this, and are to tell all those we can the truth, (2 Tim 4:2), even though the Bible also tells us the truth will not be well received by man and we can expect persecution and rejection for our efforts (2 Tim 3:12).

When discussing issues of the Bible with others, one comes to expect disagreement on nearly every point. Randomly select a dozen "Christians" to discuss these things and you're almost certain to walk away with 12 different "interpretations". Not having the conviction of their belief to contend for it, the same 12 are likely to "agree to disagree" and still embrace each other as fellow Christians. Claiming there is only one truth which must be sincerely and completely believed in order to receive the free gift of salvation is considered today to be closed minded and audacious. It is the absolute unwillingness to compromise and confident, unwavering conviction of Christians who are indwelt by, and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, (1 John 5:19-20), which offends both the world and the "lukewarm" "Christians", (Rev 3:15-17). This often results in the persecution Jesus told us we could expect if we sincerely follow him, (Mark 13:13).

Men, with Satan's encouragement, (2 Cor 4:3-4), have been from the very beginning of the New Testament church, twisting and distorting God's word in an attempt to make it more palatable to them. They have also been introducing and implementing their own doctrines and rules which restructure the local church. In their unbiblical church system they have created for themselves positions of perceived authority, setting themselves up as intermediaries between God and man, (1 Tim 2:5-6). Regardless of whether they admit or even realize it they become the de facto head of their local assembly, thereby usurping a role which belongs exclusively to Jesus, (Col 1:18), (Eph 1:22-23). In fact denominational organizations insert entire hierarchies between the believers and Christ.

One day soon there will be a one-world government overseeing and dictating to today's national governments the same way that Washington D.C. currently rules the individual states, (Rev 13:7). There are many reasons that this will be allowed to occur, but briefly, it will be seen by the world as necessary for civil, judicial, economic and even spiritual reasons. At the pinnacle of this new power structure will be a universally accepted and respected charismatic individual, (Rev 13:4). Overwhelmingly the world, including even the "Christian" churches, will choose to not only believe in and follow this man, who eventually sets himself up as god (2 Thes 2:4), but also worship him, (Rev 13:8). Surprisingly many of the churches recognize some of the signs that are unfolding before them, yet they are utterly oblivious to the inroads Satan has made into their very infrastructure. For nearly 2,000 years Satan has been helping grievous wolves creep in "unawares," (Matt 7:15, Acts 20:29-30, Gal 2:4, Jude 4), and now the fabric of these churches is replete with them. Truth be told, most of these churches have foundations built with perversions of scriptures and false doctrines, the purpose of which is to complicate God's message to us thereby confusing their members, (James 3:14-16). Bewildered followers are then lead to believe they cannot learn God's truth for themselves, (2 Cor 11:3-4). By relying on these unnecessary and unbiblical church leaders for interpretation and guidance, followers are basically giving them artistic and editorial license over God's word, and they often take full advantage, (Eph 4:14).

While many of these deceivers do so knowingly for profit and power (Rom 16:18), most of them have complete conviction in what they teach, for they themselves have been utterly deceived, (2 Tim 3:13). Much more is going on here than is apparent. Satan has had his hand in orchestrating all of these false teachings, from the subtle to the extreme, and has done all he can to establish, encourage and support systems which train "would be" Christians to follow men, (2 Cor 11:13-15). He does this by providing spiritual reinforcement for the lies these leaders want to believe, (1 Tim 4:1-2), and hiding the truth from them, (2 Cor 4:3-4). They in turn give their followers messages their "itching ears" want to hear, (2 Tim 4:3-4), denying the need for repentance and accountability in favor of a more marketable message of universal acceptance and tolerance. People are seeking false teachings based on experience rather than God's word, (2 Thes 2:9-10), and are following the false signs and wonders without checking them against the Bible to see if they are of Satan or God. In these last days it is Satan who is putting on a show, (Rev 13:13-14, Matt 24:24), and as prophesied, he is doing it to an anxious and eager audience, (2 Cor 11:4). It is not really hard to imagine worldly churches following the antichrist, considering Satan, who aspires to be God, (Isaiah 14:14), is "the god of this world" already, (2 Cor 4:4). Since Satan’s rule will be through the antichrist, people are being trained through these false church systems to follow men in spiritual matters, rather than answering directly to, and building a relationship with Christ, (Eph 4:14-15). With nearly two millennia of practice, people will be more than ready when the man they are called upon to follow is the antichrist himself instead of their Pastor, Bishop or Pope.