The Bible gives a clear warning of an end time apostasy. In the context of the revealing of the 'man of lawlessness', Paul writes:
"Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first ..." (2 Thes 2.3)
Here, 'apostasy' means a 'falling away from the true faith'. It can also mean 'defection' from one's belief. Apostate Christianity can be seen as a departure from true biblical Christianity, a departure from true doctrine:
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine ... they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths." (2 Tim 4.3,4)
We are also told what causes this defection:
"... in the later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons ..." (1 Tim 4.1)
How is this working out today? Good examples are the liberal church views on interfaith, homosexual acts, gay marriage, evolution and replacement theology (the church replacing national Israel).
The apostle John received his revelation from Jesus Christ during his exile on the island of Patmos. It was there that he received the letters to the seven historic churches in Asia (Revelation 2 and 3).
But these letters also apply to the state of the church at
any one time; there are always suffering (persecuted) churches, faithful churches, and apostate churches. It is a sad fact that much of Christendom (Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic) can be claimed to be
apostate.
Scholars also see the letters as depicting the
historical progression of the church, with the Laodicean church being the end time church. Of all the seven types of church, the Laodicean church is the only one not to be commended in some form by Christ.
It is the only one
not indwelt by Christ; He stands outside, waiting to be asked in by any in that church who repent and ask Him in (Rev 3.20). 'Laodicea' means 'men's opinions ruling in place of God'. This is how Christ sees such a church:
"You say 'I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing', and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked ..." (Rev 3.17)
We can readily identify such a church today! It is a worldly, wealthy, powerful, political church.