(1 John 2:18) "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."

Introduction:    There are the two events that will trigger the Great Tribulation. The first is a falling away. Literally -- the apostasy. The word there means to stand off from. It means a departure from the faith. The Bible predicts that at the end of the church age organized Christendom will be characterized by the apostasy, the falling away, the great rebellion. In other words, large numbers of the Christian faith will depart from the very truths of the Christian faith. The second event is the revealing of the antichrist. The only thing Scripture says that is restraining the emergence of antichrist is the Rapture of the Church (v.7). The signs of the last days are all around us. Outside The Church (I) Our Finances Are Failing (II) Our Families Are Fracturing. (III.) Politicians Are Posturing. However, the most startling evidence is Inside the Church.

I.          FAITHFULNESS IS FALLING (2 Tim. 3:1-5)

            A.        Disturbing Deeds (vv.1-4)

            B.         Dangerous Deception (v.5)

The last days will be characterized by wickedness and evil, but they will be a religious people! We are seeing this trend today. While morality continues to decline, 94% of Americans claim to believe in God. Over 70% claim that they have had a "born again" experience. You don’t have to travel very far to find a church that embraces any doctrinal slant you want to believe. We are running over with religion in America!

Paul says that these people will have a "form of godliness"(v.5). The word "form" means a "semblance." in other words, they will claim to be good and decent people, but their claim is false! Their problem is the fact that they have erred from the Truth or they’re unsaved. The way they live proves that their claim of faith is false.

II.         COMMITMENT IS COLLAPSING (1 Peter 4:1-3; 7)

The Christian life is not just simply a life of convince…it is a life of commitment! The emblem of Christianity is not a couch to lay on…it is a cross to die on! (Mat 16:24) "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." -A truly committed Christian:

            A.        Remembers The Commitment Of Christ (VV.1-2)

How can I be uncommitted when I think about how committed Jesus was? He suffered for us. (Illus: when trouble comes…take a long look at the cross! The only way to receive a crown is to bear a cross! (See Jn.6:59-66)

            B.         Avoids The Control Of Sin (V.3; 7)

The time spent in sin in the past is enough time spent in sin. Too many professing Christians today are controlled by sin. They’re living as though they were the person they were before they were saved (if they are saved) and not taking their Christianity seriously. For the committed Christian, sin is in the past!

III.       APPEARANCE OF ANTICHRIST (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

Next Message: THE SIGNS AND WONDERS MAN

Conclusion:     Is the world ready for antichrist? Well, all the signs seem to indicate that we are. If that is the case, then what do we need to do? First, as individuals we need to get every nook and cranny of our lives cleaned up and separated unto the Lord. Secondly, as a church, we need to be sure that we get totally separated from every worldly influence and that we stay separated unto the Lord. We are in the last days, and if we are not careful, we will be sucked into the mentality that dominates our society. If that happens, we will lose our power and we can count on God writing "Ichabod" across our door!