The Church Meeting in Jesus’ Name
602 Oak Knoll Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78228
Epistle
January 2026
2026 Event Calendar
JANUARY 16-17
- Preacher’s meeting in Guanajuato, GTO Mexico
- Friday evening 7 pm
- Saturday all day
FEBRUARY 27-MARCH 8
- Revival Meeting with Mike Ragan
APRIL 18
- Ladies’ Conference
JUNE 15-19
- Vacation Bible School
JULY 19 – 26
- Mission Conference – Sundays 10 am
- Every evening 7 pm
- Week day morning meetings 10:30 am
- Dinner on the grounds both Sundays
OCTOBER 24
- Men’s Meeting
NOVEMBER 29
- Thanksgiving Sunday – Dinner on the grounds
- Early Lord’s Supper meeting
The Second Apostasy
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
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;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians 2
The majority of Christians over the centuries have believed that the gospel and the church would grow more and more victorious in the world, embodying the promises of God’s promised reign on earth. In other words, the church was considered the fulfillment of the kingdom of God which was destined to defeat the kingdom of darkness. To this end many church programs over the centuries practiced coerced conversion (from infant baptism to persecution of unbelievers), usurpation of political power (think Holy Roman Empire), and even armed conquest (think the Caribbean, Mexico and Peru). And the growth of the church’s political power seemed to justify the means. But not only were such strategies never taught or practiced by the apostles, they presented a completely different role for the church in the world. It might surprise some Christians that the church’s only role was to evangelize the world, not conquer or subdue it.
In fact, the New Testament warns many times that the world was going to end in disaster. And the church is not foretold to be in control. And what is more, the New Testament warns of coming apostasy in the church itself. Paul warns Timothy of coming heresies, including forbidding to marry. He said the time would come when they wouldn’t endure sound doctrine. Peter warns that false prophets would come making merchandise of believers. Jude mentions ungodly men crept in unawares creating lasciviousness among believers. And the book of Revelation points out severe problems in the churches, including fornication and idolatry. The point consistently made is that the church was not intended to achieve perfection, dominate the world, nor bring in the kingdom. This gives me pause when I sing such hymns as “It’s a Glorious Church.” The role of the church is to preach the gospel to sinners, and save some as brands plucked from the burning. We are told to “occupy” till he come. This isn’t just a superficial difference. It makes a huge difference in attitude and outlook.
There is a subtle distinction, however, in the predictions of apostasy. You will notice that some of the warnings concern the transition from direct apostolic authority to scripture. When Paul bid farewell to the Ephesians knowing that he was no longer going to be with them, he warned of disaster immediately following his departure.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20
Outsiders entering in, and longstanding members arising, motivated by a desire for personal followers, would cause divisions and heresies among them. Their only protection was God and the word of his grace. Even in the parables Jesus speaks of tares among the wheat, leaven in the lump, and fowls of the air in the branches, all of which afflict the church from its inception. John speaks of a coming antichrist, but says that there are many antichrists in his own time. He speaks of those who separated from us because they “were not of us.” (1 John 2.19). Paul says there “must be heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” (1 Cor 11.19). Obviously all of this refers to apostasy that begins during the apostles’ time of leadership and explodes after they depart.
However many other times an apostasy is mentioned connected specifically to the end of the world. In our text Paul says Christ will not come again until there come a falling away first. He is predicting that faith will noticeably decline toward the end. Jesus in the Gospels, in the parables, and in his personal responses, warns that before the world ends, faith will be scarce, iniquity will abound, and love will become cold. In Paul’s final letter to Timothy he warns repeatedly of a time of spiritual decline.
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves…
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: 2 Timothy 3
It is possible that some of these warnings may overlap, and together they form a valuable general warning. However, I believe it is profitable to consider the specific differences between the two times of apostasy mentioned. For example, in the early apostasy we find doctrinal heresy,
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1 Timothy 4
hierarchy,
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20
and merchandising.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: 2 Peter 2
The first apostasy mentions specifically food restrictions and celibacy, which are both errors that began to emerge in the second century and are still found in the Catholic churches. The top down hierarchy of the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and some Protestant churches was already in evidence by the end of the second century, with single bishops exercising control of all the congregations in an entire city. And using salvation as a moneymaking strategy (simony) has also been within Christianity since the apostles fell on sleep.
It is notable that the New Testament scriptures were provided as the safeguard for believers against this first apostasy, and in fact the scriptures were preserved within the darkness, and eventually emerged victorious. The common historical Bible was reconciled, standardized and printed in its received form, and it transformed the world. Sound doctrine survived and revived and the true doctrine of the apostles can now be found championed by Bible thumpers in every corner of the earth.
However, there is prophesied a second apostasy, in which we find mockers,
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. Jude
scoffers denying both the flood and the second coming,
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 2 Peter 3
and iniquity.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Matthew 24
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3
The warnings to the terminal generations of believers caution not so much against heresies and usurpers, but against sensual sin, coldness toward God, and loss of faith in his word. But such a serious worldwide spiritual decline is not easy to see while Christianity is prosperous and successful. The Laodicean church is rich and increased with goods, and has heaped to itself teachers, having itching ears. Organized Christianity has compromised with the world, in business practices, in politics, in philosophy. And believers or congregations that refuse to walk in these shadows become isolated and “irrelevant.” Preachers who boldly hold the line will be “demonetized,” and inevitably will become overshadowed by the wealth and commercial success of the less dogmatic and more flexible.
The warning of the second apostasy is to remind us of the importance of remaining faithful to Jesus in a time of confusion. Jesus wondered,
Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18.8
Will he find faith in his word? Or will Christians pick among Bibles based on their own preferences? Will preachers submit to the word, or will they pick and choose between versions to stress their own opinions? Will believers stand out, and stand against the intrusions of worldliness into the church, or will modern dress standards, and latest fads, and commercial interests, and sensual delights, and physical comfort and convenience dominate the final generations?
Remarkably the prescription for safety and victory is the same as during the first apostasy.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3
And Jesus mentions the same prescription when the time draws near,
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Revelation 3
We know what to expect. Our job is not to transform society into a place Christians can live comfortably in, and much less to make ourselves comfortable in an untransformed place. Our job is to be lights in a dark world. Our occupation is to keep his word and not deny his name. Jesus said, “because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation.” We are exhorted to hold fast the doctrines and practices the apostles taught us. Our work is to continue believing the scriptures even when the world mocks the Bible as backward and unscientific, or even when highly educated Christian scholars claim they are still trying to recover what it originally said, or find fanciful ways to reimagine what it might mean. Our place is opposition to sin, including the popular sins, such as covetousness (think gambling and Christmas), sensual entertainment (think concert stages and professional bands), and filth (think soft porn fashion, foulmouthed politicians who need our votes, and edgy influencers who need our likes). What does Jesus want from us? To resist the apostasy. To still be holding the faith and attitude of the apostles when he comes. How are you holding up?