Ask Dr. Couch (#353)

Dr. Couch, is the apostasy about the world or is it about the church?

ANSWER: Good question. Many of you know that Andy Woods and I cut two Gathering Storm CDs on The Emerging Church and two on The Apostasy. We received high raves on these studies. People tell us we really hit the issues head on.

As to your question, the Apostasy has to do with the church capitulating and turning away from The Truth and The Faith, and taking on the morals and the ways of the culture, the world.

Andy and I dealt with all the major passages. One of the main sections is 2 Timothy 3:1-5. "In the last days 'hard to bear' times will come." I believe we are there. We are moving into that period. The church is taking on the patterns of the world. The main issue has to do with humanism. Read the list, especially verses 3-4. Certain patterns can be seen going on now: "Unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, haters of good, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these."

I believe too that in these last days the world will turn more and more against Christians. Be prepared for persecution which will start with economic sanctions and finally end with physical persecution.

Notice: Woods and I are doing two months of The Gathering Storm CDs on "Women in the Ministry." These will be for October and November. And I have done two of The Gathering Storm CDs with Dr. Jobe Martin for December 2008 and January 2009 on "Discernment & Deception." Some of you will miss some great studies. A yearly Gathering Storm subscription, to help with expenses, is just a $30 donation to Scofield Ministries. Send your check to Scofield Ministries, 120 CR 3222, Clifton, TX 76634 if you'd like to sign up.

Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch