Christianity in decline

[digthemup]

I read an article a while back stating that Christianity through out the world is in decline, and it seems the USA to be leading this statistical crisis of faith.
Is this something that we as Christians should be worrying about? I don't believe we need to hit the panic button, since in my opinion, God is going to sift out those who claim to be Christians, yet they have yielded no fruit, which Scriptures make it very clear in the parable of the talents ( Matthew 25:14-30). Jesus goes on further in the same chapter how it shall be when the Son of Man shall return in His glory with His holy angels to sit on His throne to judge the nation as a shepherd separating the sheep from the goats.
Christ gives us many examples through out Scriptures even to the disciple who He askes to feed His sheep once He is taken up to Heaven in reminding him that Satan was asking to sift Peter's faith in Luke 22:31-34, and the compelling score card reports He gives the 7 churches of the many flaws they will need to overcome, except for the church of Philadelphia.

My brethren, I am compelled to ask if this does seem like a crisis to you? or is the Lord preparing for His Later Days? though, personally, I perceive it as the later.
Please share your thoughts, and whenever possible share the applicable scripture, and may the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts.

[Capt James]

I can believe, it seems like Christians are having much less children per couple than years past.

[Jeff La]

For Revelation prophecy to be fulfilled, the anti christ must establish his one world religion and one world government before Christ's return. I believe its' Revelation 17, but I'm no Bible scholar.

[titanxt]

Jeff LA - you are correct, Christians will be put to death (many beheaded, which seems to be popular with a particular group) and the world will be saturated with evil. There will be scattered believers who escaped being murdered, and others who came to know Christ through the tribulation. Not all who believe will be dead at the time of Christ’s return, but the world will be lost.

[mram10us]

75% of christian youth lose their faith in college. With our education system being anti God, that definitely hurts the numbers.
Capt James had a great point since muslims are having close to 3 children per family compared to 2.3 for Christians.

[bassfishinglawyer]

75% of christian youth lose their faith in college. With our education system being anti God, that definitely hurts the numbers.

One reason I am a huge believer and supporter of Christian higher education. Let them learn and determine their path in a situation that promotes a Christian world view.

[mram10us]

One reason I am a huge believer and supporter of Christian higher education. Let them learn and determine their path in a situation that promotes a Christian world view.

Yes sir

[titanxt]

Mram10us,

That is a sobering statistic. I would like to see how many of those youths return to their faith after their college indoctrination when their critical thinking returns?

[digthemup]

Mram10us,

That is a sobering statistic. I would like to see how many of those youths return to their faith after their college indoctrination when their critical thinking returns?

Based on the article I read, not many of those individuals are returning to their faith, and those that may have tried it because of a temporary interest are retrogressing, which it fulfills the parable of the sower Christ teaches in Matthew 13.

[mram10us]

Mram10us,

That is a sobering statistic. I would like to see how many of those youths return to their faith after their college indoctrination when their critical thinking returns?

I haven't seen stats for that. I'm curious as well

[titanxt]

That is disappointing and makes me wonder about Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

[digthemup]

That is disappointing and makes me wonder about Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Sadly, this does not seem to work in today's society, and I have seen it in my own household. There is not much you can do once they are grown and doing their own thing, regardless of the amount of displeasure you may convey to them.

[mram10us]

Sadly, this does not seem to work in today's society, and I have seen it in my own household. There is not much you can do once they are grown and doing their own thing, regardless of the amount of displeasure you may convey to them.

Your kids aren't "old" yet, brother. Great verse, Titan

[digthemup]

Your kids aren't "old" yet, brother. Great verse, Titan

You are correct that they are not "old" yet, but they are old enough to know their deviation from their upbringing in God's word.

[fishinFamily]

You are correct that they are not "old" yet, but they are old enough to know their deviation from their upbringing in God's word.

Pray for them, fast for them - ask that the Holy Sprit changes their heart.

St Monica prayed daily for her son Augustine and he didn’t find the Lord until just before her death.

The advice she was given from her bishop makes a lot of sense - something along the lines of: if you are getting nowhere talking to Augustine about God, try talking to God about Augustine.

[drifter106]

That is disappointing and makes me wonder about Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Have always considered early childhood to middle school the formative years. This is where your roots are developed and nurtured.

[bassfisher444]

That's not new news, it's been that way for the past couple decades at least in the US. There is a lot of evil happening because of it as well.

[dontr20x]

Read 1 Timothy 4:1-2 and 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3 . The falling away must come before the rapture.

[drifter106]

I know that I will catch hell for asking this but where do you come up with rapture? How about a chastisement from God? Similar results as to what the deluge was during Noah's time.

[digthemup]

I know that I will catch hell for asking this but where do you come up with rapture? How about a chastisement from God? Similar results as to what the deluge was during Noah's time.

John,
Belief in the Rapture is often connected with a belief in the literal coming of the millennium, the 1,000-year rule of Jesus Christ after his return, as mentioned in chapter 20 of The Revelation to John, The Book of Revelation.
If you would like, send a PM to TitanXT for the link to the 4 page deep dive he did on it, nd it is really worth the time and read. Very thought provocative.