The very first "last day" event that was to occur in Scripture was the founding of the Church. This "last day" event occurred during the Feast of Pentecost, which began 50 days after Jesus was resurrected from the grace. We find this event recorded in the book of Acts. "But this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 'And it shall be in the last days,' God says, 'That I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: Even upon My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit And they shall prophesy, 'And I will grant wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath, Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 'The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come. 'And it shall be, that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'" (Acts 2:16-21).

This great message that Peter delivered that day happened to be a Bible prophecy passage from Joel 2. Peter revealed a sequence from Joel that day. He said that first there would be a pouring out of God's spirit, which Peter's audience was witnessing as he spoke. The next sequence in this particular prophecy would be the "sun turning dark and the moon into blood", then the great and glorious day of the Lord, all of which are describing events to transpire in the Great Tribulation. It is reasonable to conclude that the audience, witnessing the first part of that prophecy being fulfilled before their eyes, believed the next part of the prophecy would be fulfilled very shortly, the "great and glorious day of the Lord" (the Lord's return). In reading the remainder of Acts 2, we see that the reaction was that 3,000 people turned to the Lord.

Other than Joel's prophecy concerning the beginning of the church, there are not many prophecies that describe the church as she spanned the centuries, but there are several prophecies that describe the church near the "end", before Joel's "great and glorious day". Bible prophecy reveals that as the church approaches the end of the age, she would experience a serious state of decline. Take for example the one found in II Thessalonians 2:3 that says, "Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first..." (NKJ) "Falling away" here is translated from the word "apostasia", a word that means deliberate turning from known truth. Tragically, much of this is going on in the church today! There are spokespersons from major denominations today claiming that Jesus never rose from the grave. There are those that claim that Paul and Timothy were homosexuals and that Jesus Himself was a homosexual. Incidentally, Jesus was not a homosexual! Jesus preached a message that would set the homosexual and all others free, but that is another newsletter. Apostasy has arrived!

Perhaps the most telling prophecy of the condition of the church at the end of the age is found in Revelation. The church's name is Laodicea. She is described in Revelation 3:14-20. Of all the other churches named in Revelation, this one is the only one that has no commendation. Her name, Laodicea, describes her character. It is a Greek word that means, "people-ruling". This is a church that is ruled by the people's appetites and desires, not the "Word of God". This is the church that tries to satisfy everyone and dispenses of anything (Scripture, values, evangelism, Bible study, etc.) to do so.

Jesus addressed her, "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 'So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth". Nobody is enthusiastic for God in this church. There is just a ho-hum attitude. The Scripture continues, "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' -- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. . ." (NKJ)

Revelation 3:15-17 This church is lacking in zeal for God, but gloats in her financial accomplishments. She rests in the security of her material wealth. She thinks more of her building program than she does teaching the Word of God and seeing people's lives changed. Does this church sound familiar? If you are finding yourself disgusted with this kind of church, you are in good company, this is the only church out of the seven that Jesus said that He was totally disgusted with! He said about it, "I will vomit you out of my mouth" (Rev. 3:16). There are many churches like this today. Perhaps there is one in your area. I think I have visited this church, how about you?

This is the last church that the Lord described before the beginning of the "Tribulation", seven years of trouble that is coming on the earth, which one can read about in detail starting in Revelation chapter 6. Seeing this church among us today is a sure sign that Jesus is about to appear and that the "Great Tribulation" is right around the corner! Also, seeing this church develop today is just another reason that we who are looking for the Lord's appearing, should be looking for it any day! Come soon Lord Jesus!