2 Thessalonians 1:3-1:4

Is Christianity Losing America? The apostasy of professing church. (2Th 1:3); (Luke 18:8); (2Ti 3:1-8). Why is truth in Christ so hard for people to understand? The Christian culture is dwindling according to scripture and there are those that continue to denigh very existence of a problem. If we as Christians could stop for a moment and compare scripture with events of world then maybe we could bring about a revival that would bring in sinner and salvation could come to others. Believing scripture is first step in revival of church and it will spark church into action. 2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means (doctrine): for that day, (rapture), shall not come except there come a falling away first (leaving of true gospel), and that man of sin be revealed (antichrist), son of perdition (ruin, destruction). Lets run a few numbers by: Between 1993 and 2002, share of Americans who said they were {Protestant} (Christians) dropped from 63 percent to 52 percent, after years of remaining generally stable, according to a study released Tuesday, July 20th, 2004 by National Opinion Research Center at University of Chicago. While nation’s share of other groups, including Muslims, Orthodox Christians, Buddhists and Hindus, rose from 3% in 1993 to 7% in 2002. The number of Roman Catholics (25%) and Jews (2%) remained stable over same period, Analysts say that Catholics are no longer a solid block of voters, but are sharply divided in their ideologies (Principles and Beliefs). The world estimate of Islamic converts under Muslim Religion are somewhere between 1 and 1.5 Billion worldwide. What does all this mean? The number of non-Christians (those who do not believe in Bible) has grown to 48 percent, in United States alone. Athiest, Agnostics, and antichristians now out number true believer in Deity of Christ. The true church, Bible believing church, is falling away. The Pope of Rome wants to make Jerusalem, The Holy City, an international city for Moslems, Jews and all other religions, under His control. One world religion, one world Government and a one world banking system, if this isn’t spirit of antichrist, I don’t know what is. Day after day news media are telling stories of Israeli and Palestinian conflict, and center of all of this conflict, if you look at prophecy, is Jerusalem. 1.Christianity 2 billion 2.Islam 1.3 billion 3. Hinduism 900 million 4.Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist 850 million 5. Buddhism 360 million 5. Chinese traditional religion 225 million 6. Primal-indigenous 150 million 7. African Traditional & Diasporic 95 million 8. Sikhism 23 million 9. Juche 19 million 10. Spiritism 14 million and Judaism 14 million. Christianity is no longer top rated Religion in United States or elsewhere in world. 2,151,000,000+ are antichrist or claim nonreligious. . Lets look at: 2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means (doctrine): for that day shall not come (rapture), except there come a falling away first (leaving of true gospel), and that man of sin be revealed (antichrist), son of perdition (ruin, destruction). The order of events is:

Ephesians 1:3  Blessed be God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

BLESSINGS or BLESSING...

This scripture is only scripture verse in New Testament of Bible, where word "Blessings" is used. However, this word has become a much different thing in teachings of Christian church today. As discussed in "The Gospel of Convenience", and "Investing Christian" articles here on this site, American Christianity teaches that money, possessions, stock market holdings, "toys" and all manner of material possessions are "the blessings of God". We too used to accept this as truth. We have recently been convicted by Holy Spirit , and instructed by God, to speak out against this principal as a heresy, and a deception of Devil, that it has taken some 30 - 40 years for our enemy to foster into church doctrine. We have encountered some truly amazing responses in this endeavor, in form of, in some cases, condemnation from fellow Christians. We have been told we are "lost", "out there", "unthankful to God". 

The concepts of "blessings of God", and "stewardship" are now doctrines in church. They include teaching that your possessions are bestowed "blessings", or "gifts" from God, and that it is you're duty as a Christian, to be a faithful "steward" of those things (I.E. that you are to maintain them, upgrade them, increase them, or nurture (love) them.) However, word "blessings" only appears in above scripture, and in following verses, as "blessing"...

Luke 24:53 And were continually in temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Romans 15:29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in fullness of blessing of gospel of Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not communion of blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not communion of body of Christ?

Galatians 3:14 That blessing of Abraham might come on Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of Spirit through faith.

Hebrews 6:7 For earth which drinks in rain that cometh oft upon it, and brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God:

Hebrews 6:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

Hebrews 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

James 3:10 Out of same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Revelation 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on earth, and under earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon throne, and unto Lamb for ever and ever.

Revelation 7:12 Saying, Amen: blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

4 times word is used as meaning "Praise or Worship", ( Luke 24:53,Revelation 5:12,5:13, and 7:12). 4 times it is used as meaning "salvation" ( Romans 15:29, 1 Corinthians 10:16, Galatians 3:14,and second use in 1 Peter 3:9). 3 times it is used as meaning "Approval" or "Love" ( James 3:10, Hebrews 6:7 and first use in 1 Peter 3:9). In last 2 uses, ( Hebrews 6:14, and in Hebrews 12:17), Paul was discussing Old Testament patriarchs, and circumstances surrounding their "inheritances" which as we know, were "blessing" (anointing) of God, as rightful leaders of Israel. 

In no context in scripture, other than context of ancient Israel, which we all know WAS in fact an earthly kingdom, is word "blessing" used to indicate land, or material possessions. So use of "blessings" as a doctrine in which people are given material wealth, possessions, and increase, as a gift of God, is out of context with Church of Jesus Christ, (a Spiritual kingdom), and with Bible as a whole. Since Old (earthly) covenant is fulfilled in Christ, its principals do not apply to Church, except where Jesus expanded on them. 

STEWARD OR STEWARDSHIP...

Also, in entire New Testament, word "Steward", only appears in following verses... 

Matthew 20:8 So when even was come, lord of vineyard saith unto his steward, Call laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from last unto first.

Luke 8:3 And Joanna wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

Luke 12:42 And Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

Luke 16:1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.