In his Epistle to the Ephesians, Paul envisions Christ's reception of "a glorious church without spot or wrinkle..." (Eph. 5:27), in consequence of its having come to a final state of unity and maturity (Eph. 4:13). This accords with Christ's "high priestly prayer" of John 17:21.
At the same time the apostle foresees "a great falling away" and time of apostasy preceding Christ's return (II Thess. 2:3; I Tim. 4:1-3; II Tim. 3:1-5). This again correlates with Christ's foreknowledge of "the love of many grow[ing] cold" in a culminating time of deception (Matt. 24:4-5;11), persecution (vs. 9), lawless and iniquity (vs. 12). Hence the call to patience and perseverance (vs. 13. For further detail regarding this "endurance of the saints" within the setting of God's "hour of judgment" upon a world acceptant of the Antichrist, see Rev. 14-12, emphasis vs. 12).
Might the increasing distinction within professing Christendom between liberal and conservative wings presage a day of total polarization (cf. Dan. 12:9-10) based upon, and in direct relation to, an "inclusive" apostate end time "faith" - the seeds of which not only now exist but which, in many instances, are taking root? We are not inclined to discount the possibility.
To such, Scripture's ultimate response is a call for the withdrawal of "God's people" (Rev. 18:4) - not in the interests of some self-focused "spiritual" sectarianism or denominational identity, but rather transcendent "unity of faith" (Eph. 4:13) predicated on a commonly shared commitment to the grace of God as manifested in the person of Jesus Christ and guided by the Spirit and Word of God.
In a day perhaps not too far distant, spiritual survival will require requisites running deeper than the merely external in terms of ecclesial structure, politics and/or sectarian based academics - new renewed or otherwise.
Burl Ratzsch
