WHAT HAS HAPPENED/HAPPENING TO THE CHURCH? 

In Revelation 17:1 “And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, come hither; I will show unto you the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:”  

This church is in decline, in apostasy, confused, and compromised; She shall be tested as by fire to see what sort it is. There is coming a great day of shakening and only the born again, Spirit filled, blood washed church, Jesus' s bride will come forth and out of the coming judgment. In our scripture, the apostle John was shown the " great whore", apostate church that will arise in the last day. These are a few points to help us understand what's happening to the modern church, and what's coming very soon. 

Who is "The Whore" - Greek porne - Meaning “prostitute,” “harlot.” Porne probably goes back to a word meaning “to sell” or “to export for sale” such things as slaves. In Greece prostitutes were usually purchased slaves. The Old Testament prophets often compare apostate Israel, which repeatedly went “a whoring” after heathen gods, (Ezekiel 23:30; cf. Isaiah 23:17; Ezekiel 16:15) with an adulterous woman. Concerning mystical Babylon as a harlot see notes on Revelation 17:5. (cf. verses 2, 4; Revelation 19:2) For Old Testament passages whose thought or wording is similar to that of chapter 17, see Isaiah 47:1; Jeremiah 25:12; 50:1; Ezekiel 26:13.

Sitteth upon many waters - Exercises power over many “peoples” and “nations.” (see verse 15) The form of the verb in Greek presents the “great whore” as in power at the time and as continuing to exercise power. As the ancient city of Babylon was situated upon the literal waters of the Euphrates (see Jeremiah 50:12, 38) and dwelt figuratively “upon many waters” or peoples, (Jeremiah 51:12-13; cf. Isaiah 8:7-8; 14:6; Jeremiah 50:23) so modern Babylon is represented as sitting upon or oppressing the peoples of earth. (cf. Revelation 16:12) Revelation 17:2 “With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

The Church is at a critical dispensation, junction, why? because God told apostle Paul to tell Timothy, in the last days there will be deception and a great falling way from the truth and God.  In 1 Timothy 4, says, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons".  Multitudes have walked away from church, the organization, the building, the structure; but now we see many walking away from sound doctrine to doctrines of demons, the flesh, the world, and the devil. This is why the church seems to have no power, no revival, no immediate change in lives. We have rejected truth/Jesus and accepted a lie of the devil.  21st century church is mobile, global, AI infiltrated, worldly motivated, wants likes on social media than the truth of God that really changes lives. 

This whore in Rev 17, is the compromised church, sinful, demon possessed and led church, who the anti-christ/satan has deceived in the last days; During the coming tribulation period, and the whole world is " drunk of her wine" influences, teaching, power; somehow the church and the state/power of the beast kingdom have joined as one- creating an unholy union in the last day/ great tribulation-leading all straight to the gates of hell. 

• 4,000 churches closed in 2024, while only 3,800 were started, Lifeway Research reports. 
• Older congregations are struggling, with many facing declining attendance.
• Churches shuttered in 2024 represent nearly 1.4% of the Protestant churches highlighted in the 2020 U.S. Religion Census. 

"More Protestant churches are being closed in America than are being planted, and older congregations appear to be bearing the brunt of the contraction, according to data from a new Lifeway Research study. The study published Tuesday used data collected from 35 denominational groups that represent 58% of U.S. Protestant churches. The Tennessee-based research arm of Lifeway Christian Resources also cited information from the Annual Church Profile for 2023 and 2024 of the Southern Baptist Convention — America’s largest Protestant denomination.

While 4,000 Protestant churches were closed in 2024, Lifeway Research estimates that only 3,800 were started in that year. The estimated 4,000 churches shuttered in 2024 represent nearly 1.4% of the 293,000 Protestant churches highlighted in the U.S. Religion Census 2020. The analysis also found that 1.4% of active Southern Baptist congregations disbanded or shuttered between 2023 and 2024, while some 0.4% left or were disaffiliated over the period.  "The immediate impact of COVID appears to have passed. Denominations have discovered those that closed during quarantine and never reopened. However, the typical church in America has fewer attendees than it did 20 years ago,” Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, said in a statement on the research. “These assemblies are often weaker than prior generations. But at the same time, new churches are flourishing and a subset of churches are growing.” (Chrisitan Post/Lifeway Research) 

THE FALLING AND APOSTATE CHURCH - The Old Testament prophets repeatedly represent an apostate people as a licentious woman. (Jeremiah 3:1-25; Ezekiel 16:26-32; cf. Ezekiel 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hosea 2:5; 3:1; etc) This “woman” the “great whore,” (Revelation 17:1) or mystical “Babylon the great” (verse 5) is guilty of “the blood of all that were slain upon the earth,” (Revelation 18:24) throughout history. Mystical Babylon constitutes the organized religious opposition to God's people probably from the beginning of time, but here particularly at its very close. (see notes on Revelation 17:5)

Sit - The form of the verb denotes continuing action. In verse 1 the “great whore” is represented as being in direct control of men as individuals religiously, and here as directing the policies of civil government. (See notes on verse 18) It has ever been characteristic of apostate Christianity to attempt a union of church and state in order to consolidate religious control over public policy. Compare the declaration of our Lord that His “kingdom” is not “of this world.” (John 18:36)

Scarlet - Or “crimson.” A brilliant color certain to attract attention. In Isaiah 1:18 scarlet is the color of sin. Compare the “great red dragon” of Revelation 12:3.

The Beast - In Bible prophecy beasts commonly represent kingdoms or political powers of satan. (Daniel 7:3-7, 17; 8:3, 5, 20-21; cf. Revelation 12:3; 13:1) The color of this beast no doubt representing a sinful kingdom, not just sinful but one that thought to change the law of God. (Daniel 7:25) The names of blasphemy with which it is covered indicate that it stands in opposition to God. Accordingly, the beast itself may be identified as Satan working through those political agencies in all ages that have submitted to her control.

In certain respects, this beast resembles the great red dragon of Revelation 12:3, and in others the leopard like beast of Revelation 13:1-2 (see respective comments) The context makes the latter relationship appear to be closer. The chief difference between the beast of chapter 13 and that of chapter 17 is that in the former, which COULD BE identified with the papacy, no distinction is made between the religious and the political aspects of Papal power, whereas in the latter the two are distinct. The beast representing political power and the woman a religious power. The anti Christ in all power at the appointed time, and the false prophet/ religious system that will require all the world to worship the beast's image. This is where we are headed in the last days., until the Full - Apostasy and opposition to God are complete.

So where are we living in end times. The church will be persecuted frequently as we see the day approaching for the final 7 yrs of tribulation. The church may have to return to

being an " underground church" during this hour. This will preserve many called and appointed saints, sealed for redemption through this hardship and judgments. This coming judgement has not been witnessed before in human history, nor shall it be seen again afterwards; and only a few will survive, a remnant, the tribulation saints: Those who refused TO REPENT and accept Jesus Christ , will receive the wrath of the Lamb of God- Jesus Christ; if not for the grace and mercy of God, no flesh would be saved. 

The church, as we have known it, will/has changed; It will not return to its foundation, as the bible believing, blood washed church many of us grew up in. The deception of the devil has taken root, but God has a plan for those that will repent and confess Jesus is the Son of God. Roman 10:9-10, is still true; if we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that God has raised Jesus from the died , we shall be saved. with the heart man believes and with the mouth, confession is mad unto salvation.  

My brothers and sister, return, repent, surrender, and follow the Lord Jesus Christ now!!

For the saving of your soul. For this hour of apostasy is already here, and the anti-christ, 7 yrs of judgement, is upon us. Look up, our redemption draws near. 

• MATTHEW 24-The signs of the End Times, the end of the age mentioned by Jesus in Matt 24 is upon us. MATTHEW 24 SIGNS! "No man knows the day nor the hour when these things will happen, but Jesus said when you "see" these things, signs of wars and rumor of wars, apostasy in the churches, departing from the truth of Jesus Christ, hearts becoming cold, many calling evil good, and good evil, earthquakes, fires, failing of governments, divisions among families and societies, Jesus said, "When you "see" these things, know that my return is near, the rapture of His church will happen soon, be ready my friends...Jesus is coming...the last days is upon us! Are you born again? Have repented of your sins, and believed in your heart and confess with your mouth Jesus is the Son of God? Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the Life; no man can come to the father or have everlasting life but through me". nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers' places. All these are the beginning of sorrows". 

Watch, Pray, and Stay Grounded

It is tempting, in times like these, to look at the headlines and say, “This is it.” But God warns us to watch carefully, not carelessly. Prophecy is meant to prepare us, not panic us.

We must remember: God’s plan is perfect, His timing sovereign, and His wisdom far above ours. No leader, no treaty, and no board of peace will move one inch beyond what He allows. Yet Jesus also said, “When these things begin to happen, look up, for your redemption draws near.” (Luke 21:28).

So we watch — not in fear, but in faith. We pray for Israel. We discern world events with sober minds and open Bibles. And above all, we stay ready — because the same Lord who warned of false peace will one day bring everlasting peace when He reigns from Jerusalem Himself. Until then, the headlines may keep coming, but prophecy will never change: the world is racing toward a covenant that only Christ Himself can truly fulfill.

 My friends, repent and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you shall be saved.... We are living in the last days. Be ready. Jesus said unto Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, unless a man is born again (saved), he cannot see the kingdom of God". (John 3:16/ Romans 10;9-10/ 1 Cor 15:1-4)

 Prophetic Watchmen R.O.H-

R.O.H prophecy group (Reapers of the Harvest) Greenville SC, is an outreach ministry focused on sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ soon return through scripture prophetically.