The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Theonomy

Basically, yes. The world will become more and more outwardly wicked although it may appear to be less so from time to time. But it will become extremely wicked just before Christ returns.

The TRUE (invisible) Church is preserved and will be preserved from worldliness and apostasy throughout the history of the world. The visible church is not preserved nor will it be preserved throughout history. This is NOT referring to denominations nor even local churches but those who have not been elected to be saved in Christ albeit many/most profess to be followers of Christ to whatever degree.

Yes, there is a winnowing that has always existed throughout the Church's history, yet many of the 'goats' were not and shall not be revealed until the very last day. The TRUE Church will be triumphant for Christ was triumphant in securing its members through His vicarious substitutionary atonement and resurrection. Not one member of Christ's Church has ever nor ever will be lost. The TRUE Church is but a remnant of the total population of the world including the visible church, yet their number is great. I believe as the writings of Paul and the Apostles wrote in their Epistles revealed and prophesied, that many false teachers and pastors will come which was even so in their own day to lead many astray. NO ONE is a protected class within the visible church. But the sheep will not follow the wolves for they belong to the Shepherd of the sheep and will endure to the end.