Have you ever thought about the word apocalypse and what it means? Many have heard of the term “zombie apocalypse,” but have not considered its source or meaning; most have just considered it something out of Hollywood, and for the most part, this would be accurate.
However, one day, I had a vision of people walking about like zombies, as if in a trance and just going through the motions of life. I realized the vision I saw was one of the Church, the walking undead. I say undead because these are those who appear to have good and godly works but in truth are dead. Jesus mentioned these people. And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. - Rev 3:1 NKJV
Apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy noted some things to come in the end as well. He wrote,
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! - 2Ti 3:1-5
We can see this same sentiment in several other passages in the Bible as well. We read that the Spirit says in the latter times, some will depart from the faith and yield to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons (1Tim 4). Still, others will walk according to their own lusts and scoff at the coming of the Lord, forgetting that by the word of God the heavens were created (2Pe 3).
If people can fall away and forget, then it stands to reason that these people once were in the Lord or at least looked like they were. Now not every Christian fits in this category but, many do. Statistics done by the Ponce Foundation, Gallup Polls, and Barna research all point to this accuracy of this statement.
According to the Ponce Foundation, a faith-driven market research organization, only 30% of the 2 billion confessing Christians in the world will ever read the entire Bible.
82% of Americans claiming to be Christian, read their Bibles only on Sundays while in church.
The Pew research indicates that only 25% of Americans now attend church on any given Sunday, which is significantly down from 47% in 1990.
The same study also shows 36% of those who attend church weekly indicate that believing in Jesus Christ is the only true way to Heaven. So, what do the other 64% believe?
57% of American Christians believe other religions can lead to eternal life.
With these statistics, it is no wonder the world has become the mess that it is. We have become so much like the Pagans and the spiritually dead that surround us, that one can barely tell those who walk in the light from those in darkness. These statistics are so alarming they should wake us to the reality that the great falling away is progressing!
Let no one deceive you by any means; for [that Day will not come] unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, - 2Th 2:3
If what I just showed you is true, then we are definitely in the last days, the days before the return of Jesus Christ. Of course, if you are one of the stats I just quoted, then you probably do not believe there is a return of Christ or that there is a heaven or hell!
So, what is an apocalypse? It merely means revelation, discovery, or disclosure and is actually the name of the last Book in the Bible, Revelation. The world has made this a scary word, but in truth, it simply is the disclosure of things that have been hidden. For those in Christ Jesus, we should not be afraid. "Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. - Mat 10:26
According to the book of Daniel, God gave him a revelation for the end of days. He said that there would be an increase in knowledge. "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." - Dan 12:4
The word knowledge in the above verse is the same one used to describe the “tree of knowledge of good and evil” in Genesis chapter two. This kind of knowledge is an awareness of good and evil. The ability to discern between the two types of knowledge, demonic and of God, can only come from the Holy Spirit. One will not know the difference if they are closely joined to the world. Christ followers must be filled with the Holy Spirit and joined to Him, as well as in the word of God, if they are going to obtain the knowledge necessary to survive the days ahead.
The letter in Second Timothy is written to, and speaking of, those who say they are Christians, but they actually never achieve the truth even though knowledge is gained. Part of the reason for this is selfish ambition and lust.
6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. - 2Ti 3:6-7
We are exhorted to be humble and submissive, not selfish. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. - Phl 2:3 NLT
Zombies in Our Midst
According to Wikipedia, the word zombie is a term that comes from Haitian folklore in which a zombie is a dead body, reanimated through various methods, most commonly magic. Basically, the zombie is a fictional and undead human that feeds on the living. Today’s modern-day zombies are often depicted as a result of radiation fallout, disease outbreak, and even mental illness.
Take this to a spiritual level, and we may see that a zombie can look like a Christian but have no inner spiritual awakening of such; this is who Jesus was speaking to in Revelation. One is not a true Christ follower just because they repeat a “sinners’ prayer” and are attending church service.
Jesus said one must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven (John 3). A born-again believer lives in the light, they bear fruit of righteousness and repentance, they love and do not hate, and they quit sinning.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. - 1Jo 1:6 Fortunately, we have a promise that If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - 1Jo 1:9
The real apocalypse of zombies in the Church is that many who believe their soul is saved have had no true revelation of Jesus Christ. Instead, many people believe that because they raised their hands in a church service, out of an emotional response to a charismatic preacher’s message, they received eternal salvation. This belief leads people to a false gospel and keeps them from inheriting the true kingdom of God. We are to live an abundant life in Christ, and a life that reveals the love of a Creator that desires all to be reconciled to Him. Reconciliation is not effective or possible if one continues to live in the sinful, pre-Jesus lifestyle. There is a cost to salvation that is seldom taught to new believers.
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” - Mat 16:24-27
Let’s pray,
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word that does not return void but is performed by Your very hand. I desire a restart in my relationship with You. I take the challenge that Jesus gave to deny myself and pick up my cross so that I am equipped to follow Him. I choose to give all that I can give to the greater cause of Your kingdom and purposes. Forgive me, Lord for being selfish and fearful, for living my life as if I had nothing to give or do as a believer in Christ Jesus. Help me be a doer of the word and not just a hearer. In Jesus name, Amen