Man points out the set of Christians who are at the risk of renouncing Jesus

This made an interesting read and I know you will say so too.

Those Who Subscribe to Eternal Security

This one belief can do deep damage to Christendom, leading millions astray. It will be extremely easy to wrongly assume that our actions have no impact on our eternal standing. 

The truth is that we are only safe if we conquer, overcome and endure to the end: "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments. I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels" (Rev. 3:5).

Those Who Affirm False-Grace Doctrine

The number of people at risk of renouncing Jesus is rapidly increasing due to this movement. If all of our sins are forgiven, past, present and future, then taking the mark of the beast is a non-issue. In fact, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, sexual immorality, unforgiveness and any number of other sins won't impact our eternity if we believe in God's grace as taught by these teachers.

The deception is so dangerous as personal action and responsibility are removed entirely from the picture. The truth is that our actions absolutely do impact our eternity: "For if we willfully continue to sin after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation, which will devour the adversaries" (Heb. 10:26-27).

Those Who Aren't on Fire for Jesus

A raging, burning passion for Jesus is non-negotiable. In fact, it's crazy that anyone would ever have to broach this topic. We are either on fire for Jesus or we are lukewarm, or possible cold and dead. Period. 

To endure the end times, we must have an anointing radiating out of us. We need to be so intimate with Jesus that our love of him could never be sacrificed for temporal relief. Those who refuse to take the mark of the beast will be radically in love and on fire for Jesus: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth" (Rev. 3:15-16).

Those Who Don't Have a Lifestyle of Prayer

A prayerless Christian is really a confounding concept. An oxymoron. Sadly, most Christians, it seems, are nearly prayerless. In fact, most churches are as well. We must be living, walking and praying in the Spirit, night and day if we hope to survive the coming pressure. 

You'll remember Jesus warning his disciples to stay awake and pray so they wouldn't fall into temptation. Do you know what temptation Jesus was referring to? Rejecting Jesus, as they did when the pressure increased and Jesus was taken away for crucifixion: "Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt. 26:41).

Those Who Don't Live Holy Lives

Christians who excuse away foul language, nudity and other immorality in movies, television and other media are setting themselves up for an eternity separated from Jesus. 

They are convinced that embracing certain sins won't have any impact in their lives on earth or their eternities; therefore, taking the mark will be an easy decision for them. Surely God doesn't really care about this the way some Christians might argue, right? Wrong.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Prov. 9:10).

Those Who Are Offended and Rebellious to Authority

If you are easily offended, especially by those who are in authority, you are setting yourself up for a great fall. The Antichrist will be the authority you have been looking for, giving you want you want—for a time. 

It's critical to learn now how to love well, how to forgive and how to honor authority that God puts in your life. If you think authorities in your life are unfair now, just wait until the end comes. Jesus will be giving leadership in a way that many will deem unfair. 

Will you have learned how to submit to unfair authority and how to trust God's leadership in your life? It's absolutely mandatory that you do. "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment" (Rom. 13:1-2).

Those Who are Not Connected in a Local Church

We will need each other more than ever as the pressure intensifies. The church will certainly look much different during the Tribulation than it does now, but one truth will remain—we will be together.

We must learn how to lock arms and contend together if we hope to survive in the end. The Bible gives us this instruction, especially as the Day draws near. 

"And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works. Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but let us exhort one another, especially as you see the Day approaching" (Heb. 10:24-25).

Final Thoughts

There are other groups that are at risk of falling away. Many of them, in fact. There are some obvious ones I haven't addressed here such as seeker- sensitive churches and those who don't affirm the gifts of the Spirit. 

There are some that are not as obvious too. Those who have adopted pre-Trib rapture theology, preterists and others are at greater risk as well. 

But, don't let this become an argument about the timing of end-time events. This is about attitudes and decisions and belief systems that impact us at any point on the timeline.

We must be ready. Jesus is coming again soon. That is one point we must simply have to agree on.

John Burton for CN 

 *Thought provoking. This speaks volumes for me. Don't know about you...