WARNING: A False Sense of Security Could Lead to Spiritual Disaster

Exposing the Danger of Complacency, False Teachings

Introduction and a Word of Caution

Many believers assume they will be raptured before facing tribulation, but what if they are wrong? This belief can lead to spiritual complacency and a lack of preparedness, much like the foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, who were caught off guard when the Bridegroom arrived.

Throughout Scripture, God’s people were tested through holy fire, tribulation, and suffering—never through easy escape. Daniel endured Babylon, the early Church faced relentless persecution, and Israel suffered exile. Why should the final generation expect anything different? Faith is refined in fire, not in the avoidance of it (1 Peter 1:5-7).

This same false sense of security existed in ancient Israel. God’s people assumed that because they were chosen, they would be spared from judgment. But in Amos 5:18-20, the prophet warns that the Day of the Lord would be darkness, not light, because Israel had grown complacent in sin.

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What If John Nelson Darby Was Wrong?

For nearly two centuries, millions of Christians have placed their hope in the belief that they will be raptured before tribulation begins. This doctrine was popularized by John Nelson Darby in the early 19th century. His teaching on a Pre-Tribulation Rapture has profoundly shaped modern evangelical thought, offering a comforting assurance of escape from the hardships foretold in Scripture.

How can we trust Darby if his fruit does not demonstrate love?

1. Lack of Love and Unity

   • The Holy Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

   • Darby’s contentious nature caused multiple divisions, even within his own Plymouth Brethren movement.

   • Rather than seeking reconciliation, he excommunicated¹ those who disagreed with him, defying Jesus' command to love one another (John 13:34-35).

2. Over-Emphasis on Intellectual Learning

   • He was a brilliant scholar, but his theological conclusions lacked supernatural confirmation such as dreams, visions, or miraculous guidance.

   • His teachings appear highly structured and systematic rather than Spirit-breathed, aligning with his preconceived ideas rather than stemming from divine revelation.

3. No Signs of the Holy Spirit’s Power

   • The Holy Spirit often affirms truth through power, demonstrating it with signs, miracles, or prophetic confirmations.

   • There is no record of divine intervention affirming Darby’s theological shifts, unlike historical reformers such as Luther or Wesley, whose movements were marked by spiritual confirmations.

   • His reliance on intellect over experience suggests a theology shaped by human reasoning rather than Spirit-led guidance.

4. Obsession with Separatism and End-Times Speculation

   • His "us versus them" mentality led him to believe he possessed a special revelation that others did not have.

   • Rather than bringing believers together, he pushed many away.

   • The Holy Spirit strengthens and unifies the Church, but Darby’s teachings led to division and endless end-times debates, distracting from faith and obedience.

What if Darby was wrong? What if the doctrine so many have clung to is merely a theological construct rather than a revelation from the Holy Spirit?

Imagine standing before God and realizing that your preparation was based on the ideas of a man rather than the leading of the Spirit. Picture the terror of being unprepared when persecution and tribulation arrive—all because you placed your trust in a doctrine that:

• Was not taught by the apostles.

• Was not found in early church history.

• Was introduced less than 200 years ago.

Jesus warned His followers to stay awake, be ready, and keep their lamps lit (Matthew 25:1-13), for no one knows the day or hour of His return. But if we assume we will not have to endure tribulation, are we truly prepared for the possibility that we are mistaken?

Complacency is a far greater threat than hardship. It lulls believers into a false sense of security, leaving them unguarded and vulnerable when trials come.

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The prophecy of Amos mirrors a false security

The prophecy of Amos was originally given to Israel during a time of prosperity and complacency. The people assumed that their status as God’s chosen nation guaranteed them safety from judgment. They had wealth, religious rituals, and political stability, yet their hearts were far from God.

Amos was sent to warn them that judgment was coming—not only because of their sin and idolatry but also because they had become spiritually blind. They falsely believed that God’s favor meant they were exempt from suffering. The Day of the Lord they eagerly awaited would not be a day of light, but of darkness (Amos 5:18-20).

This prophecy directly applies to today’s Church, especially to those who assume that being believers guarantees them an escape from tribulation. Just as Israel placed their trust in heritage rather than true obedience, many Christians today rely on a doctrine of easy escape instead of preparing their hearts for persecution and endurance.

The modern pre-tribulation rapture doctrine mirrors the false security of Amos’ time, when people believed they were safe from judgment while failing to see that God was calling them to repentance and faithfulness. Amos’ warning is just as relevant today because complacency in faith is just as dangerous now as it was then. Those who assume they will be spared suffering may be the very ones who fall away when hardship comes. (Matthew 24:10).

Jesus and the apostles repeatedly warned that His followers would face trials, persecution, and testing before His return (John 16:33, Matthew 24:9-13, 2 Timothy 3:12). Yet, like the Israelites in Amos' day, many Christians assume they will be exempt from hardship simply because they belong to God’s people.

The warnings of Amos are not just historical—they are prophetic, foreshadowing the final sifting of God’s people in the last days (Amos 9:9-10, Revelation 14:12). God is seeking a faithful remnant. Just as He warned Israel to repent and prepare, He is calling the Church today to wake up, strengthen their faith, and endure to the end.

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I. A Warning to Those Who Feel Secure

(Amos 6, Amos 5:18-20 | Jude 3-5, 8-10)

False Teachers:

Throughout history, false teachers have misled God’s people with a false sense of security, convincing them that simply belonging to Him makes them exempt from judgment or suffering. Both Amos and Jude warn that many leaders, whether priests, prophets, or self-proclaimed teachers, have distorted God’s truth by prioritizing comfort over obedience.

"I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed… who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. But I want to remind you… that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe." - Jude 3-5

"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria!" - Amos 6:1

In Amos' day, the leaders of Israel lived in luxury and security, believing that their political stability and religious traditions guaranteed God's favor. Yet God condemned them for ignoring righteousness and failing to prepare for judgment. Similarly, Jude warns that false teachers corrupt God's grace, leading people into a passive, complacent faith instead of true obedience.

Today, many false teachers preach a gospel of comfort rather than endurance. They promote the idea that believers will be raptured before suffering, ignoring Jesus’ repeated warnings that His followers must endure tribulation and persecution. (Matthew 24:9-13).

The Tragedy of Self-Serving Shepherds

In every generation, there have been leaders who serve not for the glory of God but for their own gain. Today, many pastors preach messages that soothe rather than convict, seeking money, recognition, and personal reward rather than the true calling of a shepherd. They build platforms instead of disciples, cultivate influence instead of holiness, and chase prosperity while their flocks starve for truth.

The deception runs deep, not just among the people, but in the hearts of these leaders themselves. They convince themselves that their ministries are blessed because of their numbers, wealth, or reputation, all while neglecting the weightier matters of righteousness, obedience, and endurance. They stand in pulpits speaking words of comfort while ignoring Jesus’ clear warning: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Many falsely believe that their labor guarantees a future crown, yet they have worked apart from the Holy Spirit, striving in their own strength rather than being led by God. Imagine the sorrow and shame they will feel when they stand before Christ and realize their ministry was built on sand. Instead of hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23), they may hear the most terrifying words of all: “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23).

The role of a shepherd is not to entertain or amass followers but to guide, warn, and prepare God’s people for what is to come. In the final days, those who have led in their own wisdom, for their own benefit, will find themselves unprepared—just like the foolish virgins who assumed they had enough oil but were locked outside when the Bridegroom came (Matthew 25:1-13).

A true shepherd does not promise an easy path but calls the flock to repentance, endurance, and unwavering faith. Those who chase crowns without the Spirit will find only sorrow in the end. But those who lead with humility and obedience, pointing always to Christ, will be counted among the faithful remnant.

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Misled Believers

Many in the Church today assume they will be spared from hardship, just as Israel did before their judgment. In Amos 5:18-20, the prophet rebukes those who eagerly anticipate the Day of the Lord, believing it will be a time of victory for them. However, Amos warns that for many, it will be a day of darkness, not light.

"Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light… As if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him!" - Amos 5:18-20

This warning directly parallels the modern expectation of an easy escape through the pre-tribulation rapture. Many believers assume they will be removed before trials begin, but what if they are wrong? If the Church enters tribulation unprepared, many will fall away when hardship comes, they may even curse God.

"And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another." - Matthew 24:10

Jude makes it clear that even those who were once saved—like Israel in the Exodus—can later be destroyed because of unbelief. A passive faith that assumes safety but does not endure trials is a deadly faith. Jesus calls His followers to stand firm, to be watchful, and to prepare their hearts for endurance.

The question every believer must ask is this: Am I spiritually ready to face suffering for Christ, or have I placed my hope in an escape that may never come?

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Rebuttal: Addressing the Pre-Tribulation View of Escape

Pre-Tribulation Claim:

• “God has not appointed us to wrath.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9)

• “The Church is not mentioned after Revelation 3, meaning we won’t be in the Tribulation.”

Biblical Response:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:9 does not promise that Christians will avoid tribulation, suffering, or persecution. Rather, it assures that they are not appointed to God’s eternal wrath but to salvation in Christ.

  • Context of the Passage - Paul is discussing the Day of the Lord, when God’s final judgment will come upon the wicked. He contrasts the fate of unbelievers (who will face sudden destruction) with the destiny of believers (who are appointed to salvation).

  • Biblical Precedent - Throughout Scripture, believers endure suffering, persecution, and trials, but they are spared from God's eternal wrath (John 16:33, Acts 14:22, 2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus Himself warned that His followers would face tribulation before His return (Matthew 24:9-13).

  • Wrath vs. Tribulation - The wrath of God refers to His final judgment upon the wicked (Revelation 14:10, Romans 2:5). Tribulation, however, is a period of intense suffering that includes persecution of believers (Revelation 13:7, Daniel 7:21, Matthew 24:21-22). The two are not the same.

• Jesus specifically tells His disciples to prepare for persecution (John 16:33), and Paul warns that all who follow Christ will suffer (2 Timothy 3:12).

• The claim that the Church is absent from Revelation after Chapter 3 is often used to support the pre-tribulation rapture theory, suggesting that because the word "Church" is not explicitly mentioned, believers must have already been raptured. However, this argument ignores clear evidence that believers are still present throughout Revelation:

  • Revelation 6:9-11 – “The souls of martyrs cry out for justice”. These are believers who have been killed for their faith during the tribulation. If the Church were raptured, why are Christians still being persecuted?

  • Revelation 7:9-14 – “A great multitude from every nation stands before the throne, having come out of the great tribulation”. These believers endured suffering, contradicting the idea that all Christians were raptured before tribulation began.

  • Revelation 12:17 – “The dragon makes war on the rest of the woman’s offspring, those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus”. This clearly refers to faithful believers still on earth.

  • Revelation 13:7 – “The beast is given power to wage war against the saints and to conquer them”. Saints are Christians, which means believers are still present during the tribulation.

  • Revelation 14:12 – Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. This is a direct instruction to Christians living in the tribulation, proving that the Church is still present.

If the saints are still enduring persecution, how can it be said that the Church is gone?

The false sense of security preached by many today mirrors the complacency of Israel in Amos’ time. The leaders felt safe and privileged, yet their judgment came suddenly. Likewise, many believers assume they will be raptured before facing hardship, but what if the Bridegroom delays His coming?

"But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants… the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers." - Luke 12:45-46

Christ calls His followers to be ready at all times, not to assume they will escape tribulation. Those who grow complacent, expecting comfort instead of endurance, may find themselves unprepared when the true test comes.

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II. Judgment on Those Who Ignore Spiritual Preparation

(Amos 4, Amos 5:6-7 | Jude 6-7, 11-13)

False Teachers

False teachers are not always the ones to openly deny God’s existence. Instead, they distort His promises, offering a false assurance that leads people away from true obedience. This is exactly what happened in Amos’ time.

The religious leaders of Israel continued offering sacrifices, holding feasts, and observing outward traditions, yet their hearts were far from God. They had turned to idolatry, greed, and injustice while still expecting His blessing. They believed their rituals guaranteed their safety, but judgment was already at their doorstep.

Likewise, today’s false teachers promote a gospel of comfort rather than endurance. They assure believers of escape rather than calling them to prepare their hearts for trials. But as history has shown, God does not overlook spiritual complacency, and judgment always comes for those who refuse to repent and walk in true faith.

Amos 4:6-11 – "I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and lack of bread in all your places, yet you did not return to Me," declares the Lord… "I sent among you a pestilence after the manner of Egypt… I overthrew some of you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah… yet you did not return to Me," declares the Lord.

Similarly, Jude warns that spiritual complacency has always led to destruction. He provides three historical examples to illustrate how those who assumed they were safe ultimately faced judgment instead:

"And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." - Jude 1:5-7

• Israel in the Wilderness (Jude 1:5) – Though God delivered them from Egypt, many perished in the wilderness because of their unbelief and disobedience. They assumed their chosen status guaranteed their safety, but they failed to trust and obey God.

• Fallen Angels (Jude 1:6) – The angels who once dwelled in God’s presence abandoned their proper place and were cast into eternal darkness. Their privileged position did not spare them from judgment when they rebelled.

• Sodom and Gomorrah (Jude 1:7) – These cities were prosperous and secure, yet they indulged in sin and ignored God’s warnings. Their destruction serves as a warning to those who live in spiritual complacency and assume that judgment will never come.

"Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah." - Jude 1:11-13

Jude’s message is clear: privilege does not equal protection. Those who assume they are safe while ignoring obedience and endurance are setting themselves up for destruction.

Today’s false teachers follow these same destructive patterns. They prioritize comfort over obedience, religious routine over true transformation, and false security over endurance. Many assure believers that holiness and perseverance are optional, claiming they are “already covered by grace.” Others boldly declare that Christians will never have to suffer tribulation, as if escaping hardship is a divine right rather than a refining fire.

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 1:6-7

Scripture consistently teaches that suffering refines and strengthens faith. Yet, modern false teachers deceive many into believing that trials are unnecessary, leaving them unprepared when hardship comes.

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." - Romans 5:3-5

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Misled Believers

The greatest deception is self-deception. Israel believed they were secure in their religious status, assuming that because they were God’s chosen people, judgment would never come upon them.

"Seek the Lord and live, lest He break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it devour, with none to quench it… O you who turn justice to wormwood and cast down righteousness to the earth!" - Amos 5:6-7

They were not prepared because they assumed no preparation was needed. In the same way, many Christians today believe they are ready simply because they profess faith in Christ. But belief without endurance is empty. Jesus Himself warned that many who expect to enter the Kingdom will be turned away:

"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” - Matthew 7:21-23

The mistake of Israel in Amos’ time is the same mistake many believers make today—they rely on identity rather than obedience, assumption rather than preparation, and spiritual pride rather than endurance.

Just as Amos’ generation ignored repeated warnings, many Christians today refuse to listen when told they must prepare for tribulation. Some assume, "God will never let His people suffer," yet Scripture is filled with examples of God allowing His people to be tested, refined, and even martyred.

"Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy." - Hebrews 11:35-38

This hall of faith does not describe an easy escape but rather endurance through suffering. If tribulation comes and believers are unprepared, many will fall away in shock, confusion, and disillusionment. Instead of standing firm, they will be like the foolish virgins whose lamps ran out, realizing too late that they were not ready for the trials ahead (Matthew 25:1-13).

Now is the time to prepare—not by placing faith in an escape, but by strengthening our endurance, deepening our obedience, and holding fast to the true gospel of Christ.

Recommended Book:

BIRTH PANGS OF THE END TIMES: CASTING THE DEVIL DOWN

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Note from Author:

"For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." Hebrews 12:6

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13

Over the last few decades, God has been setting apart and refining a remnant—a hidden people whom He has put through unimaginable pain, death and near-death experiences, spiritual fire, and every refining process necessary to strip them of their fleshly nature. These souls have walked through suffering and emerged with an overwhelming reverence for the Lord, near-total obedience to His commands, and an unshakable love that has made them willing slaves to Christ.

And what do they say of their suffering? They call it an honor. A privilege. They rejoice in it.

Now, these refined ones are stepping forward, no longer hidden but released into the world with a grand mission: to bring warning, correct false teaching, call people to righteousness, and expose darkness. They are moving in obedience to the Father, and you will find them on Substack, on other platforms, in churches, and in communities. They have been sent forth to do the will of God—nothing can stop them.

These are the people you need to help you—seek them out, learn from their experiences, and understand how they overcame and grew stronger. This does not mean you must be refined in the same intensity or manner, but you should be willing to let trials, pressure, and life’s events shape your faith. Do not resist the refining work of God. Instead, allow Him to strip away the flesh, deepen your dependence on Him, and strengthen your endurance.

In the days ahead, faith that has been tested will stand, but faith built on comfort will crumble. Be willing to grow, be willing to endure, and above all, be ready.

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15)

~ Adir-Dor-Yahu

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1. https://saltyscrivener.uk/2020/05/13/the-brethren-darby-and-matthew-1820/