This book exposes our American version of Christianity to see how it compares to the first church from the Book of Acts. To understand all our traditions and rituals, we uncover our religious roots in Genesis and see our destiny at the end of the Book of Revelation. We first discover that there has always been a counterfeit religion, the harlot, that exists alongside the true believers, like the tares (weeds) in the wheat. We soon find that much of what we take for Gospel truth is unbiblical, was created by human institutions, and has become accepted as standard Christianity over time. We touch on the Tower of Babel, Israel, Jesus, and apostles, the first church, Catholicism, the reformation, inquisitions, Anabaptists, the great awakening, Pentecostals, Matthew 24, the parable of the ten virgins, the Revelation 12 woman and man child, and the mother of harlots. We confront standard narratives with scriptural references and the probable intended meanings.

Without realizing it, we may go to church, and much of what we learn is just institutional religion instead simple faith in Jesus alone. Hopefully, we can evaluate our current status with God, renew our minds to have sincere faith, and prepare for what the Bible says is coming. The true church, the Bride of Christ, will be caught up in the rapture. Those who are left behind will face unimaginable suffering. We must have wisdom and discernment for ourselves and our loved ones because religious deceptions will worsen dramatically, and there will be a great falling away from the faith. We need to pray that God would count us and our loved ones worthy to escape what is coming and to be the bride of Christ.

We are in the end times; our world is changing quickly to line up with Bible prophecy. Jesus said the signs of his return would be like birth pangs, growing globally in intensity and frequency. We see those signs happening weekly in real-time with wars and rumors of war as nations struggle for dominance, supply chain and food shortages, financial calamities, and natural disasters, all leading to global tyranny and loss of freedom. There will be global persecution of Christians and Jews, and it's not a question of if but when. There will also be a great falling away from Christ, and we can see it already. So-called churches are becoming sexually immoral, politically woke, and in bed with the government. As more churches go apostate or get shut down, true believers may have to find or create small groups for fellowship. While we have time and freedom, we should study the scriptures, share the gospel, and watch for Jesus to return.

This book is part of a series of studies that all Christians should know and teach. We call it the "toolbox series" because these studies are tools to equip you to share your faith with others. For free resources and study materials, visit our website at Ears2Hear.online.