Chapter 15: Ten Plagues on Modern Churches

Judgment Has Begun

Pharaoh's Egypt thought they were fine. The economy was strong, the monuments stood, the priests performed their rituals. The people went about their lives, and everything seemed normal until the first plague turned water to blood. Then came frogs, then lice, then flies.

By the time darkness fell, nine plagues had proven God's judgment was already in motion. But Pharaoh's heart remained hard, not because he didn't see the evidence, but because seeing evidence and acknowledging truth are different acts.

Modern churches sing and sway while ten observable plagues prove God's patience is exhausted. You don't need special revelation to see these, no prophetic gifting or theological training required. You just need eyes willing to look.

"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?"

1 Peter 4:17

Not "judgment will begin someday," but judgment has begun, present tense, already in motion. The plagues on Egypt weren't abstract theology; they were observable reality. Water turned to blood, frogs covered the land, darkness could be felt. The plagues on modern churches are equally observable, equally statistical, equally documented and verifiable.

Here are the ten.

Modern deception dossier: https://theremnantthread.com/studies/modern-deceptions

Plague 1: Water to Blood - The Word Contaminated

The Biblical Original

"And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded... and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river."

Exodus 7:19-21

The first plague struck Egypt's life source. Water (essential for survival) became undrinkable. What gave life now brought death. What was pure became corrupted.

The Modern Fulfillment

The modern church's life source is supposed to be the Word of God. But systematic corruption has made it undrinkable for millions.

The NIV removes entire verses:

The ESV follows similar deletions. The pattern is consistent: verses emphasizing fasting, prayer, hell's reality, and conditions for salvation are systematically removed or relegated to footnotes.

The Message Bible adds human opinion:

Eugene Peterson's paraphrase replaces God's words with interpretations. Compare:

Psalm 23:1 KJV: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." The Message: "GOD, my shepherd! I don't need a thing!"

The KJV conveys dependence and provision. The Message sounds like self-satisfied consumerism.

Proverbs 3:5 KJV: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." The Message: "Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own."

Peterson adds "from the bottom of your heart" (not in Hebrew) and changes "lean not unto thine own understanding" to casual advice about not figuring things out. The command's weight disappears.

The Passion Translation changes meaning for "readability":

Brian Simmons claims angels helped him translate, producing a version that prioritizes emotional impact over accuracy.

Romans 8:1 KJV: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." The Passion Translation: "So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One."

The KJV includes the condition: "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." The Passion Translation removes it, offering unconditional freedom from judgment regardless of behavior.

Churches use 5+ versions in one service:

A typical modern service quotes different translations interchangeably:

The result? Confusion. Disagreement about what Scripture actually says. Inability to memorize because the words change with each version.

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

1 Corinthians 14:33

When five people open their Bibles to the same verse and read five different sentences, confusion is guaranteed.

The Result

People stop reading altogether. They assume the Bible is too complex, too archaic, too contradictory to understand. They depend on pastors to tell them what it says rather than reading themselves.

The water has turned to blood. The Word (once life-giving) has been corrupted to the point where many can't drink from it anymore.

The Prophetic Connection

"And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood."

Revelation 16:4

What happened to Egypt's literal water is happening to the church's spiritual water. The sources of life have been poisoned.

Plague 2: Frogs - Unclean Spirits Speaking

The Biblical Original

"And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me. And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs: And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs."

Exodus 8:1-3

Frogs everywhere. Croaking constantly. Invading bedrooms, ovens, food preparation. Unclean creatures speaking, multiplying, contaminating everything.

The Modern Fulfillment

Modern churches are overrun with voices claiming to speak for God while teaching doctrines of devils.

Prosperity Gospel - The Mammon Spirit

Prosperity preachers teach that "you can change your world by changing your words."1 Joel Osteen, The Power of I Am: Two Words That Will Change Your Life Today (New York: FaithWords, 2015). Osteen's prosperity gospel message emphasizes positive confession and self-affirmation over biblical doctrines of sin, repentance, and judgment. The book teaches that speaking positive words creates reality and that believers control their destiny through declarations. Specific quotes: "You can change your world by changing your words... Remember, death and life are in the power of the tongue" (combining Proverbs 18:21 with self-help philosophy), and "You will become what you believe. The truth is, I am what I am today because of what I believed about myself yesterday. And I will be tomorrow what I believe about myself right now." See also Joel Osteen Ministries, "Change your Words, Change Your World, Shape Your Future," October 27, 2017, https://www.joelosteen.com/en-US/inspiration/articles/2017/11/27/23/12/Change. Archived at: Archive.org This isn't Christianity; it's positive thinking baptized in Jesus's name. The message: God wants you blessed, comfortable, and financially successful. Sin, repentance, and judgment are rarely mentioned.

Others go further: "Faith is a force. Words are containers of that force. Speak it and it will manifest."2 Kenneth Copeland's Word of Faith theology teaches that "faith is a force" and that believers have creative power through spoken words. This is documented across his ministry materials and is foundational to the Word of Faith movement he helped establish. See "From Faith To Faith By Kenneth Copeland Devotional Guide," Freedailydevotional.com, https://www.freedailydevotional.com/archives/11794, which explains Copeland's teaching that "faith is a force that can be activated through God's Word, and once engaged, it will bring about divine results in health, finances, relationships, and purpose." This theology positions human words as containers of spiritual force that create reality, effectively making believers co-creators with God and conflating faith with metaphysical manipulation, what critics identify as Christian-flavored New Thought/Law of Attraction teaching. This teaches that humans have the same creative power as God: speaking words in faith creates reality. This is witchcraft repackaged as Christianity. It's the Law of Attraction with Bible verses attached.

Some prosperity ministers have literally preached that followers should fund $65 million private jets because "the ministry needs it," defending such luxury as God's blessing for faithfulness.3 Creflo Dollar (World Changers Church International) solicited $65 million from followers for a Gulfstream G650 jet in March 2015, requesting $300 from each of 200,000 followers. When criticized, Dollar responded: "If I want to believe God for a $65 million plane, you cannot stop me. You cannot stop me from dreaming." See: Michelle Boorstein, "Pastor Creflo Dollar might get his $65 million private jet after all," Washington Post, June 3, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/06/03/pastor-creflo-dollar-might-get-his-65-million-private-jet-after-all/ (Archive.org).

The "Seed Faith" Fraud Exposed

The prosperity gospel's core scam is "seed faith" doctrine: give money to the preacher as a "seed," and God will multiply your investment 30, 60, or 100-fold. They twist Matthew 17:20's "faith as a grain of mustard seed" into a financial formula: your donation is the "seed" that grows into wealth. This isn't theology. It's a pyramid scheme with Bible verses.

The verse has nothing to do with money. Jesus was frustrated that His disciples couldn't cast out a demon. The "mustard seed" illustrates that genuine faith (even small) moves mountains because it trusts God's power, not human technique. Prosperity preachers flip this into: "Plant seed money with faith-filled words, and it multiplies." They've turned a rebuke of faithlessness into a fundraising pitch.

"Ask, and it shall be given you" (Matthew 7:7). Read Luke's parallel: "How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:13). Jesus promises the Spirit, not Cadillacs. James destroys the prosperity interpretation entirely: "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (James 4:3). Asking for wealth to consume on luxury is exactly what James condemns.

"Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name" (John 14:13). "In my name" doesn't mean using Jesus as a magic word. It means as His representative, consistent with His character and mission. An ambassador speaks "in the name of" the president, but can't demand personal enrichment. Prosperity theology turns Jesus into a cosmic ATM activated by saying the right words.

Paul's actual teaching: "Having food and raiment let us be therewith content" (1 Timothy 6:8). The prosperity gospel is the opposite of contentment. It's covetousness baptized in religious language.

Signs/Wonders Movement - Lying Spirits Performing

During a prominent 2008 revival, thousands attended while "miracles" were reported. The lead minister claimed angelic visitations and kicked a woman in the face with his biker boot, claiming God told him to do it for her healing. The revival ended when adultery was exposed. No documented medical miracles were ever verified. But the damage was done, as thousands were convinced that violence, chaos, and emotional manipulation equal God's presence.4 The Lakeland Revival began April 2, 2008, when evangelist Todd Bentley of Fresh Fire Ministries was invited to Ignited Church in Lakeland, Florida. By June 30, over 400,000 people from over 100 nations had attended. Bentley claimed angelic visitations and performed violent "healings," including kicking an elderly woman in the face with his biker boot, stating "The Holy Spirit spoke to me" and "The gift of faith comes on me. He said, 'Kick her in the face with your biker boot.' I inched closer and I went bam!" A man was knocked over and lost a tooth; others were forcefully hit or kicked. In June 2008, ABC News Nightline investigated and could not independently verify any healings. Bentley left the revival in August 2008 and resigned from Fresh Fire Ministries after announcing separation from his wife due to an extramarital affair. The UK Home Office banned him from entering Britain in 2012, and in January 2020, a panel found "credible accusations of a steady pattern of ungodly and immoral behavior" dating back to 2004. See: "Todd Bentley and his Lakeland, FL 'revival' hoax," The Refiner's Fire, https://www.therefinersfire.org/todd_bentley_revival.htm (Archive.org); "Preacher Todd Bentley Kicks and Punches the Sick at God's Command," JD Journal, August 6, 2012, https://www.jdjournal.com/2012/08/06/preacher-todd-bentley-kicks-and-punches-the-sick-at-gods-command-british-mp-seeks-to-ban-him/ (Archive.org); "Who Is Todd Bentley? The Rise, Fall, and Return of a Controversial Evangelist," Church Leaders, https://churchleaders.com/christianity/508868-todd-bentley-rise-fall.html (Archive.org).

Some charismatic churches teach "grave sucking," lying on graves of dead revivalists to absorb their anointing. Students practice "fire tunnels" (people form lines and shout over newcomers walking through).5 Bethel Church (Redding, California), led by senior pastors Bill and Beni Johnson, has promoted controversial practices including "grave soaking" (also called "grave sucking"), lying on graves of deceased revivalists to absorb their anointing. The practice developed among Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry students based on an interpretation of 2 Kings 13:20-21, where a dead man revived upon touching Elisha's bones. Students visited graves of figures like C.S. Lewis, John G. Lake, and Smith Wigglesworth for prayer and "impartation." Beni Johnson posted photos to social media showing herself lying on graves, though these were later removed. Bill Johnson stated he neither encouraged nor immediately prohibited the practice, citing Bethel's policy of not policing students. Critics note this contradicts biblical teaching against necromancy (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) and accessing spiritual power from the dead. Bethel is also known for "fire tunnels" (students forming lines to shout over newcomers), claims of "glory clouds" and "angel feathers" appearing in services, and "treasure hunting" (seeking prophetic words about strangers in public). Despite controversies, Bethel Music and Jesus Culture worship are sung in churches worldwide. See: "9 Things You Should Know About the Bethel Church Movement," The Gospel Coalition, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/9-things-you-should-know-about-the-bethel-church-movement/; "Grave sucking and gold dust: I spent 10 years at Bethel," Premier Christianity, https://www.premierchristianity.com/opinion/grave-sucking-and-gold-dust-i-spent-10-years-at-bethel-heres-the-truth-behind-the-wild-rumours/5716.article (Archive.org); "What is Bethel Church, Redding CA?" GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/Bethel-Church-Redding.html.

These aren't fringe movements. Worship music from these networks (Jesus Culture, Bethel Music) is sung in churches worldwide. Millions follow their teachings without knowing the theological poison underneath.

Progressive Christianity - The Spirit of Compromise

Progressive Christian voices question hell's existence, suggest universal salvation, and teach that ancient biblical restrictions don't apply to modern enlightened believers.6 Rob Bell, former pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church (Grandville, Michigan, not to be confused with Mark Driscoll's Seattle church), published Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived (HarperOne, 2011). The book questions the traditional doctrine of hell and suggests universal reconciliation, asking "Will only a few select people make it to heaven? And will billions and billions of people burn forever in hell?" Bell argues that God's love ultimately wins and that exclusivist Christianity contradicts God's character. While Bell denied being a universalist, critics noted the book teaches precisely what universalism does: that all humans will ultimately be saved. The book became a New York Times bestseller but prompted condemnation from evangelical leaders including John Piper (who tweeted "Farewell Rob Bell" before the book's release), Albert Mohler, and Mark Driscoll, who accused Bell of denying core Christian beliefs about eternal judgment. LifeWay Christian Resources and other evangelical retailers limited or discontinued selling the book. Eugene Peterson and Richard Mouw endorsed it, creating significant debate within evangelicalism about whether universalism constitutes denial of historic Christianity. See: "Rob Bell book 'Love Wins' stirs controversy, denies core Christian beliefs," Baptist Press, https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/rob-bell-book-love-wins-stirs-controversy-denies-core-christian-beliefs/ (Archive.org); "Rob Bell's case for Universalism," UU World Magazine, https://www.uuworld.org/articles/bells-universalism (Archive.org); "Critical Review of Rob Bell's 'Love Wins,'" Evidence Unseen, https://evidenceunseen.com/apologetics/book-reviews/critical-review-of-rob-bells-love-wins (Archive.org).

Other prominent progressive figures have publicly affirmed same-sex marriage, stating that LGBT relationships can be holy and pleasing to God, directly contradicting Romans 1:26-27, Leviticus 18:22, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.7 Jen Hatmaker, popular evangelical author and speaker, publicly affirmed same-sex marriage in an October 2016 interview with Religion News Service columnist Jonathan Merritt. When asked about LGBT relationships, Hatmaker stated: "I do. And my views here are tender... I've seen too much pain and rejection at the intersection of the gay community and the church." She elaborated: "I would attend that wedding with gladness, and I would drink champagne. I want the very best for my gay friends. I want love and happiness and faithfulness and commitment and community." This marked Hatmaker as the most prominent female evangelical leader to date to express support for same-sex relationships. The response was immediate: LifeWay Christian Resources discontinued selling her books, and numerous evangelical blogs and leaders condemned her position as contradicting clear biblical teaching (Romans 1:26-27, Leviticus 18:22, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Hatmaker described her views as "nuanced" and emphasized that "not every believer has to reach the same conclusion that I have." Her shift represented the growing "progressive Christianity" movement that reinterprets or rejects biblical sexual ethics in favor of contemporary inclusivity. See: "The politics of Jen Hatmaker: Trump, Black Lives Matter, gay marriage and more," Religion News Service, October 25, 2016, https://religionnews.com/2016/10/25/the-politics-of-jen-hatmaker-trump-black-lives-matter-gay-marriage-and-more/ (Archive.org); "The high cost of popular evangelical Jen Hatmaker's gay marriage comments," The Washington Post, October 31, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/10/31/the-high-cost-of-popular-evangelical-jen-hatmakers-gay-marriage-comments/ (Archive.org); "What You Need To Know About the Jen Hatmaker LGBTQ Controversy," Impact 360 Institute, https://www.impact360institute.org/articles/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-jen-hatmaker-lgbtq-controversy/.

Still others have built followings by rejecting biblical authority on women's roles, sexuality, and inerrancy, presenting doubt as sophistication and rebellion as spiritual growth.

These voices have millions of followers. Their books are bestsellers. They're invited to Christian conferences. And they teach openly that Scripture can be reinterpreted, recontextualized, or rejected when it conflicts with modern sensibilities.

Ecumenical Movement - The Spirit of False Unity

Pope Francis has called for unity among all religions, stating that "we are all children of God" regardless of faith. He's participated in interfaith worship, kissed the Quran, and suggested that atheists can be saved through good works.

The Lausanne Movement brings together evangelicals and Catholics under the banner of "cooperative evangelism," ignoring that the Roman Catholic Church still anathematizes those who reject Sunday worship and papal authority.

Christian nationalism movements blend patriotism with Christianity, declaring America a "Christian nation" while ignoring that Christ's kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).

The Result

Revelation's warning is being fulfilled in real-time:

"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world."

Revelation 16:13-14

Unclean spirits like frogs: speaking, working miracles, deceiving the whole world.

The prosperity preachers croak promises of wealth, while the signs-and-wonders movement croaks manifestations and angels. The progressive voices croak compromise and tolerance as the ecumenical leaders croak unity at the expense of truth. All croaking, all the time, in bedrooms (through books), ovens (through media), and kneading troughs (through churches where doctrine is prepared).

The Remaining Plagues: Symptoms of the Same Disease

Egypt suffered ten plagues before Pharaoh released God's people. Modern churches exhibit the same pattern: each plague a symptom of deeper rebellion against God's commandments.

Plagues 3-8: The Cascade of Judgment

After corrupted Scripture (blood) and false prophets (frogs), the remaining plagues follow in sequence:

Tithing and stewardship audit tool: https://theremnantthread.com/studies/tithing

These plagues are observable. Statistical. Documented. The question isn't whether judgment has begun; it's whether we recognize it.

But of all ten plagues, one stands above the rest: the plague that explains why churches cannot see the others.

Plague 9: Darkness - Spiritual Blindness

The Biblical Original

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings."

Exodus 10:21-23

Darkness so thick it could be felt. Complete blindness. Inability to move. Egypt paralyzed while Israel had light.

The Modern Fulfillment

Modern churches are in spiritual darkness so complete they cannot recognize:

Cannot See Sunday Deception

The vast majority of Christianity observes Sunday worship. Not one biblical command supports it.

The evidence is overwhelming:

Yet churches remain blind. They defend Sunday with arguments that contradict Scripture:

"But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ."

2 Corinthians 3:14

They read the commandments and can't see them. The darkness is that thick.

Cannot Discern False Prophets

Prominent televangelist prophecies (1990s) included:10 Benny Hinn delivered these prophecies on December 31, 1989, at Orlando Christian Center. He claimed God was speaking through him in real-time, prophesying that Fidel Castro would die in the 1990s and that God would "destroy the homosexual community of America" by fire in "the mid-90's, about '94 or '95." Castro died in 2016; the other prophecies also failed. Despite documented prophetic failures, Hinn's crusades continue to draw large crowds and his ministry collects millions annually. See: Hank Hanegraaff, "Benny Hinn's False Prophecies," Christian Research Institute, https://www.equip.org/hank_speaks_out/benny-hinns-false-prophecies/ (Archive.org).

Yet such teachers still fill stadiums and collect millions in donations.

One radio ministry spent over $100 million advertising rapture predictions for dates in 1994, 2011, and revised dates when those failed. When all predictions failed, the ministry leader admitted error but kept his position and followers.11 Harold Camping, president of Family Radio Christian network, predicted the rapture would occur on May 21, 2011, based on his interpretation of biblical chronology detailed in his 2005 book Time Has an End. He stated it was "beyond the shadow of a doubt." Family Radio spent over $100 million on the information campaign, including more than 5,000 "Judgment Day" billboards worldwide. When May 21 passed without incident, Camping claimed it had been a "spiritual" judgment and revised the physical rapture to October 21, 2011. No statement was issued when that date also passed. In March 2012, Camping admitted his date-setting was "sinful" and that critics emphasizing Matthew 24:36 ("of that day and hour knoweth no man") had been correct. Camping had previously predicted the rapture for September 6, 1994. He died in December 2013 at age 92. See: "Harold Camping Admits Rapture Prediction 'A Mistake,'" ABC News, March 2012, https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/harold-camping-admits-rapture-prediction-a-mistake (Archive.org); "Died: Harold Camping, Christian Radio Host Who Predicted the World's End," Christianity Today, December 2013, https://www.christianitytoday.com/2013/12/died-harold-camping-christian-radio-host-who-predicted-worl/ (Archive.org).

One prominent prosperity preacher prophesied COVID would be over by Easter 2020, claiming he destroyed it by blowing on the virus through television. Millions died afterward.12 In April 2020, Kenneth Copeland broadcast a sermon where he called forth a "supernatural heatwave" to kill COVID-19 and literally blew toward the camera while declaring "I blow the wind of God on you. You are destroyed forever and you will never be back," citing Exodus 15:8. The April 3, 2020 video titled "2020 Virtual Victory Campaign: A Supernatural Heat Wave!" was uploaded to YouTube by Kenneth Copeland Ministries and went viral, accumulating widespread mockery and remixes. Despite Copeland's belief that heat could stop the virus, the World Health Organization stated "Exposing yourself to the sun or to temperatures higher than 25C degrees does not prevent the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)." The pandemic continued for over two years after Copeland's "prophecy," with millions of deaths worldwide. See: Leonardo Blair, "Televangelist Kenneth Copeland calls forth 'supernatural heatwave' to kill coronavirus in NYC," Christian Post, April 4, 2020, https://www.christianpost.com/news/televangelist-kenneth-copeland-calls-forth-supernatural-heatwave-to-kill-coronavirus-in-nyc.html (Archive.org); "Coronavirus In Texas: Fort Worth Televangelist Kenneth Copeland Calls Out COVID-19, 'You Are Destroyed Forever,'" CBS Texas, April 5, 2020, https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/coronavirus-in-texas-fort-worth-televangelist-kenneth-copeland-calls-out-covid-19-you-are-destroyed-forever/ (Archive.org).

Deuteronomy 18:22 is clear:

"When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him."

False prophecies should disqualify teachers immediately. Instead, churches defend them, make excuses, and continue following.

Cannot Understand Prophecy

Dispensationalism (the belief that God works through different "dispensations" or time periods, each with different rules) has become the dominant framework for prophecy in evangelical Christianity. Popularized by John Nelson Darby in the 1830s and mass-distributed through the Scofield Reference Bible (1909), it has blinded millions to present prophetic fulfillment by teaching:

What most evangelicals don't realize: dispensationalism's core framework, futurism, was created by Jesuit Francisco Ribera in 1590, specifically to deflect Protestant identification of the papacy as Antichrist (see Chapter 9).

This theology makes all prophecy future, theoretical, irrelevant to present decisions.

Meanwhile:

But churches can't see it. The darkness prevents recognition.

Cannot Recognize the Time

"And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?"

Matthew 16:3

Christians can analyze stock markets, predict elections, forecast weather, but cannot discern the spiritual moment they're living in.

They don't recognize:

The darkness is complete. They see physically but are blind spiritually.

The Result

"Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."

Matthew 15:14

Blind leaders leading blind followers. Both headed for the ditch. Both convinced they're on the right path.

The darkness has fallen. And unlike Egypt, most churches don't even realize they can't see.

Plague 10: Death of Firstborn - Next Generation Lost

The Biblical Original

"And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts."

Exodus 11:4-5

The final plague: death of the firstborn. Every Egyptian family lost their future. The next generation was destroyed in one night.

The Modern Fulfillment

The modern church is losing its children at unprecedented rates. The next generation is walking away and not coming back.

Children Raised in Church, Gone by College

Pew Research Center (2019):

Barna Group research (2018):

This isn't gradual decline. This is mass exodus. An entire generation raised with Sunday school, youth group, and Christian education is gone.

Youth Reject Christianity Entirely

Among Generation Z (born 1997-2012):

These aren't kids who never heard the gospel. These are pastors' kids, worship leaders' children, deacons' grandchildren, raised in church, taught Bible stories, sent to Christian camps.

They're rejecting it anyway.

Why? Because what they saw in church didn't match what Scripture teaches. The hypocrisy was obvious. The contradictions were undeniable. The powerlessness was evident.

Future Leaders Missing

Seminaries are closing for lack of enrollment:

The average age of Protestant pastors is 54 (Barna, 2017). Who replaces them when they retire?

Churches can't find young leaders because young people aren't staying. Youth ministry has failed to produce the next generation of faithful believers.

Legacy Dying

Churches built by faithful generations in the 1950s-1970s are now attended by aging congregations. The grandchildren who should fill those pews are absent.

Many churches face two options:

  1. Close when current members die or become unable to attend
  2. Sell property to developers (often converted to condos, gyms, or event spaces)

The "Christian heritage" parents worked to pass down ends with them. The firstborn (the next generation) are dead to the faith.

The Result

"And there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel."

Judges 2:10

A generation has arisen that knows not the LORD, not because they weren't taught, but because what they were taught was corrupted, hypocritical, and powerless.

Sunday worship with no biblical command. Prosperity gospel with no cross. Entertainment worship with no reverence. Moral corruption in leadership with no accountability. Mental health crisis with no peace. Financial excess with no sacrifice. Spiritual blindness with no truth.

The children saw it all. And they left.

The firstborn are dead. The church's future is dying. The legacy is ending.

And like Pharaoh after the tenth plague, the door stands open.

Blood on the Doorposts

After ten plagues, one final instruction saved those who obeyed:

"And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it... For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you."

Exodus 12:7, 12-13

The blood on the doorposts was visible, applied, and obedient.

The modern parallel:

"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Revelation 12:17

The blood = the testimony of Jesus (the Father alone is God, keep His commandments) The doorposts = your life and practice (visible obedience, not hidden belief) The death angel = coming Sunday law enforcement

Only those with blood on the doorposts survived Egypt's final plague. Only those with visible obedience to God's commandments will survive Babylon's final crisis.

The plagues have fallen. Nine are observable now. The tenth is accelerating.

When Pharaoh's magicians said "This is the finger of God" (Exodus 8:19), Pharaoh still hardened his heart. Evidence didn't produce repentance.

How many plagues until you recognize God's hand?

Questions to Consider

Which of these ten plagues cannot be observed in modern churches?

The list:

  1. Word contaminated (Bible versions) ✓
  2. Unclean spirits speaking (false teachers) ✓
  3. Small compromises everywhere (programs, entertainment) ✓
  4. Corruption spreading (scandals) ✓
  5. Ministries dying (closures, splits) ✓
  6. Visible judgment marks (mental health crisis) ✓
  7. Sudden destruction (disasters, legal battles) ✓
  8. Resources devoured (buildings, salaries) ✓
  9. Spiritual blindness (can't see Sunday deception) ✓
  10. Next generation lost (youth exodus) ✓

All ten plagues are present and observable.

If these aren't judgment, what would judgment look like?

If God were judging churches, what evidence would you expect to see that isn't already present?

Would He send plagues? He has. Would He expose corruption? He has. Would He allow ministries to collapse? He has. Would He remove the next generation? He has.

If this isn't judgment, then judgment is impossible to recognize.

When Pharaoh's heart hardened after each plague, what was God proving?

God wasn't trying to convince Pharaoh. He was demonstrating Pharaoh's rebellion to everyone watching.

The same pattern is repeating. Churches see the evidence and harden their hearts. God isn't trying to convince them. He's demonstrating their rebellion to the remnant.

The question isn't whether churches will acknowledge judgment. The question is whether you will recognize it and obey the exodus command before the final plague falls.

How many plagues did it take before Israel finally left Egypt?

Ten plagues. Then the exodus.

Nine plagues are observable now in modern churches. The tenth is accelerating (next generation lost).

The plagues are present. The door is open. The call remains what it has always been.