Yet, one might ask, how can so much error coexist alongside so much Christian truth? The prospect should not shock us. Biblical prophecy warns that apostasy, afalling away or departure from the Christian faith, will precede the second coming of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:3). In the last days, say the Scriptures, there will arise "false teachers among you who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them..." (2 Peter 2:1). These false teachers will not openly oppose the Christian faith. Quite to the contrary, they will offer prayers in the name of Christ, use the Scriptures in their ceremonies, and promise salvation to those who follow their teaching. They will hoid "to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power"
(2 Timothy 3:5), opposing the truth even "as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses" (2 Timothy 3:8). These were the two magicians of Pharaoh's court who challenged Moses' authority by mimicking what he did (Exodus 7:11,22; 8:7). Similarly, the false teachers of the end times will lead many people astray with an insidious imitation of Christianity. The Bible says that "many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words..." (2 Peter 2:2,3).

Who is behind this great deception? According to the Bible, "the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons .. ."
(1 Timothy 4:1). Ultimately, the lie can be traced to Satan himself, the deceiver of old, "the father of lies" (John 8:44).

This is not to say that the Pope, bishops, and priests of the Roman Catholic Church are consciously aware that they are serving Satan's purposes. Many are undoubtedly sincere. For the most part, they, even as Paul before his conversion, are acting "ignorantly in unbelief" (1 Timothy 1:13); they are "deceived" (Titus 3:3). Nevertheless, they are responsible before God, for they have failed to take heed to God's Word. Having believed a false gospel, they remain in their sins. Consequently, but for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit in these last days, the vast majority of Roman Catholics alive on earth today, clergy and laity alike, will die in their sins.