The Consequences for Church Leaders Who Fail to Warn Members About the End Times.

Posted June 6, 2025 | End Times Watch

Many churches teach the parable of the ten virgins, emphasizing the importance of having enough oil to be ready for the bridegroom’s coming (Matthew 25:1–13). Yet, ironically, these same churches often avoid teaching about the actual realities of the end times that make this readiness so urgent.

Without understanding the context of the last days—marked by deception, trials, and the need for spiritual vigilance—believers may have “oil” in name only, lacking the true preparation needed to endure what lies ahead. True readiness comes not just from personal holiness but from being fully informed and watchful about the times in which we live.

Why Church Leaders Must Preach the Truth of the Last Days

The Bible in the King James Version (KJV) makes it clear that the last days will be marked by great trials and deception. Jesus Himself warned His followers to “take heed that no man deceive you” (Matthew 24:4). Yet many churches today avoid teaching about the end times, leaving their members unprepared and vulnerable. This silence brings serious spiritual consequences to those who lack teaching them.

1. Spiritual Blindness and Deception

The Apostle Paul warns that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). Without teaching about the last days, many believers will fall into spiritual blindness, unaware of the signs and the coming strong delusion:

“And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:11).

This sets the stage for many to follow the Antichrist and receive the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:16–18).

2. Neglecting the Duty to Watch and Pray

Christ commands His followers:
“Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh… Watch therefore, for ye know not when the goodman of the house will come” (Mark 13:35–37).

Failing to teach the signs of the times causes believers to be caught unprepared and vulnerable to temptation:
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (Luke 22:46).

3. Judgment Upon the Shepherds

God holds church leaders—pastors, prophets, elders, and teachers—strictly accountable for how they shepherd the flock He has entrusted to them. The Bible clearly condemns those who neglect, harm, or mislead God’s people instead of caring for them with diligence and truth.

Jeremiah 23:1 issues a stern warning:
“Woe be to the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!”

Here, God pronounces judgment on leaders who cause spiritual harm to their congregations—those who scatter rather than gather, who neglect rather than nurture. Such leaders lead God’s people into confusion, weakness, and danger, failing to provide the spiritual protection they desperately need.

The prophet Ezekiel expands on this charge:
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel… Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?” (Ezekiel 34:2–3)

This passage exposes leaders who selfishly “feed themselves” — seeking personal gain, comfort, or popularity instead of truly serving their congregations. Shepherds are called to feed the flock with sound doctrine, to protect them from wolves (false teachers), and to guide them safely through spiritual dangers.

By failing to teach about the end times, church leaders neglect their sacred responsibility to warn and prepare their people. The last days are a time of unprecedented spiritual warfare and deception (1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:13). Shepherds who remain silent or who water down these warnings fail to guard their sheep against the coming trials. They leave their flock vulnerable to the “strong delusion” that God will send upon those who reject the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:11).

Furthermore, Jesus Himself warned of unfaithful shepherds who exploit rather than serve the flock:

“But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth” (John 10:12).
Such leaders abandon their duty in times of danger.

God’s judgment on negligent shepherds will be severe. Ezekiel 34:10 says:
“Ye have not sought the lost… neither have ye sought that which was driven away… and have destroyed the poor and the sick.”

This harsh rebuke reminds us that spiritual neglect harms real souls—people who depend on their leaders for nourishment, guidance, and protection.

Practical Implications for Today’s Church Leaders:

*Leaders must proclaim all Scripture, including the difficult truths about the end times, so their congregations are not caught unaware (Acts 20:27).

*Shepherds are called to discern the times, helping their people understand current events through the lens of prophecy, and to encourage spiritual preparedness (Matthew 16:2–3).

*They must protect the flock by exposing false teachings and preparing believers to stand firm against deception (Ephesians 6:11).

*Above all, pastors and elders must serve sacrificially, putting the spiritual welfare of their congregation before personal gain or popularity (1 Peter 5:2–3).

By neglecting these responsibilities, church leaders’ risk not only the spiritual harm of their members but also the righteous judgment of God upon themselves. It is a sobering call for all who shepherd God’s people to faithfully teach, warn, and care for the flock until Christ returns.

4. Loss of Faith and Hope

Without understanding God’s plan for the last days, many become discouraged or fall away when persecution or suffering comes. Paul encourages:
“But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing” (2 Thessalonians 3:13).
 

Jesus promised the faithful:
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life… And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Revelation 22:14, 21:4).
 

Teaching end-time hope sustains believers in trials.

5. Missing the Opportunity to Evangelize

The urgency of the times demands bold witness:
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14).

If churches do not teach about the times, believers may grow complacent and neglect the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20).

In Conclusion
The church’s failure to teach about the end times is a grave neglect of duty. Scripture calls every believer to be watchful and prepared. Church leaders who remain silent risk God’s judgment for not warning His people. May we pray for wisdom and courage to boldly proclaim the full counsel of God’s Word and to prepare the church for Christ’s return.

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” —Revelation 16:15

Thank you for supporting my writings. Stay up to date with the scripture / news of the end-times, and ask others to subscribe to our free blog at www.EndTimesWatch.blog .

May you have the faith and strength to be responsible for your own spiritual development and learning.

River Wilde