Yes, it starts with apostasy, but then God scourges those whom He loves, out of mercy, in the hopes of rousing them from their foul condition before death seals the deal forever.
And what scourge(s) does God use?
Use your imagination.
Some wear towels on their heads. Others are dominant players in mєdια, entertainment, banking, and finance. It may not be kosher to name them, but I'm sure you kvetch my drift, eh?
Historically, those are God's (2) go-to scourges that He has used to punish the apostate Gentiles.