End Times Deception

Who is the liar but the one that denies that Jesus is the Christ?

This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.

1 John 2:22 NASB

     When asked by His disciples about the end of the age, and of His coming, Jesus gave them a timeline so to speak, of the signs to watch for. The very first thing Jesus mentioned was deception. "See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many." (Matt 24:5, Mark 13:5-6, Luke 21:8)  Indeed, we live in an age of deception, but this is nothing new to Christianity. The Bible warns of deception throughout its pages. The New Testament epistles are filled with warnings and corrections concerning heresies that were already in existence at the time of their writing. 

     Jesus is specific. He states that many will come in My name claiming to be the Christ. Out of these deceivers there are two specific ones to watch for. In the book of Daniel we read of a wicked ruler who is to come. It states that he will fling truth to the ground (Daniel 8:12), and that he ascends to power through intrigue and deception (Daniel 11:21-23). This is the same king mentioned by Paul in his second epistle to the Thessalonians. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul begins by warning his readers against deception. He then explains that the day of the Lord will not come until there is a great falling away from the faith, and the man of lawlessness is revealed. This ruler's coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, accompanied with false signs and wonders, and deception (2 Thess 2:8-10). 

     Here we also see that if we wish to avoid deception we must have a love for the truth. To love the truth means we desire, accept, and live by the truth even if it goes against the grain so to speak. To accept falsehood because it is the easy way out is dangerous! The truth is not always popular, and in the last days it will be even harder to stand for it. The warning here is that God will eventually let us go on in deception if that's the road we choose (2 Thess 2:10-12).

     We read in Revelation 13 of two beasts that arrive on the world scene. The first one again, is the one we have been talking about. The next one to watch for is found in Revelation 13:11-18. This individual is known as the false prophet. He exercises the same authority as the first beast (The antichrist), and through false signs and miraculous wonders, he deceives the multitudes into the worship of this beast (Rev 13:13-14).  This ultimately leads to an economic situation where it will be impossible to buy or sell without being marked, some sort of identification of allegiance to this satanic kingdom (Rev 13:16-17).  Jesus Himself warns us that the deceptive signs and wonders in these days are aimed at misleading even the elect if possible (Matt 24:24). 

     What do we do? There are those who believe we as Christians will not be here at this time. I would disagree. I believe the bible teaches that the saints will go through the three and one half years of the tribulation, and I will examine this in future posts. You can also read about it by clicking here. It is vital that we know the truth, that we love the truth, that we seek truth and implement it in our lives. Now is when we must grow and become strong in the faith, ultimately trusting God for the grace we will need in that hour. As Jesus said, "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. " (Matt 24:13 NASB)