Times Of Swaziland: DECEPTION IN THE END TIMES

DECEPTION IN THE END TIMES
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Editor on 18/09/2022 15:27:00


Madam,
Reading from Matthew 24, the Bible makes it clear that satan is going to focus,
in a very special way, on deception in these last days. In Verse 3, His
disciples questioned Him, “When shall these things be?” In response Christ
opened His discourse on the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world
with a strong warning against deception. His first remark was; “Take heed that
no man deceives you” (verse 4). It is very significant that Christ connected
His warning against deception, not with the secular environment, but with the
spiritual realm. In other words, He didn’t caution His followers against the
massive deceptive practices found in commerce and our day-to-day business
dealings. He was concerned with spiritual deceptions that would lead multitudes
into error and eventual separation eternally from God.
In verse 5 He emphasises, “For many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ;
and shall deceive many.” Christ does not conclude His deception theme at this
point. In verse 11, He repeats; “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall
deceive many.” Again in verses 23-26 He adds more detail to His warning. He
expands His warning about false christs and false prophets by adding that these
‘shall shew great signs and wonders; in so much that, if it were possible,
they shall deceive the very elect’. Dear reader, what stronger language could
our Saviour have used? If those whom the Lord knows will be saved are almost
deceived, what will happen to professed Christians who have little real
relationship with Christ, to say nothing of the masses, who make no profession
at all? To put it plainly, deception will be rampant, according to our Lord, and
almost overpowering even for those whose faith is fastened in Jesus Christ.
Deception
Deception is one of the greatest weapons of the enemy in these last days.
Remember that the devil that is employing this strategy has been around for a
while. He has some sense and strategies that must not be undermined. We will
have to up our own game by walking more closely with God in order to escape his
antics. His deception in the last days is going to be subtle and very difficult
to detect. The enemy is trying to deceive those who believe and are trying to
walk in the ways of God by perverting and counterfeiting the truth. He is coming
up with a near perfect copycat of what is God’s. It will look like God, taste
like God, smell like God, but it will not be God. Verse 11 of Matthew 24
specifically points out that “…many false prophets will rise up and deceive
and lead many into error.” It does not say demons, but prophets. It’s going
to be a perfect similitude of that which is God’s.
They will be normal human beings, some of whom we know very closely, and they
will also parade themselves with titles such as pastors, apostles, evangelists
and teachers of God’s Word. They will possess all the external traits of the
original, but with the overarching intention of leading many into error. These
people will not only appear like they are from God, but they will also perform
miracles, signs and wonders that will make even the elect want to believe and
follow them. I mean others will even call out your phone numbers and tell you
things no one knows about you.
Christ says, in Matthew 7: 21-23; “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord,
Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my
Father in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in
your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from
me, you who practice lawlessness!’ We have been forewarned and we all know
that to be forewarned is to be forearmed. God bless you.