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Showing posts with the label Deceivers

Another Gospel

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The epistle to the Galatians opens with a stern warning. What some believers contemplated doing would replace the true Gospel with something quite alien to the Apostolic message. To turn from the “ faith of Jesus Christ ” to the “ works of the law ” for justification meant abandoning the grace of God and rejecting the message preached by Paul, which is why he summoned God to “ curse ” any man, even “ an angel from Heaven ,” who preached “ another gospel .”

An Urgent Warning

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The discourse that Jesus gave on the Mount of Olives includes instructions for us about the future. In it, he warns repeatedly of the “ many deceivers ” and “ false prophets ” who will spread misleading information among his followers about his return and the end of the age, and otherwise strive to hoodwink “ the elect, if possible .” Constant vigilance is vital for recognizing their deceptions and lies. Discernment is necessary for avoiding apostasy. The goal of these deceivers is to dupe and derail the Church, not the world at large.

Jezebel's Siren Song

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Human society and institutions are part of Babylon’s domain, but God is summoning His children to separate from her . Scripture teaches the followers of Jesus to live as people who are distinct from the world. Not physically, but morally and spiritually separate from the “ forms ” and ideologies of the present evil age. They are to be “ in the world but not of it .” Their mission is to call other men and women to “ save themselves from this crooked generation ” before Jesus arrives in glory and judges the world.

In the Assembly

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The term “antichrist” occurs only in the second and third letters of John, and the Apostle applies the plural form of the Greek noun to deceivers who were spreading false teachings in his congregations. The presence of “ antichrists ” constituted irrefutable evidence that the “ Last Days ” were underway, and the false teachers were the product of the “ Spirit of Antichrist ,” forerunners of the final “ Antichrist ” who was yet to come.

Stand Fast!

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After explaining the coming “Apostasy” and the “Man of Lawlessness,” Paul instructed believers in Thessalonica on how to avoid the coming deception and thereby find themselves standing “blameless” before Jesus when he “arrives.” To do so they must “stand fast” by adhering to the teachings and “traditions” of the Apostles. The conclusion to his discussion includes verbal links to his first letter to the Assembly. The second letter was written within a few weeks or months at the most of the first letter.

Preaching Another Jesus

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When certain “ super-apostles ” began undermining his authority, the Apostle Paul warned the Assembly in Corinth not to heed anyone who was “ proclaiming another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or a different spirit, or a different gospel .” Instead, Paul pointed to the same Jesus that he first proclaimed in the city, the “ Crucified Messiah .” He was the measuring rod against which all other messianic claimants and beliefs must be compared.

Deceivers and False Prophets

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Jesus began his ‘ Olivet Discourse ’ with an ominous warning about coming deceivers who will claim his authority and spread rumors about wars and other calamities, thereby setting false expectations about the “ end .” In this way, “ many ” individuals will be deceived. He repeated this warning at pivotal points in the Discourse. For example, prior to the “ arrival of the Son of Man on the clouds, MANY false prophets will arise and deceive many .”

The Spirit of Antichrist

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The Antichrist is viewed as a political tyrant intent on world domination in many interpretations. Whether this proves to be true, Jesus and his Apostles expressed more concern about the deceivers who will ply their trade in the Assembly. Where the term Antichrist is found, it is applied to false teachers who were infiltrating the Body of Christ, distorting apostolic teachings, and raising false expectations about the future. The “ Spirit of the Antichrist ” manifests itself in deceivers, false prophets, and their deceptive activities.

Howling Imposters

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In his final recorded discourse, Jesus included several warnings about coming “ deceivers ,” “ false messiahs ,” and “ false prophets ,” men and women intent on misleading his disciples. His warnings were reiterated and expanded in the writings of the Apostles. He began his discourse on the Mount of Olives with a stern warning - “ Beware lest anyone deceive you! ” - “ MANY ” deceivers are coming who will “ deceive MANY .” Deception working its way through the Body of Christ is  NOT  a new phenomenon.

The Great Cosmic Conflict

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Throughout this age, Satan and his minions are waging an all-out cosmic war against the saints.  And several passages in the Book of Revelation describe this ongoing cosmic war between the “ Dragon ” and the “ Lamb ,” a process that will culminate in a final battle on the “ great day of God Almighty .” This battle will be waged on the Earth as the servants of Satan seek to destroy Christ’s people, the “ saints .” But the consequences of its results will be felt throughout the Cosmos. All life will be changed forever.

The Coming Storm

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Repeatedly, the New Testament warns believers that before Jesus returns his Church will find itself under assault from within by deceivers, “ false anointed ones ,” and “ false prophets .” Moreover, before the “ Day of the Lord ” begins, his disciples will be confronted by the “ Man of Lawlessness ,” a malevolent figure linked directly to the “ Apostasy ,” the final great “ falling away ” from the true faith.

The False One(s!)

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In his first epistle, John declares it is the  Last Hour , a period elsewhere in the New Testament called the “ Last Days .” As evidence of this, he points to the presence of false teachers who are disrupting the congregations under his care. These deceivers are the products and instruments of the “ Spirit of Antichrist ” that is active already in the world, and these very same men are forerunners of the final “ Antichrist ” who is yet to come.

His Repeated Warning

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The discourse of Jesus given on the Mount of Olives includes instructions for his disciples about the future. In it, he warns repeatedly of the “ many deceivers ” and “ false prophets ” who will appear among his followers, spreading false information about his return and the end of the age and otherwise striving to mislead “ the elect .” Constant vigilance by his Church is vital for avoiding deception and apostasy.

Deceivers and Catastrophes

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Jesus began his final discourse on the Mount of Olives with a sharp warning - Beware of the “ many deceivers ” who would come and use his authority to spread misinformation about his imminent return based on common occurrences such as wars, earthquakes, and other calamities. They will “ deceive many .” Contrary to their claims, the “ END IS NOT YET .” Likewise, “ False Prophets ” will propagate lies about the whereabouts and coming of the “ Son of Man .”

Mystery of Lawlessness

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The “ Mystery of Lawlessness ” is active in the world, and especially so in the Body of Christ as it prepares hearts and minds for the “ arrival ” of the “ Man of Lawlessness ” and the “ Apostasy .” It will continue to do so until the appointed time when this “ Lawless One ” will “ come out of the midst ” and be unveiled in the “ Sanctuary of God .” Moreover, he then will employ “ lying signs and wonders ” to cause those who refuse the “ love of the truth ” to betray the Apostolic faith.