Signs of the Times – Deception

Jesus gave people some pretty clear signs of the times that would herald His soon return. These signs were given to anyone who would choose to believe them. The world doesn’t see them because they have chosen to disbelieve the Word of God, and by that disbelief the actually fulfill the very Word they deny (a fascinating subject to study – but I digress…). However, to those of us who know and believe the truth, the signs of the times are everywhere. There are essentially two realms where the signs of the times can be seen; those signs we see in the world (which is unsurprising) and those we see in the church.

One of the signs of deception is in the imitation of knowledge presented as scientific fact. Evolution is a perfect example of this errant thinking. Some people are like children; you give them a little knowledge and all of a sudden they are experts! We know from Scripture that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but the Word gets even more explicit;

1 Tim 6:20-21
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called, which some professing have erred concerning the faith.

When science refuses to acknowledge the Word of God (not necessarily what others may say about the Word) the end result is confusion, animosity and, ultimately, stupidity. There are myriad of passages with this theme, but the more distressing group which is being deceived are those in the church.

In the church? Yes, in the church;

Luke 21:8
And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.”

Jesus refers to two groups of deceivers. The first are the one who claim to actually be the Christ (‘I am He’), the anointed One of God sent to share the plan and path of salvation. They usually don’t present themselves as Jesus, but they claim to have been sent by God (in the same way that Christ was truly sent by God). Spiritualists, mediums, shamans and other worldly religious people make up this group. They present a false hope to those who seek to know God apart from His Word, all the while claiming to be from God.

The other group is made up of those who claim to come in the name of the Lord. They present themselves as Christians, but inwardly they do not know the One they claim to follow (Matt 7:21-23; James 1:16-18; 2 Cor 11:3-4). We also can tell from what Christ said that these deceivers would multiply in number as the actual Day of the Lord draws closer (they will say things like ‘The time has drawn near.’).

The significant increase in deception among God’s people indicates the approach of the return of Christ. That principle is laced throughout other Scripture and is even mentioned specifically by Peter as yet another example of the signs of the times;

2 Peter 3:1-5
Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

Paul also shares some insight into the character of those who, while professing to know Christ, simply deceive themselves (and others). They are deceived because they refuse to submit themselves to the truth of God’s Word. That refusal and rebellion manifests itself in their devotion to serving the flesh as opposed to serving the One Who purchased them with His blood;

2 Tim 3:1-5
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.

Rom 1:28-32
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

We know passages like these were given regarding people who profess Christ by the key features used in describing them. They have a form of godliness and yet deny the power of that godliness to change them. They knew God at one point but they didn’t want to retain God in their knowledge. They are lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

Haven’t we heard examples of this thinking more and more in recent times? “God made me this way” and “I can’t help myself” are the anthem calls of those who serve themselves and their own desires, rather than learning about the One Who set them free! They deny the truth of the reality of being Born Again.

Even the so-called evangelical ‘clergy’ are becoming increasingly corrupt! Instead of offering the hope of salvation through repentance and faith, many offer a false and deadly balm to sooth their parishioner’s pricked consciences. What about those churches who have opened their doors to individuals which have no intention of repenting from their sin? These false shepherds seek a large quantity of goats over a small flock of quality sheep, desiring to amass a larger congregation at the expense of assisting in the purification of those who seek to follow Christ. Inclusion seems to be taking the place of sanctification in many denominational church settings;

1 Cor 15:33-34
Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

1 Cor 6:9-11
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

What is the answer to all of this? Is there any way to know if someone is being deceived or is deceiving others? Am I involved with a group of people who are clueless in their commitment to Christ? Is there a way to know the truth?

The answer to the last question is a resounding YES! The answer is to study the Word of God for ourselves, not relying solely on what others say about it (not even me!). Personal accountability to God is what should inspire us to devote our time in reading and studying His Word, as well as spending time with Christ through His Spirit in prayer. Only by knowing Christ can we be prepared to spot the growing number of fake ‘prophets’ and phony ‘shepherds’ which claim to come in His name.

Tim 3:13-15
But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 2:1-3
2 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,  3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.