Days
of Deception
As Jesus approached the events
surrounding his arrest, trial and crucifixion, he engaged in a lengthy
discourse delivered in the temple to “the multitudes, and to his
disciples” (Matthew 23:1). Chapter 23 consists of the exposure and
scathing denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy,
for which Jesus issued eight “Woes!” to warn them of their spiritual
peril. He wrapped up his “Woes!” with a piercing question:” Ye
serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of
hell?” (23:33). Answer: It is IMPOSSIBLE that such deep-seated
hypocrisy should escape the worst judgment in God’s arsenal of justice!
In Chapter 24, Jesus left the temple
and, in response to his disciples’ inquiry, shifted focus to the final
days. They asked: “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall
be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (24:3). In his
response, Jesus issued this warning: “Take heed that no man DECEIVE
you” (24:4). From that point, the theme of DECEPTION set the tone of
the CONTEXT. Jesus continued: “For many shall come in my name, saying,
I AM CHRIST; and shall DECEIVE many” (24:5). After describing many of
the “sorrows” (24:8) that will ensue, he reiterates: “And many false
prophets shall rise, and shall DECEIVE many” (24:11).
Then came one of the most
misinterpreted texts in scripture: “But he that shall endure unto the
end, the same shall be saved” (24:13). The salvation in view is
deliverance from DECEPTION for those who KNOW the TRUTH and endure
(withstand) the LIES spread by false prophets. The text is NOT a
contradiction of “Justification by Faith.” NOR is it a proof text for
“Salvation by Works.” In the last days, salvation from DECEPTION will
belong to them whose confidence in biblical TRUTH is rock solid,
enabling them to ENDURE (weather, outlast) the LIES of false prophets.
Jesus adds:” For there shall arise
false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and
wonders [authenticators]; insomuch that, if it were possible, they
shall DECEIVE the very elect” (24:24). The ONLY authenticator a
true believer needs is the resurrection of Jesus from the
dead. He can therefore dismiss ALL other forms of alleged
authentication.
We are not yet in ‘the eye of the
hurricane’ as Jesus predicted. But we're being pummeled by the ‘outer
storm bands’ of DECEPTION that will continue to get worse and worse
until the Antichrist, the ultimate DECEIVER, makes his historical
appearance.
America at this hour is enslaved by
all manner of DECEPTION. Our rejection of God and his TRUTH have made
DECEPTION inevitable, national deliverance impossible! Perhaps the
greatest DECEPTION sweeping America today is the belief that we’ll have
a better nation when we have better politics, that somehow ‘America
First’ can replace ‘Jesus First’, that embracing Trump is the same as
embracing TRUTH. Nothing could be farther from the TRUTH!
Blessed are they that look daily unto
Jesus, the Author and Finisher of their faith, enabling them to
‘endure’ the onslaught of DECEPTION currently sweeping the nation. It’s
debatable whether America is ‘Running on Dunkin’! But it’s undeniable
America is ‘Living on Deception'!
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