Deception

The second-longest recorded teaching of Jesus is the Olivet Discourse, in which Jesus discusses the conditions of the world before His second coming. The first warning Jesus gives us regarding these last days' events is this: “Watch out that you are not deceived”.

Luke 21:7-11 (NIV)

7  "Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?" 8  He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. 9  When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." 10  Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

11  There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

The NIV and the NASB translations use the phrase, “See to it that you’re not misled” or “Don’t let anyone mislead you”. Who is the deceiver that will mislead many people into following the false god of this world? He is the Devil/Satan, the ruler of this present world.

(NASB) 8  And He said, "See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not go after them.

Jesus clearly announced some of the horrifying events of the last days: wars, revolutions, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful events, and great signs in the heavens above. Notice that Jesus tells us that terrifying things will be happening in the skies above us. Jesus is telling us not to allow these horrifying events to deceive us and cause us to follow after the false god of this world.

And what if a terrifying spiritual being comes down from heaven with another gospel, another word from God, another Jesus? What should we do?

Galatians 1:8-9 (NLT)

8  Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.

9  I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.

But even with all these prophetic warnings, many will be deceived. The powerful spirit of antichrist will deceive many people, and those who are deceived will promote a new gospel, which is the doctrine/teaching of demons that operate under the authority and power of the dragon/Satan.

1 Timothy 4:1 (NLT)

1  Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

The dragon’s power is real, and it was the same serpent that first deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden. That same deception will occur again in the last days.

2 Corinthians 11:3-4 (NLT)

3  But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.

4  You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

How can we keep from being deceived while we wait for the Lord’s return? Study the Bible and devote yourself to prayer. Abide in Jesus, and you will know His voice. Jesus is the truth that overcomes all the lies and deception. In Jesus and only in Jesus will we avoid the deadly deception.

John 10:27-29 (NLT)

27  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

28  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,

29  for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.