Do not be deceived!

Christ's end times warning to us?

by Michael G. Mickey

Sitting on the Mount of Olives with His disciples, Christ was asked, as seen in Matthew 24:3, what would be the sign of His return and the end of the world. In answering the question, Jesus began by issuing a stern warning - one those of us living in these end times should pay very close attention to. His warning? Be not deceived!

Matthew 24:4: And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

There are many forms of deception and deceptive personalities spoken of in the Bible, all of which we should be familiar with to insure we heed Christ's warning to us. Let's look at a few.

False Christs:
Matthew 24:5: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Matthew 24:24: For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
False prophets:
Matthew 24:24: For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matthew 7:15-20: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

2nd Peter 2:1: But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

1st John 4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Tares sown among the wheat (Non-believing imposters - not to be confused with sinners seeking Christ - mingled with true believers in Christ in our churches):
Matthew 13:24-30: Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Romans 16:17-19: Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
The spirit of antichrist and antichrist personalities - Not to be confused with the prophesied Antichrist to come, the term antichrist, as used in this instance, is everything in existence which opposes God and His Word and every person who opposes God and His Word:

1st John 2:18: Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

1st John 2:22: Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

1st John 4: 3: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

2nd John 1:7: For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Satan, his fallen angels, and demonic powers:
John 8:44: Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Church doctrines which have no Scriptural support:

1st Timothy 4:1: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

How can we protect ourselves from deception?

Through study of the Word and faith in Christ!

2nd Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Colossians 3:16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Ephesians 6:11: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:13-17: Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

In the previous passage of Scripture is a key to protecting one's self from dangerous deceptions we simply can't afford to overlook - the wearing of the shield of faith! How do we get the faith necessary to wield the shield of faith?

Proverbs 30:5: Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Romans 10:17: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Whether we choose to hear the Word of God in our church or read Scripture to spiritually 'hear' what God has to say to us, it's vital we make the Word of God a part of our daily lives, giving us the strength to lift the shield of faith high!

As documented on this website, there is more evidence present in the world today pointing toward our generation being the generation that will see the return of Jesus Christ take place than any other generation before us!

Events of prophetic significance foretold by the prophets thousands of years ago are now beginning to make more and more sense in the world in which we're living today. As such, we need to have our spiritual eyes and ears wide open and the shield of faith in our hand to protect us as we can be sure satanic deception is on the rise - and dramatically!

Jesus said, of these times we're living in, "Take heed that no man deceive you."

As such, I can give no better advice than this: Take heed that no man deceive you!