DECEIT

 

What was the response of Jesus, what was the very first thing He said when His disciples asked Him what shall be the sign of His coming and of the end of the world? (Matt 24:3)

 

Jesus answered (Matt 24:4) and told them, "Take heed that no man deceive you."

 

Deceit was the very first sign.

 

He continued to speak of false christs, and touched upon many of the events described more fully in Revelation - wars, pestilences, famines.

 

Then, in Matthew 24:11, He said, "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."

 

Again, deceit.  Deceit connected with false prophets.

 

Deceit is defined by Webster's 1913 edition as:

n.

1.

An attempt or disposition to deceive or lead into error; any declaration, artifice, or practice, which misleads another, or causes him to believe what is false; a contrivance to entrap; deception; a wily device; fraud.

False is defined as:

a.	1.	Uttering falsehood; unveracious; given to deceit; dishnest; as, a false witness.
	2.	Not faithful or loyal, as to obligations, allegiance, vows, etc.; untrue; treacherous; perfidious; as, a false friend, lover, or subject; false to promises.

Prophet is defined as:

	1.	One who prophesies, or foretells events; a predicter; a foreteller.
	2.	One inspired or instructed by God to speak in his name, or announce future events, as, Moses, Elijah, etc.
	3.	An interpreter; a spokesman.

 

These definitions serve to illustrate that it is most likely these false prophets hold positions of respect and /or trust which allow them to deceive others.

 

These false prophets exist today, and they exist IN the Church,  and they are held in respect and trust. There are many facets of the false prophethood, some overt who blatantly disregard biblical precepts and therefore can be recognized by others who have even a smattering of biblical knowledge. 

 

There are also those who are more subtle, who deceive in areas that are less known, more ambiguous and therefore more dangerous to large numbers of undiscerning people. In fact, many of this latter type may not even realize they have put themselves in the position of a false prophet.

The following article was written about the latter type, and will develop discernment, which will in turn enable God's people living in these end times to follow the admonition of Christ when He charged His disciples "to take heed that no man deceive you..."

 

The article, written by Kevin Reeves and titled  I Just Had a Vision, begins:

"Never in the history of our planet have so many who call themselves Christian claimed visions from God. Encounters with Christ, angels, demons, even saints long departed have begun to appear in book form, crowding the charismatic section of our local Christian bookstores. The popularity of visions never seems to wane, and the more a person has and the greater the scope, the quicker he is skyrocketed to Christian stardom. People with virtually no genuine theological training are suddenly propelled into the teaching arena, regaling vast audiences with tremendous accounts of their own spiritual daring-do. And while the stories continue to scale the heights of plausibility, an amazed public looks on, vicariously a part of the panoramic excitement and often with hands folded atop a closed Bible in their laps."

It continues at the link below, and is located about halfway down the page:  

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/newsletters/2013/newsletters20130226.htm#100)