“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.”Matthew24:11NKJV
““Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.” Matthew24:23-25NKJV
When I was in college I had two professors that gave True and False quizzes. They instructed us that if the statement was false we had to identify the false statement and give the true statement. This made the test much more difficult because we actually had to know the material in order to not only identify the true statements but explain why the false statements were not true. This is the same with God’s word. If we are going to be able to identify the false we must know what is true and we must study God’s word.
Jesus is warning the disciples in Matthew that in the last days there will be false christs and false prophets. They will be able to show great signs and wonders and deceive many. Their acts will be so believable that if God does not cut short these days even the elect could be deceived.These false christs and false prophets will come from the church. They will be people who were once in the light and knew the truth but departed from the way and fall into darkness. We will not be able to distinguish them by their signs but Jesus told us we would know them by their fruit.
It is so important for us to know and understand the word of God. So many today are consumed with signs and wonders. False teachers will be able to perform great signs and wonders but their lifestyle will be full of unrighteousness. We also cannot entertain false teachings. A little of bit of error is not acceptable. Satan will deceive us by twisting the word of God. Most false teaching is about 90% true. We will not be able to discern the truth if we are not in the word of God.
Another major sign of false christs and false prophets is the anti-christ spirit they will have. Their hearts will be full of hate, their conscience will be seared and the truth will not be in them. The Bible describes these individuals. So please do not be fooled by their acts.
Jesus rebuked the Jews because they wanted signs. They ignored Jesus’ teachings and His word. They said they would only believe if they were shown a sign but even the signs Jesus performed they still denied Him. We must pursue the truth of God’s word. We must grow in the knowledge of Jesus. This is how we guard ourselves against deception and many that will come in Jesus’ name claiming they are the “Christ.” Be alert. Be on guard. Stay sober and meditate on God’s word day and night.
Reflections 