Coming Deception*

      In discussing the dangers and tribulation connected to the end of the age and His return, Jesus also warned His disciples not to be deceived: "Take heed that no (man) deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Mt. 24:3-5, see also Mk. 13:5). Jesus then described the events that would come upon the earth and added: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." (v. 21-22). Then He spoke again regarding deception: "Then if any (man) shall say unto you, Lo, here (is) the Christ, or there; believe (it) not. 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. Behold, I have told you before." (v. 23-25, see also Mk. 13:19-23). Words italicized in these scriptures as printed in the Bible, and shown in parentheses here, were added to the English translation of the scriptures. 

     Jesus wanted to warn His disciples ahead of time in His private conversation with them that there was coming a deception that was so convincing, it might fool the elect if possible. As the elect, we can still be deceived. The Gospel of Mark used the word "seduce" regarding the signs and wonders of the false Christs and false prophets and their effect on the elect. After warning of this deception and the hardships during the tribulation in the Gospel of Luke (Lk. 21:7-17), Jesus concludes by saying: "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of (this) life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare it shall come on all them that dwell upon the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these (things) that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." (v. 34-36).

     The cares of this life can overtake us very quickly. This is one of the snares that will be placed before all, in all the earth. No one is exempt. However, Jesus told His disciples, and us, to watch and pray that we are worthy to escape this snare and to stand before the Son of man.

     The apostle Paul also wrote of the deception that will come before Christ's return: "Let no (man) deceive you by any means: for (that day shall not come), except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God...And then shall (that) Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (Even him), whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a/the lie:" (2 Thess. 2:1-11). 

     There is and will be a great falling away from truth and faith in these days before Christ's return. The lie, (in Genesis the lie of the serpent is "Hath God said...?") and the deception of wickedness will become stronger by the power of Satan, and the one who will represent him - "the son of perdition". This is also what Jesus called Judas who was the betrayer of Truth which came in the Person of Christ.

     Paul wrote that we are thankful that God chose us from the beginning for salvation and sanctification through His Spirit and belief in the truth. The Gospel called us to the obtaining of the glory of Jesus Christ. (v. 13-14). Jesus' final prayer to the Father for us before going to the cross was that He should give us the same glory as Jesus had with the Father.

     As Jesus warned of the cares of this world, John wrote in his epistle of the love of this world: "Love not the world, neither the (things) that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (1 Jn. 2:15-17). We are in the world, but we are not to be of the world. John also wrote of the antichrists in the world which indicates to us that we are in the last time: "But ye have the unction from the Holy One, and ye know all (things)...you know it [referring to the truth], and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son....ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, (even) eternal life. These (things) have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you...but as the same anointing teacheth you of all (things), and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." (v. 18-28, excerpt).

     John wrote that we were to abide in the Father and the Son. Jesus also told us to abide in Him and to have His commandments abide in us. There will be some who know of Christ but will not have abided in Him. They will be calling upon the rocks to fall upon them and hide them from the wrath of the Lamb of Whom they know.

     Jesus told a parable of ten virgins who knew the bridegroom (referring to Jesus) would be returning, but they all fell asleep while waiting for him. Five who were wise had prepared themselves ahead of time, having their lamps filled with oil. Five of the ten were foolish, and, although they knew that the bridegroom would be returning, they were not prepared ahead of time with oil in their lamps. When the cry went out at midnight that the bridegroom was coming, they all got up to meet him, but the five foolish virgins had no oil for their lamps. They were delayed in meeting the bridegroom while they tried to find a supply of oil: "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they (that were) ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (Mt. 25:1-13). 

     John wrote above about the believers in Christ having the anointing of the Holy Spirit and abiding in the Father and the Son. The oil in Jesus' parable above is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. We are to have the Holy Spirit now in our lives, leading us, keeping us in truth and preparing us for the day when the Lord returns. There will be a moment when it is too late to prepare. There was a similar moment when Noah built the ark as a warning to all of what was to come, but all refused to heed the warning except for Noah's family. The moment came when the judgment of the flood began, and the door to the ark was shut by God. It became too late to enter the ark. Jesus told us that the days before His return would be like the days of Noah. The warning has been given. Who will heed it?

     Isaiah the prophet wrote of the resurrection of the dead. (Isa. 26:19). He also wrote: "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain." (v. 20-21). Again the LORD warns His people to go into their chambers and shut their doors. Jude also wrote that the Lord comes to pass judgment against iniquity.

     David wrote a song, Psalm 27, exalting the LORD for preserving him from his enemies. Then he wrote: "One (thing) have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life. to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me upon a rock....Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. (When thou saidst), Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek...(I had fainted), unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

     One of the feasts of the LORD is the Feast of Tabernacles. David rejoiced in the safety and beauty that he said was to be found in the LORD's tabernacle. This is the chamber that has been provided for us when the times of trouble come.

     We're living in the last days of many antichrists, deceptions and seductions. Our attention has been captured or snared by the cares of this world and the love of this world. It is time for the Bride of Christ to light their lamps like the wise who cause many to come to salvation. Prepare for the great marriage supper and, as we abide in the truth, also rescuing others who will believe before the door is shut.

*Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson, Jr.'s 2/9/25 message to the church. If you would like to hear the complete message, you can find it on Dr. Stevenson's Facebook page. Dr. Stevenson's video messages are also found on You Tube at Kenneth Stevenson. To contact or support this ministry, or to request prayer, you can write to PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705. To find out more about the Shroud of Turin, and to receive a free e-book now available in several languages, go to http://www.theshroudofturin.org/freebook.