Hey everybody! Thank you for joining me in daily Bible reading as we seek to glorify Jesus, know Him more, and interpret the truth of His Word.
If this is your first time going through the Bible, I am incredibly excited to have you here. If this is your 5000th time, I am humbled that you are here and hope you grow in your relationship with Jesus along with me. May we all seek to know Him more and apply what we learn to further our mission of spreading the gospel. If you missed a day and want to catch up, visit the archives page HERE! But there is no shame if you start today! Day 285, Matthew 24:23-24 — The End Times: Perilous Times Matthew 24:23-24 (NASB1995) “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” Context Matthew 24 contains Jesus’ detailed discourse about the end times and His second coming, answering the disciples’ questions about when the end will come and what sign to look for. Many confuse the events mentioned in vs. 3-13, thinking these are signs of the end. In reality, these events are not signs but merely birthing pangs (v. 8). However, the end has now come with the sign of the abomination of desolation and unimaginable humanitarian atrocities with it. Review Yesterday, we continued Jesus’ end times discourse and read why God cuts the days of tribulation short. Jesus mentioned the days of the great tribulation will be so evil that it will threaten the survival of the human race. However, God will cut the days short for the sake of His elect. We learned the elect are those favored by God and include all believers, both Jews and Gentiles. These elect believers will have endured and survived the tribulation, never again to suffer as Jesus saves them and welcomes them into glory. Many argue the elect only includes Jews. However, every reference of the elect in the New Testament includes all believers. This misunderstanding of who the elect is leads to a misunderstanding regarding God’s eschatological timeline. If the elect does not include non-Jews within the church, then this means there are two separate bodies of believers. This is arguably heresy, as it would mean Jesus’ sacrifice was not enough. But Scripture reveals there is ONE body that includes all believers in Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13). This body of Christ is God’s chosen elect, baptized with His Spirit, and includes both Jews and Gentiles. There is no difference. Christ has grafted both Jews and Gentiles together as one. Even Revelation mentions the ‘great multitude’ of saints that come out of the great tribulation as those from all tribes, tongues, and nations (Rev. 7:9-14). Thus, the elect mentioned here must include all believers—and most certainly does not imply the church has been raptured. Discussion Today, we continue Jesus’ end times discourse and read about the rise of false prophets who will deceive many through signs and wonders. Notably, Matthew has already mentioned the dangers of false teachers twice in Jesus’ discourse, proving the reality of them and the importance of discerning who they are and avoiding them (vs. 4-5, 11). This is not to be taken lightly. Jesus says, “23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him.” Jesus makes an emphatic statement that He alone is the Messiah here. There is no need for His disciples to follow anybody who claims to be the Messiah or says they have the secret knowledge to find Him. In reality, it will be very evident when Jesus returns. There will be no confusing or mistaking His true coming from those who claim He has already come. As we will read in the coming days, every eye will see and know when He actually returns. However, many will ignore these words and be misled by deceptive teachings and signs and wonders. Some modern examples include Jehovah’s Witnesses, who teach that Jesus has already returned.[1] Additionally, Hindus, Buddhists, and many other eastern religions teach that certain leaders within their groups are reincarnations of Christ, deceiving many.[2] Jesus adds, “24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” In the end, there will be many who lure people astray from the truth, both directly and indirectly. We see warnings of this throughout the New Testament (Mt. 7:15; 1 Jn. 4:1-4; 2 Pet. 2:1-3; 2 Tim. 4:3-4; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; etc.). These false teachers and false prophets will deceive the masses not only through cunning false teachings and prophecies but also through signs and wonders. Note that these signs and wonders are not false. They are actual signs and wonders, which is how they will be so deceiving to the masses. These signs and wonders will attract and potentially deceive even the elect, likely echoing some signs and wonders that Christ performed that were foundational to His ministry.[3] Notably, many Jewish false prophets and teachers arose in the early centuries following Jesus’ ascension.[4] These men drew large followings and claimed they could perform supernatural miracles on par with Christ.[5] While some failed to perform signs and wonders, many were successful in their trickery to deceive many looking for Christ. Likewise, many will claim to have supernatural power from Christ and will perform miracles in His name. Yet, they will lead many away from the truth. While these false prophets likely cannot recreate every miracle Jesus performed (e.g. raising the dead, changing weather, etc.), healings and other signs are very possible. But where will this power come from if not from God? Well, even Satan and his demonic forces can perform supernatural acts. They come as false lights, echoing the miracles of Christ. But their agenda is to deceive people and lead them away from the truth, especially those who claim Christ. Thus, genuine Christ followers will need discernment given only by the Holy Spirit to see through their trickery. Notably, the antichrist himself will perform miracles and even raise himself from the dead during the tribulation (Rev. 13:3). This supernatural act will likely lead many to profess him as God. However, this supernatural work and the other works of false teachers and prophets in the end do not come from the power of God. They are manipulative, demonstrating a weaker power. Jesus speaks of these people who will actually perform miracles by Satanic power.[6] So what does Jesus mean by the elect being deceived? This is a hotly debated statement, especially with His use of ‘if possible.’ At its very core, Jesus is stating that it is indeed possible for the elect to be deceived in the end times by these miracle-working false prophets. But how can the elect, or chosen of God, fall away and become deceived? This is a question that is difficult to answer. However, we have established that a great falling away is coming with the revealing of the antichrist (2 Thess. 2:3). Furthermore, Paul confirms that Satan will have the power of signs and wonders through the antichrist. He will use this power to influence many—an influence that God allows. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 says, “9 That is, the one [antichrist] whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.” Thus, the question becomes a paradox of how God’s choosing of the elect and their human responsibility relate.[7] God reaches out, offering salvation to all. However, not all will receive this gift. Many will reject it, and some will even accept it before falling away. But how will they fall away? Of course, sin and its temptations affect us all and will lead some to apostatize. However, we just read it. Paul warns Satan will deceive many through signs and wonders and God will allow it—meaning He will allow people to choose their delusions because their heart desires such deception rather than trusting in Him. Since unbelievers already accept the lies of the enemy, there is no effort needed to deceive—especially since God allows them to choose that delusion. The text seems to reveal the juxtaposing idea that some elect may choose to apostatize (i.e., “if possible”).[8] If the elect is safe from such apostasy, then there is no reason for Jesus to mention its possibility. There would be no such leading astray. However, Jesus makes it clear that the elect can choose to accept such a delusion and that God will allow it to happen. This is free will. This is human responsibility. God offers salvation freely, yet we can choose to accept it or not. But believers are not alone. With help from the Holy Spirit, the elect can discern and avoid such deception. However, they must remain faithful to Christ and trust in Him alone, obeying what He says and heeding His warnings. We will continue Jesus’ end times discourse tomorrow. Application Warnings about false teachers and prophets are mentioned throughout the New Testament and especially highlighted regarding the end times. This should reveal that it is not something to be taken lightly. However, many American ministries avoid calling out false teachers and prophets because of an unbiblical ‘honor system.’ It simply makes no sense. If Jesus tells us that mass deception will happen in the end and that even Christians can fall for such delusions, then that should be something that every discerning believer takes seriously. It should be one of our primary focuses to call out such Satanic deceptions that have infiltrated the church. Billions of souls are on the line, including many who profess Christ. Not all who cry, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter heaven on judgment day. Yet, the American church shrinks when it comes to calling out deception. This must end. We must not avoid calling out false teachings when correctly discerned. When people with large platforms teach falsely, potentially leading people away from Christ, it is our responsibility to protect the flock of Christ and rebuke it. There are ZERO Scriptures that speak about ‘honoring’ people with a platform who profess Christ. However, there are DOZENS that speak about calling such people out when they are in error. Why is this so difficult to apply? Perhaps it is because much of the American church is already deceived, believing the enemy’s lie that calling out such things is wrong? This is not a teaching from Christ. May we be people who remain faithful to Jesus and intimately seek understanding only He can give. May we seek discernment and apply it when false teachings arise. May we not fear man and believe the lie that we cannot call it out. May we remain obedient to Christ and call out such deception to help those who fall for it. May we praise, worship, honor, and glorify Jesus every day in all that we do while continually pursuing righteousness, holiness, and forgiveness as He forgave us. Looking Ahead Thank you for joining today’s daily Bible reading! Next, we read Matthew 24:25-27. I hope you join me! I have made commenting available, so please feel free to discuss the reading and ask questions. If you do not want to discuss publicly, you can reach out to me privately. We are on this journey together. References [1] Philip Comfort and David R. Veerman, “Life Application Bible Commentary New Testament.” [2] Ibid. [3] Doug O’Donnell, “New International Greek Testament Commentary.” [4] Craig Keener, “IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition.” [5] Ibid. [6] Knox Chamblin, “Mentor Commentary.” [7] O’Donnell, “New International Greek Testament Commentary.” [8] Ibid.
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