Watch Out for the "False Christs"

Mark 13:21-23: At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect-if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time."

If there is one thing that the Evil One is noted for, it is his deception. Scriptures refer to Satan as the "murder, not holding to the truth . . . [speaking] lies, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44). Jesus in one of His last conversations with His disciples just before His crucifixion, warned His disciples of deceivers who would attempt to sway allegiance to themselves. Whereas, these "false christs" who would come, appear to be genuine; in reality, they are instruments used by Satan to deceive followers of Christ.

We must remember that Satan's strategy is not as provocative as one might expect. He is more clandestine in his measures, in order that he might soften the opinions of people toward him over time. We can see such ideologies being purported over a number of recent decades . . . like the theory of evolution, the global spiritual union of all peoples, the acceptance of alternative lifestyles, the propagation of moral and religious relativism, etc. With these prevailing philosophies in our culture, we are seeing the fulfillment of the prophecy that "many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other . . . . because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." There seems to have developed even among those who would profess "Christianity" as their religion a cold indifference to the commands of the Lord, clearly communicated in the Holy Scriptures. There also has developed an self-centered hedonism, in which satisfaction of self has become preeminent, even over surrender to Christ as Lord. Jesus anticipated this, and this is why He added the warning, "But he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Jesus again in Revelation 3:5 confirms this warning by saying, "He who overcomes . . . I will never blot his name out of the Book of Life." We cannot merely profess faith and believe that our words will find the Lord's salvation; rather, our lives must demonstrate that we truly have been transformed. Fruit is the evidence of true redemption (Matthew 7:16-20)

Let us not fall for the deceptive enticements that the Evil One would throw our way; rather, let us stand firm in the true faith, even though it might not be the popular thing to do. Let us not fall prey to those who would espouse diabolical ideologies that we know are contrary to the Word of God. Let us press on in our allegiance to the One True God and stand firm, knowing that the Lord will save those to endure to the end. We will never have to question when Jesus Christ makes His triumphal return, for He will split the heavens and appear with His heavenly hosts in brilliant light much like lightning (Matthew 24:27). As our Lord repeatedly commands of us until that time, we much keep ourselves focused upon His return and be ready. We must live our lives as if it is our last, and we must renew our minds as to our ultimate purpose: to submit ourselves to the One True Lord as our Master and Savior and serve Him faithfully.