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Inspiration

Lying and Deception-A Rampant Deadly Disease

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More deadly than COVID is the plague of lies and deception.  This fatal disease infects everyone in the world in one way or another.  It is not limited to politicians, rulers, and famous people.  Marriages and relationships can’t escape this deadly grip.  It is in churches, synagogues, and places of worship. It has become the fabric of advertising, documentaries, and entertainment.

People receive phone calls from scammers telling them lies to steal their identity and hard-earned money every day.  Husbands and wives tell lies to cover adulterous relationships.  The Church and its leaders have not escaped its tentacles.  Pastors, preachers, teachers, and followers deceive when the truth is not convenient or cuts across their desires or traditions.  Cult leaders weave truth and lies to create false religions.  Why is this?

The Anti-Christ-The Ultimate Delusion

Paul reveals why people (including church members) are easily deceived.  He addresses the Thessalonian church concerning the last days and the Anti-Christ (son of perdition, lawless one).  The Anti-Christ uses lies and deception to fool the people into following Him because they don’t love the truth.  The pleasure of sin and convenience sets them up in a mindless state for strong delusion.

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

1 Thessalonians 2: 9-12

Sadly, God’s truth is not respected, mainly because it is inconvenient, as one politician put it, concerning the environment.

Both Jesus and His disciples cautioned the church against lies and deception concerning the return of Christ.   Jesus had just told the disciples that the temple would be destroyed.  They connected the destruction of the massive temple with the return of Jesus.  But Jesus was more concerned about deception than brick and mortar.   The first words out of Jesus’ mouth were cautions about deception regarding His return. He used the word “deceive” four times. The entire subject of Matthew’s chapter 24 is to provide clarity about the method, signs of His return, and necessary preparation for His return.

“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many…. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.  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.” 

Matthew 24:4,11, 25

Lying and Deception’s Connection to All Sin

Aren’t you tired of those who lie so convincingly only to have the truth come out later?  What disappointment!  God’s word makes it clear that lying is a serious business and it has serious eternal consequences. 

What makes lying and deception so invasive is its connection to many other sins.  Lying is often the foundation for sins such as theft, adultery, murder, selfishness, pride, and even the worship of God.

It is no wonder then that God forbids it.  It is the ninth commandment.  But don’t let its position minimize its importance.  It is a sin just as deadly as any other sin you can think of. James tells us:

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

James 2:10

The ultimate fate of those who practice lying and deception is tragic.  They will be destroyed by fire.  They will die what the Bible calls the second death (eternal death).

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Revelation 21:8

In the last chapter of the Bible (Revelation 22), there is a description of those raised in the second resurrection.  After a thousand years, Satan deceives them to attack the Holy City New Jerusalem from heaven to earth.  The city is surrounded, but God sends fire down from heaven, consuming them forever.  This is the second death.  Among these lost souls are those who practice lying.

But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

Revelation 22:15

The Origin of Lying and Deception

The first recorded lie in the Bible came from the fallen angel Lucifer who was thrown out of heaven. His lie contradicted the plain word of God to the first couple.  If only Adam and Eve had believed God and walked away, things would have been different.  But they didn’t.  They listened and did not hang up on the deceptive call from the one who had only destruction of God’s creation on his mind.  God had said they would die; Satan said they wouldn’t.  It is the pattern of lies to bring comfort and assurance to its victim initially.  Then they are caught in the snare.

And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”

Genesis 3:2

Here is where Eve should have hung up on the call from Satan.  She should have walked away and continued tending the garden with Adam.  But she didn’t.  She listened.  Here is a lesson for us all:  Listening to lies and considering them is never productive.  It is best to hold up your hand and refuse to even hear or consider it!

Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Genesis 3: 4-5

For disobedience, God says death.  Satan says, “No!”.  The subject of life and death has traveled the course in this world.  Their is confusion about the meaning of death. The pagan belief in reincarnation says you never die.  Even the Christian church has adopted the idea that a person (soul) never dies.  They live in eternal flames or heaven.  They claim the soul is immortal, but scripture never once says it is. This first lie explains away the clear passages on death. 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Romans 6:23

Death falls upon all men because all have sinned, but the second death (Perishing) by the lake of fire, as described by John in Revelation 21:8, is death that is eternal.  It is the final paycheck for those who refuse the invitation of God and desire to live in sin.  These have not trusted in Jesus to give eternal life provided at the resurrection when He comes (See 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18 and 1 Corinthians 15: 51-55). Therefore, only the redeemed will live eternally.  The lost will perish.

He who has the Son has [life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 5:12

The most famous verse in the Bible puts before the reader the two options of life or death (Perish). 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

Belief (trust) in Jesus leads to everlasting life.  The opposite (unbelief or not trusting) leads to perishing.

Father of Lies

The self-righteous Pharisees approached Jesus one day and started an accusatory conversation with self-deceived lies about Jesus.  Jesus told them how to be free in the truth:

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31, 32

Here is the only way to be free from deception, lies, and ultimately death in the lake of fire.  We are to abide (live) by “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” regardless of tradition, convenience, or pleasure.

The soft-spoken Jesus told the religious leaders in plain words their condition.  He wanted them to be free.  They claimed their pedigree of having Abraham as their father. But Jesus contradicted them and claimed they had another father because they wanted to kill Him. 

Their temper was roused, and they alluded to Jesus’ apparent illegitimate birth through the fornication of Mary.

They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.”

Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father.”

Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.”

John 8: 40,41

Jesus ignores their nasty assertion. He then asks a great question and provides the answer.  It is a vital truth that rings down to our time.  It has to do with understanding and believing Jesus. Then he reveals that Satan is the father of all lies, their real father.

Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. (We don’t understand Jesus because we don’t listen)  You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.

John 8: 43-47

What Shall We Do?

I am tired of all the lies in our society and in myself.  I cannot watch TV without deception and lies from advertisers and Hollywood writers.   A friend of mine records all his shows and sports events to skip the commercials.  I have tried the same.  If the streaming service doesn’t allow it, I simply mute the commercials.   

Satan is the father of lies and deception.  He desires to deceive even the very elect (if possible) into eternal death.  Lies and deceit are dangerous.  It can start as a white lie and then get out of control into a forest fire.

The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, sets on fire the course of nature, and set on fire by hell.

James 3:6

If you feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit, repent from the deadly sin of lying and deception and turn to the truth of God’s word.  He will never lie to you, and He will change you.  Will you join me in asking God to change us…to make us a new creature where lies do not occupy the temple of God?  Would you let this be your prayer today?

Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips And from a deceitful tongue.

Psalm 120:2

Prophecies for Our Time, The Soon Return of Jesus

Part 7-Second Coming Predictions-The Spirit of the Antichrist

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He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,

Revelations 13:16

There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 14:12

I hope you appreciate our slow walk up to identification of the Antichrist.  It is important to have the groundwork laid so that when we arrive, it will all make sense and be supported by scripture.  There is so much confusion about this topic.  But, it does not have to be so if we are using sound Biblical exegesis in our walk.

In previous studies, we were able to determine from scripture that the father of lies (Satan) works through deception.  He creates delusion so great that more (rather than few) are deceived.  If it were possible, the very elect could be deceived.

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Mark 13:6

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.

Matthew 24:24

Why are the elect not deceived?  We discovered that it is because they love the truth, the righteousness of God, and have a personal relationship with Jesus.  This passage expresses it well:

“….they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 Thessalonians 2: 10-11

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

John 17:3

In these last days, we can expect Satan to have perfected his system of deception.  His work will mimic the work of God even in appearances.

For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

2 Corinthians 11:14-16

We cannot trust appearances… those things that appeal to the eye…things that are majestic and grand.  It is only through the simple word of God and a trusting relationship with Him that we can count ourselves as the elect.

Had Satan revealed himself in his real character, he would have been repulsed at once, for Adam and Eve had been warned against this dangerous foe; but he worked in the dark, concealing his purpose, that he might more effectually accomplish his object. Employing as his medium the serpent, then a creature of fascinating appearance, he addressed himself to Eve.

Great Controversy, page. 532

We must compare what we hear and see what we know about God through our personal experience (testimony), but even more important through his written word (law).

To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Isaiah 8:20

It is a noble thing to research scripture to see if your preacher or teacher is telling the truth as found in God’s word.  In these last days, it will be critical in discerning and avoiding the way that seems right, but leads to destruction:

These (followers in Berea) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Acts 17:11

The Bereans loved the truth and compared the Tanakh (Old Testament) with the preaching of Paul to make sure he spoke truth.  Shouldn’t we do the same?

Too many Christians rely heavily on preachers and teachers to spoon feed them with theories, ideas, and doctrines.  Most have little knowledge of God’s word and practical experience.  Further, we have the power of media, film, grand churches, and masses to help push us down a broad path, rather than seek the narrow path.

Here is a test….Which one of these pictures best represent how Satan will appear to deceive people?

Devil Christ-the-Priest-top-half Cardnial Keith Obrien

We can be certain that Satan will not be obvious.  He will appear as a sheep, but inside is a ravenous wolf…a lion seeking to eat and kill as many as possible.  He is insane and self-deceived.  He uses ministers.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 

2 Corinthians 11: 14-15

If we are looking for a mean-spirited ugly Antichrist that is easily identified, then we are already on a broad path of deception.

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The Real Antichrist

Hollywood and the” Left Behind” books have portrayed the Antichrist as a Romanian man named Carpathia leader of the world community and world government who rises to power after the rapture.  After 3/12 years in power, he is assassinated, but then resurrected by Satan and seeks to destroy the followers of Jesus.

But the Bible paints and entirely different picture as we have learned in these series of Second Coming Predictions.

What the Bible has to say about the real Antichrist?

The word Antichrist is found only 4 times in the New Testament (King James Version).  They are all in the books of 1 John (3 times) and 2 John (1 Time).  Let’s read all four:

Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.

1 John 2:18

John warns us that by looking for one Antichrist, we miss the many that were already come.  Is that true today?  Yes!

Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.

1 John 2:22

An antichrist that has already come is a liar and denies that Jesus is the Christ.  Plain enough.  Right?

and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

1 John 4: 3

So, we can know that the spirit of the Antichrist is already in the world.

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

2 John 1:17

Again, deception is connected to the antichrists that are in the world already.

The disciple John (who would later write and warn us about a power described as a beast in Revelation 13) gives valuable information. but it is the tip of the iceberg:  He states that the followers had been taught about the coming of “The Antichrist,” but there were already many that have gone out in the world. These antichrists work through deception.  They are liars just like their father the devil.  They deny that Jesus is the Messiah, that He came in the flesh and that He will return in the flesh. They deny the relationship between the Father and Jesus.

All of these antichrists can be overcome by an understanding and acceptance of God’s word as given to holy men who were moved by the work of the Holy Spirit. This includes the books and letters of the New Testament in addition to the Old Testament.

Paul warns us as well:

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,  and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3: 13-15

Remember as we move forward, that the work of the Antichrist is not just one person, but the work of many including Satan himself. It will be deception that can only be unlocked through a comparison of their words with the words of God and a trusting relationship with the Lord.

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Paul compliments the words of John when he talks about how the work of the antichrists causes apostasy.  Many will leave the truth because of the deception of the antichrists. In fact, he warns Jesus will not come until after the “falling away.”

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

2 Thessalonians 2:3

Here we learn more about the nature and personality of the Antichrist.”

There will be a falling away, not just people but many churches.  They will fall away from plain teachings of Jesus and God’s word.  Those that fall away, do so because they are deceived.  They “loved not the truth.”

It has always been the work of Satan to take God’s word away from the people. ..to minimize it….to ridicule those who believe it and live by it.  Because it is here where his hand is revealed and his plan made plain.  His plan is to counterfeit the work of God.  To sit in the temple of God and receiving honor as God himself.  Despite this appearance as an angel of light, he not only is opposing God, but he makes it seem like he IS God or, at the least, represents God.

Paul tells us that the work of the Antichrist was already at work.  Paul refers to him as “that Wicked” who would be revealed to the whole world. He tells us that when Jesus returns this system of deception by Satan and the one who he gives power to deceive will be broken and will be consumed by the brightness of Jesus coming.  But for now, he works in the specific method of deceiving and counterfeiting:

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 lie:

2 Thessalonians 2: 8-11 (KJ)

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So we can understand from scripture that the Antichrist is referred to as “that Wicked.”  But, we shall also see that this work of deception against God is through a power described as the beast.  It will not be just one person, but many who support the work of deception.  It is possible that the ones doing the deceiving think that they are doing the work of God by persecuting those who disagree with their teaching and power.  Remember, the deception is not only towards others, but also the person doing the deception is deceived.

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Timothy 3:13

“the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.”

John 16:2

Imagine killing someone and thinking you are doing God’s will.  This is strong delusion.  Remember Paul did this very thing before his conversion.

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To learn more about the work of the antichrists, we must move from the books of John to Revelation and Daniel.  John also wrote Revelation and had more to say about the work of the deception caused by the Antichrist.  But this time, he uses symbols that compare with the book of Daniel.  They both saw the same vision even though they were separated by hundreds of years.

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The Beast of Daniel and Revelation

From comparing scripture with scripture, we will see the hand of Satan at work throughout the ages.  It is he that gives the beast of Revelation his seat and great authority.

Many teachers and preachers read the following verses and make great sermons with plenty of opinion and twisting of scripture, but when we study the passages of scripture that bring us up to this point in earth’s history, we will know exactly who is the beast and therefore the Antichrist:

He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,  and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.

Revelation 13: 16-18

We have many clues about the beast here, but unless we understand how we get to this verse, we will lack wisdom from God’s word.

Here are some of the clues:  The beast has a worldwide influence regardless of a person’s  position in life or income (small and great, rich  and poor, free and slave)

There will be something (a mark) that will distinguish them from those under the control and power of the beast and those who have not been deceived.  Persecution will come upon those who refuse to go along with the beast.  They will not be able to buy or sell.

If we are wise, we will understand the number of this man.

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If we  want to know the entire truth about the beast, we must go back and compare Daniel with Revelation.  This we will do beginning next week.

Who is the real Antichrist?

Can you think of a world power rich in religious history whose authority on religious matters comes from a single man and has great influence on all both small and great, rich and poor?  A power that looks like the real thing in angelic clothing living in a beautiful tmeple, but denies the words of God by putting the requirement of studying its book rather than the Bible for acceptance?  In fact, this man is worshiped and adored.

Next week, we will begin our journey back to Daniel and Revelation so that we can come back to the present and understand the future…from the word of God.

I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

2 Timothy 1:12