Chapter 1
Agents of Deception
One does not need to be a Bible scholar to know that the scriptures contain many warnings about spiritual deception. For example, Peter, in 2 Peter 2:1-3 warns,“… there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them— bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.”
As Paul the apostle was bidding the Ephesian elders goodbye for the last time he said,“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!” Acts 20:29-31.
1 Tim. 4:1 says,“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” 2 Tim. 4:3 warns,“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
In fact this deception was to be so great that Jesus specially warned his disciples about it lestthey be deceived. Jesus was shortly to go to the cross. He had just spoken to them about the Jewish temple being destroyed. And so in Matt. 24:3 we see the disciples come to Jesus privately to ask him some questions.“‘Tell us,’ they said,‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’”
Please note that the answer Jesus gives is not directed at the world but rather at his followers:“Watch out that no one deceives you.” The world is already deceived. Rev. 12:9. In 2 Cor. 4:4-5 we read,“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” They are already prisoners of spiritual darkness. Rather, Jesus warned of deception that specially targets believers in order to lead them astray.
Matt. 24:5 continues,“For many will come in my name, claiming,‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” The agents of this deception were to be people coming in Christ’s name, that is, they will claim to be sent by Christ, having heaven’s authority behind what they say and do.
A very few of these will actually claim tobe Christ, or God’s Son, or something equally blasphemous. From time to time we hear news stories about some fringe group whose members blindly follow someone making that kind of claim. The fact that people will actually follow someone like that shows the condition they are in. When the one and only Jesus Christ returns there will be no doubt. Everyone will know it. Of course, at that point it will be too late for anyone who is not ready. Matt. 24:30, 44, Luke 17:26-30.
Most deceivers will not go to such extremes, however. The word“Christ
