"Those Who are Trying to Deceive You."

^“I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.” (1 John 2:26-27 ESV)

In the second chapter of the first epistle of John, He warns the church about false teachers who preach contrary to the gospel. He calls them anti-Christs as they are against our Lord Jesus Christ, and he noted there are many. We tend to think of the Anti-Christ in terms of the Book of Revelation. However, and more practically, the label John applies to false teachers is certainly applicable today.

There are false teachers everywhere, and they are wreaking havoc on those who are young in the faith and on the mature, who are susceptible and fall prey to their false teachings. Social media began with a wonderful idea in mind, connecting us with those we love and maintain friendships with, but now, it has become a platform of deception, anti-Christs, and the demonic. That is a little strong, isn't it?

In reality, the platforms are used by many, and many are those who do not know Christ or are young in faith. What better way to spread evil and the enemy's messages? Today, these false prophets are “predicting" the second coming of the Lord. They are trying to interpret today’s troubles in the world and equate them to the Second Coming. If you are like me, you studied the 6-day war, you remember, the raid on Entebbe, the taking of Princess Gate, the war in Afghanistan, Iraq, and now we are engaged with Iran. While not all of these events occurred in the Middle East, they are related to the war of Islam against Judaism and Christianity. I am sure that during the 6-day war, false prophets were saying it was the time of the Second Coming. A coalition of Arab states fought Israel. Sounds much like what is told in Revelation, but it was not.

So, those who are young in faith or weaker in faith suffer with anxiety; they worry about the future. We must help them remember the words of our Savior, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. (Matthew 24:6-8). We must remind them that we have been in the last days since Christ's ascension. That our time is not God’s time. 2 Peter reminds us of this, “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (3:8) We must remind those who are weaker in faith, infants in Christ, that God is patient and desires many to come to repentance, just as Peter reminded the church.

These anti-Christs claim to understand what Christ said could not be understood. Anyone who says they are a pastor and portrays themselves as knowing these things is foolish and will answer to the Lord for the damage they cause. And anyone who insinuates the end is near is irresponsible.

We know the Kingdom is coming, but no one knows when. When we place our faith in the risen Son of God, what happens here on this earth is irrelevant. We can only do what we are able to do as children of God, be obedient, reflect our Savior in our daily life, treasure Him for the true treasure He is, and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus came in the incarnate, 100% human, 100% God. He spread the word that the Kingdom of God had come near, that He had come near, Immanuel. He was beaten, humiliated, and went to a tree, crucified, bearing the sins of the world. He died a physical death, and on the third day, He rose again in an eternal body you could touch, dine with, and speak with. Hundreds saw him after the resurrection, before He ascended into heaven, where He is seated at the right hand of the Father. Because of these things, those who receive faith by grace believe in Him as the Messiah. They repent their sins, changing their mind and turning to Christ. Professing their faith, they are made righteous before God, and at the appointed time, they will go to be with Him.

While I know many desire a long life, as do I, I know I have my ticket, and where I am bound, and when I am called, I will go joyfully proclaiming the glory of God.

So much for the false teaching anti-Christ’s. Why care when you know you belong to God? Help those who are taunted and tormented by the false teachers. Give them hope, the only hope, the gospel of Jesus Christ and all that He is, was, and will be, forever and ever, Amen.

Do you know Christ as your Savior? Seek Him today.

Grace and Peace