Today’s Devotion
Topic: Many Will Come And Deceive Many!
Text: Matthew 24:10- 13
10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Amen
Ever wondered why the number of self-proclaimed prophets with dubious character keeps increasing together with the masses who follow them? Do not any more. Jesus already warned that this will happen. He said “MANY will come in my name, CLAIMING “I am the Messiah (or anointed),’ and will DECEIVE MANY” (Mat 24: 5).
Child of God, you see, in their bid to deceive the masses and win them over to the devil, these so called “men of God” literally practice idolatry, divination, sorcery and necromancy right in front of the congregation they lead and the people love them even the more. The excited congregation do not praise God for each miracle (magic) performed rather they cheer the “man of God” and heap appellations on him.
When the service is over, both parties are very satisfied. The false prophet wanted many to deceive and has succeeded in doing exactly that. The excited congregation also came to be deceived and are not disappointed at all. They love to see some magical display that gives false hopes and doesn’t demand the sacrifice of purity, love, forgiveness, devotion to God in prayer, waiting on the Lord for His time and the practice the word of God. Those virtues are too demanding for them.
As a matter of fact, the Lord Jesus cautions a lot about the former in the passage above. Paul also warns Timothy about the nature, desire and character of the latter (i.e. the congregation). He said _”For the time will come when people 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” (2 Tim 4: 3)._
So you see, the false prophet and his false congregation do not disappoint each other at all. But you, child of God, will you be one of the deceived or you will be the one who snatches the deceived from the wicked paws of these false prophets and assist them to the saving knowledge of Christ?
Begin to pray now, ask that the eyes of your understanding be opened so that you can know what the word says concerning every matter and not get deceived by following after signs and wonders. Also ask for the spirit of discernment to enable you identify those false prophets by their fruits.
Meanwhile, kindly note that this awareness is not to suggest that all signs and wonders done in the name of the Lord are false. The greatest miracle worker is our Lord Jesus Christ and has anointed His own to do greater works. His word abides in those, producing fruits that are worthy of Christ and miracles that are not isolated from the word of God, rather leading to repentance and righteousness.
Any other magical demonstrations with price tags on elements and oils that promise to replace the need of a relationship with God is false; aimed only at deceiving many to hell and enriching the many false prophets here on earth at the expense of your salvation.
Meditate on this. See you at church this morning. Not just any church, but a bible believing church where the gospel is preached, yet not with enticing words of men but under the demonstration of the power of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor 2:4). You owe yourself this favour before it becomes too late.
Jesus says _”Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.” (Rev 16:15). _ Do not disappoint yourself on the judgement day, choose righteousness!
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