Matthew 24:4-5
"Jesus
answered: Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name,
claiming, I am the Christ, and will deceive many."
NIV
A friend sent me a hilarious on-line video. It
featured a retriever type dog with a stick. The dog was almost wild with
anticipation as he kept grabbing the stick and dropping it at the feet of a man
sitting on a bench. The bench warmer however didn't respond no matter how
excited the animal got or how many times the dog picked up the stick, ran about
with it and then dropped it back at the fellow's feet. The person shooting the
video can be heard chuckling away to himself as he watches his dog's antics and
the non-responsive bench warmer. The reason he is laughing is because the bench
warmer is a bronze statue. This poor dog was deceived. The statue looked like a
man but it wasn't a man at all.
Likewise Jesus' warns his disciples that as the end of
the age approaches there will be those who claim to Him. They will even be able
to do miracles and perform wonders but they will not be who they claim to be,
they will not be the Christ, so be warned, be prepared. But how does one prepare
for the coming of Christ so that they are not deceived by the imposters? Jesus
gives us the answer in Matthew 24:26-27 NIV
"So if
anyone tells you, There he is, out in the desert, do not go out; or, Here he is,
in the inner rooms, do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east
is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."
Yes, when Jesus returns no one will have to tell us,
for his return will be without precedent, no one will be able to miss it. So
until that day, let us choose to stand firm no matter what may come, let us take
the opportunity to wipe the smile of the devil's face by not being deceived and
enticed away by false prophets, ideas or discouragement as we see our world
becoming more and more anti Christian.
Prayer: Father God we thank you that you have a plan
for this world. We thank you that no one can stop or alter your plan and that it
will evolve in exactly the right order and at the right time. So until that day
when Jesus returns, or we are called home to heaven, strengthen and empower us
to stand firm upon the truth and hope of your word that none of us shall be
deceived. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
lynnephipps@hotmail.com
Atlin, B.C.
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