Many years ago, while reading the Book of Revelation, I found myself contemplating that the media was a false prophet, not THE false prophet. Mind you, this was prior to what we have been subjected too, and observing the past several years. I am not a theologian, or a student of prophecy, and I am certainly not trying to be a prophet; but I would like to share my observation.
I understand that the false prophet in the Book of Revelation is an individual. I have no issue with that; and I am most certainly not trying to identify the false prophet or the anti-Christ. What I am interested in, is drawing your attention to the ‘spirit of the anti-Christ’, and the ‘voice of the false prophet. One of things that can be presumptive in drawing attention to a specific thought is while connecting the dots to make a personal conjecture you run the risk of creating your own dogma. That is what I run the risk of doing at this time.
In Matthew 24:3, Jesus’ disciples approach Him privately and ask Him, “Tell us, when will these things be, And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Jesus had just told His disciples that the temple in Jerusalem was going to be totally razed in the future.
In Matthew 24:4, Jesus’ answer is startling, He says to them, “Take heed that no one deceives you…” He continues by outlining other events that will occur (see Matthew 24: 5-10). In Matthew 5:11-14, He says, “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many, and because lawlessness will abound, the love (agape) of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (NKJV) [words in bold print are my emphasis]
For me personally, I can easily visualize Matthew 24:11-14 as the backdrop for what the Church is being prepared to embrace in this hour. I am not saying that this same backdrop has not been faced by the Church before; what I am saying is that the Lord is shaking everything that can be shaken to awaken His Church out of its lethargy and step forward to be bold with a Renewed Confidence. I encourage you to read and reflect on Matthew 24:4-14. Now, ask yourself, what is the Lord asking of me in this hour?
Paul, the Apostle, writing to the church in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, “Now brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering unto Him, we ask you, not to be shaken in mind or troubled either by spirit or by word or by , as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.” This church thought they had missed Christ’s coming. Paul is assuring them that they had not missed His coming.
Paul continues, “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 worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God…For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work…The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, will all powers, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish because they did not receive the love (agape) of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion , that they should believe the lie, they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2Thessalonians 2: 3-4, 7a, 9-11, NKJV)
My point for using these verses is to dramatically highlight the words that are associated with and characterize Satan, and demonic activity. I submit to you that the ‘spirit of the anti-christ, and the false prophet have been unleashed against this nation.
I make no apology for my belief that the verbal rhetoric’ that this nation is being subject too, are lies, accusations, and deceptions from “below’. (James 3:14-16) ” But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist , confusion and every evil thing are there.” (NKJV)
This is the atmosphere in which we are living. What is the overall effect of this constant negativism? despair, unrest, hopelessness, despondency, fear, uncertainty, anxiety, lawlessness, what else can you add to the list? This is the bad news of sin; the scam of corruption that Satan has assailed against mankind. This is why, I assert, that our warfare is not against mankind, flesh and blood; but it is against the principalities, rulers of the darkness of this age. We are in a spiritual war against demonic spiritual powers.
We need to awake to reality in which we live. The spirit of the anti-Christ, and the voice of the false prophet spew forth through every media venue lies, deceit, and accusations propagating falsehoods, and confusion meant to kill, steal, and destroy humanity, relationships, and bring an upheaval to governments throughout the world.
Yes, what I am sharing is all bad news.
BUT, the good news is that in Christ, we overcome the bad news; that is why He came.
“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
“John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first born from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:4-6, NKJV)
Rejoice, Jesus is Lord.
TBC
Living Words of Encouragement 