False Christs and Prophets Who Deceive - Matthew 24:24

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told of horrific events that will be on the earth before He comes again and the end of the world takes place. He also said, “But pray that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day. For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse twenty-four of his book, Matthew wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets” where we read:

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

The verse reads, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders;” Matthew began with Jesus' word, “for” which means “because, since and on account that” “there shall arise” which means “there will arouse, appear and come on the scene” “false Christ's” which is the Greek word “pseudochristos”which means “ones who falsely lay claim to the name and office of the Messiah”, “and false prophets” which is the Greek word “pseudoprophētēs” refers to “ones who are acting the part of a divinely inspired prophet and utter falsehoods under the name of divine prophecies”, “and shall show” which means “and will grant, supply, furnish and deliver” “great signs” which means “numerous and abundant unusual occurrences which transcend the common course of nature” “and wonders” or “miracles”. Matthew shared how Jesus said during this horrible time upon the earth, people will appear who would be “false, fake or pseudo Messiahs and prophets”, and these people will do “numerous supernatural miracles”.

The verse continues, “... insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew added Jesus' words, “insomuch that” or “so therefore or the result would be that”, “if it were possible which means “whether the following might have a powerful and strong influence”, “they shall deceive” or “the false Messiahs and false prophets may lead astray, make wander and roam about and lead into error” “the very elect” which refers to “even, indeed and also God's chosen ones who have obtained salvation through Christ”. Matthew shared how Jesus said these “false Messiahs and prophets” would be so convincing that even God's “chosen ones” might be fooled by them.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we understand this to be a great warning to all people concerning “false Messiahs” and “false prophets”. Although these people will be able to perform mighty miracles, all who are wise shall avoid being led astray by them. Even as Moses of old had “magicians” who could perform some of the miracles He did before Pharaoh, (See Exodus chapters 7 and 8), these counterfeit spiritual leaders will do supernatural miracles as well. God desires people to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus and His word, and those who continue in the word of God stay close to Him. Though “fake” Messiahs and prophets shall certainly come, those who stay in touch with God and His ways need will never be “deceived” by them.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus says “behold, I have told you before”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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