Mark wrote how Jesus spoke about the end of the age and said, “in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he has chosen, he has shortened the days. And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not”, and in chapter thirteen and verse twenty-two of his book, Mark shared how Jesus says, “for false Christs and false prophets shall rise” where we read:
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders,
to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
The verse reads, “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, ...” Mark began with the words, “for false Christs” or “because, since and on account that spurious ones who lay claim to the name and office of the Messiah” “and false prophets” which means “and ones who spuriously act the part of a divinely inspired foretellers or religious falsehoods” “shall rise” or “will arouse, awake and be stirred up”, “and shall show signs” which means “and will give, grant, supply and furnish marks, tokens or miracles” “and wonders” or “and portents, prodigies or omens”. Mark shared how Jesus said people “pretending” to be “prophets” would appear, and they would perform “miracles and omens”.
The verse goes on to say, “... to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” Mark continued with the words, “to seduce” which means “to lead astray from the truth and into error”, “if it were possible” or “whether and perhaps able, powerful, mighty and strong in wealth and influence”, “even the elect” or “also and indeed the picked out, chosen, select and appointed of God”. Mark shared how the “false Christs and prophets” would be so convincing they would “lead astray” God's chosen ones if they were able.
When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus warned His disciples against people who would claim to be the “Christ” and perform as “prophets” who will perform “miracles and omens” but actually teach and promote “false doctrine” . Their teachings and ways will be so convincing that even God's “chosen ones” may be lead away from the truth and into error. God's desire is to have a loving personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus who is the Messiah, and those who know and keep close to Him will not tend to “stray” from the truth or be drawn toward people who are “false”.
Next time Mark shares how Jesus says, “take heed: behold, I have foretold you all things”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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