Jesus is Essential
Matthew 24:23–25: “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.
Don’t miss what He is saying here. The ability to work miracles in our day should be looked upon with suspicion because the next great miracle worker will not be Christ; he will be Antichrist with his false prophets. “If it were possible they shall deceive the very elect.” Who are the elect? In the Scriptures there are two elect groups: the elect of the nation Israel and the elect of the church.
We have to use common sense to determine which group is meant. Who has our Lord been talking about up to this point? Israel. All right, Israel is the elect in this verse, also. Jesus is not talking about the church. You can fool some of the people some of the time. You can fool all of the people some of the time. But you cannot fool God’s children all of the time. It just can’t be done. 1
Walking with Jesus
The best way to be protected from spiritual deception is to be spiritually bold. Know what you believe, and why you believe it. Then make it your mission to live for the Lord. Therefore, whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly for Him. If I interviewed your co-worker, how would they best describe your relationship with Jesus? How is your Christ-like attitude demonstrated in your home and in your church?
I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. John 5:43
The greatest sign for all the world to see is Christ crucified for you.
Praying
Lord, today we pray for the Nation of Israel, that You will continue to reveal to the world that You have never forsaken them.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (Matthew 14-28) (electronic ed., Vol. 35).
