XXXIV -
9(01)
“Watchman,
what of the night?”
"The hour has come,
the hour is striking and striking at you,
the hour and the end!" Eze. 7:6 (Moffatt)
Take Heed That Ye Be Not Deceived
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Let’s Talk It Over
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(Excerpt from WWN 9(01)
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"Take Heed
That Ye
Be Not Deceived"
While Jesus' eschatological message is reported
with variations in the three synoptic gospels, all, Matthew, Mark, and Luke,
begin our Lord's prophetic utterances with the same solemn injunction. In
response to the question, "Tell us when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the
world?," Jesus warned:
Take heed that no man deceive you - Matt. 24:4
Take heed lest any man deceive you - Mark 13:5
Take heed that ye be not deceived. - Luke 21:8
Deception is paramount in the formation of
"the image to the beast." Masquerading as the fulfilment
of the prophecy of the coming of the prophet Elijah, the "false
prophet" deceiveth those "that dwell
on the earth" to "make an image to the beast, which had the wound by
the sword, and did live" (Rev. 13:14). The deception does not end there.
He further deceived them to receive "the mark of the beast"
and to worship the image he caused them to create (19:20).
Deception was the means by which sin was
introduced to this earth. Paul, writing to Timothy, stated that "Adam was
first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived
was in the transgression" (I Tim. 2:13-14). [See also II Cor. 11:3] The
text in Genesis merely states: "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had
made" (Gen. 3:1). The word, "subtil,"
(Heb. gahroom), an adjective, has a dual
meaning. In Genesis 3, it means crafty and cunning; but it also has a good
meaning - prudent and wise. (See Prov. 14:8). This deceptive voice is rightly
described as "subtil" for he was once
"full of wisdom" (Eze. 28:12) but perverted that wisdom into cunning
craftiness. His first question to Eve reveals the very core of deception -
"Yea hath God said?" Over this one factor is the whole of the great
controversy between Christ and Satan; our salvation or our eternal loss.
John in his first Epistle declares that "the
victory that overcomes the world" is "our faith" (5:4.) And that "faith" comes by "hearing the word of
God" (Rom. 10:17). The preferred Greek text reads literally -
"then faith out of hearing [comes], and the hearing through (the) word of
Christ." We seldom look at this verse in context, merely taking it as
definitive. Observe the context:
They have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias (Isaiah) saith, Lord who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
One Greek word
[ akoh] dominates these verses, used as a noun three
times, and translated, twice as "hearing" (v. 17), and once as
"report" (v. 16). The compound verb
['upakouw ] is translated "obeyed" in verse 16, and
means simply, "come under what you hear." In other words, bring your
conduct and thinking into harmony with the word of God. While the Greek text of
the KJV uses the word QeoV (God), there is both Old and New Testament justification for the
preferred, CristoV (Christ). In the prophecy of the coming Prophet given to Moses, God
declared that "whosoever will not hearken unto my words which He shall
speak in My name, I will require it of him"
(Deut. 18:19). This is serious language. On the mount of Transfiguration, the
only words of recorded injunction from God are - "Hear ye Him" (Matt.
17:5).
Let us return to the Garden of Eden encounter. In
his question, "Yea, hath God said?" the "serpent" singled
out the one restriction placed by God on our first parents - "Ye shall not
eat of every tree of the garden." To Eve's reply noting the consequences
of so doing - "Ye shall surely die" - the serpent negated it -
"Ye shall not surely die" (3:4). The line was clearly drawn between
truth and error; however, another factor was introduced in the controversy. The
serpent suggested that in eating, the eyes of Adam and Eve would be opened. In
other words, they were in "blindness" to be in harmony with God's
word. But on the side with that harmony is faith, "the evidence of things
not seen." This is not all - they would be "as gods knowing good and
evil" (v.5). Here was an appeal which perverted their very "ego"
but contained an element of truth. After the deception, the
Lord God, declared, "Because the man is become as one of us, to know good
and evil" (v. 22). They knew what was good; all they gained was a knowledge of evil. But the desire to become
"gods" united them in Satan's rebellion and violated the very first
commandment.
Here we have all the elements that produce
deception: a denial of the word of God, a mingling of truth and error which
perverts truth, and an introduction of an egotism which marks not only the
deceiver, but deceives the ones hearing him. These elements of de-
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ception first played out in Eden are intensified as we come to the final
hour when with great wrath the devil reaches what he knows is his approaching
last hour (Rev. 12:12).
The issue of the word of God involves truth for
as Jesus prayed to God, "Thy word is truth" (John 17:17). This again
places in direct conflict Christ, who is the Truth (14:6) and the enemy who
"abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him" (8:44).
However, the devil does no hesitate to mingle truth
with error but a mixture is still deception. It must be pure and unadulterated
truth. This then requires a diligent and sensitive study of the Sacred
Scriptures.
Paul counseled Timothy:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth. (II, 2:15).
This fine line, Jesus Himself exhibited in His
teaching from the Old Testament writings. Returning to Nazareth where He had
been brought up, Jesus attended the Sabbath services in the synagogue as was
His custom. He was asked to read the Scripture lesson for the day and make
comments. From the book of Isaiah He read what is now designated as Chapter
61:1-2. After reading these verses, He returned the scroll to the minister of
the synagogue with the comment, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in
your ears" (Luke 4:16-21). Turning to Isaiah 61, we can note that Jesus
stopped in the middle of the second verse, not even finishing the sentence. The
whole verse reads:
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and
the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
If He had read the whole sentence, He could not
have made the comment that He did. His first Advent was not to be a day of
vengeance; that would be at His second coming (II Thess. 1:8). He rightly
divided "the word of truth."
Today, the enemy who deceived Eve in the Garden
of Eden is seeking to thwart the advancing light of truth through deception. He
is causing men to reject the plain prophetic words of Jesus concerning last day
events, not only asking, "Yea hath Jesus said?," but also darkening
the mind so that the words of Jesus cannot be rightly associated together, in
other words dividing when there is no division. This is deception compounded
and reversed.
With the initial warning of Jesus in our minds -
"Take heed that ye be not deceived" (Luke
21:8) - let us carefully read a complete section of His prophecy concerning
Jerusalem:
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with
armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are
in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter
thereinto. For these be the
days of vengeance, that all things that are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and them that give suck,
in those days! for there shall be great distress in
the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the
sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be
trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (21:20-24).
First, observe that this whole paragraph is about
one city - Jerusalem, not Israel as a nation. Most of this
paragraph concerns conditions as well as a warning about events which actually
occurred in the history of Jerusalem during the years 66-70 AD. This was more
than thirty years after 34 AD. Israel was no longer the people of God, nor was
Jerusalem the "holy city." The designation of "Israel" as
the people of God had passed to a new "Israel of God" (Gal. 6:15-16);
and the term "holy city" applied to another city (Rev. 21:2). Yet
Jesus said, events in the history of Jerusalem would
be signs to the people of God, the new Israel. God had said - "Hear ye
Him." The early Christians in Judea and Jerusalem did, and not one of them
was killed or led away captive in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Secondly, in the Greek text of verse 24, there is
one word translated two different ways in the KJV. The word is eqnh, and translated "nations," or "Gentiles." The
same word is also used in verse 25 and there is translated,
"nations." The concept is Gentile nations as corporate entities, and
not Gentiles as individuals.
The same city, which when surrounded by alien
armies in 66 AD served as a sign to Christians, is the same city which by
events in 1967 and 1980 told those who had eyes to see and ears to hear, that
the probationary time of the nations of earth was fulfilled.
What does this mean? Again we must rightly divide
"the word of truth." The seven final plagues wherein
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"the wrath of God
is (poured) upon the earth" (Rev. 16:1) is but God's answer to what man
has done in probationary time, with one exception, plague three. For example,
Plague #1, which comes after the close of probation is
on those who receive "the mark of the beast" prior to its close
(16:2; cmp with 14:9-10). In this light consider the
justification for the sixth plague:
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come
out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of
the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of
devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the
whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
And (they) gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue
Armageddon. (16:13-14, 16).
A correct understanding of what Jesus, that
"Prophet" sent by God, said will help us to perceive the time when
"the spirits of devils were given control so as to begin gathering the
nations to the final conflict in the great controversy between Christ and
Satan. We have reached that day. "Take heed that ye be not deceived."
"Hear ye Him"!
PART TWO:
"In an Hour that Ye
Think Not"
Not only did Jesus as the Prophet set forth
events in the history of Jerusalem which were to be signs to God's people, but
He also uttered warnings concerning His return which should give us deep
concern. After citing what a "goodman"
would do had he known that a thief was going to enter his house, Jesus said:
Therefore be ye also
ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh (Matt. 24:44;
Luke 12:40).
Mark, recording another illustration Jesus used
to emphasize the need for watchfulness, notes that He warned, "Lest coming
suddenly He find you sleeping" (Mark 13:36). Jesus is not talking about
those who declare in their hearts, "My lord delayeth
his coming," and thus are "unaware" of how near the end is.
(Matt. 24:48-50) Jesus is speaking to those who believe in His second advent,
and that events declare without question to the nearness of the end of all
things human. Citing an illustration from nature, Jesus stated, "So
likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at
the doors" (Matt. 24:33). A careful analysis of what Jesus said concerning
the suddenness of His return, implies that He was
conveying a warning about the close of all human probation as the distinctive
"hour that ye think not." Comparing the days before His coming
to the days before the Flood, Jesus declared:
But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the
coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood,
they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day
that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took
them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matt. 24:38-39).
The description of life before Noah entered the
ark is that of normal existence. Then came the day when Noah and his family
entered the ark, and "the Lord shut him in" (Gen. 7:16). But the
flood did not come that day! The rain began seven days later. (7:4). The inhabitants "knew not" - did not sense the
reality - until the day the rain started. It was too late. "So shall also
the coming of the Son of man be." Before Jesus comes as "King of
kings, and Lord of lords ""in righteousness to judge and make
war" (Rev. 19:11), His work as High Priest is concluded (15:5, 8).
Probation has closed. In an hour that ye think not, Jesus' divine ministry
changes.
There is also another aspect to the unexpected
nature of the Second Advent. Jesus asked a question - "When the Son of man
cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8). In this question
is found an untranslatable Greek particle which suggests the expected answer.
The word, ara, can indicate "an inferential question to which a negative
answer is expected." Thayer cites Luke 18:8 as the example of this use of
the word (p. 71). Souter in his lexicon states the same for ara (p.36).
This factor should give us concern, concern not
only for others, but also for our own souls. A careful appraisal of the Sermon
on the Mount confirms this question of Jesus. He counselled:
Enter ye in at the
strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to
destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because - - - -
That is the way they want to go? No!
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the
way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (7:13-14)
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Jesus also spoke of the many who
go into the broad way while thinking they are in the narrow way. He stated:
Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name
have cast out devils? and in thy name done many
wonderful works?
His response is clear "Then will I profess
unto them, I never knew you" (7:22-23). They were deceived - preachers,
exorcists, and laymen whose lives were full of good works. There is but one
criterion for entrance into "the kingdom of heaven" and that is,
"he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (7:21). What
is the will of the Father? Again, recall the Mount of Transfiguration. That Voice from the excellent glory declared, "This is my
beloved Son; in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him" (Matt. 17:5).
Observe closely another scene from the gospel of
Luke (14:25-27). "Great multitudes" were with Him. He turned, and
said to those multitudes:
Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after
me, cannot be my disciple (v.27).
Where were the multitudes when Jesus was bearing
His cross to Golgotha? What did they say when Pilate brought Jesus forth and
said, "Behold your King!" (John 19:14). Dare
we think that if we are permitted to sit with Him on His throne, we will escape
the terror of loneliness that tortured His soul? To the "great
multitudes" He said, "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh
not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33). What is a
disciple? Is it not one walks with Him? If we are to "follow the Lamb
withersoever He goeth" (Rev. 14:4), we will follow Him now in the
"narrow way" He walked. Should we wonder why He said, "Few there
be that find it"?
A comparison of the "books" of Heaven
may help us to understand the ratio between the saved and the unsaved. Consider
Revelation 20:8 - the number gathered for the battle against "the beloved
city" is "as the sand of the sea." These will be judged from the
same books which Daniel beheld opened in his vision of the judgment (7:10; Rev.
20:12). How many volumes must there be? Or is the record all on computer discs?
There is, however, another book, just one volume - "the Lamb's book of
life" (Rev. 20:12, 13:8; Dan. 12:1). In it are only names, no resumes, and
no recorded eulogies. These have but one song to sing. They join the angelic
host in singing, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power,... and glory" (Rev. 11-12), for they had "washed
their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (7:14). Those
whose number is as the sand of the sea had echoed in their lives the multitude
who responded to Pilate, "Crucify Him" for sin is the will to kill
God.
Keep in mind that a part of that number, who are
as the sands on the sea shore, are those who prophesied in Christ's name and did
many wonderful works for which at death they had been eulogized. Why had they
failed to find the narrow gate, and why could they now join in the attack on
"the beloved city"? One word: "deceived" (Rev. 20:8,
10).
Note carefully Jesus' words of the deception in
earth's final hour:
There shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great
signs and wonders; insomuch that, if possible, they shall deceive the very
elect. (Matt. 24:24)
Observe closely His next words - "Behold I
have told you before" (ver. 25). We are left without excuse.
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Let's Talk It Over
Have you ever, in your contemplation of the
revelation of prophecy, placed yourself in the picture given? Consider for a
few moments the picture in Revelation 20. The "camp of the saints"
has come down to earth. The description of this city is given in the final
chapters of Revelation. It has crystal clear walls as well as many other
features of dazzling brilliance.
There is a great resurrection. The population of
earth becomes in number "as the sand of the sea." Dare you place
yourself, in contemplation, in that resurrection? You are outside of the city.
You know what awaits you. You make a pilgrimage to see the city at closer
range. You will have time as great preparations will be made to take the city.
You know who the commander-in-chief really is. When you arrive at the city
walls, you recognize certain ones inside. How will you react to them? The same as when on earth prior to the millennium? Will you
bring yourself to join in the final attempted assault on the city?
The answer to these questions is that you will.
Satan will deceive you. In the contemplation, you reject the idea with
abhorrence. The fact remains, that with all the warning not to be deceived in
the earthly spiritual conflict, you were, or you would not be where you will
find yourself.
In your return trip to the small plot on earth
which is yours, you meet others whom you know - some are the very ones used by
Satan which caused you to be where you now find yourself. How will you address
them? What will you attempt to do to them?
When you arrive back to your small plot of earth,
you decide, you will not join the forces that Satan is preparing to take the
city. But you will! The prophecy indicates that all went up and compassed the
city. Why will you do this? You will again be deceived.
We have on record the greatest deception of all
time which led Israel to reject the Messiah. How could a person reject One who had resurrected a man who had been dead four days?
Yet it was done, and some of the very ones who had witnessed the event would
later join the religious leaders in shouting, "Crucify Him!" In John
7 we find a record of the reaction of the populace to the evidence of truth.
Conversing among themselves, the throng who had gathered at Jerusalem to
celebrate the feast of tabernacles concluded that when the Messiah came, no man
would know from where he had come (ver. 27). They said that they knew from
where Jesus had come. It is evident that some of the people perceived of Him as
coming from Galilee. They asked the question, "Shall the Messiah come out
of Galilee?" These knew the Scriptures for they cited Micah 5:2 as
evidence to where the Messiah was to be born (vs. 41-42).
What was the source of this misconception
concerning Jesus? A dispute in the Sanhedrin in which Nicodemus was involved,
the Pharisees threw at him this same distortion of fact as to the origin of
Jesus (v.52). The fact of his birth, and place of birth was a matter of record
right there in the temple (Luke 2:21-24). With the record available, the
Pharisees had ignored the place of His birth in Bethlehem; and circulated
instead the idea that Jesus was a Galilean. This was either done in ignorance,
or with purposeful intent. The same holds true today. The voices seeking to
guide the "historic" dissidents are either ignorant - and many of them
are - or they are purposefully covering truth so as to escape its implications.
The price to be paid for such deception is too high. Think again, what it will
be like to be outside, "the camp of the saints"!
"The Christian life is a battle and a march. But the victory
to be gained is not won by human power. The field of conflict is the domain of
the heart. The battle which we have to fight - the greatest battle that was
ever fought by man - Is the surrender of self to the will of God, the yielding
of the heart to the sovereignty of love."