Do Not Be Deceived II

Crash Course in End Times 2.0  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  34:04
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Turn to Matthew 24. I’m using the NIV this morning.
Last week we had an introduction to deception and the End Times. When things like this pandemic occur, people question - is this a sign of the End. Maybe, maybe not. Regardless, it is wise to understand the times in which we live, and it’s wise to have a biblical foundation for the End.
Understand, there are many things about the End Times that are mysterious to us. 1st Century Christians - not so much. But to us - what does all this mean. God does not fault us for not knowing the unknown. God will not condemn us for not solving the mysteries of the apocalypse. If you’re worried that you might go to hell because you can’t figure out what the locusts are that sting like scorpions in Revelation 9, what are all these beasts - relax. God is not that capricious. Yes, we are called to have wisdom. Yes, we are called to understand the times, but salvation is based upon what? By grace through faith in Christ. You don’t have to unravel Daniel or Ezekiel or Revelation to have salvation, but you do have to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, faith in Him, repent of sin and confess He is the Christ. Our salvation and hope is in Jesus Christ, not in solving the mysteries of the future.
Now, there are some things we do need to consider regarding the End Times. As we look at Matthew 24 (also known at the Olivet Discourse, you’ll find this in Mark 13, Luke 21, and other places), let’s think in terms of road signs. Some signs tell us location. You are on Route 66. You’re on 92nd and Sunnyside. You’re at Glacier National Park. There are other road signs that warn us or alert us of danger. Ice on bridge. Falling rocks. Sharp turn. Deer or Kangaroo crossing. In this discourse, there are two main road signs - signs to let us know where we are at in the scope of history (either in the End or approaching), and signs of warning.
We’ll go through the first 8 verses so you can see what I mean and then you can take it from there.
Matthew 24:3–5 NIV
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.
So that, I believe is warning, and we’ll come back to that. Verse 6-8 are about location.
Matthew 24:6–8 NIV
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
So, verses 6-8 and other passages like these are signs of location - just indicators - this is where you are at in the scope of the End. Birth pains tell us to pay attention. The baby’s not here yet, but let’s pay attention because if these contractions increase … grab the bag and let’s go!
Is an earthquake or a famine a sign of the End? Not necessarily. But when we see an increase in frequency and intensity - i.e. the birth pains, the contractions are getting stronger, closer together etc., we know we’re getting close to Christ’s return.
A word of advice when it comes to apocalyptic literature - don’t be too literal in your interpretation. Ancient people often communicated with metaphors and imagery to a explain a truth. This is not literally about famines and earthquakes. The point is that there will be all kinds of catastrophes / crazy events - manmade and natural - but when we get to the End, these things will be on an apocalyptic scale.
When you put all apocalyptic literature together, in short, here’s what you get - it will be unquestionable. We’re probably not going wonder, “Hm, this is the End.” As I look at this, when the official End begins, I’m confident that we will know.
Look at verse
Matthew 24:21 NIV
For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
It’s not going to be catastrophe here and a plague there - this is going to be game on. There is a general consensus (of course not everyone) among theologians that when we enter the actual End Times, we don’t come out until Christ returns. For example, if this COVID pandemic dissipates and we get back to “normal,” then we’re not in the End Times. But if this thing doesn’t end, and other End Times events begin to pile on - probably time to look up for our Redeemer draws nigh.
I want to reiterate - in apocalyptic literature, we have signs that tell us where we are. “You are here, and the End Times are up ahead - 20 miles,” or “You are here, and you have entered Apocalyptic Land - enjoy the ride!” Then we have the warning signs - danger - pay attention. “Grizzly bears are feeding - do not hike alone O stupid one.”
Interesting - generally speaking, humans have this innate ability to ignore warning signs. That can be good. It can be bad. Wise or unwise. When it comes to Christ’s return, it would be unwise to ignore the warning signs.
Jesus doesn’t warn us about earthquakes. “Be careful where you step! Step on a crack …!” Jesus doesn’t warn us about earthquakes and famines and viruses because earthquakes and famines and viruses are not the things that deceive us and cause us to go astray. See, if we focus most of our attention location, location, location - we miss the warning, warning, warning. And as far as I can tell, all the warnings deal with deception and falling away from the faith.
Listen carefully -
Matthew 24:4 NIV
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
Why the warning?
Matthew 24:5 NIV
For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.
Matthew 24:11 NIV
and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
Matthew 24:23–26 NIV
At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.
Notice that Jesus warns us of two types of people (in our world - human, alien, AI): Watch out for False messiahs and false prophets. Let’s keep this simple, close and pick it back up next week.
1) False messiahs. What is a messiah? A messiah says I am the way, I am the savior. Might even say you can have your Jesus, but you also need me. Or, you can have your Christianity, but I will show you more.
A false messiah ultimately wants to replace the Son of God, Jesus Christ. A false messiah ultimately wants our adoration, our allegiance, our trust. A false messiah will deny Yahweh as the God Most High, Jehoshua is His Son, came in the flesh, born of a virgin, died on a cross and rose again.
Jesus says watch out because many will fall away, don’t be one of them! We don’t need another messiah. We already have One and He’s already been here and He’s coming back and when He does, we who are in Christ will know it.
2) False prophets. What do prophets do? If a messiah says, “I am the way,” a prophet says, “He is the way.” They speak on behalf of. They point people toward. A false prophet will always point toward a false messiah and a false doctrine.
What does this mean for us today?
Don’t let the events of this world freak you out or distract you. Use this as an opportunity to reengage the Word of God and to know His truth.
1 Timothy 4:16 NIV
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
We’ll talk more about that later …
Know Jesus. Know His Word.
Confess Jesus
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