A Study in Matthew 24

A Study in the book of Matthew, Chapter 24

The Headlines – 7/18/2014:  Active war in Israel with Muslim terrorists, war in the Ukraine involving Russia, war in Syria and Iraq with ISIS Muslim terrorists, Muslim terrorist attacks in Africa, Muslim riots in France and England, trouble with radical Muslims in Libya, Egypt, and Sudan, trouble in the China Sea involving China and Japan, trouble brewing with North Korea, domestic scandals and political turmoil and trouble in the USA, severe national financial troubles throughout the world, severe droughts in various places including much of the western USA, famine in many parts of the world, a dramatic increase in the numbers and intensity of earthquakes throughout the earth, new drug resistant diseases and pestilences throughout much of the world including Ebola, Chikungunya fever, West Nile virus, and the EEE virus, and the list goes on.

The daily news is enough to scare anyone into depression and hopelessness. But we are not just anyone. We are the children of God and our kingdom is not of this world. [Phl 3:20 NLT] But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. [Jhn 18:36 NASB] Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." [Jhn 15:19 NASB] "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

As believers there is a hope set before us, the hope of glory at the return of our Lord Jesus. And it is this hope that enables us to see the current events in the world through a different lens, the lens of the prophecies of the Bible. [Luk 21:28 NKJV] "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."[Luk 21:31 NKJV] "So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.

All of this leads me to look again at Jesus’ words that surely seem to speak of the days we are living in.

A Study in Mathew 24

[Mat 24:1 NKJV] Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple.

[Mat 24:2 NKJV] And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not [one] stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

Jesus begins this discourse by prophesying the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. He is telling the disciples, and proving to us, that He knows the future, for what He prophesied occurred just as He said some 40 years later.

[Mat 24:3 NKJV] Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what [will be] the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"

Two questions: 1 – when will these things be? And 2 – what will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age? Jesus begins His answer to the disciples, addressing the signs of His coming at the end of the age. These are the things that we should be looking for to discern the times of His coming.

[Mat 24:4 NKJV] And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.

[Mat 24:5 NKJV] "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.

The deceptions Jesus warns about concern false Christs (messiahs or saviors) and the deceptions they will bring to the earth. We can easily expand this warning to false prophets, teachers, and political leaders who will bring much deception to the earth. The first sign of His coming is an explosion of deception in the earth. Look around. Deception and out and out lies are the hallmark of our current society and politics.

[Mat 24:6 NKJV] "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Jesus tells us that the second sign of His coming and the end of the age will be a proliferation of wars and potential wars. Because He tells us that they must come to pass but the end is not yet, we see that these wars are the beginning signs or events marking the days of His coming and the end of the age. This is consistent with the prophecy of Revelation 6 where the beginning event of the 7 years of tribulation is the second rider on the red horse, war. Look around. There are a proliferation of wars and rumors of wars especially in the Middle East tonight.

[Mat 24:7 NKJV] "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

The next signs are famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. Look around. There are serious famines and the potential for famine due to drought, pestilences, and an unprecedented number of earthquakes occurring in our day.

[Mat 24:8 NKJV] "All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.

Here we note that the above signs are the beginning of sorrows, the beginning of the days that immediately precede the coming of our Lord Jesus. The Bible often likens these days to birth pains.  Therefore, like birth pains, we should expect these signs to grow stronger and more frequent as we approach the day of His coming.

[Mat 24:9 NKJV] "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.

As these days begin Jesus warns us that there will be trouble for believers (and for Jews). Some will be killed.  [Rev 2:10 NKJV] "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw [some] of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Jesus also warns us that believers (and Jews) will be hated by all nations for His name’s sake. This warning is directed at those that believe in and proclaim Jesus as the Son of God and as their personal Lord. Look around. Look at the slaughter of Christians in many places in the world today. The number of martyrs is unprecedented. We also see irrational hatred of Christians growing throughout the world.

[Mat 24:10 NKJV] "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

This pressure is causing many to fall away and deny Christ; it is the very demand of Islamic ISIS terrorists in Iraq and Syria this very day. Just what is it that offends to the degree that people will betray and even hate one another? When one’s behavior is condemned by the teachings, standards and commandments of the Bible it seems that the natural reaction is to hate those that profess to believe the Bible and attempt to live by it. The Bible is the plumb line that exposes sin and sinners hate to have their sin exposed. At the root of this reaction is pride and the basic sinful nature of unregenerated mankind.  

[Mat 24:11 NKJV] "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

Deception through false prophets is noted as a sign of His coming. This sign and warning is directed at the church. Look around. Prophets and prophecies are abounding in our world today. Many are prophesying peace and safety and the restoration of governments and society. But how many are prophesying Biblical prophecies? How many are “prophesying” words to tickle the ears, to make people feel good, to gain attention for themselves, to please man verses pleasing God?

[Mat 24:12 NKJV] "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Jesus tells us that a key characteristic of these days of trouble before His return will be marked by lawlessness. A quick check of today’s news tells us that lawlessness from the highest levels of government to thugs in the streets is the rule of the day. As to the loss of love for the Lord and for each other, we can see it everywhere. The rule of the day here is, “take care of number one”. In the churches we see this where the emphasis is on plans and programs and pleasing people to get them to attend “my” church and not on the Lord Jesus. These are the lukewarm churches and those that have lost their first love. [Rev 2:4 NKJV] "Nevertheless I have [this] against you, that you have left your first love. [Rev 3:15 NKJV] "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.[Rev 3:16 NKJV] "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.[Rev 3:17 NKJV] "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--

[Mat 24:13 NKJV] "But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

[Mat 24:14 NKJV] "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

In these verses we see the promise that those that hang in there (endure) through all of these things until the Lord comes will be saved.

[Mat 24:15 NKJV] "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),

[Mat 24:16 NKJV] "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

[Mat 24:17 NKJV] "Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house.

[Mat 24:18 NKJV] "And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.

[Mat 24:19 NKJV] "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!

[Mat 24:20 NKJV] "And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.

 [Mat 24:21 NKJV] "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

[Mat 24:22 NKJV] "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.

The Lord now goes to the midpoint of the seven years of tribulation when the antichrist stands in the newly rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem and declares himself to be God. This is the 'abomination of desolation’. All of the signs He has been telling us have led up to this point. Here He is specifically addressing Jews here who are in Judea. He is telling them to flee into the mountains for a time of very great trouble or tribulation is coming (the Time of Jacob’s Trouble). This time is the last 31/2 years of the 7 years of tribulation. It will be a time of tribulation like no other has ever been and there will ever be another like it. But, because He is a covenant keeping God, for the sake of the elect, He will come and end this time of tribulation and complete His covenant promises to all Israel. [Rom 11:26 KJV] And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:[Rom 11:27 KJV] For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.[Rom 11:28 KJV] As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.[Rom 11:29 KJV] For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.

[Mat 24:23 NKJV] "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here [is] the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe [it].

[Mat 24:24 NKJV] "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

[Mat 24:25 NKJV] "See, I have told you beforehand.

[Mat 24:26 NKJV] "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; [or] 'Look, [He is] in the inner rooms!' do not believe [it].

[Mat 24:27 NKJV] "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

 [Mat 24:28 NKJV] "For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

[Mat 24:29 NKJV] "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

[Mat 24:30 NKJV] "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

[Mat 24:31 NKJV] "And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

In these last days the antichrist will be declaring himself to be God supported by the false prophet who will be telling all that the antichrist is God (or the Christ) and attempting to prove it with many signs and wonders like fire falling from heaven.  But Jesus says that when He comes, everybody will know it. He will come like lightning, riding on a white horse with the saints of heaven following His as He comes to earth to establish His Kingdom.

[Rev 19:11-21 NKJV]  Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes [were] like a flame of fire, and on His head [were] many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He [was] clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on [His] robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, "that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all [people], free and slave, both small and great." And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

[Mat 24:32 NKJV] "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer [is] near.

[Mat 24:33 NKJV] "So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near--at the doors!

[Mat 24:34 NKJV] "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

[Mat 24:35 NKJV] "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

[Mat 24:36 NKJV] "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

[Mat 24:37 NKJV] "But as the days of Noah [were], so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

[Mat 24:38 NKJV] "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,

[Mat 24:39 NKJV] "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

 [Mat 24:40 NKJV] "Then two [men] will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.

[Mat 24:41 NKJV] "Two [women will be] grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.[Mat 24:42 NKJV] "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

[Mat 24:43 NKJV] "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.

[Mat 24:44 NKJV] "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

[Mat 24:45 NKJV] "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?

[Mat 24:46 NKJV] "Blessed [is] that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.

[Mat 24:47 NKJV] "Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.

[Mat 24:48 NKJV] "But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,'

[Mat 24:49 NKJV] "and begins to beat [his] fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards,

[Mat 24:50 NKJV] "the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for [him] and at an hour that he is not aware of,

[Mat 24:51 NKJV] "and will cut him in two and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Jesus is plainly telling us here that the generation that sees these signs will be the generation that sees His second coming to the earth. He reminds us that no one knows the exact day or hour of His coming, but we are to know the signs of His coming and look to that great day as our hope of glory. It is interesting that the Lord tells us that in the days of Noah, they did not know the day of the flood until Noah entered the ark. But Noah surely knew! The “they” are those that do not know God or hear His voice. The “they” are those that do not know the signs or the prophecies of the last days. [1Th 5:1 NKJV] But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.[1Th 5:2 NKJV] For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.[1Th 5:3 NKJV] For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.[1Th 5:4 NKJV] But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.  [1Th 5:5 NKJV] You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.[1Th 5:6 NKJV] Therefore let us not sleep, as others [do], but let us watch and be sober.[1Th 5:7 NKJV] For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.[1Th 5:8 NKJV] But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and [as] a helmet the hope of salvation. [1Th 5:9 NKJV] For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, [1Th 5:10 NKJV] who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.[1Th 5:11 NKJV] Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Note that it is the evil servant who is caught unawares and receives the punishment thereof. For those of us who are expecting Him and anxiously awaiting Him, we are to be found at our duties serving Him and doing the works He has entrusted to us.

It is interesting that in verses 40-44 Jesus tells us that a time will come when two people will be a working doing their daily things when suddenly one will be taken and one will be left at an hour we do not expect. Therefore we are always to be ready!  I suspect that this is a hint of the rapture. A hint that for those that are hopefully and expectantly awaiting for His return, He will suddenly come and take us away to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man, our Jesus. [Rev 3:10 NKJV] "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

These days of great trial and tribulation are known Biblically as the days of God’s wrath. [Rev 6:16 NKJV] and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! [Rev 6:17 NKJV] "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" [Rev 8:5 NKJV] Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw [it] to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. [Rev 15:1 NKJV] Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.

But the good news is God’s promise to His children: [1Th 5:9 NKJV] For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

[Rev 22:6 NKJV] Then he said to me, "These words [are] faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. [Rev 22:7 NKJV] "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed [is] he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."[Rev 22:10 NKJV] And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.[Rev 22:12 NKJV] "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward [is] with Me, to give to every one according to his work.[Rev 22:14 NKJV] Blessed [are] those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.[Rev 22:20 NKJV] He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus![Rev 22:21 NKJV] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.

This is our prayer! Luk 21:36 NKJV] "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Relating these signs to Revelation 6:1- 17 and the beginning of the seven years of tribulation, the days of the Wrath of The Lamb:

(Rev 6:1 NKJV) Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see."

(Rev 6:2 NKJV) And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

Satan is released in the person of The Antichrist to initiate the following things.

(Rev 6:3 NKJV) When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come and see."

(Rev 6:4 NKJV) Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that [people] should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

In progress.

(Rev 6:5 NKJV) When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.

(Rev 6:6 NKJV) And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine."

In progress.

(Rev 6:7 NKJV) When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see."

(Rev 6:8 NKJV) So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

gé: the earth, land

Original Word: γῆ, γῆς, ἡ
Short Definition: the earth, soil, land
Definition: the earth, soil, land, region, country, inhabitants of a region.

In progress.

(Rev 6:9 NKJV) When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.

(Rev 6:10 NKJV) And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"

(Rev 6:11 NKJV) Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both [the number of] their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they [were], was completed.

In progress.

(Rev 6:12 NKJV) I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.

About to occur?

(Rev 6:13 NKJV) And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.

(Rev 6:14 NKJV) Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.

(Rev 6:15 NKJV) And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,

(Rev 6:16 NKJV) and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!

(Rev 6:17 NKJV) "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

The days of the Wrath of The Lamb begin.

(Rev 7:1 NKJV) After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.

144,000 Jews marked and released to be God’s witnesses on earth and the Saints appear in Heaven.

(Rev 8:1 NKJV) When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

With the breaking of the seventh and last seal, the great scroll is opened and events of the Days of the Wrath of the Lamb begin..

(Rev 8:2 NKJV) And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.

(Rev 8:3 NKJV) Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

(Rev 8:4 NKJV) And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand.

(Rev 8:5 NKJV) Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw [it] to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.

(Rev 8:6 NKJV) So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. (Rev 16:17 NKJV) Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!"

The judgments (Wrath) of God begin with natural disasters on earth.

(Rev 15:1 NKJV) Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.

The wrath of God is complete or finish when the seventh and last bowl of wrath is poured out.

(Rev 16:17 NKJV) Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!"

(Rev 16:18 NKJV) And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.

(Rev 16:19 NKJV) Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.

(Rev 16:20 NKJV) Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

(Rev 16:21 NKJV) And great hail from heaven fell upon men, [each hailstone] about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.

Then the Lord Jesus returns as King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus returns at this point destroys evil, imprisons Satan and establishes His Kingdom on earth.

(Rev 19:6 NKJV) And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!

(Rev 19:7 NKJV) "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."

(Rev 19:8 NKJV) And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

(Rev 19:9 NKJV) Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed [are] those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."

Note that the marriage supper of the Lamb occurs at or immediately after His coming.

(Rev 19:11 NKJV) Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

(Rev 19:12 NKJV) His eyes [were] like a flame of fire, and on His head [were] many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.

(Rev 19:13 NKJV) He [was] clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

(Rev 19:14 NKJV) And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

(Rev 19:15 NKJV) Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

(Rev 19:16 NKJV) And He has on [His] robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

The Spirit of Deception

The Spirit of Deception

What’s his name and what’s his game?  His name is Satan and his game is lying, stealing, killing, and destroying.

de·cep·tion

 noun \di-ˈsep-shən\

: the act of making someone believe something that is not true : the act of deceiving someone

: an act or statement intended to make people believe something that is not true

artifice, cheating, cozenage, craft, craftiness,crookedness, crookery, cunning, cunningness,deceitfulness, deceit, deceptiveness, dishonesty,dissembling, dissimulation, double-dealing, dupery,duplicity, fakery, foxiness, fraud, guile, guilefulness,wiliness

5423 phrenapátēs (from 5424 /phrḗn, "outlook from insignt" and538 /apatáō, "deceive") – properly, deceivers, leading others into their delusions – especially exploiting those with a narrow mind (used only in Tit 1:10).

1388 /dólos ("deceit motivated by guile") uses decoys to snare (deceive) people which implies treachery to exploit the naive (undiscerning) – baiting them through (with) their own greed.

Cognate: 539 apátē – a false impression, made to deceive or cheat – i.e. deceit motivated by guile and treachery (trickery, fraud). See 538 (apataō).

If we examine the rise to power of nearly all of the despots, the evil world leaders of history, we find a common root or foundation, lies and deception. The Bible would say that they came into and were sustained “by a foreign god”. (Dan 11:39 NKJV) "Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, [and] advance [its] glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.

The “foreign god” is none other than Lucifer, Satan himself, the king of the satanic kingdom and prince of the power of the air (the world).

(Eph 2:2 NASB) in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

 (1Jo 5:19 NASB) We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

(Jhn 12:31 NASB) "Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

(Jhn 14:30 NASB) "I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;

 (Rev 12:9 NASB) And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

We also see from the scriptures that Satan uses very high level fallen angels or princes like the Prince of Persia, the Prince of Greece, and Gog of the land of Magog to administrate his kingdoms.

(Dan 10:20 NKJV) Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.

(Dan 10:13 NKJV) "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.

(Eze 38:2 NKJV) "Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

(Eze 38:3 NKJV) "and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I [am] against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.

In turn, these evil fallen angels or princes establish and use humans to directly interface with the humans of the earth. Once in power these human leaders become conduits of spirits of control, manipulation, fear, intimidation, and violence to maintain their power. But at the root of Satan’s kingdom on earth is deception. It started in the Garden of Eden and continues to this very day.

(Jhn 10:10 NKJV) "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have [it] more abundantly.

(Jhn 8:44 NKJV) "You are of [your] father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own [resources], for he is a liar and the father of it.

 (2Jo 1:7 NKJV) For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ [as] coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Definition: antichrist, either one who puts himself in the place of, or the enemy (opponent) of the Messiah.

500 antíxristos (from 473 /antí, "opposite to, in place of" and5547 /Xristós, "Christ") – properly, opposite to Christ; someone acting in place of (against) Christ; "Antichrist."

(Rev 12:9 NKJV) So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

(Rev 13:14 NKJV) And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.

Now we can understand how the evil rulers of history and the evil rulers in the world today came to power, and how they maintain their power. So the question we ask ourselves now is what is the antidote? And the answer is TRUTH! But what is truth?

(Jhn 18:37 NASB) Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

(Jhn 18:38 NASB) Pilate said to Him, (veritas, veritas. quid est veritas?) "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, "I find no guilt in Him.

The irony of the scene is that in reality “truth” was standing right in front of Pilate. Truth is in Jesus.

(Jhn 14:6 NKJV) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

(Jhn 1:14 NKJV) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

(Jhn 1:17 NKJV) For the law was given through Moses, [but] grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Now when Jesus was with the people in the flesh, His teachings were a revelation of the truth that was inside of Him. Jesus spoken words were a revelation of God’s truth. Jesus in the flesh was the Word of God - Truth.

(Mat 22:16 NKJV) And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.

(Jhn 17:17 NASB) "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

(Jhn 1:1 NASB) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(Jhn 1:14 NASB) And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

 But after His resurrection Jesus left the earth and returned to His Father. So how is “truth” revealed to us today?

Truth is revealed to us today by the Holy Spirit!  While we do have the writings of the prophets and the disciples (the Bible), it is the Holy Spirit who is the teacher, the revelator of God’s truth.

(1Co 2:14 NKJV) But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

(Jhn 14:26 NKJV) "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

(Jhn 15:26 NKJV) "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

(Jhn 16:13 NKJV) "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own [authority], but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

(Jhn 6:45 NKJV) "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.

Truth, the antidote for deception, is found in, by, and through the Holy Spirit of truth who Jesus sent to indwell all who believe in Him, who have made Him Lord of their lives, and who have asked the Lord to baptize them in the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that is the revelator of truth. It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to live the holy life God has asked us to live. And it is the Holy Spirit who equips us with spiritual power to be His witnesses.

(Mat 3:11 NKJV) "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

(Mar 1:8 NKJV) "I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

(Luk 3:16 NKJV) John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

(Act 1:4 NKJV) And being assembled together with [them], He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," [He said], "you have heard from Me;

(Luk 11:13 NKJV) "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

(Act 1:5 NKJV) "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

(Act 1:8 NKJV) "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

 (Act 2:1 NKJV) When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

(Act 2:2 NKJV) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

(Act 2:3 NKJV) Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and [one] sat upon each of them.

(Act 2:4 NKJV) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

So, here is our dilemma. Many cannot know truth because they do not know Him who is truth. These are the deceived ones.

(2Co 4:4 NKJV) whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Some are like the thief on the cross. He confessed that Jesus was king of a kingdom not of the earth, he asked Jesus to remember him, and he called Jesus Lord. Jesus then told the thief, “Today you will be with me in Paradise”.

(Luk 23:40 NKJV) But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?

(Luk 23:41 NKJV) "And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."

(Luk 23:42 NKJV) Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."

(Luk 23:43 NKJV) And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

So the thief was saved that very day. But, how much understanding of the “truths” of God and His ways did he have? He had enough to be saved, but not much more. This thief is like many Christians today. They have enough truth to be saved, but not much more. They have the Bible readily available to them, they have pastors, preachers, teachers readily available, they even have much information, but how much “truth”? They are those that: (2Ti 3:7 NKJV) always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The problem is that some have not even heard of the Holy Spirit, some have heard but do not know Him, and some have never invited Him into their lives. Since He is the teacher, the revelator of truth, knowing truth (and especially the deeper truths and “mysteries” of the Bible) this becomes a big problem.

(Act 8:15 NKJV) who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

(Act 8:16 NKJV) For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

(Act 8:17 NKJV) Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

(Act 19:1 NKJV) And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples

(Act 19:2 NKJV) he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."

At this point I presume that Paul did some teaching about the Holy Spirit and His place and role in the disciple’s lives.

(Act 19:6 NKJV) And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

In the end, the antidote to deception is personally knowing the Holy Spirit and having an intimate relationship with Him. It is He who can and will breathe spiritual life into the words of the Bible. It is through Him that we will “come to the knowledge of the truth”. He is The Truth who will set us free from the spirit of deception! Perhaps we like Paul, need to be doing some teaching about the Holy Spirit and laying hands on some people.

(Jhn 8:32 NKJV) "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."