“Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.” Mark 13.5-6
Throughout my fifty years, I have seen a few people claiming to be the Messiah. These are typically men who maintain a physical compound, looking very much like a cult, and gather followers whom they easily deceive. I think of David Koresh and the Branch Davidians in Waco. I had just graduated one year when that disaster struck between his cult and the FBI. And yet, he was not the Messiah.
Jesus warns us: “Watch out that no one deceives you.” We often get deceived! Even today, when wars, earthquakes, and famines occur, we think this is the end. And who knows, it could be. But not even Jesus knows when the time is coming for his return; only the Father knows (Matthew 24:36). Nevertheless, I believe we are in the birth pains of the final days. Since a day to the Lord is like a thousand years (2 Peter 3:8), any time after Jesus ascended could be the day. The signs are all around us that we live in a world in chaos, and only the return of the Messiah will bring fulfillment and redemption to humanity.
This is why we must be on our guard. We cannot allow ourselves to be deceived into putting our trust in anything that may look like Jesus and the Church. We cannot allow our personal views or opinions to sway us toward any doctrine or belief that does not reflect the truth and authority of Scripture.
The Good News is that one day Jesus is returning. We do not know when, but we know he will come riding on a white horse (Revelation 19:11-16), and he will bring judgment upon all the world, and everyone will know he is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Let’s pray to this end today. Let’s place our hope upon the only one who can bring about truth and pray against any false idols or messiahs who might deceive and lead others away from the truth of Christ.
“O Lord Jesus, come quickly! We need your love and we need your return. But draw all people to yourself. I pray for my friends who do not yet know your love. Help me encourage them to find salvation in you alone. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill us with your power. Fall upon your Church. Return to us, we pray. For you are good, and your love endures forever.” Amen.