The deception of the last days

For many years, preachers and pastors have been declaring the last days are coming, but, reading the Bible, one can see that the last days are now here. 

True men of God have been attempting to get the people ready for the end of time for so long some people choose to scoff or mock those men of God (2 Peter 3:3-4).

Evidence of the Last Days can be found throughout the Bible as the people are described by character and conduct.  2 Timothy describes the Last Days’ people as lovers of self or self-centered, lovers of money or greedy, proud and arrogant, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, profane, without natural human affection, relentless or no appeasement, slanderers, loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good, betrayers, rash, full of self-conceit, and lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements rather than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:2-4). 

The aforementioned types of characteristics are abounding in modern society and culture.  Everything is all about each person having everything as fast, as convenient, without hassle, and without confrontation as possible. As good as this may sound, it has created a society that does not look to God but to themselves for their answers.  If they cannot find the answer for themselves, they search for it online or from other people who hold similar opinions to ensure no conviction regarding what is lacking.  This leads to the last point of 2 Timothy to be powerful on the topic of religion, lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements rather than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:4).  A person of this mindset desires to have the label of a Christian, while denying the very God they declare they serve entrance into their life (2 Timothy 3:5).  This denial of power belies the genuineness of their profession of faith.  The most condemning part of this type of people is when this character becomes not only the Christians of a region but the preachers and pastors as well.  

Jesus even warned, “Let no man deceive you” (Matthew 24:4).  The word deceive in this passage means to roam from safety, roam from truth, roam from virtue, or to go astray.   In the very next verse, Jesus warns that many will come, saying they are Christ or anointed of God, deceiving many (Matthew 24:5).  Some people may think, “I’m not listening to anyone that declares they are Jesus,” but this is not what this verse is stating.  Jesus is warning against those who pretend to be anointed of God and teach or declare ways to live that are contrary to how a Christian should walk with God.  The spiritual enemy of Christians knows the best way to defeat God’s army is to water down a Christian’s walk with their God, not create a full-fledged attack against their faith.  More Christians need the truth of God, not a religious experience within a lukewarm assembly.

Do not settle for a half-attempted walk with God.  Jesus did not half-attempt to be crucified for the sins of the world, so why do so many people want to give Him less than what He deserves?  Jesus deserves His people to be a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2).  There is hope!  This deception can be overcome.  The answer to this deception is to study the Bible to know what God says (2 Timothy 2:15), be led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14), be faithful to a true house of God (Hebrews 10:25), and endure to the end (Matthew 24:13).  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.