Matthew 24:4-5
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.
My Reflection on False Christs and Prophets
This verse is part of what is called the Olivet Discourse or the Sermon on the Mount (among other names). It’s when Christ told his disciples of what is to come in the end times. He was giving us a glimpse of the future, in his own words. His words and warnings need to be taken seriously. In the meantime, there will be many signs that will cast a shadow of the things to come. Signs signaling the end times, the rapture, the tribulation, and Christ’s return.
Christ’s Return
When Christ returns, the entire world will see and hear it. Today’s technology and the constant advances in communication will make sure of that! And without our technology, Christ’s return will still be heard!
Don’t Wait for it!
But we cannot make the mistake for waiting to hear Christ’s voice at the second coming. For if you are here, on earth, to hear that, you’ve already missed the mark. When Christ returns in the clouds to call his followers home, only those who are his followers will hear his voice. They will hear it and be called to him, disappearing from the face of this earth in the blink of an eye. One moment they will be here, the next they will be gone… and if you witness that, you will have missed it. That is called the Rapture. Check out my articles on the Rapture here.
Don’t Misunderstand
Don’t misunderstand, Christ will return and all the earth will know it, whether through our technology or supernaturally. I don’t know and I don’t care, for I plan to be with Him at that time. It will come at the end of the Tribulation period (articles to come), when Christ with his hosts of angels and believers will come and conquer Satan for the last time. No one will miss Christ’s return at that time.
However, I would say you don’t want to be here, on earth to witness that, for that means you have gone through the Tribulation period. That time will be one of unspeakable disaster, persecution, and wrath.
False Christ’s or False Messiah’s
So, when today you hear people proclaiming they are the Messiah, don’t believe them. When they claim to have all the answers to your problems, unless they proclaim Christ, they are liars. If in doubt, check out God’s Word. God has warned us that in the End Times, many will come proclaiming to be our saviors. But, until Christ calls us home, we cannot believe anyone who proclaims to be Christ here on earth… and no doubt, some will try to do that.
In the meantime, go to the Word of God, and read Christ’s Olivet Sermon, or the Sermon on the Mount (another name), and check it out for yourself. Matthew 24: 1-44.
Blessings.
Jana
OTHER RELATED SCRIPTURE VERSES FOR FALSE CHRISTS AND PROPHETS
He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. (Jesus Bible)
Commentary
Do not believe it. No one should consider the claims of self-styled messiahs, because all of them are false.
When Christ returns, no one will miss it (vv. 27, 28). (MacArthur Study Bible Notes NIV)
1 John 2:18
Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that Antichrist is coming, even now many Antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.
Matthew 24:11
Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
Matthew 24:23
Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him.
Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.
Commentary
Matthew 24:24 to deceive, if possible, even the elect. This clearly implies that such deception is not possible (John 10:4, 5). (MacArthur Study Bible Notes NIV)
Matthew 24:33
so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.
1 Timothy 4:1
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
2 Thessalonians 2:2
not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come.
2 Thessalonians 2:3
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,