One of the benefits of reading about the end-times prophecy in the Bible is discovering how it will happen. Though scripture does not provide clarity about the exact timing of events, we can understand the role of deception and how this is relevant today.
Daniel 7:25 states that the little horn (Anti-Christ) will rise up against the people of God and will 'wear out the saints.' He will do this by deception. Paul states in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, "The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved."
We may think it will be obvious when the lawless one comes, but scripture indicates many will be deceived in and outside the church. It says in Rev 12:15 that "the serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman (referring to the church) to sweep her away with a flood. With a flood of words, Satan will sweep many away. How does Satan do this, and how is deception happening today?"
Jon Bloom writes about Satan's strategy as he tempts Jesus in the wilderness and uses this strategy with all of us all of the time. Satan disorients, distorts, and deceives.
Satan disorients us in a different direction. The serpent tempted Eve in the garden by saying, "Did God really say?" A shift from what God had said to what the serpent would suggest: that God is keeping something from them. Satan tempts Jesus by appealing to the desire to prove he is the Son of God (which is a good thing) but by turning a stone into bread or throwing himself down in Jerusalem for a miraculous rescue. We all are tempted to be disoriented in a direction toward self (even when it appears to be a good thing) and, by doing so, take a step away from seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
We can have what is called a metamodern mindset1 That adjusts to incoherence and no longer recognizes inconsistencies. Some Christians can proclaim absolute truth and embrace lies and relativism if it suits their preference. Metamoderns also do not mind if their illogical views are pointed out; it is not a concern. This mindset is easily thrown off course.
Then, the evil one distorts the truth to have us focus on things that are not of ultimate value. We believe the distortion that they are more important than they are—our interests and desires and what is primarily essential shift away from the kingdom of God.
Satan deceives people as they believe the lies he tells us about the direction we are focused on and about what is truly happening in the world, distorting our perspective on our Christian faith to fit our preferences.
Everyday, we can be tempted to be disorientated in our faith by valuing family, vocation, money, our nation, or anything else above seeking the kingdom of God. The distortion is thinking we are seeking the kingdom of God when we are not. For example, the Health and Wealth Gospel states that God wants me to be healthy and wealthy. You can be decieved thinking following God means you will prosper financially and physically.. We need to heed the warning:
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8)
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1 Understanding the Metamodern Mood by BRETT MCCRACKEN, MAY 30, 2024. |
