Matthew 24:24 (NKJV) 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
We are living in an age where we are beginning to see many of these kinds of things materialize and play out, right before our eyes.
As we have mentioned in other devotionals recently, spiritual activity is heightening. Evil activity is on the rise.
Sadly, there are millions upon millions of people who may never recognize many of these things unless it is very blatant, and right in their face.
We need to understand that much of what is spoken in the verse above is symbolic, not literal. Let me explain.
A false christ or a false prophet is not necessarily someone who will come and outwardly declare that they have evil intent. On the contrary, they will come looking much like the real thing, the genuine article, so to speak.
Some of this also refers to spirits, not physical people. Spirits of deception (antichrist spirits) will run rampant and sow chaos, while seeming to offer justice and solutions to the world’s problems.
1 John 2:18 (NKJV) 18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.
The Bible says they will point people away from God, and toward themselves or toward an organization that will offer world peace, and end to hunger, poverty and other centuries-old problems, all through a leader or group of leaders who will govern the world as one.
Again, they will speak words that soothe and satisfy itching ears of people with little or no understanding of the true things of God. But their words are more lies than truth, and only lead to destruction.
2 Timothy 4:3 (NKJV) 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
It will be only by the discernment of the Holy Spirit that they will be recognized as false. It will only be by sharp discernment that their devices will be seen clearly.
Luke 12:56 (NKJV) 56 Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?
It is critically important that we recognize things for what they are.
We need to ask God to help us see and hear beyond the noise, and hear His voice clearly.
We can’t do this by the opinions of others. We can’t do it by the voices that shout at us from the TV screens, the radio stations, the computer screens and the speakers of our smartphones.
We can do this by the Spirit of God, and Him alone.
Let us break free of the shackles that this world will try to enslave us with and cling steadfastly to the word of God; the Word that brings truth and light into every situation.
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808
401-315-0902
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Greetings in the name of Jesus! 
