8 replies to this topic

[Mt_Rider]

I signed up to receive a Bible verse daily from BibleStudyTools.com . If you click 'Compare Translations', you get a ton of different translations. Even French, Latin, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, ... Then at the bottom is Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the verses of the chapter. It's been very interesting as a morning study.

They've been in Matthew 24 [prophecy chapter] and today's verse was this:


Matthew 24:5 [NIV = New International Version]
For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many.


As I scrolled down the many translations, I was intrigued by how many different ways we have of saying "deceived". Is that because there are so many ways of being deceived....so many who would deceive us...so many who fall for deception daily?

Here then, is God's warning, given particularly for the Last Days.....deception is coming. Be wary.


....and will deceive many

...and shall lead many astray

....a number will be turned from the true way through them

....and they will seduce many

....and they will fool many people

....and will mislead many

....et multos seducent [Latin... ]



Matthew Henry's comments:
Verses 4-28 The disciples had asked concerning the times, When these things should be? Christ gave them no answer to that; but they had also asked, What shall be the sign? This question he answers fully. The prophecy first respects events near at hand, the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the Jewish church and state, the calling of the Gentiles, and the setting up of Christ's kingdom in the world; but it also looks to the general judgment; and toward the close, points more particularly to the latter. What Christ here said to his disciples, tended more to promote caution than to satisfy their curiosity; more to prepare them for the events that should happen, than to give a distinct idea of the events. This is that good understanding of the times which all should covet, thence to infer what Israel ought to do. Our Saviour cautions his disciples to stand on their guard against false teachers. And he foretells wars and great commotions among nations. ........{snip} [underline/bold is mine]



We are certainly seeing a lot of folks falling for the craziest deceptions; any smooth talk that gives them liscence {sp} to do as they please, despite obvious implications/consequences. It's getting to be astounding. But let's make sure we personally are not also being primed for deception by the Enemy too. Bible says elsewhere that he's very much targeting 'the elect'.


MtRider [ ...be innocent as doves and wise as serpents...]

Edited by Mt_Rider, 20 August 2011 - 01:08 PM.
clarity, spellin', and bloopers - oye

[Darlene]

I read your post this morning and throughout the day it kept coming to mind and I found myself feeling like I needed to respond to this.

I love the commentaries...I use several of them...Matthew Henry is one of my favorites.

The scripture you mentioned is one that has been on my mind for a while. I can't help but often think of where Christ stated in Matthew 7 (paraphrased) "but Lord! we did THIS in Your Name and THAT in Your Name...and Christ responds, 'Depart from Me, I never knew you'".

How many sit in pews today and consider themselves 'saved'? How many are 'mixing yeast with unleavened bread' and totally clueless that they are in sin? And how many think they are on track but will be led astray in the days to come?

Very serious stuff. Narrow...very, very narrow is the road that leads to salvation. All I know to do is to check everything against His Word. It all must somehow be stated in there before I'll believe or follow it. People say all kinds of things but as I've said recently, I've found myself isolating in close with Him, subconsciously knowing that it is only there that I'm safe for who knows what, that lies ahead.

It's been almost 36 hours since you first made this post. I've found it interesting that not one comment has been shared. That's not a bad thing...hopefully the reminder will cause all of us to get alone with Him and talk about what you shared because not one of us is immune to the potential of 'falling away'. Healthy fear is a good thing...and clinging to His promise that He'll never leave or forsake us.

[Annarchy]

I've returned home and just had a chance to browse a little, this being the first thread I read.

One thing stands out in my mind. I was taught in church that the "many will come in my name" were people that claim to be Christ. However,

"Many will come in my name" .... Pastors, preachers, teachers, etc. will say, "I am a teacher, preacher, etc. of Christ Jesus, you need to believe ME. You need to do what I tell you, because God/Jesus told/revealed it to me...."

Today's scheduled reading covered 1 Corinthians 5. Paul's letter in verse 13 KJV says: "... Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." NIV says: "Expel the wicked man from among you."

Recently, I went to a different church. During the sermon, I heard some things that unnerved me. What he was saying as the word of God, was NOT. I searched the different translations and it still did not add up to what he said it was.

We need to be familiar with the Word of God in order to be able to understand if they are trying to deceive us.

[Amishway Homesteaders]

OH how so true - both then and now!

To think they have had all this time waiting and we have but a few and STILL want more?

around here we have a lot of "Sunday Christians" - what I mean is they are ALWAYS in Church on Sunday BUT boy when you see them during the REST of the week you would never believe that they are who they say they are . . . .Christians!

LIVE your Life as IF it is the last days - Don't wait for Sunday to show the world that you are one!

[themartianchick]

We say something similar in our community, Michael! We usually say that they are out at the club on Saturday night doing all kinds of ungodly things and in the front pew at church on Sunday. I never lost faith in God but I sure have lost faith in most of the churches around here.

[CrabGrassAcres]

I too have been pondering on this subject.
It seems to me, that the times I have been deceived, have been the times I have allowed some sin, such as pride or greed, to have dominion in my life. Many times that sin was subtle and hard to recognize as such. For instance, sometimes pride masquerades as "self respect". Then again, sometimes it is easily recognized, I just don't want to let go of it and be humble. I forget how quickly the thing in which I take pride can be snatched away. Then what do I have? Ashes, and a bitter spirit. How much better to let it go willingly and have the reward of Father's approval.

The enemy cannot lead you into trouble if you have not covered your own eyes first.

[Mt_Rider]

BibleStudyTools.com verses have continued on the theme of deception:


Check out the various words for the Enemy - greatest of all deceivers. [bold, underline, etc is mine]

Thessalonians 2:3 -- [Holman Christian Standard]
Don't let anyone deceive you in any way. For [that day] will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.

"DECEIVE" = beguile, false words, fool, trick, [... The Message paraphrase simply says: "Don't fall for a line like that!" ]


"APOSTASY" = rebellion, falling away, falling away from faith, revolt, Final rebellion, the turning away from God, Great rebellion against God, the departure, dissension,


"MAN OF LAWLESSNESS...SON OF DESTRUCTION" = the man doomed to destruction; man of sin/son of perdition; the man who separates himself from Torah has been revealed/the one destined for doom; the Wicked One appears/who is destined to hell; the Man of Evil/who is on his way to hell; the man of sin appears. He is a marked man. He is sentenced to be destroyed;



Matthew Henry:
We have a cunning adversary, who watches to do mischief, and will promote errors, even by the words of Scripture. Whatever uncertainty we are in, or whatever mistakes may arise about the time of Christ's coming, that coming itself is certain. This has been the faith and hope of all Christians, in all ages of the church; it was the faith and hope of the Old Testament saints. {snip}........ False doctrines are like the winds that toss the water to and fro; and they unsettle the minds of men, which are as unstable as water. It is enough for us to know that our Lord will come, and will gather all his saints unto him. A reason why they should not expect the coming of Christ, as at hand, is given. There would be a general falling away first, such as would occasion the rise of antichrist, that man of sin. There have been great disputes who or what is intended by this man of sin and son of perdition. The man of sin not only practises wickedness, but also promotes and commands sin and wickedness in others; and is the son of perdition, because he is devoted to certain destruction, and is the instrument to destroy many others, both in soul and body.

===========================================================



In the first sentence of Matthew Henry's comments it says again what Annarchy mentioned - We have to check the words with that of the Scripture. ..... even distortion the words of Scripture will be used to 'do mischief'. We must study Scripture to KNOW what God has said through His Word. Like: not taken out of context. Remember Satan misquoting Scripture to Jesus and Jesus wasted no time but to quote it back to that foul one correctly. As CGA spoke of, sometimes things are quite subtle ...or easy for self-deception.

We ALSO need to have been in close contact with God long enough and steady, so that we KNOW His Voice and can receive discernment directly from Him. If you get an icky, something-ain't-right feeling....be wary!! Pray immediately for discernment!!!

This close/steady contact with God means that He's not merely your 'holy crystal ball', btw. It is not to say that your relationship with Him is such that you run only to ask 'which horse is going to win' ...so to speak. It is in the process of communicating with Him, aided by the Holy Spirit with your spirit, about all aspects of your life...it is within this type of relationship that you grow to KNOW His voice among the clammor.

These cautions about deception are not just for those who falsely assume they are His when, in fact, they have never called upon His name in obedient surrender. These cautions are for The Elect...for those of us who HAVE taken Christ's name. That's what I find to be very scary! We are targeted. Remain steadfast, with discernment.


MtRider [...checking again to see that my hand in enveloped within HIS ....cuz we do wander around on our own sometimes... ...like my baby goat from her mamma! ]

Edited by Mt_Rider, 23 August 2011 - 03:18 PM.

[Mt_Rider]

And yet again today's verse:


2 Corinthians 11:13 [Holman Christian Standard]
For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.


"disguising" = ...masquerading;...fashioning themselves; ...making themselves seem like;...transforming themselves;...disguise themselves to look like real;....change themselves to look like the real;.....assuming the garb of...


The Message paraphrase: "They're a sorry bunch - pseudo-apostles, lying preachers, crooked workers - posing as Christ's agents but sham to the core."



Matthew Henry's comments:

".....Hypocrisy may be looked for, especially when we consider the great power which Satan, who rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience, has upon the minds of many. And as there are temptations to evil conduct, so there is equal danger on the other side. It serves Satan's purposes as well, to set up good works against the atonement of Christ, and salvation by faith and grace. But the end will discover those who are deceitful workers; their work will end in ruin. Satan will allow his ministers to preach either the law or the gospel separately; but the law as established by faith in Christ's righteousness and atonement, and the partaking of his Spirit, is the test of every false system. " [underline/bold/etc is mine]



MtRider [...feeling a burden for pondering and clarifying this ever-increasing issue of deception in this era. ]

[kappydell]

this just goes to show that having more than one translation at hand is helpful in discerning the truth! I love my multiple translations, and the oldest (closest to the original) one I could find is a little hard to read but oh! so worth it.