June 27: BUILDING FAITH WHEN FELLOW CHRISTIANS ARE DECEIVED
He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. Daniel 11:43
The religious landscape of Ethiopia shows it to be one of the oldest Christian nations in the world. A full two-thirds are professing Christians. Most of these are Orthodox, a “stone’s throw” from Catholicism. Many others are Protestants. The prophecy that Ethiopians shall follow at [the] heels of the antichrist is a very unfortunate truth, but if taken seriously, proves to be a precious, life-saving warning to all professed Christians who consider themselves beyond the possibility of Satan’s deceptions.
God’s word introduces the adversary (Genesis 3:1) as cunning, meaning he is sly, crafty, devious, and subtly manipulative. When truth comes to our ears, he wants to snatch it away before we fully comprehend its importance (Matthew 13:19). Truths that he doesn’t succeed in stealing, he mixes with lies. This tactic is the most dangerous one, as the nugget of embedded truth makes the error easier to accept. All of us at one time or another have been deceived in this way. This is why overcoming is an essential part of sanctification. Those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14) are submitted to the Lord’s cleansing of mind and heart: the essence of transformation. The Lord teaches us that he who is the father of lies (John 8:44) came to steal, kill, and destroy (10:10). The devil knows Scripture; he knows he’s going to die (Ezekiel 28:18; Revelation 20:10). The closer we get to that time, the more enraged he becomes (Revelation 12:12). He is especially angry toward the remnant church of the last days who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (v.17) because he is unable to cause their eternal downfall.
Daniel wrote of the spiritual overthrow of many countries (Daniel 11:41) by the king of the North with the aid and cooperation of the Glorious Land. He immediately mentions some unlikely escapees – a wonderful word of hope and encouragement for all who think they have gone too far away from God to return to Him (read Luke 15:11-32). Daniel also writes of those we might consider the most unlikely to fall under the sway of the antichrist, whose description centers on counterfeit Christianity: Islam and also many professed Christians. Read on…
The Ethiopians well-represent the continent of Africa. The Libyans symbolize the Middle East, the former Holy Land area, which is flooded with every variety of Islamic sect. In this brief phrase, Libyans and Ethiopians, two extreme opposite groups will follow at [the] heels of the antichrist. This should awaken all of us!
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Matthew 24:24