October 2: UNRIGHTEOUS DECEPTION

He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. Revelation 13:13

This verse is well-lit by lessons we need to revisit. While the children of Israel were still in Egypt, Pharaoh’s magicians duplicated three of the signs that God performed. Of course, these duplications were no surprise to God, but Pharaoh’s heart hardened (see Exodus 7&8).

In Elijah’s day, the controversy over worship raged. Worship is the central issue even now, and will remain so until the end of our fallen world. Elijah and the false prophets of Baal faced off at Mount Carmel to see whose deity was the true God. At the end of that day, it was God who brought down fire from heaven and it was He who was worshiped. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39) Indeed! “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue confess to God.” (Romans 14:11)

Beloved, don’t believe in every miracle! Satan is a counterfeiter. In the last days, he and his army of demons will produce supernatural manifestations for the purpose of deception. When his second ally brings fire down from heaven, it could be a counterfeit of the day of Pentecost when tongues, as of fire appeared on the disciples (Acts 2:3). But instead of the Holy Spirit, it will be a spirit of deception. Today’s verse may also allude to the miracle that God worked for Elijah. As there are no eye-witnesses to either of these miraculous events alive today, whatever Satan and his minions produce will be immensely impressive, though inferior to the real events. Nevertheless, millions or billions will be deceived into believing the counterfeit, and that the resulting revival is real. The ultimate consequence of the offering of strange fire—as if to God—is communicated to us in the account of the sons of Aaron, of their own accord, making such an attempt (compare Leviticus 10:1-2 to Revelation 20:9).

These apparent manifestations of divine power in the last days will be very convincing, yet built upon the satanic foundation laid by his first lie: “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). The belief that dead people are alive, in one form or another, has been cultivated in every culture. This has resulted in every sort of spiritualism: the belief that the living can communicate with the spirits of those who have died. Pagan ancestor worship in all of its forms is a direct parallel to the false doctrine taught to followers of Christ that praying to dead saints is normal. Failure to believe in the reality of death results in people, including Christians, believing they are visited by their relatives who have died, when it is actually demons impersonating them.

Jesus said: “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.” Matthew 24:24-25

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10

For further study: Deuteronomy 13:1-3; Job 14:12,21; Ecclesiastes 9:5; Isaiah 8:19; Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 6:23; Revelation 16:14