Beware of false Teachers!

In the Olivet discourse (Matthew 24), Jesus taught the disciples about the end times.  After Jesus spoke prophetically about the destruction of the Temple, the disciples asked him two questions!  They asked Jesus, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3).  Jesus Himself taught about His return in this passage and what we must do in the period of waiting so that we may be ready to receive Him at His second coming.  Jesus has given two important commands for us to obey – do not be troubled and do not be deceived! (Matthew 24:4,6).

Jesus said we would hear about wars, rumors of wars, but the end is not yet. Nation will rise against nation, and there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes all around.  Jesus taught that these are just the "…beginning of sorrows (v8)."  Many preachers claim these to be the signs of the second coming. All these events have been happening in the world throughout history. There is nothing special or significant about it.  Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Jesus gave two separate "signs" for His coming in the passage Matthew 24:14-30.  But Jesus has warned us that we should not be "troubled" when we hear or experience such calamities.  The second command of Jesus is, "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many (Matthew 24:5).  Not being deceived by false prophets is very important because in the last days, the Bible teaches that we will find preachers and Bible teachers who will preach a Gospel different from what the Bible teaches so that they can deceive us.  Jesus has constantly warned us, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." (Mt 7:15).  It is our responsibility to discern right from wrong with the help of the Holy Spirit. 

My friend, do not trust every preacher and Bible teacher without checking their message with the Bible's message.  Do not be troubled while walking through pestilence and wars as we do now for even when we walk through the valley of shadow of death, the Lord is walking with us (Psalm 23:4).   Take time to read the Bible and not be deceived, for Jesus said only those "… who endures to the end shall be saved"(Mt. 24:13).

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