A Major Feature Heralding the Lord’s Return

A major feature heralding the Lord’s return as shown by the Lord Jesus Christ is the advent of false Christs and false Prophets deceiving many. In Matthew 24:4-5, 11 & 24 Jesus Christ said:

“… Take heed that no man deceive you.

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

… And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

… For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

This explains why an understanding of the contents of this book cannot be overemphasized.  If we understand how to identify false Prophets and false Christs, the likelihood of our falling prey to their deception will be greatly minimized or eliminated altogether.

It would interest you to know that while the anti-Christ has not yet manifested physically, his spirit is already in operation on earth and is using false prophets. In his letter to the early Church, the Apostle John took the time to explain this to the early Church in 1John 2:18-21 thus:

“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.”

From these texts of Scripture, we have some consolations. Jesus made it clear in Matthew 24:24 that it would not be possible to deceive the elect. Who is the elect? You! If you have made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life and are continuing in His word [Jn.8:31-32]. The reason why you cannot be deceived is that you have the Holy Spirit in you directing you as Apostle John lets us know here. That is the reason you are reading this book now because He has orchestrated the events that brought this book about and put it in your hand.

In our Country Nigeria for instance, we have one claiming to work for the Lord and has built a “Church” that has branches in some other nations. He is even purportedly working miracles. However, from the fruits he is bearing, people began to question his authenticity. So the Pentecostal Fellowship of the Country refused to recognize him. When he was interviewed by Time Magazine, he was asked when he got saved and he gave the ridiculous reply that he was saved from his mother’s womb! He was also unable to point to a pastor who mentored him. Only gullible and covetous people are caught in this man’s web in a Country where there is so much light in the Church of Jesus Christ.

As simple as these criteria may seem, they are important pointers to his impersonation. Everyone who has ever been called of God to do His work since the Church was founded had references. Jesus personally mentored the first disciples and through them, the gospel has passed from generation to generation

As powerful as the ministry of Apostle Paul is, you would recall that in Acts 9 the Lord referred Him to Ananias to be baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit after He had acknowledged the Lordship of Jesus Christ when He encountered Him on his way to Damascus.