THE LAST DAYS
Anita Clark
“And Jesus answered and said unto them. Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” Matthew 24:4-5.
This age is almost over. The big question on every Christian’s mind should be, the time is short and Jesus is coming at any time, am I ready? II Timothy 3:1 says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” The word, “perilous” in the original Greek means, “times of danger, or loss of strength.” This is what we are experiencing in this time in which we are living.
In our beginning verse, we note that many will proclaim they are Christ in the last days. Over a period of years this has been true from time to time that some individual would arise, and declare that they were the Christ, but then, they would fade away off the scene. However, the spirit of Antichrist is in the world stronger than ever.
I John 2:18 says, “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...Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” I John 4:1-3 speaks on this wise, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God; Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God; And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereby ye have heard that it should come, and even now already is in the world.” Although the Antichrist will not come on the scene until the tribulation of seven judgment years, there is definitely a spirit of antichirst and anti-God in the world today.
In the early days of the Church, the spirit of error was prevalent, but it is much worse today. In the U.S.A. authorities are cracking down on religious freedom, and religious expression. In some states, attacks against churches, and pastors who refuse to conduct marriage ceremonies for homosexual couples because of Biblical principles they hold dear, are under attack. Freedom of speech concerning what the Bible calls sin is being censured and prohibited. Threats that Governmental tax exemptions for property tax and sales tax exemptions given to church organizations may be taken away if churches forbid marriages and jobs to homosexuals. Satan is working overtime in the world today.
The Word of God speaks in relevant terms concerning our stand for the right. I Corinthians 16:13 says, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit [act] like men, be strong.” Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the whole armour of God that you might be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Philippians 4:1 “Therefore my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” It is time to stand for the truth. No time to be wishy-washy! Persecution may come, but God is able to help us to be faithful witnesses in these last days.
II Corinthians 11:13-15 tells us, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” “False prophets!” “Pseuda Apostles” in the Greek, meaning “pretended or false teachers.” They “transform themselves” which means they transfigure themselves or disguise themselves. Satan never comes right out and says, “This is the devil speaking.” He is deceiving the whole world except for those who are believers and are watching and waiting for the Lord to come.
Jesus spoke several warnings against this Satanic influence. John 10:10-12, He speaks , “The thief comes to kill and destroy...the hireling sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep.” In Matthew 7:15, He says, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” The word “ravening” in the Greek speaks of “extortion.” How many false teachers extort the children of God to make monetary gain off them! Luke 6:45, Jesus says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
So, error is running wild! There are many false doctrines which oppose the light, and the truth. They are anti-God and anti-Christ. But the Scripture says, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”
There are so many horrible events in the world today. We have it relatively easy in the U.S.A. Nevertheless, Satan is at work. Many are turning from the truth of the Gospel and compromising in their teachings. We must stand fast. Regardless of the trials, we must stand for righteousness and truth. He will reward us in the future, in the glory as we stand before Him.
