In Matthew 7:22, Jesus says that “MANY will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord, Was it not in Your name that we prophesy, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many wonderful works? Then I will say to them, I never knew you. Depart from Me, workers of iniquity."
Jesus singles out their marks as to who these MANY people are:
1) they will/or have prophesied (taught the Bible; preached sermons) in His name
2) drove out many demons in His name
3) have done many wonderful works in His name
Also, something similar in Matthew 24:5: "For MANY shall be coming in My name, saying, I am the Christ and shall be deceiving MANY."
So again, who are the "MANY" today who preach sermons about Jesus; teach about Him in the Bible; rule over His people, all done of course, through and in His name? Who are the ones who are sending away devils in His name? Who are the ones who do MANY wonderful works in the name of Jesus Christ? According to Jesus, just who are these MANY deceivers, as well as the MANY deceived?
Is it the Muslims? Maybe the Jews? How about the Chinese or Russians? What about the Atheists?
Do any of these people evangelize, preach, teach, drive out devils, and do many wonderful works in the name of Jesus Christ?
If not, then who are the MANY who do? How about today’s local institutional church that we find on every street corner! How about the millions and millions of professing Christians in the world today who belong to these churches and who teach and preach in His name, put forth devils and demons in His name, and doMANY wonderful works in His name!
These are the “MANY” that Jesus is warning us about. But, is anyone listening?
These are the people to watch out for; to be on guard against. These are the people who are guilty of being“workers of iniquity.”
It’s the same issue when Jesus said in Matthew 24, “For MANY shall be coming in My name, saying, I am the Christ and shall be deceiving MANY."
MANY Christians today teach and preach that Jesus is in fact, the Christ. They even proudly proclaim to be His mouthpiece and representative! It is not only those who preach sermons and teach the Bible, who drive out devils, who do MANY wonderful works in His name who are deceiving and being deceived but also the MANY who teach in His Name, claiming to be authorized by Him, that Jesus is actually the Christ, the Son of God!
Jesus said that it is THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE DECEIVING THE MANY!
Now, dear reader, the Truth is at stake here, and perhaps for some of you, your life is at stake too. What Jesus is saying here is either the Truth or He is full of hot air! If you think it is the latter and you refuse to hear and receive His words, you might as well leave this site and find another that is more to your liking. I can't be of any help to you.
Has Truth become so enfeebled that it fears honest and open examination? Sadly, this is exactly the case. If the millions upon millions of professing Christians attending their church services week after week are totally ambivalent to what’s going on, or worse; refuse to search for the Truth themselves, isn’t that an open exhibition to the truth of Jesus’ words? How readily people are being deceived, swallowing poisonous false teachings and practices without question.
Yet, many Christians convince themselves that this nicely ordered religious routine equals "spirituality" and now, this makes them feel righteous before God. In this state, they are easily pacified, distracted from biblical reality, controlled by their leaders and easily manipulated by deceptive teachings.
Today, those calling themselves “Christians” hardly know true men of God from deceivers coming in the Name of Jesus Christ. This is because many of them do not have the Spirit of God to discern. They are lost and without a shepherd. They remain mere followers of men and will always be so, unless the Lord Himself intervenes on their behalf. If you were to read “The Christian Church: Distorted and Deformed" and/or “Obey Them,” you would find far more than enough sure evidence that this is precisely the case.
But yet, the burning question must be asked again: Is anyone listening?
Jesus said that it is THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE DECEIVING THE MANY!
Isn’t it absolutely amazing how many times we have heard or read these words of Jesus and rarely no one ever looks in the mirror at themselves, but always applies these verses of the “MANY” to other people outside of their particular group. So many times they will hear, “….MANY shall say unto Me in that day…AND DECEIVE THE MANY….,” and yet they do not hear, see, or really believe what is said. Perhaps there might have been a time where someone actually got serious and started to ask some questions, but when they were rebuked, or ridiculed for asking questions that caused division, they learned not to question anymore. They learned to go along with the crowd.
Brethren, this is NOT how it should be. Each Christian has a command from God to "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15. How many Christians who say that “the New Testament is a sufficient guide for our faith and practice”have ever really studied it?
The problem with many Christians in our day is that they read their Bible, not expecting to be taught of God from it, but will get their teaching from their pastors, preachers, and commentaries, and then go to the Bible only expecting to find proof for what they have already been taught! Can't we see how dangerous this is?
Every Christian needs to ask themselves if they know for sure why they believe what they profess to believe, and to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." 1 Peter 3:15
The fact that so many in our day carelessly and mindlessly accept a teaching or practice just because it comes from “my church” or “my pastor” is very troubling in light of the apostle Paul's words:
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Acts 20:29-31
The Spirit says clearly that some people will abandon the faith in later times; giving heed to deceiving spirits and teachings of devils. 1 Timothy 4:1
FULL ARTICLE HERE
