Matthew 24:4 – “Take heed that no man deceive you.”
In a message entitled Deception is Sweeping the Country, Dr. John Hull tells us, “Forty years of secular humanists have given us no-fault religion, a humanistic educational system, and abortion on demand.” These worldly wise have deceived the world into thinking they have the answers to all of life’s troubles within themselves – in their humanity – in the self-esteem – in their self-aggrandizement. But Christ Himself warns us against this deception in the passage in Matthew called the Olivet Discourse.
Let’s look into Matthew 24 and see what He tells us. Now, this passage specifically refers to the time called the tribulation period, but we can take His warnings and apply them to our everyday lives also. Look with me in verse 3 – the disciples come to Jesus and ask Him three important questions: “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus had just spoken about the destruction of the temple, saying that there would not be one stone left on top of another, and the disciples were asking Him when this would take place.
Jesus responds in verse 4 with a general warning, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” So His answer was, “When deception comes.” That could be today, right? There’s no shortage of deception in our world today. Just think of those things Dr. Hull mentioned: no-fault religion – do whatever makes you feel good – there’s no punishment – you are the final authority; and then there’s the humanistic educational system – let’s not discourage children by teaching them about accountability – do whatever makes you feel good – let’s teach them that their self-esteem is more important than doing what’s right; and lastly abortion on demand – take no responsibility for your actions – do whatever makes you feel good – you can always get rid of it. Truly deception is sweeping the country.
Let’s move on to verse 5, “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Now, there are not many religionists out there claiming to be the Christ – there are some, but not many. But through their teaching of humanism, they are claiming the place of Christ. Christ says they shall deceive many with this false doctrine – and that’s what humanism is – a false religion. We also see that it is the religion of antichrist – not yet THE antichrist – but antichrist, nonetheless. 1 John 2:18 tells us, “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 it is the last time.” He magnifies this in verse 22, “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” And if we break down the word antichrist; anti, which is usually translated against, also means instead of, and Christ, of course refers to the Christ, the Messiah. So we can infer that the word antichrist means against Christ, or more to the point instead of Christ or in the place of Christ. Sounds like humanism to me.
Matthew 24:11 continues, “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” There are many prophets of the false humanistic religion daily standing before our young teaching in the public education system spreading their damnable, false doctrines with total impunity, while kicking the God of the Bible out of the classroom. But it goes on in verse 24, “If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” This tells us that they will try to deceive the born-again blood-washed saints. Whether they succeed or not is up to us. Let’s take Christ’s warning from verse 4, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” Let’s guard ourselves daily against the bombardment of this false, man-centered religion.
Quote – “Public schools have so brainwashed our young people that they have lost their desire to serve the Lord.” – Dr. Myron Cedarholm
