Deceivers and the Deceived :: By Dennis Huebshman

If someone died prior to 2000, and could come back and look at this world today, they would most likely shake their head in disbelief. I’ve been on this earth since the late 1940’s, and have seen a lot of the “changes” that have, and are, taking place; and it is disgusting to me. (note: any emphasis is mine)

One thing that people would see immediately is that what God called “abominations” in the Bible are suddenly being presented as perfectly okay. After all, the “new” concept is we are free to live and love whomever and however we please. We can even declare that we were “born wrong” and are actually the opposite gender. Better yet, there are those who are “gender-less” and, therefore, are neither male nor female. To top this off, there are countries today where, if you deny this and try to apply the word of the Lord, you may be heavily fined or even jailed.

“God made them male and female” (Genesis 5:2; Matthew 19:4 and Mark 10:6). Satan and his demons are the ones trying to disrupt anything that pertains to the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Apparently, the Heavenly Host (all created angels) had an option of free-will just as we humans have. When Satan decided that he was on the same level as the Lord God Jehovah, he declared himself as god (note: small “g”), and was thus condemned (Isaiah 14:12-15). His final sentence just hasn’t been carried out yet. To top this off, we’re told in Revelation 12:9 that about a third of the angels followed Lucifer (Satan), and they are also condemned to the Lake of Fire (Matthew 25:41).

Just watching all the turmoil that’s taking place in Washington D.C., and in many of our state governments, should tell us common sense is on vacation. A 16-year-old female from Scandinavia makes a tearful outcry that we are somehow responsible for disastrous climate change, and Time magazine makes her “person of the year.” Thing is, photos of her were taken immediately after that broadcast, and she was in an entirely different mood. It should be no surprise that she was “professionally” coached as to how to make the tearful presentation believable.

Today, if anyone on the faux networks tells you the sun is shining, it would be wise to have an umbrella before venturing outside. Most are following and catering to the radical left groups, and truth is not an option. Positive events are being overlooked, yet rumors and inuendoes are coming across as absolute truth. When outright lies are pointed out, that information is conveniently left out of the reports.

In the Old Testament, there were worshipers of Baal, and other false gods, that the leaders said demanded child sacrifice. God was not pleased, and many times there were severe disciplinary actions put on the people. One example was the 70-year Babylonian captivity where His chosen went into bondage for worshiping other so-called gods. It should be noted, He gave them every opportunity to repent and turn back to Him.

One thing about our Heavenly Father, He was and is always ready to forgive any who would turn from sin and worship Him. From Calvary forward, all who worship Jesus as their Savior and call on Him for forgiveness will be saved (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13).

The one positive comment that can be made is, we’re just about through here. All believers, that is. Jesus spoke of many things that would be happening near the end of this age, and told us when we saw them that our Salvation was near (Luke 21:28). Paul told of many negative attitudes and actions that would be here when he wrote 2 Timothy 3. Everything that was listed is here right now. Granted, to a lesser degree, they have always existed; but today, they’re taking place as never before, and gaining momentum daily.

One might ask how so many could be so deceived. Satan is the all-time master of deceit, and his demons (fallen angels) learned everything from him. Prior to his appearance in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), humans had a fair chance of staying faithful. The Father allowed them to be tempted, just as He allows Satan certain latitude today. Satan’s main catch phrase was “Did God really say?” and is still using it today. Even though God allows us to be tempted, He does not tempt us Himself. Anyone who thinks otherwise needs to read James 1:13. Our Heavenly Father cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.

When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), we must remember that even though He was fully God at the time of His encounter with Satan, He was fully human. He had been on a fast for 40 days, and He experienced weakness and hunger just as you or I would. Yes, He had the power to reclaim His sovereignty at any time, but willingly submitted Himself to the Father’s will. He was able to experience what every human experiences firsthand. If He had sinned even once, His sacrifice would have been worthless, and we would still be lost in our transgressions.

This is one of the reasons God is able to forgive us of our sins. Only the pure, sinless blood that was shed by Jesus could ever cover our failures. When we ask Jesus to be our Savior, confess we are helpless sinners without Him, and ask Him to forgive us, He has full authority to do so. From that moment on, all past sin is gone as far as the Father is concerned. Jesus paid our pardon in full, and we cannot buy or ever earn forgiveness for ourselves. God forgives us for Jesus’ sake, not ours.

This is why all who reject Jesus will answer for every sin they ever committed, no matter how great or how small. Anyone who believes they are not sinners, or have never sinned, needs to read Romans 3:23.

Jesus endured pain and suffering that most of us will never experience. He knew even before coming here as a human what was waiting for Him. Yet, as John 10 tells us, He did so willingly for the sake of the Jews first, and for everyone else as well. He included you and me in that act of pure love. It is fitting and right that the Father demands our acceptance of this gift, of our own free will. He would never force anyone, even though He very well could. Again, God is not a deceiver or tempter. He is absolutely fair and just.

When Jesus calls all believers up to meet Him in the air (Rapture), we will never have to worry about deceptions again. After the Millennium, and we are in our forever Home, we will be in a world of pure love, total devotion to our Savior, and no death, illness or pain will be experienced ever again.

Satan is telling us several things:

a.) We have plenty of time to accept Jesus.

b.) We can have Heaven without Jesus.

c.) “Did God Really Say?”

d.) The pleasures of this world are all we will ever need.

God is allowing Satan the ability to deceive all who will listen to him for now. The Father has not given up any of His authority to the devil. He will allow a delusion to come upon those He knows will never accept Jesus, so they will believe they’re doing right (2 Thessalonians 2:11). Taking a close look at the condition of the world today, would you not think the delusion has already started?

All who have the Holy Spirit in them will not be deceived. We’re just ready for our glorious trip to our Forever Home to take place. With everything in place just as the Bible said, it is apparent that time is drawing very near.

Today would not be too early to call on Jesus to save you; and you will find yourself saying Maranatha (Come Lord Jesus).

Shalom

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