Ron Graham was called home on March 14, 2013. He began writing this commentary before his death and had asked me, Nathele Graham, to continue his service to our Lord by finishing what he began.

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“And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ” (Luke 21:8a).

In this passage Jesus warned His disciples that there is a deception coming and they need to be careful that they are not taken in by lies. The disciples had questioned Jesus about the end-times and He was explaining the events leading up to the end.

We now can see that the events He described are all around us and are becoming more intense. His words were meant as a warning to Peter, John and those who were first with Christ. But also these words are a warning to us. Throughout the ages many have come claiming to be Christ and we need to be alert to the deception, especially because we are in the very end time.

“And the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them” (Luke 21:8b).

As always, the words Jesus spoke are certainly true. In the short time I’ve been on this planet many people have come forward claiming to be, “The Christ.” The Greek word “polys” is translated into English as “many” and means: multitudes, huge throngs masses. How many more will show up making the same claim? Jesus said there would be: multitudes. Don’t be deceived by these people.

The folks who follow these pretenders obviously haven’t read the Bible. This same warning, which is recorded in Luke 21, is also cited in two other gospels.

“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).

In Mark’s Gospel we’re given the same admonition:

“And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Mark 13:5-6).

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all recorded Jesus’ words in order to advise the brethren to be alert, to be ready for the deception because the deception had begun even then. The word “planaō” is translated “deceive” and “deceived” and means: to cause to stray, to lead astray, lead aside from the right way. If we are not alert, the deception will lead us astray and we will follow a false Christ…a false teacher and false doctrine. Jesus doesn’t say the deception might happen, but that it will happen.

The disciples wanted to know about the end times (they didn’t know about the Rapture yet, so they were not asking when that would happen). Jesus told them about the wars, earthquakes and famines, saying these things would start gradually but would intensify as the end nears. Knowledge of the end-days has been revealed throughout the Bible a little at a time. Daniel was given information about the future and wrote of the end-times, but he was not allowed to reveal all he was told:

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (Daniel 12:4).

Although Daniel had been given prophecy concerning the time of the Great Tribulation and the end, he wasn’t allowed to write all that had been revealed to him. When the disciples asked Jesus about the end, He revealed more to them with the warning to “be not deceived.” The disciples weren’t told everything. But after Christ was crucified and conquered death by His resurrection, a bit more was revealed. A new “entity” was created─the born-again, Spirit filled group known as─Christians. Then more of God’s plan was revealed through the apostle Paul when he told of the “Harpazō” (the “snatching away” or Rapture).

Finally, John would be shown the horrors of the post-Rapture end-times and wrote it all down in the book of Revelation. Satan knows his time is getting short and is hard at work to deceive as many as possible before he is bound for a thousand years. We who are not deceived by Satan’s lies can see that Jesus’ arrival must be on the horizon because the events are getting closer together with greater intensity.

Now before we go any further lets be perfectly clear as we talk about this fallen angel known as, Satan. He is a created being─a cherub. Not just any cherub but:

“Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee” (Ezekiel 28:14-15).

Satan has hatred for all humans─the entire human race─is in his sight for him to deceive and to destroy. He has been working his lies since the Garden of Eden when he deceived Eve. Eve made the mistake of talking to Satan. He was able to convince her that she and Adam had been deceived (by God who had told them not to eat the forbidden fruit because it would bring death). Satan lied and said their eyes would be opened and they would be as gods.

“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4-5).

Adam and Eve found out who the liar is. God had not deceived them at all, but Satan had. Why is it that we humans continue to buy into Satan’s lies? We have God’s truth given to us in the Bible, yet we continue to question it. People who worship Satan haven’t a clue about how evil and deceptive he is. He hates those who follow him just as much as he hates those who follow Jesus Christ. We cannot possibly understand Satan’s hatred, but we need to not listen to his lies.

Satan has had it in for all true Christians since Jesus commanded His followers to spread His Good News (the gospel) throughout the world. Satan will do all he can to deceive us and stop the spreading of God’s Word. With great craftiness, Satan is trying to make the true gospel of no effect. Just as he did with Eve, he is able to convince people today to twist God’s Word: “All religions worship the same God” and “You are a good person so surely you will go to heaven” (along with many more such deceptions). He has supplanted God’s truth with his version of events and his lies are now boring holes into the hearts and minds of many. The deception is great.

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).

Don’t believe the lies of Satan and follow a false Christ.

Believe the One who is Truth.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

There is only one way to the Father, and that is Jesus Christ. He is the Truth.

How can we recognize deception? When I first became a Christian we attended worship services with some wonderful people. The preacher was very good at putting words together and I was very gung-ho about it all. On the other hand, my wife had been a Christian for many years and had studied her Bible. Much of what was preached and taught, bothered her, but she didn’t want to dampen my enthusiasm.

What did she do? She challenged me. We discussed the sermons then she would bring up a point that was questionable in her mind and would ask me to find support for it in the Bible. I was very disturbed to find that what the preacher was preaching didn’t add up to what I found in God’s Word.

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).

If we know God’s truth we will not be deceived by lies. As we study God’s Word we need to pray and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and help us learn. That was a good lesson for me early in my Christian walk. I learned to be cautious and use Scripture so as not to be deceived. My desire is to follow Jesus Christ, and not a false Christ.

Everything in this life should be seen and done through the lens of Scripture. That is how we can know for certain that we are following the one true God. If we don’t respect God’s inerrant word we will undoubtedly follow the god of this world─the father of all lies. Everyone who does not follow Jesus Christ is already following the deceptions of Satan and a false Christ. If we are to “be not deceived” then only God’s truth can keep us from that deception.

Whether you are reading one of my commentaries or listening to your favorite Bible teacher, always search the Scriptures for yourself so you can be sure you are not being led astray. I make every effort to keep these commentaries in line with God’s Word and I put Scripture in to support my statements. But everyone who reads my commentaries or those of other commentators, needs to make the effort to prayerfully search the Scriptures to be sure there is no deception. This is just common sense, folks.

The Holy Spirit is there to help you to draw closer to Jesus. He is sealed inside of each truly born-again Christian and will never lead you the wrong way. Jesus has told you to be on the watch for deception, stating that it will come. You and I have no idea who might head off track and begin to offer a substitute gospel. Be not deceived.

Although we cannot know the exact timing, we know the Rapture will happen very soon. After that there will be the most horrendous time of judgment known as the Great Tribulation. Then comes the millennium

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:1-2).

Satan will try every conniving trick he can to deceive as many as he can before he is bound. Don’t be deceived by a false Christ, but listen to Jesus’ words and, “Take heed that ye be not deceived.”

God bless you all,

Ron Graham

God is love. His love is universal and available to every man, woman, and child. He created all things and whether we believe in Him or not, His love is evident everywhere and only those who choose blindness will not see it. Christians are to share God’s love because Jesus says we should.

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).

Jesus gave this command to His disciples just after Judas left the dinner table to go and betray Him. As a general rule it’s important to show God’s love to everyone we meet, but Jesus specifically instructed His followers to “love one another” so everyone would know they were His disciples. That command is still in place today.

The unsaved world cannot understand God’s love, but they can look at Christians and see His love shining through us. The way we treat fellow Christians is an example of how God loves us. We should also show His love to those who have rejected Him, but let’s not forget to love the brethren.

There is evidence that Christians care for the lost through many charities that reach out to them, and that’s good, but sometimes it seems we forget Jesus’ command to love the brethren. How do we show God’s love to each other? Helping in times of need is a good way to show our love for the brethren.

The early believers knew the sacrifice they were making by accepting Christ as their Savior. Family would reject them and they were expelled from the Temple. Both of these things made daily life very difficult. In order to help each other survive the hard times, these first Christians took care of each other.

“And all that believed were together, and had all things in common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need” (Acts 2:44-45).

Today people rely upon the government for food stamps, welfare, and whatever other needs may come along. Instead of looking to the local Christian fellowship for help in times of struggle. Even Christians look to secular government for help. The government looks for ways to spend money, but does not care at all as to the condition of our soul. Where will help be found when those “government benefits” aren’t there?

When the U.S. government fails many people will find it hard to survive. God will provide for those who love and serve Him and Christian love toward fellow Christians will be important then. Can the non-Christian community see our love one for another and understand that Christ lives in us?

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16.

Good works by a Christian are a beacon of God’s love.

Missionary work is very important in winning souls to Christ. When Christians reach out to needy people in foreign countries we show God’s love. Christ’s last command was to teach the gospel. His command was to:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Evangelism is a command, but do we really follow Christ’s words? So often missionaries seem    to just build houses, give farm animals or do other charitable works to help the needy. That’s nice but is it actually teaching the gospel?

It isn’t an easy life in the mission field, but Christ specifically says to “teach” the unsaved what He had taught. That’s what Paul did. He never asked for money for himself or for  those he was reaching out to; wherever he went he taught people the gospel.

When he asked for money it wasn’t for himself or the lost, but for fellow Christians in need. We read in Acts and also in his letters about the collections for the brethren.

“Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea” (Acts 11:29).

“For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.” Romans 15:26

“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye” (1 Corinthians 16:1).

This money was not to provide for Paul’s mission work, but to provide for needy Christians. There are many Christians today who need financial assistance, but instead of turning to the local fellowship they turn to government. The “church” (institutional organizations based on religion and not necessarily based on biblical teachings) sits back and watches Christians turn away, and walk away, from Christ.

Jesus said its by our love for each other that non-Christians would know us. Have we dropped the ball? It may not only be money that is needed but godly advice or someone may need a ride to a doctor’s appointment. Whatever the need, Christians show God’s love by helping fellow Christians.

It isn’t wrong to give money to non-Christians in the name of Jesus because that may be what opens the way for them to come to salvation, but Jesus said to teach them.

Peter and John demonstrated this when they came across a crippled beggar at the Temple. He wanted money, but needed Christ.

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6).

If they had given him money he would have gone right on begging, but they shared Christ with him and he was healed. Because of that healing he praised God and many people saw the miracle and heard his praises. Sin is a problem for everyone and God loves us too much to ignore it.

That great gulf that separated us from God could only be bridged by God Himself. So, Jesus Christ entered His creation and shed His blood to purchase our salvation. Do we demonstrate God’s love when we ignore sin? When Jesus walked among the people He never ignored it. When confrontations with the Pharisees happened He got right to the point.

“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” (Matthew 23:33).

The Pharisees should have been leading the people in faith, but instead they were hypocrites who served their own self-interest rather than serving God. Jesus cut them no slack. On the other hand, He showed love and mercy to lost sinners like you and me. When a group of men lowered their sick friend through a roof for Jesus to heal him, Jesus showed mercy.

“And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee” (Luke 5:20).

The woman taken in adultery should have been stoned for her sin, yet Jesus showed her mercy and forgave her.

“When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, ‘Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?’ She said, ‘No man, Lord.’ And Jesus said unto her, ‘Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more’” (John 8:10-11).

He didn’t condemn her, but he told her to stop sinning. We need to take note of those words: go, and sin no more. There are more examples of the love and forgiveness that Jesus has for sinners, and He is our example. When we know someone who claims to be a Christian but is caught up in a sin, we need to lovingly bring it to their attention. Take them to Scripture and show them where they’re going wrong. The Holy Spirit will convict them and bring them to repentance.

If the person isn’t a Christian, your concern for their sin and the condition of their soul just might bring them to a saving faith in Jesus. Sin is ugly. It causes disease, anger, turmoil, hatred, and many other hurtful things. If you love someone you’ll try to lead them away from sin. It’s always a good idea to take a good look at your own life and see the sin from which you need to repent. The ultimate love was shown by Christ.

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:12-14).

Notice again that Jesus is talking to those who followed Him. He was talking to His disciples   and said to “love one another.” Will a non-believer desire to be a part of the fellowship you attend because they can see Christ’s love there?

Our love for each other should also cross denominational lines. We are one in Christ and His love is what binds us together.

Heavenly Father, please show me how I can be a better instrument of Yours to share Your love. I may not have silver or gold to give, but let me share the gifts You have given to me to help my fellow Christians in times of need. Lead me in ways that I can also teach Your perfect love to those who are lost. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Can everyone see that you’re a Christian by the love you have for the brethren? Look for ways to share His love and you just might be surprised at how many opportunities exist.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com