🙏 Sunday Service • ”Great Deception” 🙏

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The concept of "Great Deception" is discussed in several places in the Bible, and it often refers to a time of widespread spiritual falsehood and deception. Below are some key Scriptures on this topic, along with commentary from various biblical scholars.

1. Matthew 24:24 (NKJV)
"For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."

This verse is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, where He describes the signs of the end times. It warns of a time when false messiahs and false prophets will perform deceptive miracles, posing a great spiritual threat even to believers. Scholars suggest that this deception will be so convincing that it could lead astray those who are not firmly rooted in their faith.

2. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NKJV)
"The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

This passage speaks of the rise of a lawless figure (often associated with the Antichrist) who deceives through supernatural signs and wonders. It emphasizes that those who reject the truth and delight in unrighteousness may be subject to a "strong delusion" as a divine judgment. Scholars differ on the exact nature of this deception, but it is seen as a consequence of rejecting God's truth.

3. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NKJV)
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron."

This passage warns of a time when people will depart from the faith and be led astray by deceiving spirits and demonic doctrines. It highlights the danger of hypocrisy and a conscience that is no longer sensitive to moral truths. Scholars view this as a warning against false teachings infiltrating the Church.

4. Revelation 13:13-14 (NKJV)
"He performs great signs so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast."

This passage refers to the false prophet and the Antichrist, who will use miraculous signs to deceive people into worshiping the beast. Scholars see this as a culmination of the great deception, where supernatural events are used to lead humanity away from true worship.

5. Revelation 20:7-8 (NKJV)
"Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea."

This passage speaks of Satan's final deception after being released from his prison, where he deceives the nations and gathers them for a final battle against God. Scholars see this as a manifestation of Satan's persistent efforts to lead people away from God's truth.

In summary, the concept of "great deception" in the Bible generally refers to a time of widespread spiritual falsehood and deception in the end times. It includes the rise of false prophets, deceptive signs and wonders, and the rejection of God's truth. Biblical scholars may differ in their interpretations of the specific details, but these passages collectively serve as a warning to remain steadfast in faith and discerning against deception.