Watch Out That No One Deceives You – Part 2
There are efforts to implant a deceitful structure into people themselves. In many circles (politics, business, society, etc.), there is talk of the need for a global reset. Since global issues are at stake, governments need to shed their nationalism and delegate power (at least temporarily) to a global government. A kind of socialism would be introduced, in which large fortunes would be taxed and individual rights would give way to the (supposed) common good. According to many, the solution the world needs is this global reset—to start over with new rules. But then, by what rules will the world be run? And who gets to choose?
We can see governments striving to control and locate every person technologically, and the Covid crisis has accelerated the process. Everyone’s identity is being managed globally on a political and technological level. And so, through the use of technology, an unelected globalized government is growing. Today, there is an emerging group of leaders, institutions, and corporations that are above other people—often even above governments— due to their economic power. The WHO dictates the actions of nations. Under the pretext of health issues, democratic values and freedom of thought and will are becoming increasingly restricted. Some critical observers are even speaking of a post-democratic world. Governmental use of force is becoming more commonplace. Whoever has money and power is dominant. Enforcing a system based on lies requires violence. This is what Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States, said: “It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.” Fear is an ideal tool to impose any number of things. And it seems that the world isn’t shying away from any method to “colonize” people’s minds. Technologies are even being developed that could eventually achieve complete symbiosis with artificial intelligence in the long term.
When we as believers hear these things, we immediately remember that Bible prophecies have already foretold this reality, like the vision of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue with feet of iron mixed with clay (Dan 2:40-43; cf. Dan 7:7, 24). We observe something similar in the end-time prophecy of Revelation 13 and 17, which is about the “beast” being given an accumulation of power. Thus, a legitimate question: Aren’t we on the verge of the time of the Antichrist, global government, and global control? Because mankind is being increasingly primed to accept a system of deception.
This brings us to the tenth commandment: Since we’re incapable of living up to it, the last commandment (not to covet what others have, be it goods or family) is of course swept aside. Greed is the order of the day, since materialism and consumption have become the gods of our society. The greed (desire) for self-actualization has gone so far that there are those who order babies from a catalog. This is a system that takes advantage of women who are prepared to donate their bodies to carry and birth a child that will belong to someone else, out of economic necessity. Egocentric people willfully overlook others’ needs—especially that of the child.
In short, as God disappears from sight, morality is also being wiped out and replaced with values that can change according to the whims of those with economic or political power. Family, life, and property were once protected under God’s law. All of that protection is now being lost and supplanted by various ideologies. Lawlessness is simply taking over. We live in a time of apostasy. We can find the New Testament parallel to the aforementioned characteristics of people in apostasy. These people consistently destroy the principles of the Ten Commandments in the last days. Paul writes of them: “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people” (2 Tim 3:2-5).
What the Apostle recorded more than 1900 years ago is like an MRI of our time. The values that once characterized Christianity have been lost. Everything revolves around the individual, and to the detriment of his neighbor. And when a society deliberately pushes God aside, it’s not surprising that the laws that were meant to protect our fellow man are dissolving more and more, or even accomplishing the opposite.
Protection from Deception
Amid these dangerous influences of deception and apostasy, the Apostle also gives us some helpful countermeasures for victorious resistance:
1. Protection through example: The Apostle presents himself, Timothy’s mother, and Timothy’s grandmother as examples: “You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me … But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it” (2 Tim 3:10-11, 14).
Surely, we also have such examples around us (in addition to the biblical ones). There were (and are) brothers and sisters in the Lord who consistently walked (and walk) the narrow path with Him, and whom the Lord was able to use in a wonderful way. Do you know someone who is an example through their testimony, family, and ministry? Imitate that person! Why are we inclined to seek new experiences or teaching? Why do we try to explore new approaches, thinking they’ll bring us contentment? Such is the influence of the fallen system that surrounds us: Only the faithful dare swim firmly against the tide. But they still exist. We’re admonished in 3 John 11, “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.”
The author of Hebrews introduces us to the gallery of heroes of the faith (ch. 11), with the following warning: “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls” (Heb 10:39). “Shrink back” (Gr. Hupostolē) is probably a metaphor for drawing in the sail to reduce the speed of a ship. In the life of faith, this image means not remaining in the truth. So, this is another term for apostasy.
After listing out the faithfulness of these heroes, despite their struggles, hardships, and even martyrdom, the author gives the following directive: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:1-2).
Remaining true wasn’t easy for any of these heroes of the faith—not even for the Lord Jesus. Its price was severe struggle, tears, and blood-soaked sweat in Gethsemane, and His suffering and death on Calvary. But in that steadfastness, Jesus brought us the fullness of blessing. It’s worth it to follow these examples!
2. Protection through the Word: Paul encourages Timothy, and by extension us: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15).
In the context of warnings about the end times and the examples listed in chapter 3, the Apostle continues: “and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:15-17).
Why would we ever want to pay attention to questionable sources, when safety, blessing, and everything we need for healthy maturity are found in the Bible? I fear that God will have the same thing to say of our generation that He did of His people Israel long ago: “for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jer 2:13).
We must renew our minds. We need to be directing our thoughts to God and His Word, not letting ourselves be ruled by worldly principles: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col 3:1-2).
It’s vital that we pay attention to what we’re filling our minds with. How are we using—or wasting—our free time? Our actions will follow the content of our thoughts. If our thoughts contain a lot of worldliness, then we will act like the world. But if our minds are full of Christ, His Word, and His presence, then we will act like Christ and become more and more like Him. Therefore, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col 3:16a).
Furthermore, there is also the work of the Holy Spirit, who was given to us (among other things) to lead us into all truth (John 16:13). But He can only do this through the Word that He Himself inspired, reminding us of what we have learned.
3. Protection through ministry: The Apostle gives us another form of protection from apostasy: “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching … As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Tim 4:1-2, 5).
The Lord is using Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to show all of us the importance of carrying out the commission He has given and prepared for us (Eph 2:10). Rather than wasting time investing in the world and opening our ears to its deception, let us faithfully serve the Lord where he has placed us, doing the works He has prepared for us. If we abide by this, we’ll have no time for squandering our opportunities under this system characterized by apostasy.
The Reward for Resisting Temptation
In the face of the devil’s attacks and the powerful influence of deception and apostasy, one might question whether staying faithful to the Lord and His Word is really worth it. It would be much easier to simply go with the flow. So, Paul closes this sad and solemn letter with a few words of joy, comfort, hope, and encouragement for the future.
1. The satisfaction of finishing the race: One of the Christian’s greatest joys is knowing he has accomplished his task. The Apostle Paul testifies of his life, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7). Is anything greater or more fulfilling than coming to the end of our earthly existence, after having been faithful and accomplishing the works that God created and empowered us for? If the Lord were to call us home today, would we be in a position to give the same testimony as the Apostle?
2. The anticipation of the reward: If the first point seems insufficient, God’s Spirit uses the Apostle to give us a glimpse of the moment after the Rapture of the Church, at the time of Christ’s judgment: “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Tim 4:8). Once the Lord brings us home, our ministry and Christian life will be analyzed in detail, and the appropriate reward given. With that in mind, it’s truly worth fighting for to invest in eternity and serve faithfully! And this reward is also connected to constant expectation of the Lord’s return. In Revelation 22:12, the Lord Jesus promises: “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” It’s truly worth it to serve the Lord faithfully!
3. Strengthened despite resistance: We don’t know how much time will pass before the Lord returns. The opposition is great, the struggle brutal, and the temptation tremendous. Sometimes, like the Apostle, we might feel like there is no one left by our side (2 Tim 4:16). But in the same breath, he confidently states a truth that also applies to us today: “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (vv. 17-18).
Let’s finish the race bravely and boldly, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Heb 12:2a).
Midnight Call - 10/2024
