A fter the questions asked by His disciples, the Lord now begins His great Olivet discourse. The first and paramount thing the Saviour points out to them is that they are not to be deceived or frightened. In the face of cataclysmic events they are not to be troubled or agitated. They would see horrible things and yet they were ever to keep in mind that the time was not yet. It is well for us to remember that there should be no confusion between signs and tendencies. Whenever this is done, Bible students come to grief. Some groups have gone into great disrepute because they have fallen in to the error of misidentifying signs and tendencies. As an example, some Bible teachers absolutely identified Hitler as the man of sin and Musso lini as the anti-Christ. Both these men are dead and the teachers are most embarrassed. We, too, must not be frightened by events which occur in the world to day. It is true that they are dreadful and world-shaking. But, let us not be troubled. We are not to be led astray from the Word of God. Our authority is, “Thus saith the Lord.” In the opening verses of His dis course (Matthew 24:4-8) the Lord Jesus points out to us that the times shall have a three-fold flavor. First of all there will be a time of decep tion, then a time of distress, and then a time of travail. In the fifth verse we read, “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” These deceivers know their craft well. They appear as the Lord’s ministers and disciples. A counterfeit is only as valuable as the amount of truth it contains. No one has ever endeavored to counterfeit paper in which meat is wrapped. Money is copied since it is of value. So it is with religious things. To the degree that a thing appears true, to
that degree it can be of great value or deception. The Greek word for “deceive” is very interesting. From it we get our English word “planet.” According to Greek astronomers a planet was a wandering star. See the subtility with which deception is carried out? It will not be bold and brutal but rather cunning and subtle. It will be so like Then why need I fear, Though the testing be hard. And the trial severe? He tempers each wind That upon me doth blow, And tenderly whispers, "Thy Father doth know." His power is sufficient, Then why should I quail, Though the storm clouds hang low, And though wild is the gale? His strength will not falter, Whatever betide, And safe on His bosom He bids me to hide. His love is sufficient, Yea, boundless and free; As high as the mountains, As deep as the sea. Ah, there will I rest Till the darkness is o'er, And wake in His likeness, To dwell evermore. , —Avis B. Christiansen In the 24th verse we read, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24). The words “signs and wonders” are im portant for us. If we were working 3 SUFFICIENCY His grace is sufficient, the truth that it will be hard to make a distinction.
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