Deception Runs Deep TDD#37

Deception Runs Deep #37
Today's text is Matthew 24:24

Last Time I told you Christ is coming and it will be clear to all when he comes!  Here is how I like to say it:  The sign of his coming is his coming!  The message to the tribulation believers is clear.   Until I appear in this unmistakable manner stay hidden! You will not have any trouble knowing when I arrive.

I would like to speak for a moment about the key characteristic of this entire section of Matthew 24.  This is a subject I have talked about before but I do not think I can mention it to much!  

Do not be deceived!  Deception is a major theme in this first 28 verses.

 When you look at what’s going on in our world today right now deception is upon us.  People are being deceived, and people will be deceived!  I really believe this is the one thing that we need to hear today.  I believe this is a growing characteristic of the day that we live.  Therefore it is dangerous.

Let me just show you how the concept of deception is all through this chapter:

Matt. 24:4  Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
Matt. 24:5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 
Matt. 24:11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
Matt. 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.

Jesus said in verse 24 that the deception is so deep and powerful that if it were not for the fact that God had sealed some people against it – even they would be deceived.  The deception is overwhelming. 

Jesus warned continually that Christians should be careful not to be deceived, and many people doubt that the world could be so thoroughly deceived as to worship the Antichrist.  Deception is great and will be greater as this day approaches.

Still, people say they cannot believe that the whole world be deceived by one man.  Yet in Germany during the 1930s, Adolf Hitler was viewed as a god by the German people.

The German culture was on the cutting-edge of education, and cultural advances of its day.  Hitler as wicked as he appears to us today, was regarded by the German people as a god.

During the beginning stages of the Holocaust, students studied the following in German schools in 1943.  “Just as Jesus saved people from sin and from hell, Hitler will save Germany from ruin. Jesus and Hitler were persecuted, but while Jesus was crucified Hitler was raised to the chancellorship.  While the disciples of Jesus denied their master, and deserted him the 16 comrades of Hitler died for him.  The apostles completed the work of the Lord we hope that Hitler will be able to complete his work himself.  Jesus built for the kingdom, while Hitler fields for the German Earth.”

Can you imagine? Comparing Hitler and Jesus in a complementary manner?  This is what was being taught this is what the students were learning.  This is how they were being deceived.

During that period of time the church was deceived.  Now I’m not picking on particular people, I don't have anything against the Germans, I don't have anything really against the Catholic Church… That is not my purpose, but the Roman Catholic Church was the dominant religious force during that time.  Keep in mind the Roman Catholic Church did not stand up to Hitler; they did not resist Hitler and his position, and policies.  The fact is, many supported him. 

After one decisive battle, it was the Army's intention to deport and kill non-Catholics, yet immediately following the battle Archbishop Stepinac offered “His congratulations” He threw a banquet to celebrate the founding of the new state.    He ordered the take over and founding of the new state announced from all the pulpits of the Catholic church.  In a letter of support he wrote… “ Glory be to God, our gratitude to Adolf Hitler…” 

There were many Protestant pastors who failed to stand up against him as well.  Furthermore during the Holocaust there were far too many professing “Christians” who supported Hitler's anti-Jewish stance. People throughout Europe and America thought Hitler had some good ideas.

Deception runs deep.  Deeper than we want to admit, therefore we must commit ourselves the God, his word and seek to live it.