Jesus was warning of false messiahs and prophets

JESUS WAS WARNING OF FALSE MESSIAHS AND PROPHETS
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Matthew 24:24 24Forfalsemessiahs and false
prophets will appearand perform great signs and
wonders to deceive, if possible,even the elect.
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
The Mischiefs WroughtBy Antichrists
Matthew 24:24
R. Tuck
For there shall arise false Christs, i.e. false Messiahs. In the period between
our Lord's ascensionandthe destruction of Jerusalemmany so called
prophets arose who claimed Divine authority. It is not clearthat they claimed
to be the Messiah;but after the fail of Jerusalemone appearedwho called
himself Barchochebas,the "Sonof a star," and claimed to be Messiah, and
deceivedmany. If we canget a proper meaning to the term "antichrist," we
shall see that such have appeared in every age, and repeatedin every age the
same mischief making. An "antichrist" is any man or any woman who, in any
sphere, undoes or resists the work of Christ, or compels men to think
unworthy thoughts of Christ. Fitting introductory matter would be an account
of the socialand religious mischiefs wrought by the antichrists of the first
century, especiallyofBarchochebas.

I. THE ANTICHRIST OPPOSES THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST. That
authority is not only absolute and supreme in Christ's Church, it is also in
constant, immediate, and direct administration; to it the Church can always
appeal. Antichrist
(1) withdraws us from the Divine authority;
(2) criticizes the Divine authority;
(3) substitutes something for the Divine authority.
Antichrist comes betweenthe souland Christ.
II. THE ANTICHRIST OPPOSESTHE PURITY OF CHRIST. The sinless
Christ has it as his supreme aim to make sinless disciples, and present his
Church perfect even as he is perfect. Purity, therefore, is the great aim of
Christ's Church; and to it purity is a high ideal. Any one whose influence
tends to sully the Church's purity, or to lowerthe Church's standard, is an
antichrist. There are those who teacha liberty which is licentiousness, anda
self-indulgence which is disloyalty. "Ye are calledunto holiness:" this will test
all antichrists.
III. THE ANTICHRIST OPPOSESTHE UNITY OF CHRIST. Sectarianism
is the exaltationof opinion over truth. The Church could be one if it were only
basedon loyalty, love, and obedience to the Lord Jesus. The Church is broken
up into sections, ever-multiplying sections, by the particular opinions of men,
who presume to declare Divine authority for their opinions. Christ is one with

the Fatherby his loyalty to him; and that is the way in which we must be one
in Christ.
IV. THE ANTICHRIST OPPOSESTHE CHARITY OF CHRIST. This may
be opened in two ways.
1. There is the selfishness whichshuts men up to what is calledthe
"enjoyment" of religion, heedless ofthe ministry the world needs.
2. There is the bitterness of the heresy cry againstthose who do not happen to
think exactly as we do. - R.T.
Biblical Illustrator
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ.
Matthew 24:23-26
The glory of the coming of Christ
Anon., Anon.
The coming of Christ will be —
I. Precededby frequent delusive turnouts.
II. A self-evident manifestation.
III. A time of judgment.

IV. A time of great distress of nations.
V. "With power and greatglory."
VI. For the salvation of the elect.
(Anon.)
I. The Christian dispensationis disturbed by attempts of impostors to delude
the unwary.
II. These attempts at imposture are accompaniedby credentials likely to
deceive many.
III. There is in our possessiona test sufficient to unmask all pretenders.
(Anon.)
Forewarned
Anon.
Our Lord forewarns —
I. His own people of the danger of being led astray.

II. Of the manner of His coming — sudden, unmistakable.
III. Sinners of the certainty of judgment. Do we heed the warnings? Do we live
as if we gave attention to them?
(Anon.)
Christ's advent not restricted
E. E. Johnson, M. A.
Take as an example of the twilight condition in which the Christian world
stands to-day, the different opinions that its members have concerning the
Lord's secondcoming. Some say He came in judgment when the Romanarmy
encompassedand subdued Jerusalem. "Lo I Christ was there;" and so He
was, in that Divine Word of His which then and thus became visibly true.
Others affirm that He came in the descentof the Holy Ghost; and so He
certainly did, and by that Spirit He still abides and works here on earth,
remaining with and in His Church always even unto the end of the world. Yes,
Christ is here as well as there, in this temple as wellas in that where the first
disciples were gathered. Yet another voice says, "The Redeemercomes in
every signal manifestationof spiritual life, in eachgreatreformation and
revival of faith, in eachsocialuplifting of the people to holier desires and to a
better life. In all of these Christ is, no doubt, present. By and in them He is
evermore coming. And He comes, moreover, to eachindividual soul at
baptism, at conversion, and in the Holy Communion. He comes into the secret
closetofprayer and meditation. He comes to every open heart, and outside the
closeddoorof others He stands, and knocks,and waits. Blessedtruths are
these, all of them. Christ does come by many paths to help the needy, and He
comes with power. But no one of these comings is exclusive of the others. We
are not to believe that Christ is altogether"here" or"there," that His

presence is entirely restricted to any single one of the many ways by which He
has promised to bestow the blessings of His risen life. And all of these comings
put togethershould not exclude from our minds the belief or the constant
thought of that other coming, which is to be not as a combination or
successionofseparate star-gleams, but as the lightning, a body of glory
covering the whole world, and reaching at once from the easteven unto the
west.
(E. E. Johnson, M. A.).
COMMENTARIES
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(24) Shall shew greatsigns and wonders.—SimonMagus (Acts 8:9-11) and
Elymas (Acts 13:6) may be taken as representative instances ofthese false
claimants to supernatural powers. So “signs and lying wonders” are the notes
of the coming of the WickedOne, in whom the mystery of iniquity shall
receive its full development (2Thessalonians 2:9). But for the warning thus
given, even the “elect”—i.e., the Christians of Judæa and Jerusalem—might
have been carried awayby the current of popular delusions.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
24:4-28 The disciples had askedconcerning the times, When these things
should be? Christ gave them no answerto that; but they had also asked, What
shall be the sign? This question he answers fully. The prophecy first respects
events near at hand, the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the Jewish
church and state, the calling of the Gentiles, and the setting up of Christ's
kingdom in the world; but it also looks to the generaljudgment; and toward
the close, points more particularly to the latter. What Christ here said to his

disciples, tended more to promote caution than to satisfytheir curiosity; more
to prepare them for the events that should happen, than to give a distinct idea
of the events. This is that goodunderstanding of the times which all should
covet, thence to infer what Israelought to do. Our Saviourcautions his
disciples to stand on their guard againstfalse teachers. And he foretells wars
and greatcommotions among nations. From the time that the Jews rejected
Christ, and he left their house desolate, the sword never departed from them.
See what comes ofrefusing the gospel. Those who will not hear the messengers
of peace, shallbe made to hear the messengers ofwar. But where the heart is
fixed, trusting in God, it is kept in peace, and is not afraid. It is againstthe
mind of Christ, that his people should have troubled hearts, even in troublous
times. When we lookedforwardto the eternity of misery that is before the
obstinate refusers of Christ and his gospel, we may truly say, The greatest
earthly judgments are but the beginning of sorrows. It is comforting that some
shall endure even to the end. Our Lord foretells the preaching of the gospelin
all the world. The end of the world shall not be till the gospelhas done its
work. Christ foretells the ruin coming upon the people of the Jews;and what
he said here, would be of use to his disciples, for their conductand for their
comfort. If God opens a door of escape, we oughtto make our escape,
otherwise we do not trust God, but tempt him. It becomes Christ's disciples, in
times of public trouble, to be much in prayer: that is never out of season, but
in a specialmanner seasonable whenwe are distressedon every side. Though
we must take what Godsends, yet we may pray againstsufferings; and it is
very trying to a goodman, to be takenby any work of necessityfrom the
solemn service and worship of God on the sabbath day. But here is one word
of comfort, that for the elect's sakethese days shall be made shorter than their
enemies designed, who would have cut all off, if God, who used these foes to
serve his own purpose, had not setbounds to their wrath. Christ foretells the
rapid spreading of the gospelin the world. It is plainly seenas the lightning.
Christ preachedhis gospelopenly. The Romans were like an eagle, and the
ensign of their armies was an eagle. Whena people, by their sin, make
themselves as loathsome carcasses, nothing canbe expectedbut that God
should send enemies to destroy them. It is very applicable to the day of
judgment, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in that day, 2Th 2:1. Let us

give diligence to make our calling and electionsure; then may we know that
no enemy or deceivershall ever prevail againstus.
Barnes'Notes on the Bible
False Christs - Persons claiming to be the Messiah.
False prophets - Persons claiming to be "the prophet" spokenof by Moses
Deuteronomy 18:15;or persons pretending to declare the wayof deliverance
from the Romans, and calling the people to follow them. See Matthew 24:5.
Shall show greatsigns and wonders - That is, shall pretend to work miracles.
They will so nearly resemble prophets in their miraculous power as to render
it difficult to detect the imposture. Josephus represents the false Christs and
prophets that appearedas "magicians andsorcerers."He says they led the
people out into the deserts, and promised to work miracles to deliver them,
Antiq. b. 20 chapter 8, section6.
If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect - So nearly would their
pretended miracles resemble true miracles as to render it difficult to detect
the imposture; so much so, that if it were possible they would persuade even
true Christians that they were the Messiah. Butthat was not possible. His real
friends would be too firmly establishedin the belief that he was the Christ to
be wholly led away by others. Christians may be sometimes led far astray;
they may be in doubt about some greatdoctrines of religion; they may be
perplexed by the cavils and cunning craftiness ofthose who do not love the
truth, but they cannot be entirely deceivedand seducedfrom the Saviour. Our
Saviour says that if this "were possible," it would be done then; but it was not
possible. Compare the notes at John 10:28-29.
Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary
CHAPTER 24

Mt 24:1-51. Christ's Prophecyof the Destructionof Jerusalem, and Warnings
Suggestedby It to Prepare for His SecondComing. ( = Mr 13:1-37;Lu 21:5-
36).
For the exposition, see on[1355]Mr13:1-37.
Matthew Poole's Commentary
See Poole on"Matthew 24:26".
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,.... Such as the above
mentioned: these false Christs had their false prophets, who endeavoured to
persuade the people to believe them to be the Messiah, as Barcochabhad
Akiba, who applied many prophecies to him. This man was calledBarcochab,
which signifies the son of a star, in allusion to Numbers 24:17 he was crowned
by the Jews, andproclaimed the Messiahby Akiba; upon which a Roman
army was sent againsthim, and a place calledBitter was besieged, and taken,
and he, and a prodigious number of Jews were destroyed. This deceiverwas
afterwards, by them, calledBarcoziba, the sonof a lie:
and shall show greatsigns and wonders;make an appearance ofdoing them,
though they really did them not: so that Jonathan, before mentioned,
pretended to show signs and sights;and Barcochabmade as if flame came out
of his mouth; and many of the Jewishdoctors in these times, and following,
gave themselves up to sorcery, and the magic art; and are, many of them,
often said (s) to be , "expert in wonders", or miracles:
if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. By whom we are to
understand, not the choicestbelievers, orthe persevering Christians:not but
that such who are truly converted, are choice believers in Christ, and

persevering Christians are undoubtedly the electof God; but then the reason
why they are elect, and why they are so called, is not because they are
converted, are choice believers, and persevering Christians; but, on the
contrary, the reasonwhy they are converted, become true believers, and
persevere to the end, is, because they are elected;conversion, faith, and
perseverance being not the causes orconditions, but the fruits and effects of
election:besides to talk of the final seductionof a persevering Christian, is a
contradiction in terms. Such an interpretation of the phrase must be absurd
and impertinent; for who knows not that a persevering Christian cannot be
finally and totally deceived? But by the electare meant, a selectnumber of
particular persons of Adam's posterity, whom God, of his sovereigngoodwill
and pleasure, without respectto their faith, holiness, and goodworks, has
chosen, in Christ, before the foundation of the world, both to grace and glory:
and to deceive these finally and totally, is impossible, as is here suggested;not
impossible, considering their own weakness, andthe craftiness ofdeceivers,
who, if left to themselves, and the power of such deception, and the working of
Satanwith all deceivablenessofunrighteousness, might easilybe seduced;but
considering the purposes and promises of God concerning them, the
provisions of his grace for them, the security of them in the hands of Christ,
and their preservationby the mighty powerof God, their final and total
deceptionis not only difficult, but impossible. They may be, and are deceived
before conversion;this is one part of their characterwhilst unregenerate,
"foolish, disobedient, deceived", Titus 3:3 yea, they may be, and oftentimes
are, deceivedafter conversion;but then this is in part only, and not totally; in
some lesser, and not in the greatermatters of faith; not so as to let go their
hold of Christ their head, and quit the doctrine of salvationby him, or fall into
damnable heresies:they may be seducedfrom the simplicity of the Gospel, but
not finally; for they shall be recoveredout of the snare of the devil, and not to
be left to perish in such deceivings. This clause, as it expresses the powerof
deceivers, and the efficacyof Satan, so the influence and certainty of electing
grace and the sure and firm perseverance ofthe saints, to the end,
notwithstanding the cunning and craft of men and devils; for if these, with all
their signs and wonders, could not deceive them, it may be pronounced
impossible that they ever should be finally and totally deceived.

(s) T. Bab. Meila, fol. 17. 2. Juchasin, fol. 20. 1, 2. & 42. 2. & 56. 2. & 77. 1. &
96. 2.
Geneva Study Bible
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and {l} shall shew great
signs and wonders;insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the
very elect.
(l) Will openly setforth great signs for men to behold.
EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)
Expositor's Greek Testament
Matthew 24:24. ψευδόχριστοι, in the same sense as in Matthew 24:5; there
referred to as the cause of all the trouble, here as promising deliverance from
the trouble they, or their like, have created. Whatwould one not give for a
Deliverer, a Messiahatsuch a dire crisis!The demand would create the
supply, men offering themselves as Saviours from Rome’s power, with
prophets (ψευδοπροφῆται)preaching smooththings, and assuring a
despairing people of deliverance at the last hour.—μὴ πιστεύσητε, says Jesus
(Matthew 24:23), do not believe them: no salvationpossible;listen not, but
flee.—καὶ δώσουσιν, etc., andwill give greatsigns and wonders. The words
recallDeuteronomy 13:1. Desperate situations require a full use of all possible
powers of persuasion:signs and wonders, or the pretence of them: easily
acceptedas suchby a fanaticisedmultitude, and sometimes so cleverand
plausible as to tempt the wise to credence.—ὥστε, withinfinitive to express
tendency; often inclusive of result, but not here.—εἰ δυνατὸν, if possible, the
implication being that it is not. If it were the consequence wouldbe fatal. The
“elect” (τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς)—selectedby Providence for safetyin the evil day—
would be involved in the generalcalamity. Christians, at Israel’s greatcrisis,
were to be savedby unbelief in pseudo-messiahsand pseudo-prophets.

Bengel's Gnomen
Matthew 24:24. Σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα, signs and prodigies)Signs affectthe
intellect; prodigies, one class ofwhich is fearful sights (see Luke 21:11, and cf.
Acts 2:19), trouble the mind.—εἰ δυνατὸν, if [it were]possible)This clause
denotes the utmost endeavour, yet made in vain; cf. Acts 27:39.[1049]
[1049]προείοηκα)Exercisingpeculiarfaithfulness and divine affection
towards you.—V. g.
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 24. - False Christs. He shows the nature of the dangers to which
believers will be subject. He does not confine his view to Jewishhistory; he
foretells the appearance ofpretenders who shall assume the part of Christ,
and blasphemously assertthat they are Messiah. False prophets. Without
assuming the name of Christ, many impostors shall be found who, professing
to be inspired or lawful teachers, shalllead hearers into false doctrine, or
claim to possess a new revelation, or something additional and supplemental
to the eternalgospel. Such was Mohammed; such were the founders of
Buddhism, Mormonism, and other so called religions, who basedtheir views
on specialrevelation given from heaven for the purpose of improving the
existing faith or introducing a new one. Shall show (δώσουσι, shall give, as
Acts 2:19) greatsigns and wonders. Two usual terms for miracles, the former
regarding rather the evidence afforded by them, the latter the element of the
marvellous inherent in them (comp John 4:48; Acts 2:22; Acts 7:36 etc.). That
such men did work actualmiracles, or what were regarded as such, cannotbe
reasonablydoubted. Satanwas on their side, and, as far as he was permitted,
confirmed their teaching by supernatural assistance. St. Paul testifies that
such should be the actionof the antichrist, "whose coming is after the working
of Satan, with all powerand signs and lying wonders" (2 Thessalonians 2:9;
comp. Revelation13:13, 14). Many of these wonders may have been

effectuatedby natural forces unknown to the majority of men, and therefore
consideredas superhuman; others may have been derived from the spiritual
world, but necessarilyfrom that realm thereofwhich is under the control of
evil demons. Whatever may have been their source, they were displayed in
support of lies and errors, and had a certain success. Insomuchthat if it were
possible, they shall deceive (ὤστε πλανῆσαι εἰ δυνατὸν)the very (καὶ, even)
elect. The Authorized Version seems to make our Lord imply that such
seductionwas absolutely impossible. The translation ought to run, as in the
RevisedVersion, so as to lead astray, if possible even the elect, signifying the
difficulty, not the impossibility, of drawing them awayfrom the truth. "The
elect" are Christians, true followers of Jesus, andmembers of his Church.
These may fall from the faith, for they are not yet finally safe, and on that
chance Satanbuilds; but as long as they reston Christ, looking to him for
guidance and protection, trying the spirits by the Word of God and by the
truths which they have learned in creedand worship, they stand firm against
the strongesttemptations. Matthew 24:24
Vincent's Word Studies
Signs and wonders (σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα)
See on Matthew 11:20. The two words often joined in the New Testament. See
John 4:48; Acts 2:22; Acts 4:30; 2 Corinthians 12:12. The words do not denote
different classesofsupernatural manifestations, but these manifestations
regardedfrom different points of view. The same miracle may be a mighty
work, or a glorious work, regardedwith reference to its power and grandeur;
or a sign of the doer's supernatural power;or a wonder, as it appeals to the
spectator. Τέρας, (derivation uncertain) is a miracle regarded as a portent or
prodigy, awakening amazement. It most nearly corresponds, therefore, to the
etymologicalsense ofthe word miracle (Lat., miraculum, a wonderful thing,
from mirari, to wonder).

STUDYLIGHTRESOURCES
Albert Barnes'Notes onthe Whole Bible
False Christs - Persons claiming to be the Messiah.
False prophets - Persons claiming to be “the prophet” spokenof by Moses
Deuteronomy 18:15;or persons pretending to declare the wayof deliverance
from the Romans, and calling the people to follow them. See Matthew 24:5.
Shall show greatsigns and wonders - That is, shall pretend to work miracles.
They will so nearly resemble prophets in their miraculous power as to render
it difficult to detect the imposture. Josephus represents the false Christs and
prophets that appearedas “magicians andsorcerers.”He says they led the
people out into the deserts, and promised to work miracles to deliver them,
Antiq. b. 20 chapter 8, section6.
If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect - So nearly would their
pretended miracles resemble true miracles as to render it difficult to detect
the imposture; so much so, that if it were possible they would persuade even
true Christians that they were the Messiah. Butthat was not possible. His real
friends would be too firmly establishedin the belief that he was the Christ to
be wholly led away by others. Christians may be sometimes led far astray;
they may be in doubt about some greatdoctrines of religion; they may be
perplexed by the cavils and cunning craftiness ofthose who do not love the
truth, but they cannot be entirely deceivedand seducedfrom the Saviour. Our
Saviour says that if this “were possible,” it would be done then; but it was not
possible. Compare the notes at John 10:28-29.

Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
BibliographicalInformation
Barnes, Albert. "Commentaryon Matthew 24:24". "Barnes'Notesonthe
Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/matthew-
24.html. 1870.
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John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,.... Such as the above
mentioned: these false Christs had their false prophets, who endeavoured to
persuade the people to believe them to be the Messiah, as Barcochabhad
Akiba, who applied many prophecies to him. This man was calledBarcochab,
which signifies the son of a star, in allusion to Numbers 24:17 he was crowned
by the Jews, andproclaimed the Messiahby Akiba; upon which a Roman
army was sent againsthim, and a place calledBitter was besieged, and taken,
and he, and a prodigious number of Jews were destroyed. This deceiverwas
afterwards, by them, calledBarcoziba, the sonof a lie:
and shall show greatsigns and wonders;make an appearance ofdoing them,
though they really did them not: so that Jonathan, before mentioned,
pretended to show signs and sights;and Barcochabmade as if flame came out
of his mouth; and many of the Jewishdoctors in these times, and following,
gave themselves up to sorcery, and the magic art; and are, many of them,
often saidF19 to be ‫םידמולמ‬ ‫,םיסנב‬ "expert in wonders", or miracles:
if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. By whom we are to
understand, not the choicestbelievers, orthe persevering Christians:not but
that such who are truly converted, are choice believers in Christ, and

persevering Christians are undoubtedly the electof God; but then the reason
why they are elect, and why they are so called, is not because they are
converted, are choice believers, and persevering Christians; but, on the
contrary, the reasonwhy they are converted, become true believers, and
persevere to the end, is, because they are elected;conversion, faith, and
perseverance being not the causes orconditions, but the fruits and effects of
election:besides to talk of the final seductionof a persevering Christian, is a
contradiction in terms. Such an interpretation of the phrase must be absurd
and impertinent; for who knows not that a persevering Christian cannot be
finally and totally deceived? But by the elect are meant, a selectnumber of
particular persons of Adam's posterity, whom God, of his sovereigngoodwill
and pleasure, without respectto their faith, holiness, and goodworks, has
chosen, in Christ, before the foundation of the world, both to grace and glory:
and to deceive these finally and totally, is impossible, as is here suggested;not
impossible, considering their own weakness, andthe craftiness ofdeceivers,
who, if left to themselves, and the power of such deception, and the working of
Satanwith all deceivablenessofunrighteousness, might easilybe seduced;but
considering the purposes and promises of God concerning them, the
provisions of his grace for them, the security of them in the hands of Christ,
and their preservationby the mighty power of God, their final and total
deceptionis not only difficult, but impossible. They may be, and are deceived
before conversion;this is one part of their characterwhilst unregenerate,
"foolish, disobedient, deceived", Titus 3:3 yea, they may be, and oftentimes
are, deceivedafter conversion;but then this is in part only, and not totally; in
some lesser, and not in the greatermatters of faith; not so as to let go their
hold of Christ their head, and quit the doctrine of salvationby him, or fall into
damnable heresies:they may be seducedfrom the simplicity of the Gospel, but
not finally; for they shall be recoveredout of the snare of the devil, and not to
be left to perish in such deceivings. This clause, as it expressesthe powerof
deceivers, and the efficacyof Satan, so the influence and certainty of electing
grace and the sure and firm perseverance ofthe saints, to the end,
notwithstanding the cunning and craft of men and devils; for if these, with all
their signs and wonders, could not deceive them, it may be pronounced
impossible that they ever should be finally and totally deceived.

Copyright Statement
The New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernisedand adapted
for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. All Rights Reserved, Larry
Pierce, Winterbourne, Ontario.
A printed copy of this work can be ordered from: The Baptist Standard
Bearer, 1 Iron Oaks Dr, Paris, AR, 72855
Gill, John. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". "The New JohnGill Exposition
of the Entire Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/matthew-
24.html. 1999.
Geneva Study Bible
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and l shall shew great
signs and wonders;insomuch that, if [it were]possible, they shall deceive the
very elect.
(l) Will openly setforth great signs for men to behold.
Copyright Statement
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Beza, Theodore. "Commentaryon Matthew 24:24". "The 1599 Geneva Study
Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/gsb/matthew-24.html. 1599-
1645.
John Lightfoot's Commentary on the Gospels

24. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great
very elect.
[Shall shew great signs and wonders.]It is a disputable case,whetherthe
Jewishnation were more mad with superstition in matters of religion, or with
superstition in curious arts.
I. There was not a people upon earth that studied or attributed more to
dreams than they. Hence
1. They often imposed fastings upon themselves to this end, that they might
obtain happy dreams; or to getthe interpretation of a dream; or to divert the
ill omen of a dream: which we have observed at the fourteenth verse of the
ninth chapter.
2. Hence their nice rules for handling of dreams; such as these, and the like:
Let one observe a gooddream two-and-twenty years, after the example of
Joseph:"If you go to bed merry, you shall have gooddreams," &c.
3. Hence many took upon them the public professionof interpreting dreams;
and this was reckonedamong the nobler arts. A certain old man (Babyl.
Beracoth)relates this story; "There were four-and-twenty interpreters of
dreams in Jerusalem:and I, having dreamed a dream, went to them all: every
one gave a different interpretation, and yet they all came to pass," &c. You
have R. JosesBenChelpatha, R. Ismael BenR. Joses,R. Lazar, and R. Akiba
interpreting divers dreams, and many coming to them for interpretation of
their dreams. Nay, you see there the disciples of R. Lazar in his absence

practising this art. See there also many stories about this business, which it
would be too much here to transcribe.
II. There were hardly any people in the whole world that more used, or were
more fond of, amulets, charms, mutterings, exorcisms, and all kinds of
enchantments. We might here produce innumerable examples;a handful shall
serve us out of the harvest: "Let not any one go abroad with his amulet on the
sabbath day, unless that amulet be prescribedby an approved physician" (or,
"unless it be an approved amulet"; see the Gemara). Now these amulets were
either little roots hung about the necks of sick persons, or, what was more
common, bits of paper with words written on them whereby they supposed
that diseaseswere eitherdriven awayor cured: which they wore all the week,
but were forbid to wearon the sabbath, unless with a caution: "Theydo not
say a charm over a wound on the sabbath, that also which is saidover a
mandrake is forbid" on the sabbath. "If any one say, Come and saythis
versicle over my son, or lay the book" of the law "upon him, to make him
sleep;it is forbid": that is, on the sabbath, but on other days is usual.
"They used to saythe psalm of meetings (that is, againstunlucky meetings) at
Jerusalem. R. Judah saith, Sometimes after such a meeting, and sometimes
when no such meeting had happened. But what is the Psalmof Meetings? The
third psalm, 'Lord, how are my foes increased!' even all the psalm: and the
ninety-first psalm, 'He that dwelleth in the secretplace of the MostHigh,' to
the ninth verse." There is a discourse of many things, which they used to
carry about with them, as remedies againstcertainailments; and of
mutterings over wounds: and there you may see, that while they avoid the
enchantments of the Amorites, they have and allow their own. You have, Bab.
Joma, fol, 84.1, the form of an enchantment againsta mad dog. And, Avodah
Zarah, fol. 12.2, the form of enchantment againstthe devil of blindness. You
have, Hieros. Schab. fol 13.4, and Avod. Zarah, fol. 40.4, mutterings and
enchantments, even in the name of Jesus. Seealso the Babyl. Sanhedr. fol.
101.1, concerning these kind of mutterings.

III. So skilful were they in conjurings, enchantments, and sorceries, thatthey
wrought greatsigns, many villanies, and more wonders. We pass by those
things which the sacredstory relates of Simon Magus, Elymas, the sons of
Sceva, &c., and Josephus, ofothers; we will only produce examples out of the
Talmud, a few out of many.
You will wonder, in the entrance, at these two things, in order to the speaking
of their magicalexploits; and thence you will conjecture at the very common
practice of these evil arts among that people: 1. That "the seniorwho is
choseninto the council ought to be skilledin the arts of astrologers, jugglers,
diviners, sorcerers, &c., thathe may be able to judge of those who are guilty
of the same." 2. The Masters tell us, that a certainchamber was built by a
magicianin the temple itself: "The chamber of Happarva was built by a
certain magician, whose name was Parvah, by art-magic." "Four-and-twenty
of the schoolRabbi, intercalating the year at Lydda, were killed by an evil
eye":that is, with sorceries. R. Joshua outdoes a magicianin magic, and
drowns him in the sea. In Babyl. Taanith, severalmiracles are related that the
Rabbins had wrought. Elsewhere,there is a story told of eighty women-
sorceressesatAscalon, who were hangedin one day by Simeon Ben Shetah:
"and the womenof Israel(saith the gloss)had generallyfallen to the practice
of sorceries":as we have mentioned before. It is related of abundance of
Rabbis, that they were skilful in working miracles:thus Abba Chelchia, and
Chanin, and R. Chanina Ben Dusa;of which R. Chanina Ben Dusa there is
almost an infinite number of stories concerning the miracles he wrought,
which savour enough and too much of magic.
And, that we may not be tedious in producing examples, what can we sayof
the fasting Rabbis causing it to rain in effectwhen they pleased? ofwhich
there are abundance of stories in Taanith. What canwe sayof the Bath Kol
very frequently applauding the Rabbins out of heaven? of which we have
spokenbefore. What can we say of the death or plagues foretold by the

Rabbins to befall this or that man? which came to pass just according as they
were foretold. I rather suspectsome magic art in most of these, than fiction in
all.
IV. False Christs broke out, and appeared in public with their witchcrafts, so
much the frequenter and more impudent, as the city and people drew nearer
to its ruin; because the people believed the Messias shouldbe manifested
before the destruction of the city; and eachof them pretended to be the
Messiasby these signs. From the words of Isaiah, "Before herpain came, she
was delivered of a man child," the doctors concluded, "that the Messias
should be manifested before the destruction of the city." Thus the Chaldee
paraphrast upon the place;"She shall be savedbefore her utmost extremity,
and her king shall be revealedbefore her pains of childbirth." Mark that also;
"The Son of David will not come, till the wickedempire [of the Romans]shall
have spread itself over all the world nine months; as it is said, 'Therefore will
he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth.'"
Copyright Statement
Lightfoot, John. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". "JohnLightfoot
Commentary on the Gospels".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jlc/matthew-24.html. 1675.
Robertson's WordPictures in the New Testament
Greatsigns and wonders (σημεια μεγαλα και τερατα — sēmeia megala kai
terata). Two of the three words so often used in the N.T. about the works
(εργα — erga) of Jesus, the other being δυναμεις — dunameis (powers). They

often occurtogetherof the same work (John 4:48; Acts 2:22; Acts 4:30; 2
Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:4). Τερας — Teras is a wonder or prodigy,
δυναμις — dunamis a mighty work or power, σημειον— sēmeiona sign of
God‘s purpose. Miracle (μιραχυλυμ — miraculum) presents only the notion of
wonder or portent. The same deed canbe lookedatfrom these different
angles. But the point to note here is that mere “signs and wonders” do not of
themselves prove the powerof God. These charlatans will be so skilful that
they will, if possible (ει δυνατον— ei dunaton), leadastray the very elect. The
implication is that it is not possible. People become excitedand are misled and
are unable to judge of results. Often it is post hoc, sed non propter hoc.
Patent-medicine men make full use of the credulity of people along this line as
do spiritualistic mediums. Sleight-of-hand men candeceive the unwary.
Copyright Statement
The Robertson's WordPictures of the New Testament. Copyright �
Broadman Press 1932,33,Renewal1960. All rights reserved. Used by
permission of Broadman Press (Southern BaptistSunday SchoolBoard)
Robertson, A.T. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". "Robertson's Word
Pictures of the New Testament".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/rwp/matthew-24.html. Broadman
Press 1932,33. Renewal1960.
Vincent's Word Studies
Signs and wonders ( σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα )
See on Matthew 11:20. The two words often joined in the New Testament. See
John 4:48; Acts 2:22; Acts 4:30; 2 Corinthians 12:12. The words do not denote
different classesofsupernatural manifestations, but these manifestations

regardedfrom different points of view. The same miracle may be a mighty
work, or a glorious work, regardedwith reference to its power and grandeur;
or a sign of the doer's supernatural power;or a wonder, as it appeals to the
spectator. Τέρας , (derivation uncertain) is a miracle regardedas a portent or
prodigy, awakening amazement. It most nearly corresponds, therefore, to the
etymologicalsense ofthe word miracle (Lat., miraculum, a wonderful thing,
from mirari, to wonder )i1.
Copyright Statement
The text of this work is public domain.
Vincent, Marvin R. DD. "Commentaryon Matthew 24:24". "Vincent's Word
Studies in the New Testament".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/vnt/matthew-24.html. Charles
Schribner's Sons. New York, USA. 1887.
Wesley's ExplanatoryNotes
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great
very elect.
They would deceive, if possible, the very elect — But it is not possible that
God should suffer the body of Christians to be thus deceived.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that
is available on the Christian ClassicsEtherealLibrary Website.

Wesley, John. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". "JohnWesley's
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wen/matthew-24.html. 1765.
John Trapp Complete Commentary
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great
very elect.
Ver. 24. If it were possible, &c.]Fundamentally and finally the electcannot
possibly be deceived; because both "the deceivedand the deceiverare with the
Lord," Job 12:13;Job 12:16. In the Primitive Church, those capital heresies
concerning the Trinity and the incarnation of our Saviour did so prevail, Ut
ingeniosa res fuerit esse Christianum, saith Erasmus, that it was a witty thing
to be a true Christian. Arianism had so overspreadthe world, that Athanasius
seemedto be alone, as did Elias before him, and Luther after him. But God in
worsttimes reserved a remnant, and at all times will not see nor suffer any of
his to miscarry; but will reduce them from their wanderings, as he did
Latimer, who was (as himself confesseth)as obstinate a Papistas any was in
England, till converted by Bilney; and as he did Denckius, a learned
Dutchman, but a pestilent heretic, till convertedby Oecolampadius:and as he
did Francis Junius, a desperate atheist, till convertedby conference witha
countryman of his not far from Florence.
Copyright Statement

Trapp, John. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". John Trapp Complete
Commentary. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/matthew-24.html.
1865-1868.
Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomonof the New Testament
Matthew 24:24. σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα, signs and prodigies)Signs affectthe
intellect; prodigies, one class ofwhich is fearful sights (see Luke 21:11, and cf.
Acts 2:19), trouble the mind.— εἰ δυνατὸν, if [it were]possible) This clause
denotes the utmost endeavour, yet made in vain; cf. Acts 27:39.(1049)
Copyright Statement
Bengel, JohannAlbrecht. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". Johann
Albrecht Bengel's Gnomonof the New Testament.
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jab/matthew-24.html. 1897.
Matthew Poole's EnglishAnnotations
on the Holy Bible
See Poole on"Matthew 24:26".
Copyright Statement

Poole, Matthew, "Commentaryon Matthew 24:24". Matthew Poole's English
Annotations on the Holy Bible.
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mpc/matthew-24.html. 1685.
Alexander MacLaren's Expositions ofHoly Scripture
чтобы прельстить, если возможно, и избранныхЭто ясно показывает,
что такое сделать будетневозможно (Ин.10:4, 5).
Copyright Statement
MacLaren, Alexander. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". Alexander
MacLaren's Expositions ofHoly Scripture.
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mac/matthew-24.html.
Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament
If it were possible;this implied that it was not possible.
Copyright Statement

Edwards, Justin. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". "FamilyBible New
Testament". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/fam/matthew-24.html.
American Tract Society. 1851.
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible
24.Signs andwonders — Our Lord does not affirm here that any of these
signs and wonders would be truly miraculous. If it were possible — They
would do it if they were able. Deceive the very elect — Who have been
previously forewarnedby me, and are therefore beyond the reachof their
deceptions. They are calledelect, as being, in consequenceoftheir faith in
Christ, most speciallyselectedfrom the Jewishnation, to be saved from the
generaldestruction. They were God’s chosenones, whom it was impossible for
the juggling false Christs to deceive.
Copyright Statement
Whedon, Daniel. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". "Whedon's Commentary
on the Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/whe/matthew-
24.html. 1874-1909.
PeterPett's Commentary on the Bible

“Forthere will arise false Messiahs,and false prophets, and will show great
signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, eventhe elect.”
Nevertheless theywill arise. There will be false Messiahs (compare Matthew
24:5) and false prophets (compare Matthew 24:11). And they will even be able
to show great signs and wonders. Indeed they will appear to do wonders of
such a nature that if it were possible they would even deceive the elect.
Fortunately that is not possible, for the electknow that no man on earth can
truly be the Messiah, but such would be the wonders that had they not known
that some of them might wellhave been deceived.
We cancompare how the Egyptian ‘magicians’ aped some of Moses’signs and
wonders. By conjuring men are able to give the impression of greatwonders.
And it may well even be that He intends us to recognisethat Satanic power
has produced, or will produce, such wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9;Revelation
16:14, compare Acts 8:9-10. See also Deuteronomy13:1-2; Revelation13:13-
14; Revelation19:20).
Copyright Statement
Pett, Peter. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". "PeterPett's Commentaryon
the Bible ". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/pet/matthew-24.html.
2013.
Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament

Matthew 24:24. False Christs. While this may refer to the impostors of the
first century, it now points to ‘Antichrist,’ or the many ‘antichrists’ (1 John
2:18), constantlyarising.—Falseprophets. Such arose among the Jews, but
have arisenever since.
Show greatsigns and wonders, in appearance probably, but this cannotbe
insisted upon. See 2 Thessalonians2:9-12.
So as (the tendency and purpose) to deceive, if possible, implying that it is not,
even the elect. Others will be deceived, led astray from our Lord, the real
Messiahand true Prophet. It indicates that a period will come, when the
‘deceivablenessofunrighteousness’shall be augmented.
Copyright Statement
Schaff, Philip. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". "Schaff's Popular
Commentary on the New Testament".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/scn/matthew-24.html. 1879-90.
The Expositor's Greek Testament
Matthew 24:24. , in the same sense as in Matthew 24:5; there referred to as
the cause ofall the trouble, here as promising deliverance from the trouble
they, or their like, have created. What would one not give for a Deliverer, a
Messiahatsuch a dire crisis!The demand would create the supply, men
offering themselves as Saviours from Rome’s power, with prophets ( )
preaching smooththings, and assuring a despairing people of deliverance at

the lasthour.— , says Jesus (Matthew 24:23), do not believe them: no
salvationpossible;listen not, but flee.— , etc., and will give greatsigns and
wonders. The words recallDeuteronomy 13:1. Desperate situations require a
full use of all possible powers of persuasion:signs and wonders, or the
pretence of them: easilyacceptedas suchby a fanaticisedmultitude, and
sometimes so cleverand plausible as to tempt the wise to credence.— , with
infinitive to express tendency; often inclusive of result, but not here.— , if
possible, the implication being that it is not. If it were the consequencewould
be fatal. The “elect” ()—selectedby Providence for safetyin the evil day—
would be involved in the generalcalamity. Christians, at Israel’s greatcrisis,
were to be savedby unbelief in pseudo-messiahsand pseudo-prophets.
Copyright Statement
Nicol, W. Robertson, M.A., L.L.D. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". The
Expositor's Greek Testament.
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/egt/matthew-24.html. 1897-1910.
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
shew = give.

insomuch that = so as to, &c.
if it were possible. The condition involves no doubt as to its being impossible.
See App-118.
Copyright Statement
Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". "E.W.
Bullinger's Companion bible Notes".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bul/matthew-24.html. 1909-1922.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(24) Shall shew greatsigns and wonders.—SimonMagus (Acts 8:9-11) and
Elymas (Acts 13:6) may be taken as representative instances ofthese false
claimants to supernatural powers. So “signs and lying wonders” are the notes
of the coming of the WickedOne, in whom the mystery of iniquity shall
receive its full development (2 Thessalonians2:9). But for the warning thus
given, even the “elect”—i.e., the Christians of Judæa and Jerusalem—might
have been carried awayby the current of popular delusions.
Copyright Statement

Ellicott, Charles John. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". "Ellicott's
Commentary for English Readers".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ebc/matthew-24.html. 1905.
Treasuryof Scripture Knowledge
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great
very elect.
there
5,11;2 Peter2:1-3; 3:17
and shall
Deuteronomy 13:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11;Revelation13:13,14;19:20
insomuch
John 6:37,39;10:28-30;Romans 8:28-39;2 Timothy 2:19; 1 Peter1:5; 1 John
5:18; Revelation12:9-11;13:7,8,14
if
Mark 13:22; Acts 20:16;Romans 12:18; Galatians 4:15
Reciprocal:Exodus 7:11 - they also; Exodus 8:7 - General; Numbers 22:9 -
God; Deuteronomy13:2 - General; Deuteronomy 13:3 - proveth; 1 Kings
13:18 - But; 1 Kings 22:23 - the Lord; 2 Chronicles 18:22 - the lord hath;
Nehemiah 6:14 - on the prophetess; Psalm119:165 - nothing shall offend
them; Isaiah9:15 - the prophet; Isaiah66:4 - will choose; Jeremiah27:15 -
that I; Jeremiah29:8 - Let; Ezekiel3:21 - if thou; Ezekiel13:7 - The Lord;
Ezekiel13:23 - for I; Matthew 7:15 - false; Matthew 26:39 - if; Mark 13:6 -
and shall; Mark 13:27 - his elect; Luke 18:8 - when; John 5:43 - if; John
8:21 - I go; John 14:29 - General; Acts 5:36 - boasting; Acts 13:6 - a false;
Romans 8:33 - of God's; Romans 8:39 - depth; Romans 16:18 - by; 1
Corinthians 15:33 - Be; 2 Corinthians 2:17 - which; 2 Corinthians 11:3 - so;

Galatians 1:7 - pervert; Galatians 3:1 - who; Ephesians 1:4 - as; Ephesians
4:14 - by the; Ephesians 5:6 - no; Colossians 2:4 - lest; Colossians 2:18 - no;
Colossians 3:12 - as; 2 Thessalonians 2:2 - by spirit; 1 Timothy 4:2 - lies; 2
Timothy 2:10 - for; Hebrews 13:9 - carried; 1 Peter1:2 - Elect; 2 Peter2:2 -
many; 1 John 2:18 - ye have; 1 John 2:19 - for; 2 John 1:8 - Look;
Revelation9:4 - that they; Revelation16:14 - working; Revelation20:3 -
should deceive
Copyright Statement
Torrey, R. A. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". "The Treasuryof Scripture
Knowledge". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tsk/matthew-24.html.
E.M. Zerr's Commentary on SelectedBooksofthe New Testament
These false prophets were to be able to make such an application of the
unusual happenings that even the elect(the Christians) would almost be
misled by it. The faith of these electof God in the teaching of Christ was so
greatthat it made them easyvictims of the shrewd false prophets. If it were
possible means that the electwould really be deceivedhad not Christ
forewarnedthem.
Copyright Statement

Zerr, E.M. "Commentary on Matthew 24:24". E.M. Zerr's Commentary on
SelectedBooksofthe New Testament.
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/znt/matthew-24.html. 1952.
Calvin's Commentary on the Bible
24.So that even the elect(if it were possible) will be led into error. This was
added for the purpose of exciting alarm, that believers may be more careful to
be on their guard; for when such unbounded freedom of action is allowedto
false prophets, and when they are permitted to exert such powers of deceiving,
those who are carelessandinattentive would easily be entangled by their
snares. Christ therefore exhorts and arouses his disciples to keepwatch, and
at the same time reminds them that there is no reasonfor being troubled at
the strangenessofthe sight, if they see many persons on every hand led away
into error. While he excites them to solicitude, that Satan may not overtake
them in a state of sloth, he gives them abundant ground of confidence on
which they may calmly rely, when he promises that they will be safe under the
defense and protectionof God againstall the snares of Satan. And thus,
howeverfrail and slippery the condition of the godly may be, yet here is a firm
footing on which they may stand; for it is not possible for them to fall away
from salvation, to whom the Son of God is a faithful guardian. For they have
not sufficient energy to resistthe attacks ofSatan, unless in consequence of
their being
the sheepof Christ, which none canpluck out of his hand,
(John 10:28.)
It must therefore be observed, that the permanency of our salvation does not
depend on us, but on the secretelectionofGod; for though our salvation is
kept through faith, as Petertells us, (1 Peter1:5,) yet we ought to ascend
higher, and assure ourselves that we are in safety, because the Father hath

given us to the Son, and the Son himself declares, thatnone who have been
given to him shall perish (John 17:12.).
PRECEPTAUSTIN RESOURCES
BRUCE HURT MD
Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show
greatsigns and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect:
egerthesontai(3PPFPI)garpseudo christoi kai pseudoprophetaikai dosousin
(3PPFPI)semeia megala kaiterata hoste planesai(AAN) eis dunaton kai tous
eklektous:
False Christs - Mt 24:5,11 2Pe 2:1-3 3:17
Will: Dt 13:1 2Th 2:9-11 Rev13:13,14 19:20
so as: John 6:37,39 10:28-30 Ro 8:28-39 2Ti2:19 1Pe 1:5 1Jn 5:18 Rev 12:9-11
13:7,8,14
If possible - Mk 13:22 Ac 20:16 Ro 12:18 Ga 4:15
Matthew 24 Resources
FALSE CHRISTS AND
FALSE PROPHETS

Jesus has already warned of similar impostors throughout the age that
precedes His return and they will unfortunately be very effective for they will
mislead not a few but many!
(Mt 24:5-note)"Formany will come in My name (Ed: But not in His
authority or power), saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many.
(Mt 24:11-note)"And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many.
For (gar) - Terms of explanation should always prompt a question to the good
inductive Bible student. In this case - What is Jesus explaining? He is
explaining why He is issuing the warning to pay attention and not believe
"Christ sightings!" Alertness will be necessarybecause these imposters will
buttress their claims with evidences that they possess supernaturalpower.
And keepin mind the context -- these pretenders are arising in a time of the
globalGreat Tribulation, a time when men's hearts would be fainting from
fear and unansweredquestions ("What in the world is happening?" cp Lk
21:25-26)There is a natural tendency in such fearful times to seek answers
from pretenders who seemso spiritually in touch with the supernatural world.
But these men are not to be followedor believed (see also Mt 24:25-26).
These men "would provide greatsigns and miracles that people will take as
validation of their authenticity as God's Christ or prophet (cf. the Jewish
leaders'demand of a sign from Jesus in Mt 12:38; 16:1; see also Jesus'
description of miracle-working imposters in Mt 7:21-23)." (Stuart Weber -
Holman New TestamentCommentary)

False Christs (Mk 13:22)(5580)(pseudochristos from pseudes = false, untrue,
pretentious, lying + Christos from chrio = to anoint = one who has been
anointed, appointed to a task)are those ho falselyclaim to be the Messiahor
as BDAG says a "bogus Messiah."
John warned that "everyspirit that does not confess Jesusis not from God;
and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is
coming, and now it is already in the world. 4You are from God, little children,
and have overcome them; because greateris He who is in you than he who is
in the world." (1Jn 4:3-4-note)
Warren Wiersbe - World conditions will be so terrible that men will wonder if
any relief will come, and this will give false christs opportunities to deceive
many. Satanis capable of performing "lying wonders" (2 Thes. 2:9-12;Rev.
13:13-14). The fact that a religious leaderperforms miracles is no assurance
that he has come from God. Many Jews will be deceived, for "the Jews
require a sign" (1 Cor. 1:22). Jesus performed true signs in His Father's
name, and the nation rejectedHim (John 12:37ff). Satan's miracles they will
accept. (Bible ExpositionCommentary)
ESV Study Bible note on false prophets - False prophets are people who claim
to speak for God but are actually speaking by demonic influence (1Jn 4:3-4).
In today's age of "tolerance,"discriminating discernment canbe viewedas
being judgmental (cf. "Judge not," Mt 7:1-note). Yet Jesus also taught, "Do
not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment" (John 7:24)....(In
note on Mt 7:15-20-note)Maintaining the earlier balance of not judging (Mt
7:1-5-note) yet not being naively accepting (Mt 7:6), Jesus teaches his disciples
that they must be wisely discerning when professedprophets come into their
midst. The life of the prophet and the results of his influence on others are the
fruits that will indicate whether or not his message is consistentwith the

kingdom life of righteousness. (CrosswayBibles, 2008)(Bolding, italics and
notes added)
John Walvoord - While false Christs and false prophets have always beenin
evidence, they will be especiallyprominent at the end of the age in Satan's
final attempt to turn people from faith in Christ (Ed: Cf "Knowing that he
has only a short time." = Rev 12:12-note = Last 3.5 years = Rev 12:6-note and
Rev 12:14-note). (Matthew 24 The Signs of the End of the Age)
False prophets (note plural speaks ofmore than one - like a den of vipers) will
offer the lie that they speak as a spokesmanofGod with a message fromHim.
False prophets (5578)(pseudoprophetesfrom pseudes = false, untrue,
pretentious, lying + prophetes = prophet from pro = before or aheadof time +
phemi = to speak, affirm) who teachany other way than that our Lord has
clearly marked out. These men (1) claim to be prophets from God and (2)
utter falsehoods under the name of divine prophecies.
Moses defineda prophet -
If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or
a wonder, and the sign or the wondercomes true, concerning which he spoke
to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known)and let
us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that
dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you
love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (Dt 13:1-
3)

False prophets are not just wrong but are very dangerous (cf "savagewolves"
Acts 20:28, 29, 30-note), and one should not expose their minds (Remember:
The battle is not as much physical as it is mental, so the battlefield is our mind
and the greatdivine weaponis His Word and Swordof Truth, Ep 6:17-note,
[2Co 6:7, Col 1:5-note, 2Ti2:15-note, Jas 1:18-note]) to their false message
because they inevitably pervert (Acts 20:30-note where "perverse" = to turn
or twist the truth throughout and) distort their listener's thinking and poison
their souls. False prophets are more deadly than physical wolves and other
predators, because they can kill not just the body but the soul.
In the last of the "lastdays," the end times (Rev 20:10-note). Below is a
description of the ultimate False Prophet in the Revelation(from Tony
Garland's highly recommended literal interpretation of the Revelation= A
Testimony of Jesus Christ)
The False Prophetis the secondbeastwhich John sees whichcomes up out of
the earth having two horns like a lamb and who spoke like a dragon (Rev.
13:11-note). His appearance is benign, like that of a lamb, but his prophecies
and commands have their source in the devil. This is why Scripture refers to
him as the "FalseProphet" (Rev. 19:20-note;Rev 20:10-note).
The False Prophetperforms greatsigns and miracles which are used to
witness to the Beastfrom which he derives his power. "He exercisesallthe
authority of the first beastin his presence and causes the earth and those who
dwell in it to worship the first beast" (Rev. 13:12-note). He causes those on the
earth to worship the Beastand to make an image to the beast(Rev. 13:14-
note). He is even granted power "to give breath to the image of the beast"
(Rev. 13:15-note). It appears that the miracles he performs are genuine, but
what they attestto is false. It is the False Prophetwho causes allmen to
receive a mark in order to be able to buy or sell (Rev. 13:16-17-note).

Along with the dragon and the Beast, he forms an anti-trinity wherein the
dragon occupies a position like that of the Father, the Beastlike that of the
Son, and the False Prophetlike that of the Holy Spirit, but testifies to the false
son . All three are the source of demons which gatherthe kings of the earth to
battle (Rev 16:13,14-note). (SeeCampaignof Armageddon) Both the False
Prophet and the Beastare takenat the SecondComing of Christ and castinto
the Lake of Fire as its first populace (Rev. 19:20-note). They are still there one
thousand years later when joined by the devil (Rev. 20:10-note).
No doubt the False Prophet plays a keyrole in the deceptionwhich Paul
describedin his letter to the church at Thessalonica:
The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all
power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deceptionamong
those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they
might be saved. And for this reasonGodwill 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. (2Th. 2:9-12).
He is an instrument of both the dragonand the Beast, but ultimately of God.
See Symbols of Kingdoms See commentary on Revelation13:11. (A Testimony
of Jesus Christ - False Prophet)
RelatedResources:
ISBE article on False Prophesying.
Multiple Scriptures relatedto false prophets

Greatsigns and wonders - Notice that these are not routine signs and wonders
(as if that would not be enough to mislead!) but "mega" (Greek = megas)
signs and wonders!How great? They are so convincing that they could even
mislead believers (if that were possible). Supernatural signs suggesta
supernatural source, and in this case the source will be Satan not God.
Paul describes the deceptive days of the GreatTribulation which will last3.5
years:
The one (2Th 2:8 - Antichrist) whose coming is in accord with the activity of
Satan(Satan energizes the Antichrist), with all powerand signs and false
wonders, 10 and with all the deceptionof wickedness forthose who perish,
because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved(Note the
only antidote for Satan's deception is God's truth!). 11 And for this reason
God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what
is false, 12 in order that (term of purpose) they all may be judged who did not
believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness(Notice they made a choice
to rejecttruth, so in essenceGodrejects them). (2Thes 2:9-12)
Signs (4592)(semeionakinto semaino = to give a sign; sema = a sign) is a
distinguishing mark or symbol that carries a specialmeaning or like a simple
sign points to something else. In Scripture when semeionused of God's
miraculous works (that which is contrary to the usual course of nature) it
points to spiritual truth. Hiebert says signs "are finger posts to a higher
reality." (Ibid)
Semeioncan be a sign, a mark, a token, or a miracle with a spiritual end
purpose. In other words a signcan be either natural or supernatural. A sign is
an object, quality, or event whose presence oroccurrence indicates the
probable presence or occurrence ofsomething else.

In a number of NT contexts semeiontakes on the sense of a miracle because of
its unusual nature, especiallyas that which is contrary to the usual course of
nature (e.g., Jn2:23, Acts 4:16, 22 - And the KJV translates semeionas
miracle 23xin John).
These greatsigns and wonders are astonishing performances that are striking
and have a dramatic effecton those who witness them. Have you ever seena
phenomenal magic trick that is so incredible that the first reactionof the
audience is a gaspof utter astonishmentand only after the gaspdo they
applaud?
Wonders (5059)(teras)are similar to signs but appealto the senses, being
recognizedas a phenomenon that needs to be explained. Hiebert adds that
"Wonders views these signs with reference to the astonishment that they
produce; they are startling, amazement-evoking portents." (Ibid)
Teras is derived from the verb tereo which means to keep, watchand thus
conveys the idea of something which due to its extraordinary characteris apt
to be observedand kept in the memory. It is a miracle regardedas startling,
imposing or amazing. Teras refers to "something strange", a phenomena
which compels one's attention and causesone to "look again" orcauses the
beholder to marvel. Teras is always in the plural and always translated
"wonders."
Wonders (teras) accompaniedMoses(Acts 7:36; Sept.: Ex. 7:3; Deut. 6:22;
7:19; Jer. 32:20); Christ (John 4:48); and the apostles andteachers (Acts 2:43;
4:30; 5:12; 6:8; 14:3; 15:12; Rom. 15:19; 2 Cor. 12:12; Heb. 2:4).

BDAG says teras is "something that astounds because oftranscendent
association-- prodigy, portent, omen, wonder in our literature only plural and
combined with semeion."
Friberg adds that teras refers to a "wonder, marvel, portent, something so
unusual it arouses closeobservation."
John gives goodadvice to those who see these amazing signs and wonders -
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they
are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
(1Jn 4:1-note)
The ESV Study Bible note adds "Christian faith is not spiritual gullibility. test
the spirits. The unseenspiritual influences that guide people's speechand
actions canbe "tested" by observing their doctrine and conduct as well as by
the gift of spiritual discernment (cf. 1Cor12:10 = "and to another [is given by
the Spirit] the distinguishing of spirits"; 1Cor14:29 = "let two or three
prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment."). (Bolding added)
PURPOSE OF SIGNS AND WONDERS:
TO LEAD ASTRAY
So as to mislead, if possible - This description makes the point that these signs
and wonders will have potentially great persuasive power. The "if" is an "if"
of supposition, not of reality. In other words "if possible" implies these
pretenders will not be able to misleadthe elect.

Misleadeven the elect - As noted in the other uses of electin Jesus'Olivet
Discourse (Mt24:22), this term refers first of all to Jewishbelievers. Clearly
howeverthis term (and the warning) is applicable to any Gentile believers
during these last3.5 years (e.g., see Mt24:31). While a believer might be
temporarily misled, it is impossible to continually mislead them to the end of
their life. (Cp enduring to the end - Mt 24:13-not).
Mislead(deceive)(4105)(planao from plane which describes "a wandering"
and gives us our English word "planet")means literally made to wander and
so to go (active sense)or be led astray(passive sense as of sheepin Mt 18:12-
13). In spiritual terms, planao means to be made to err from the right way, the
highway of truth and holiness. Straying in the spiritual sense occurs whenone
does not adhere to the truth (James 5:19) and/or forsakesthe right way (see 2
Peter2:15-note)
If possible - It is not possible to continually mislead one who is chosenby God
for salvation. In a sense, the converse truth is that those who endure to the end
will be saved. (Mt 24:13-note). And remember they are not savedbecause of
their own poweror ability to endure, but because the omnipotent Holy Spirit
in them continually enables them to endure! Stated another way, those who
endure will demonstrate by their endurance that they are genuinely saved.
John Phillips - "The Lord warned His people not to be deceived, not to be
lured out of hiding, for His return would be very evident." (Exploring the
Gospelof Matthew)
Gundry - If possible, even the selectedones" puts emphasis on the extremity
of this danger of deception. (Commentary on the New Testament:Verse-by-
Verse Explanations with a Literal Translation)

Possible(1415)(dunatos fromdunamai = referring to power one has by virtue
of inherent ability and resources;see study of dunamis) means powerful, able,
strong. Able describes that which has sufficient or necessary power, means,
skill, or resources to accomplishan objective. Praise our Shield and Defender
Who ensures that even greatsigns and wonders will not be able to mislead us!
Elect(1588)(eklektosfrom verb eklego whichin middle voice [eklegomai]
means selectorpick out for one's self which is derived from ek =out + lego
=call) means literally the "calledout ones" or"chosenout ones". The idea of
eklektosis the ones who have been chosenfor one's self, selectedout of a
largernumber. Kenneth Wuest explains that "electiondoes notimply the
rejectionof the rest (those not chosenout), but is the outcome of the love of
God lavished upon those chosen-out." (Word Studies) Webster's Dictionary
definition of electis not bad -- "to pick out; to selectfrom among two or more,
that which is preferred...in theology, to designate, chooseorselectas an object
of (divine) mercy or favor".
In the context of Jesus replying to the questions of His Jewishdisciples (Mt
24:3-note, Mk 13:3 = "Peterand James and John and Andrew"), many would
interpret this a reference primarily to the electfrom Israel(aka the believing
Jewishremnant), those Jews who have been born againby grace through faith
in Yeshua. Of course, this truth would still apply to any and all electwho are
alive at this time.
J Vernon McGee onthe elect - In the Scriptures there are two electgroups:
the electof the nation Israeland the electof the church. We have to use
common sense to determine which group is meant. Who has our Lord been
talking about up to this point? Israel. All right, Israel is the electin this verse,
also. Jesus is not talking about the church. (Thru the Bible commentary)

Day Unknown - To many Londoners, 1666 lookedlike the year when Jesus
would return. Prophecyenthusiasts had added 1,000 years since Christ's birth
to 666, the number of Antichrist, to arrive at the date 1666. The world did
seemto be on the verge of destruction when in 1665 a plague claimed the lives
of 100,000people in London. Then in September 1666, a London fire
destroyedtens of thousands of buildings. Some wondered, Didn't the Bible
predict catastrophesatthe end of the world? (see Mt. 24:1-8). Yet the year
1666 passed, andlife went on seemingly as it had before. Even in our own day,
there are those who have predicted the end of the world. A date is predicted,
the media covers the frenzy, and then that day passes uneventfully.
JACK ARNOLD
FALSE RUMORS OF CHRIST’S RETURN -- Matt. 24:23-26
“Then if any man shall say unto you” -- The “then” refers back to the Great
Tribulation period which Christ says, “exceptthose days should be shortened,
there should no flesh be saved.” The contextof the Olivet Discourse refers
primarily to the Jews or Israelites who will be alive when the Great
Tribulation begins and who survive the terrible period to observe the second
advent of Jesus Christ. NOTE: The Lord Jesus will have already secretly
come for His Church before the Tribulation begins, and I personally feel that
He will be in the Tribulation period with the Church, but His presence will be
a secretpresence,invisible, behind the scenes in a spiritual sense. Christwill
revealHimself and perhaps reveal the Church as well to Jews and Gentiles
who respond to Him during the Tribulation period. Remember, the parousia

or coming-presence ofChrist has two phases -- His secretcoming for the
Church and His dramatic return to judge men and establish His kingdom.
“Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.” The context is about the electof
God with primary emphasis upon Jewish-believers. The electwill repudiate
Antichrist but there will be false teachers who will teachthat Christ has
already come and is hiding out in the world. NOTE: There will be some basis
for these rumors. Since Christ will appear to some believers in the
Tribulation, there will be rumors that will claim that He is actually on the
earth in a visible, tangible sense.
“Forthere shall arise false Christ’s, and false prophets, and shall show great
very elect.” -- False prophets and false Christ’s will perform super-natural
phenomena misleading many. All of these psuedo Christ’s and prophets will
play into the hand of the Antichrist (Rev. 13:11-14b), forAntichrist will be
accompaniedby “lying wonders” from Satanhimself (II Thess. 2:9). NOTE:
So phenomenal will be the power of the false prophets and Christ’s that the
electof God (in contextthe Jew but by application also the Gentiles who trust
Christ in the Tribulation) will be almostpersuaded, but they will not succumb
to those lying wonders, proving that they are truly the electof God.
“Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall sayunto you, Behold,
he is in the desert; go not forth; behold, he is in the secretchambers;believe it
not.” -- In the Tribulation period, there will be rumors about the mysterious
presence ofChrist because He will be seenby some during this time. But
there will be many who will claim to have authoritative information as to

where He may be found. The electof God will say, “Where is Christ if you
say He is alive on this earth?” These false prophets and teachers will lie and
say Christ is hidden in the desertor lockedawayin a private room. Christ
says, “Do not believe this!”
CALVIN
24. So that even the elect(if it were possible)will be led into error. This was
added for the purpose of exciting alarm, that believers may be more careful to
be on their guard; for when such unbounded freedom of action is allowedto
false prophets, and when they are permitted to exert such powers of deceiving,
those who are carelessandinattentive would easily be entangled by their
snares. Christ therefore exhorts and arouses his disciples to keepwatch, and
at the same time reminds them that there is no reasonfor being troubled at
the strangenessofthe sight, if they see many persons on every hand led away
into error. While he excites them to solicitude, that Satan may not overtake
them in a state of sloth, he gives them abundant ground of confidence on
which they may calmly rely, when he promises that they will be safe under the
defense and protectionof God againstall the snares of Satan. And thus,
howeverfrail and slippery the condition of the godly may be, yet here is a firm
footing on which they may stand; for it is not possible for them to fall away
from salvation, to whom the Son of God is a faithful guardian. For they have
not sufficient energy to resistthe attacks ofSatan, unless in consequence of
their being
the sheepof Christ, which none canpluck out of his hand,
(John 10:28.)

It must therefore be observed, that the permanency of our salvation does not
depend on us, but on the secretelectionofGod; for though our salvation is
kept through faith, as Petertells us, (1 Peter1:5,) yet we ought to ascend
higher, and assure ourselves that we are in safety, because the Father hath
given us to the Son, and the Son himself declares, that
none who have been given to him shall perish (John 17:12.).
RICH CATHERS
:24 greatsigns and wonders
Note: The false Christs and false prophets are going to be able to do great
signs and wonders.
I don't mean to sound as if anybody who follows after signs and wonders is of
the antichrist. Notso!
But if an unhealthy emphasis is placed on signs and wonders, it may open a
person up to being deceived.

Matthew:Jesus’Prophecyof Consummation of the Kingdom, Part 3: Don’t
Be Misled, My Coming Will Be Unmistakable
Sermon by J. Ligon Duncan on August 10, 1999
Matthew 24:24-31
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If you have your Bibles, I'd invite you to turn with me to Matthew, chapter 24.
We've been for the lastcouple of weeks in this great passage in which Jesus
sets forth His teaching about the end times and the secondcoming. In the first
three verses of Matthew 24, we saw the two particular questions that the
disciples had asked. Look atverse 3. It says, "Tellus when will these things
be, and what will be the signof your coming and of the end of the age?" And
so in answerto these questions, the Lord Jesus Christ has setabout giving this
sermon to His disciples. It stretches allthe way into Matthew 25, and we have
lookedat the first sectiontogether.
In verses 4 through 26, the Lord Jesus responds to the disciples primarily
speaking with them about things that are going to be happening in Jerusalem
in their lifetime. Things that are going to happen with regard to the
destruction of the nation of Israel and of the temple. And things that they will
see with their owneyes.
But here especiallyin verses 27 through 31, the Lord Jesus turns directly to
the issue of His secondcoming and begins to speak. So let's hear God's holy
and inspired word. And we'll begin in verse 23 today just to getthe context.

Matthew 24:24-31
Our heavenly Father, we thank You for this your word. We thank you that
you have revealedto us these truths about the coming of our Lord. We ask
that by a due use, a diligent use of ordinary means as we study the word and
that by the Spirit as we study this word, You would open our eyes to behold
wonderful things from Your law. We ask, O Lord, that You would grip our
hearts with these truths, and that we would long, more and more, for the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We ask this in Jesus'name. Amen.
According to the Lord Jesus it is vital that we as Christians watch for His
coming; that we are ready for His coming; that we prepare for His coming.
And so a logicalquestion to enter into our minds is, "how does one go about
watching for His coming? How is one prepared for His coming? What must a
person do to be ready for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ?" Muchof
what Jesus teachesin Matthew 24 and 25 is in answerjust to those kinds of
practicalquestions. In facttoday, we are going to see that it's vital for our
Christian living not only that we are watchful for the coming of Christ, but
also that we know how to be watchful. And in the passage todaywe are going
to see that in order to be watchful we must do at least2 things. We must long
for His coming. We must truly anticipate His coming. It must be an event
which is significanton our horizon. It must be something that is part of our
daily consciousness, a longing for the coming of our Lord. But also we see that
we must trust completelyin the truth of His word in regardto His coming.
Our thinking about His coming must be ruled by the authority of His word.
As He has explained His coming, so we must think about His coming and be
prepared for His coming. I would like to look at these 2 issues with you today
in this greatpassage. The passage divides easilyenough into 2 parts.
If you look at verses 24-26, orif we include verse 23, verse 23-26 we see here
Jesus giving a warning againstdeception. Now He has already said, in verses 4

through 26, He has already said that we need to be prepared to endure
tribulation and trial; that we need to be ready to persevere;and He has
already warned us not to be misled. But in this passageHe is going to come
back and reiterate this charge to us not to be deceived, not to be misled. That's
what we see in verses 23-26. And then when you look at verses 27-31 here He
turns our attention to the issue of His secondcoming. And in this sectionHe
answers the disciples’question about His coming. He speaks ofits nature, and
of the timing of His return here in verses 27-31. He will continue to talk about
these things, by the way, in the verses to come. But let's look at these 2 things
togethertoday.
I. Christians must be on guard againstfalse Messiahs/Prophets
First if I could turn your attention to verses 24-26,these words here are
warnings to the disciples about deception. And we learn here that all
Christians – not just the disciples of Jesus day – but all Christians must be on
guard againstfalse messiahs and false prophets. Look at verse 24. Jesus says
here to the disciples that false prophets will come. And He not only says that
they will come, He says that they are going to do miracles. Jesus doesn'teven
qualify this by saying that they are going to be false miracles. He says, "false
prophets will come and do signs and wonders. But don't be deceivedby
them." Jesus is saying even their miracles are not to be believed if they are
againstMy word. What a profound assertionthat is. By the way, that is
something that comes up again in the book of revelationas john calls on us,
especiallyin the last days, to trust in the word of Christ even overagainstthe
miracles of false prophets. And so Jesus here in Matthew 24:24 asserts the
same thing. At the end of verse 24 there is a very interesting saying. He says,
"False christs and false prophets will arise and show greatsigns and wonders
so as to mislead, of possible, eventhe elect." Now that little phrase is Jesus'
word of assurance to you. It's a reminder that God's chosencannotbe misled.
"But wait a minute," you say, "Jesus has alreadytold us not to be misled; to
be on guard so that we would not be deceived. Why would He charge us not to

be misled, and then tell us that it's not possible for God's chosento be misled?
Or imply that it's not possible for God's chosento be misled?" How do we
handle this? Well this is one of those glorious, little Calvinistic paradoxes that
you find in Scripture from time to time, laid side by side with no apology.
There is first, Jesus’assurancethat it is not possible for His people to be
snatchedout of His hand. And secondly, there is His stern warning to His
people that they be on guard and not be deceivedor misled. Jesus puts those 2
things side by side and doesn't apologize or qualify either of them.
It is absolutely true that His people cannotbe lost. It is also absolutely true
that His people must be on guard againstdeception. How do you put those two
things together? Well ultimately you will have to ask a few questions in
heaven. But we could go at leastthis far. We can saythat though it is true that
God will not allow His people to fail to persevere, it is also true that the
instrument – or that one of the instruments – that He uses by the work of the
Holy Spirit to enable His people to persevere, is their diligence and
watchfulness. Thatis the way that God determines to carry out His plan and
decree, is through the use of means. And one of the means that He uses is our
diligence.
Now, thank heavens, He also undergirds us with the Holy Spirit and many
other divine uses and means in order to cause us to persevere, but the truth
that God will hold us in the palm of His hand cannever be used over against
our responsibility to be watchful. Those two truths are complementary; not
contradictory. Those two truths do not fight againstor militate againstone
another. They, in fact, support one another. And notice how beautifully they
minister to two kinds of Christians. In this place today there will be two
tendencies. It will probably be representedin eachof you. One of us has one of
these tendencies generallystrongerthan the other one. Some of us struggle
with assurance.And though we love the Lord Jesus Christ, and we read His

word, and we follow in His ways, we wrestle with a sense of our security. This
verse speaks to that sense ofsecurity when it says that or implies that it is not
possible for God's people to be snatchedawayfrom him, even in the most
trying of times. And so this verse brings comfort and security to those who
struggle.
On the other hand there are those of us who have a tendency to complacency.
And we can kind of sit back in our easychair and rock along, and not be
diligent in the commands of the Scripture. And this verse says to us, "Don't be
misled. Don't be deceived. Be diligent. Be ready." And so Godin one little
verse speaks to both of those tendencies amongstChristians, and calls on us to
be secure and assured, but to also be faithful in preparing.
JOHN MACARTHUR
Not only severe calamitybut subtle confusion. “If any man says unto you, Lo,
here is Christ, or there” – what? – “don’t believe it.” Don’t believe it. It’s a
deception. They’re trying to trip you. Trying to trap you. Trying to catch
you. They want to capture you and kill you. They want to slaughteryou. He
wants to wipe out the Jews, does the dragon Satan. He wants to wipe out the
redeemed, does that old enemy of God. And he’s going to use every means.
He’s going to use his deceptionand he’s going to say, “Oh, Christ has arrived,
He’s right over here. Oh, He’s right overthere. Come on, He’s here, you’re
missing out.” Don’t believe it. Forthere shall arise false Christs, those who
claim to be the Messiah, and false prophets, those who point to the one who
claims to be the Messiah, his emissaries. “Oh, He’s over here, here He is,
come see Him,” and they’re going to show greatsigns and wonders, according
to 2 Thessalonianschapter2. They’re going to do Satanic miracles,
counterfeit miracles, they’re going to demonstrate devilish power. It’s going

to be wondrous to see marvelous things that are so cleverthey might even
deceive the very elect, it says in verse 24.
If it were possible, they would deceive the very elect. You want to know
something? It isn’t what? It isn’t possible. That’s why He says that;
otherwise, He’d say that shall deceive the very elect. He says, no, if it were
possible, they would deceive the very elect. You can’t deceive the very elect.
The truly electwho truly know Christ could never be deceived about who He
was. When Sun Myung Moonsays, “I am Christ,” I say, “No, you’re not. In
fact, you’re not even in the right time period. Wait until the Tribulation, then
come and say that. And we won’t believe you then, either.” When somebody
says, “I am Christ, here is Christ, there is Christ,” the Mormon Jesus, the
Jehovah’s Witnesses’Christ, this Christ, that Christ, you will never deceive
one who really knows Christ. John10 says: “Mysheep hear My voice, they
know Me and I know them.” And if somebodydefects to another Christ, they
never knew the true Christ because once you know the true Christ you can’t
be fooled.
So the electare protected. Theycannot be deceivedand they cannot be
destroyedbecause the sovereigntyof God protects them by reorganizing the
universe, and they cannot be deceived because theyhave in them the
knowledge ofthe true Christ. But they’re going to be shotat, the false Christs
are going to come and they’re going to say, here these people are, they’re
desperate, waiting for the Messiah, the world is falling apart, the calendaris
changing, the stars are falling out of heaven, wars all over the place, slaughter,
massacre,rivers turning to blood, the sea turning to blood, the whole
holocaustof Revelation6 to 19 is going on around them, and it’s just a
devastating time in the world, all the plagues are breaking loose, earthquakes,
famines, the whole deal, and they’re going to be hidden away, holding on for
the coming of Jesus Christ. They would be so vulnerable to a bunch of false
prophets saying “He’s over here, He’s overthere. Come and see Him. We’ve
got Him, He’s here.”

MICHAEL ANDRUS
Satanic signs and miracles by false Messiahs andfalse prophets. Friends,
every time a
miracle is claimed there are three possible explanations for it: (1) it is phony,
(2) it is realand
done by the powerof God, or (3) it is real and done by the powerof Satan.
Some of these Satanic
miracles will be so real and so convincing that even the electwould be
deceivedby them, if that
were possible (which it is not). We have not seenthis yet, but it will happen.
PHIL NEWTON
(1) The foundation for perseverance(v. 24)
Note the little phrase, "so as to mislead, if possible, eventhe elect" (italics
added). That poses a question: can the electbe misled so that they quit
following Christ and completelyturn from Him? The way Christ puts this is
to frame the idea of intense deceptionby false Christs and false prophets that
will be so severe, that if possible, even God's chosenwould fall for it. But the
phrase "if possible" or "if able," sets us upon the foundation for
perseverance.Thoughfacing tests severe beyond description, God's electmay
falter and even fall, but because ofelecting grace, His own do not fall finally!
He that began a goodwork in you will continue it to the day of Jesus Christ
(Phil. 1:6). Nothing, absolutelynothing can separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:34-39).

There is a tensionin perseverancethat we see throughout Scripture. We are
told to endure, persevere, and be steadfast. We are given warnings concerning
temptation, deceit, and the devil's assaults. We are called to constantvigilance
and alert action. Even the dominant theme running through Hebrews and the
Revelationis perseverance.Yet at the same time, we are assuredof the divine
hand that holds us securelywhatevermay come. That's why Christ warns of
the ferocious intensity of false Christs and false prophets displaying signs and
wonders, "so as to mislead, if possible, eventhe elect." The aim of the false
Christs and false prophets is certain: to mislead, to cause you to go astray, to
cause you to fall awayfrom Christ. And it will happen but for one certainty:
you have been chosenby God, who has accomplishedby grace allthat is
necessaryto keepyou for eternity. "These whom He predestined, He also
called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He
justified, He also glorified" (Rom. 8:30). That's why Christ turns our
attention to the mysterious doctrine of election. Even if we do not fully grasp
this wonderful doctrine-and who but God can see it inside and out-we are to
rest in the certainty of God's power to ultimately glorify those whom He
electedout of His kindness before the foundation of the world.
The believer's confidence in the face of deceivers is not to be upon his own
mental powers or even the powers of personaldiscipline. He must humbly
recognize that he "will be safe under the defence [sic]and protection of God
againstall the snares ofSatan," as John Calvin expressedit. He added, "And
thus, howeverfrail and slippery the condition of the godly may be, yet here is
a firm footing on which they may stand; for it is not possible for them to fall

awayfrom salvation, to whom the Son of God is a faithful guardian" [Calvin's
Commentaries, XVII, 141].
This means that the ground of my assurance, thatI cannot fall away, does not
rest on my choice ofChrist as Savior and Lord, though I did indeed choose to
follow Him, but rather upon God's prior choice of me as His own. In the
weakness ofmy flesh I can struggle and falter when wondering how strong
and reliable my faith remains. But our assurance neverpoints to reliance
upon what we've done but to our Lord, both in the sufficiency of His
redeeming work and His electing grace that precedes His call through the
gospel.
RAY PRITCHARD
Deceptionvv. 23-27
“At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he
is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and
perform greatsigns and miracles to deceive even the elect—ifthat were
possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, ‘There he
is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’do not
believe it. For as lightning that comes from the eastis visible even in the west,
so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:23-27).
The lastdays of this age will be marked by an enormous spiritual deception.
We will see an outbreak of false religion far beyond anything that has

happened before. There will be a convergence ofNew Age deception, ancient
paganism, liberalism, humanism, Satanism, relativism, and hedonism, aided
by the promotion of homosexuality, abortion, terrorism, the denial of the
Bible as the Word of God, and the denial of Jesus as the only way of salvation.
Even now powerful forces are working to misleadus. It is easyand becoming
easierin these days to follow wrong voices. In our confusionand anger, we are
eagerfor someone, anyone, to show us the way. In times like these, we need an
anchor and a firm foundation.
Many will say, “We have the answer.” “We know the truth.” They will claim
to know where Christ is and will claim to have the secretof spiritual insight.
They may say, “Getout of the big cities and go to Wyoming. You’ll be safe
there.” Oh really? “Don’t get on a plane. Ride a bus. That will be safe.” Oh
really?
Do you know who John Edward is? He’s the gifted, charismatic, good-looking
young man who claims to be able to contactthe spirits of the dead. His book,
Crossing Over, is currently Number 47 on the Amazon.com bestsellerlist.
Millions of people have seenhim on the Larry King show and many have been
amazed as he repeatedly seems to be able to make contactwith loved ones who
have “crossedover” to the other side. Invariably, the deceasedsendback the
same message:“We love you and we’re all doing fine over here. Don’t worry
about us.” Neverany messagesabouteternal judgment or warnings about
hell. As I have watchedhim on television, I have been struck by how “normal”
he seems. After the September 11 attacks, he held private group meetings for
families of those who lost loved ones in the World Trade Centerdisaster,
claiming to have messagesfrom those who died when the towers collapsed.
Although those sessions were tapedfor future broadcast, aftera storm of
controversylast week aboutit being in bad taste, the producers announced
that those episodes will not be aired.

The popularity of John Edward points in two directions. It tells us that there
is an inescapable yearning in the human heart to know what happens when we
die. Death is truly the last enemy. And it shows us the enormous spiritual
confusionin our day. I do not doubt that John Edward is talking to someone,
but it’s the voice of demons, not the voice of the dead.
Note also that these spiritual counterfeiters will work satanic miracles in the
last days. They will thereby convince many to believe their false words and to
follow their false teaching.
Matthew 24:23f
by Grant | Mar 18, 2009 |Matthew | 0 comments
ReadIntroduction to Matthew
23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not
believe it. 24 Forfalse christs and false prophets will rise and show greatsigns
and wonders to deceive, if possible, eventhe elect. 25 See, I have told you
beforehand. 26 “Therefore if they sayto you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do
not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 For as the
lightning comes from the eastand flashes to the west, so also will the coming
of the Son of Man be. 28 For whereverthe carcassis, there the eagles willbe
gatheredtogether.

World conditions during the Tribulation will be so awful that men will
question where relief will come.
24:23
“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not
believe it.
False prophets claiming to be the Messiahwillrise up in greatnumbers
during the crisis of the latter half of the Tribulation. The crisis will afford an
opportunity for fakers to deceive many. Propaganda will be pervasive during
this period; many will be suckers forthis campaign.
24:24
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show greatsigns and wonders
to deceive, if possible, eventhe elect.
Phony prophets will deceive believers with “signs and wonders.” Miraclescan
have satanic or divine origin (2 Th 2:9,10). Justbecause people perform
miracles is no guarantee that the executorof the miracle is from God. False
prophets design “signs and wonders” to deceive the elect, and miracles in
themselves are no proof of authenticity. Some people put more trust in
miracles than they do the Word of God.

24:25
See, I have told you beforehand.
Jesus spoke a warning prophetically across the future; He’d previously
warned His disciples about this.
24:26
“Therefore if they sayto you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or
‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.
It is particularly important during the last half of the Tribulation to beware of
all claims about the Messiah. How will believers know whether the Messiah
has come? The coming of Christ will not appearin secretrooms. The answer
is in the next verse.
24:27
For as the lightning comes from the eastand flashes to the west, so also will
the coming of the Son of Man be.
The coming of the Lord will be an unmistakable and splendid event. That
event will be like lightning—sudden, unmistakable, universal, and visible to

all. It will be a striking public event (Re 1:7). Lightening is a public event
evident to all. Christ’s SecondComing will have specialmeaning for Israel
because this event will be the launch of the Messianic kingdom. Jesus will
finally defeatthe Gentiles (Zech 12:9-14).
24:28
For whereverthe carcass is, there the eagles [vultures, not eagles]will be
gatheredtogether.
The “carcass” is indication of physical corruption. Vultures will eatthese
decaying bodies. The carcasshere is apostate Israel. This passagemay allude
to the battle of Armageddon.
PRINCIPLE:
God takes care ofHis servants in doctrinal distress.
APPLICATION:
Satanwill deceive the electin the future and he is in the business of deceiving
presently. The sure defense againstdoctrinal deceptionis the Word of God. It
is the only sure stability againsta world of lies.

Jesus was warning of false messiahs and prophets

Jesus was warning of false messiahs and prophets

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