"These [in Berea] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." - Acts 17:11
Light Mode
ShareShare this on FacebookWhatsAppEmailPrinter version

(24) For false Messiahs and false prophets will appear; they will perform great miracles and wonders in order to deceive even God's chosen people, if possible.

(1) "Prophets or interpreters of dreams may promise a miracle or a wonder, (2) in order to lead you to worship and serve gods that you have not worshiped before. Even if what they promise comes true, (3) do not pay any attention to them. The LORD your God is using them to test you, to see if you love the LORD with all your heart. (4) Follow the LORD and honor him; obey him and keep his commands; worship him and be faithful to him. (5) But put to death any interpreters of dreams or prophets that tell you to rebel against the LORD, who rescued you from Egypt, where you were slaves. Such people are evil and are trying to lead you away from the life that the LORD has commanded you to live. They must be put to death, in order to rid yourselves of this evil.

(22) When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord! In your name we spoke God's message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!' (23) Then I will say to them, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!'

(13) This second beast performed great miracles; it made fire come down out of heaven to earth in the sight of everyone. (14) And it deceived all the people living on earth by means of the miracles which it was allowed to perform in the presence of the first beast. The beast told them to build an image in honor of the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet lived.

Good News Bible copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society.

In each case, Christ's admonition is that we should have a healthy skepticism of miracles because miracles may produce deception. It is not that the miracle does not occur. The more important point is, does it witness to the truth? Does it witness to the ultimate reality, the will of God?

In both Jesus' instruction in the New Testament (Matthew 24:24; 7:22-23; Revelation 13:13-14) and in Moses' teaching in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 13:1-5), it is clear—regardless of the wonder done—if a person even implies that we are free to disobey God, the miracle is not a demonstration of God's truth. A miracle it was, but it does not validate God's truth.

We must be especially skeptical of those who say that they believe in keeping God's laws, and then turn right around and say that the Sabbath and holy days are no longer necessary and that "true Christians" can keep Christmas, Easter, Halloween, etc. But they "believe" that they are to keep God's laws! It is especially deceptive because so many of such people are really nice individuals.

— John W. Ritenbaugh

To learn more, see:
Is God a Magician?



 

Topics:

Christmas

Deception

Deception, Guarding against

Easter

Halloween

Miracles

Miracles, False

Religious Deception

Truth, Guarding

Truth, Struggle for




Back to top