A dangerous reality

He replied, "Don't let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and saying, 'The time has come!' But don't believe them.--Luke 21:8

A scenario of someone declaring himself as Jesus Christ would be too obvious as a fraud that even those with little knowledge of the Scriptures could easily detect. Many preacher even taught the idea is possible or certain for the Bible said it so...but there's a problem with that concept when we take the same warning below this time by Matthew...

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.--Matthew 24:24

   Mark put it this way...Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many. (Mark 13:6)

   Misleading many seems impossible if someone stand up and say "Pray unto me I am Jesus." because every preacher known alive would surely gather their flock in protest against that person and therefore can easily be debunk and exposed. So the case with the "elect" does not seems to fit easily. 

   So what was Jesus really saying here?

The Strategy

   Let's study the campaign material of the false Christ, Jesus said the impersonator will declare that he is the Messiah and add "The Time has come"... 

   Messiah or Christ means someone that will save, or took the position of the ultimate hero, a solution to an existing world crisis? A savior...our salvation.

   Salvation from what?

   "The Time Has Come"

   The answer could be Global Crisis. The person can be an Activist declaring protection of our planet. An environmentalist or a financial guru. That would be easier to accept than standing in favor of certain religion or denominations. Don't you think it's more logical for a thinking person to join a cause that is worth fighting for...like Women's equal rights, Child protection policies, declaration of protected areas, Globalization, ecumenical movements, etc...everybody can swore alliance to that, even other faith like Buddhism, Hinduism, or Islam can easily be persuaded in such good intentions. 

   Remember also that this person will not stand alone, he will have host of followers or advocates, declaring the same agenda... 

for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.“But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.--Mark 13:22-23  

They will show signs and wonders

   What are these signs?

   Signs that Children should be protected against abuse, therefore create laws to protect them, even if it rejects Bible teaching on disciplines. The argument here is proper guidance to children including the teachings of God...not mandate coming from human principles. I am not tolerating here child abuse but actually stressing better future for children that have respect and fear of authorities. 

    Signs that we can align ourselves to Nature and feel the divine guidance without recognizing the God of the Bible. False forms of Christianity have become increasingly popular in our culture and it seems there is a resurgence of interest in things "spiritual." A good example of this false form of Christianity is being preach at the video above...go ahead and recognized similar tactics or brainwashing. 

   Signs that a great part of the world is in poverty. To solve the problem, unite the world currency and political system. 

   Signs that there are inequalities and poor countries are marginalized. What the False Christ could do to that? Create an Ultimate Judicial Body to protect helpless victims of Human Rights violations.

  The KKK for example has as one of its rallying cries, "We are Warriors fighting for our great white race, our families and our savior Jesus Christ."

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. [2 Timothy 4:3-4]

   After above possible Character of an Anti-Christ, you might say it's hard therefore to spot who is who. That is why, it is more encouraging to engage in studying the Word of God. 

   If the elect or chosen can be deceived what more if you only have a couple of Bible verses in your pocket.

“It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God". - Matthew 4:4