II Corinthians 11:4
Introduction
What Will He Look Like? What Will He Say? Can you believe that it’s over 2000 years since Jesus walked the earth? Remember all the talk about the end of the age coming with the turn of the century? A lot of folks have said a lot of things about the future and what each New Year will bring. What is in store for us? Will our lives be full of sunshine or plagued with continual rain? Some pastors give their annual message as though it were a forecast of God’s will for the upcoming year.
The Bible is a safeguard
Be careful about what others say concerning the future. Their opinions do not make it so. What they think or say is not necessarily the truth. The only real guide to knowing the future is the Word of God. That is, the Bible. But be forewarned that the angels of darkness can and will transform themselves into angels of light for the very purpose of deceiving the elect. This means that we should not trust in prophets, pastors, Sunday school teachers, evangelists or even an angel that might appear in a dream or vision, without first looking at the Bible as a safe guard against deception and error.
Paul, the apostle, wrote to the church at Corinth, in his 2nd epistle, and warned it about such things. He said, II Corinthians 11:4, “For if he that cometh preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” Now look at 11: 13-15, “ For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And marvel not: for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing that his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”
It seems to me that the biggest problem in the modern church is that of deception. It is deceived into thinking things that will ultimately have no eternal value, that will glorify the flesh, slow down or stop the real work of the Spirit and cripple the walk of faith in the believer. This is what those ministers of darkness that appear as light do. They lead us astray from the reality of the Word and the value of the personal relationship with Christ. They keep us from genuine experiences in the Holy Ghost.
A look at the Book
A look at the Book, the Bible, will stop all that stuff from happening and clear our heads from all the satanic traffic. It is here that we are forewarned and become on guard against the attack. It is here where we learn what weapons are at our disposal and how to use them in real life situations. It is here that we discover the real gospel, the touch of the Holy Spirit and the closeness of Christ in every situation. It is here that we grow in grace and become strong in faith.
How many of you can identify the “he that cometh” when he comes? What does “he” look like? What will “he” say? We know that “he” will appear as a friend, a minister of light. We know “he” will operate in another spirit that is not the Holy Spirit. We know that “he” will be sharing another gospel that we did not originally accept. Who is this allusive “he”? Could it be your mother, your sister, your pastor, your neighbor, your best friend, or your special hero that you look up to? We need only to stop and listen to what is being said and hold it in the light of the Scriptures. Those who speak in opposition to what we believe are anti-Christ’s, gainsayers and deceivers, no mater who they are. From such, turn away.
Each New Year holds mystery, intrigue, warfare, and conflict. It will be a time of defeat for some and of victory for others. The deciding factor is found in a look in the book, the Bible and the application of all its truth and wisdom.
Feel free to listen to all who prophesy or teach on coming events, and hold every word in light of your look into the pages of the Bible. The Spirit of God is more than capable to lead you into all truth and set you free from the deception of evil spirits, misguided people and false doctrine. All you need to do is Look At The Book and hold on to every word.
Until next time
Rev. John Marinelli