An unfortunate translation of Matthew 24:24 has led many to erroneously believe that the “elect” cannot be deceived. In the King James Version, that verse reads: “For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” The words “it were” are in italics in most Bibles thereby clearly signifying these two words were not in the Greek manuscripts but were added by the translators. When the translators added such words it was hoped such additions made the text a bit clearer, but there are some cases where the opposite occurred. Matthew 24:24 is one such instance. The last phrase of that verse should simply say, “insomuch that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” The added words “it were” seem to imply that such was not possible, that the elect could not possibly be deceived. Yet many other scriptures show that this cannot possibly be true.
Mark’s account of this same “Olivet Prophecy” discourse sheds further light on the matter. In Mark 13, beginning with verse 3, we read, “And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked Him privately, ‘Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?’ And Jesus answering them (these elect apostles) began to say, take heed LEST ANY MAN DECEIVE YOU!’” (verses 4 and 5). I assure you Jesus Christ did not give idle warnings, and this warning was given TO THE ELECT – His own apostles!!!
In Ephesians 5:6, Paul exhorts the Ephesian believers, “LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU…” And in Ephesians 1, verses 4 and 5, he had just assured these same believers that they had been chosen in Christ “before the foundation of the world….predestinated…unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself…” yet Paul warned them it was possible for them to be deceived!
To the Thessalonians, Paul wrote: “LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU BY ANY MEANS…” (See 2 Thessalonians 2:3). And he warned the Corinthian believers, “BE NOT DECEIVED” (See I Corinthians 15:33). And he later wrote them, “But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled (deceived) Eve through his subtilty, SO YOUR MINDS SHOULD BE CORRUPTED” (See 2 Corinthians 11:3). Notice, Paul says, “Let no man deceive you by any means.” Paul knew most deception comes to God’s flock through a deceived ministry. Ministers, themselves deceived by the cleverness of a super-intelligent Satan, pass on their errors to those who regard them as teachers of the truth.
Of course the elect can be deceived! That’s WHY we are exhorted to “PROVE all things (of a spiritual nature – all doctrines, teachings, sermons, etc.).” (See I Thessalonians 5:21) That is WHY we are urged to “try (test, weigh, prove) the spirits whether they are of God” (I John 4:1). John had just exhorted these believers, “Little children, let no man DECEIVE you” (I John 3:7).
In fact, we can deceive ourselves! Notice: “If we say we have no sin (though sinning and walking in disobedience), WE DECEIVE OURSELVES” (I John 1:8). Surely John considered himself one of the elect. Notice, he says, “We deceive OURSELVES.” Remember, John was present that day when Jesus warned, “Take heed, lest any man deceive YOU” (See Mark 13:5, again).
Paul writes, “Let no man deceive himself” (I Corinthians 3:18). See also Galatians 6, verses 3 and 7). And James agrees, warning: “But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, DECEIVING YOUR OWN SELVES” (James 1:22). See also verse 26, same chapter.
Of course the elect can be deceived. If the elect couldn’t be deceived our Lord and His apostles spoke idle words and issued idle warnings. The fact that believers, yes, the elect, can be deceived helps explain why there are dozens and dozens of different denominations in the “Christian” world.
The Galatian believers were “bewitched!” (See Galatians 3:1). They were removed from the grace of Christ to another gospel. (See Galatians 1:6). Paul marveled that this could happen so quickly. (same verse).
The elect of Pergamos were deceived. (See Revelation 2:12-17), as were those of Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29, Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6), and Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22).
If the elect could not be deceived, then there would be one denomination in Christianity with total truth and no dissension in their ranks. All their pastors, evangelists, teachers and members would be in total agreement always. Why? Because the elect cannot be deceived! Do you see how absurd and contrary to scripture truth the idea really is? If the elect cannot be deceived, they are infallible!!
Those who think they cannot be deceived are already grossly deceived. Whatever your denomination, wherever you fellowship and attend worship services, know that it is quite possible you have been and quite likely still are deceived in some area of your beliefs and the doctrines that you hold to be true. This probability is lessened IF you walk in continual obedience to all the scripture truth you see AND search the scriptures – ALL of them, Old and New Testaments – and really prove all things of a spiritual nature that you have been led to believe. It is quite obvious few do this, else we wouldn’t have so many contradictory denominations in the Christian world. If all believers, especially the ministry, really and truly PROVED all things of a spiritual nature, instead of having dozens and dozens and dozens of differing, contradictory denominations there would be only a few, perhaps less than half-a-dozen!
I trust this short article will help you to think and to think more deeply than ever before. The Baptist is absolutely 100% certain the doctrine of “once saved, always saved” is supported by a plethora of scripture. But there are other quite large denominations that teach the exact opposite and have a great amount of scripture to support their doctrinal stand that one can most certainly forfeit their salvation. One or the other is deceived. Both are equally certain it is “the other guy” who has it wrong. Spiritual deception is a tricky thing. A deceived person does not realize he, or she, is deceived else they wouldn’t be deceived. A deceived person is often absolutely certain beyond a question of doubt that they do see and know the truth in some matter. That is WHY it is imperative that one OBEY whatever the scriptures command and that they study diligently to really PROVE whatever doctrines they accept and believe to be true. If you are not in that category of believer, you are quite likely deceived in some area of your doctrines and beliefs.
One clear note that is sounded throughout the scriptures again and again is the fact that revelation and obedience are conjoined twins. They cannot be separated. If one is not walking in continual obedience to God and His Word, then it is a foregone conclusion they are deceived in some of the things they believe to be true and supported by scripture! Let me give you a handful of scriptures that clearly support this Bible rule. The prophet Daniel, in one of his heartfelt prayers to God, said, “As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us, yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, THAT WE MIGHT TURN FROM OUR INIQUITIES AND UNDERSTAND THY TRUTH” (See Daniel 9:13).
Through His prophet Ezekiel, God tells the elders of Israel, “Are ye come to inquire of me (are you seeking revelation or understanding from ME?) As I live, saith the Lord God, I will NOT be inquired of by you.” (See Ezekiel 20:1-3). And WHY was God refusing to give understanding to these elders? Because of their “abominations,” their sins! (See verse 4).
Earlier God had told Ezekiel, “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not, for they are a rebellious house” (Ezekiel 12:2). Rebel against God by continuing in sin and you will be unable to see the truths of God regardless of how plain and clear they are in scripture. Cover your sins and walk in disobedience to God and you will be unable to hear and receive what God is plainly speaking through His anointed teachers and prophets.
To His prophet Jeremiah, God said, “You shall say unto them (the people of Judah), ‘This is a nation that obeys not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receives correction. Truth is perished and cut off from their mouth” (See Jeremiah 7:28). Turn a deaf ear to God, continue sinning, refuse correction, and God says His truth will be hidden from your mind and will not be spoken through your mouth!
The apostle Peter warned that we will stumble at the Word, unable to comprehend what the Word of God actually says and teaches, if we are disobedient to the Word of God. He declares that this is a divinely appointed outcome to all who continue to knowingly and willfully sin! (See I Peter 2:7-8).
Paul warned that when a believer sins he gives place to Satan to blind and deceive him and that those who are led away from the walk of godliness by giving in to various lusts, though ever learning, are “never able to come to the knowledge of the truth..” (See Ephesians 4:27 and 2 Timothy 3:6-7). It is only when we are fruitful in every good work that we are able to increase in the knowledge of God. (See Colossians 1:10)
“My son, if you will receive my words, and hide my commandments with you, so that you incline your ear unto wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding…then shall you understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God” (See Proverbs 2:1-3, 5). “In ALL your ways acknowledge Him (as LORD) and He shall (then) direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6).
The Psalmist declares that “light is sown for the righteous” (See Psalm 97:11). Again the Psalmist writes: “I understand more than the ancients, (Why?) because I keep your precepts” (Psalm 119:100).
“The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him….” (See Psalm 25:14). Those who truly do have a deep reverence for God OBEY God. They diligently seek His will through pondering the counsel and instruction given in His Word. Any other pathway is strewn with deceptions and rabbit trails that lead one into profound lasting error.
Peter wrote of how he sought to “stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance, “ for he well knew that only a pure mind could have communication with the Spirit of God. Any other mindset is wide open to spiritual deception. (See 2 Peter 3:1). And just what did Peter desire these believers to remember? “That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior” (verse 2, 2 Peter 3). Peter well knew what Paul knew and taught fervently that “ALL SCRIPTURE is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine…” (See 2 Timothy 3:16). Those who contend that they do not get their doctrine from the Word of God given through the Hebrew prophets leave themselves and their hearers wide open to satanic deception. In fact, they already show themselves to be grossly deceived by making such a statement!!
Again, speaking of the Hebrew prophets, Peter writes “of which salvation the prophets have inquired (of God) and searched diligently (their own writings as well as the writings of previous prophets), who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you (us New Covenant believers), searching what, or what manner of time THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST WHICH WAS IN THEM DID SIGNIFY, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves (their own time and generation), BUT UNTO US (THE NEW COVENANT CHURCH OF GOD) THEY DID MINISTER the things that are reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven, which things the angels desire to look into” (I Peter 1:10-12).
Note well that Peter declares that it was Jesus Christ, the Word, the Logos, the Spokesman of the Godhead, who was speaking through these Hebrew prophets and that He was speaking primarily to New Covenant believers – NOT to the Old Covenant Israelites, when prophesying of Christ’s sufferings and the glorious things His sufferings would accomplish. You will have a far greater understanding of the mind of God if when reading these Hebrew prophets you realize that when they say, “Thus saith the Lord,” they are really and truly saying, “Thus saith THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!” Try reading Isaiah, Jeremiah or Ezekiel with that thought in mind. Know that Jesus proclaimed that He and God the Father were one, always in total, complete and utter agreement, and said, “My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me” (See John 7:16). And again, “I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him” (See John 8:26). If you will keep in mind that it is Jesus speaking when you read the Hebrew prophets, your understanding of the true doctrines of God will expand exponentially IF you are simultaneously departing from any and all sin in your life and striving diligently to please the Lord in all things.
Know that humans can err and err greatly – even Christians, even Christian ministers, even theologians. A Presbyterian theologian like John Calvin will believe and teach doctrines diametrically opposed to the beliefs and teachings of a famed Baptist theologian like J.R. Graves or H.W. Ironside. An Amish minister and a Lutheran pastor will find themselves in total disagreement on some of their most basic doctrines and beliefs. But do not despair. It is a one-on-one thing with God and His sons and daughters. God is no respecter of persons. He will grant YOU a good understanding in all things of which He speaks in the scriptures. You need only meet the conditions: total, continual surrender to the LORDship of Jesus Christ in your life and study and meditation upon His Word, ALL of it.
When Jesus says, “Come unto me ALL you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest,” He means just that. All is all inclusive. It includes YOU. Are you laboring under just what to believe and accept as spiritual truth? Jesus says He WILL give you rest. Are you heavy laden with doubts about God’s Word or God’s very existence? Jesus says He will lift that burden.
God WARNS: “The heart (human mind) is deceitful above all things…” (See Jeremiah 17:9). Remember, God created the human mind. He knows how it works, and He warns that our minds can be deceived, that we can even deceive ourselves! But the situation is not hopeless. In the very next verse God declares, “I the Lord search the heart….” He knows how to shine a spotlight on the error in our minds and He knows how to instill eternal truth in its place. He cautions: “Lean not unto your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him (as LORD, Guide, Instructor), and He shall direct your paths” (See Proverbs 3:5-6). And, again, the very next verse urges that we “depart from evil” (verse 7).
Christ’s servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley