Bible Doctrine

Jesus warned His followers, “If they shall say unto you (you believers), ‘Behold, he (the returning Christ) is in the desert,’ go not forth, (expecting to meet Him); ‘Behold, he is in the SECRET chambers,,’ believe it not” (See Matthew 24:26).  Note well that Jesus clearly says there will be nothing secret about His return.  “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE!” (verse 27, Matthew 24).  The return of Jesus Christ will be the most spectacular event the people of this world have ever witnessed! 

Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away!” (Matthew 24:35).  If we will only listen to Jesus and pay attention to the words He spoke and the statements He made we would not be confused or susceptible to men’s distorted unscriptural teachings.  King David wrote, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).  Again, “The entrance of thy words giveth light, it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:13).  I do not listen to the words of Tim LaHaye or Jerry B. Jenkins – authors of the Left Behind fictional series portraying a distorted view of the end times and Christ’s return.  Nor am I swayed by the oratory of Hal Lindsey in his bestseller The Late Great Planet Earth.  These three men might mean well.  The Mormon bishop might mean well.  The Pope might mean well, but that is no indication they know and speak the truth.

Tens of thousands of professing Christians and their pastors, who lived in the 20th Century were absolutely certain they would be alive to be caught away in the “rapture.”  Most of them are now long dead, moldering in their graves.  Tens of thousands of professing Christians of this 21st Century likewise are certain they will be caught away in a secret rapture long before Islam begins conquering nation after nation.  Many of them are so certain of this that they refuse to prepay their funeral expenses or purchase grave plots.  They are unaware that thousands of Christians who lived and died in the 20th Century had the same mindset.

To be continued…..

Christ’s Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

Most of the pastors and preachers of this world are unwittingly preparing their congregations for eventual failure and defeat! “Jesus is coming soon,” they cry. “The end is near,” they say. “We are living in the last days right now,” they claim. Most seem totally oblivious to the fact that preachers have been making that claim not for a few years, or decades, BUT FOR CENTURIES!

“Well, He’s closer to coming now than He was ten or twenty years ago,” they argue. And that is true. But it is true in the same sense you are closer to your destination an hour after beginning your journey than you were when you first started, but what if your destination is San Francisco and you have begun your journey from your home in New Jersey? Still, you have a long, long way to go.

How are Christian congregations being prepared for defeat, you ask?  When the decades continue to slip by and Christianity finds Islam growing more widespread and violent, gaining more and more territory and adherents, with more and more Christians slaughtered and beheaded many Christians will throw in the towel and concede, “We have been wrong. Jesus is not coming back. If the end is near, then it is the end of Christianity.”

If you are advanced in age, you probably don’t have a lot to worry about regarding Islam. It is the next generation, and the next, and the next that will suffer unspeakable atrocities and horrors. Those inhabitants of earth at that time will find comfort, peace and safety only in proportion to their submission to Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives. Even then, many will suffer martyrdom, but at least will have the hand of God to comfort and sustain them in their trials.

The handwriting is written on the wall in fiery letters. I read it long ago. Nor am I alone. Many others see clearly what I see, but we are in the extreme minority. I am but one watchman on that wall.

If preachers would just quit parroting one another, holding to the party line, so to speak, and finally allow the scriptures to say what they so plainly say, more and more of them would have to concede this present generation is NOT the generation that will witness Christ’s return to planet earth.

Again and again I have categorically stated that there is not an infant alive on earth today that can possibly live long enough to witness Christ’s return in their own lifetime. Your Bible clearly states that at the time of the end, the time immediately preceding Christ’s return every nation on earth will be followers of a great false religion, and that religion will be Islam.  Any remaining Christians at that time will be hated of ALL nations! They will be hated in America, England, Australia, Norway, Denmark, Scotland – ALL NATIONS!  They will be beheaded!  (See Matthew 24:7-11 and Revelation 20:4).

Folks, Satan’s deceptive powers are staggering. He horribly deceived the wisest man who ever lived – Solomon.  Billy Graham and Charles Stanley are not immune to his deceptive influence, neither am I, or you.  But we must allow the Word of God to say what it says and accept its message. When the Bible says, “The dead know nothing,” we must accept that as a fact.  When God told Adam and Eve, “Dust you are and to dust you shall return,” we must believe Him. He created us and He says He created us of purely chemical stuff.  We ARE physical beings.  We are a soul, which in the original Hebrew means we are “living, breathing creatures.” We have a spirit, but no scripture says our spirits are immortal and consciously aware after we die, only that our spirits return to God when we die, the spirits of all born human, saved and unsaved.

What is the purpose of a resurrection if we never really and truly die but “go to be with Jesus” the instant we breathe our last? Why resurrect a fleshly, long decayed and disintegrated physical body if one survives death in a spirit body?  Would a black person still be black?  Would a white person still be white?  Would a midget still stand but two feet tall?

This world’s inhabitants have been inundated with false concepts and religious beliefs, and, for the most part, they just will not let them go. “All these people can’t be wrong,” they argue. All what people? All these Muslims? All these atheists? All these Roman Catholics or Mormons or Baptists?

Make no mistake.  Jesus Christ IS coming back someday, but the day of His return is not as near as many have been led to believe.  Nearly two thousand years ago the apostle Paul was confronted with this issue.  Believers in Thessalonica had misconstrued something Paul had said in the first letter he had written to them and, therefore thought Jesus Christ could return at any moment.  Paul then wrote them a second letter, saying, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by (or, concerning) the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him (at THAT time – not at the moment of our death)….Let no man deceive you by any means, for that day shall not come except 1) there come a falling away first (Christians abandoning Christianity in great numbers), and 2) that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts Himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he IS God.  Remember you not that when I was with you I told you these things?  And now you know what withholds (Jesus’ return) that He might be revealed in His time” (See 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 3-6).

Notice that Paul plainly tells the Thessalonian believers that two distinct and easily recognizable events MUST occur before Jesus Christ’s return: 1) There must be a great falling away from Christianity, and 2) one who exalts himself above God must sit in the temple of God thereby showing that he himself is God!  Folks, that temple hasn’t even been built yet!  So, calm down, Jesus won’t be “breaking through the blue” before you finish reading this article.  So go ahead and buy that house or car on time.  You will have time enough to enjoy and pay for it before our Lord’s return.

Christ’s servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

No scripture says all the unsaved are destroyed at the return of Jesus Christ, although some think 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 shows that to be the truth.  It is not.  This is one of those classic texts Peter may have had in mind when he wrote that Paul wrote some things that are difficult to understand by the spiritually unstable and those ignorant of God’s revelation contained in the writings of the Hebrew prophets.  Also, the King James Version fails to accurately translate the Greek in a couple of the verses in 2 Thessalonians 2.

Keep in mind the divine revelation afforded us in the 14th chapter of Zechariah.  That chapter speaks of the coming “day of the Lord” (verse 1).  It speaks of that being the time when the Lord goes forth to fight against the nations that have followed Satan’s delusions (verse 3).  The next verse tells of how His feet will stand upon the Mount of Olives the day of His return.  Verse 5 says “the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.”  “And it shall be in that day (not a thousand years later) that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem, half of them toward the former {eastern} sea (the Dead Sea), and half toward the hinder {western} sea (the Mediterranean Sea) in summer and in winter shall it be (or year round)” (verse 8).  Then verse 9 says, “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth, IN THAT DAY (not a thousand years later) shall there be one Lord, and His name one.  Then verse 10 clearly says “All the land shall be turned as a plain…lifted up, AND INHABITED…And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction, but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited” (verse 11).

And if you keep reading the next few verses, you learn what Paul also knew in writing the Thessalonian believers that it is the armies that are coming against Jerusalem who are destroyed in an instant at Christ’s return.  (See verses 12 through 14).  But then notice verse 16: “And it shall come to pass THAT EVERY ONE THAT IS LEFT OF ALL THE NATIONS, WHICH CAME AGAINST JERUSALEM, shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles (when they will be carefully instructed in the truth and the ways of the Lord).”  The ones that are left are the non-combatants.  They are NOT killed by the brightness of the Lord’s return.  They survive and live over into the thousand year reign of Christ ON THIS EARTH, being instructed in the ways of God year by year at the Feast of Tabernacles – the ONLY one of God’s seven annual feasts that was a teaching feast!  (See Nehemiah Chapter 8).

Christ’s Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

There are several scripture passages one would have to read and understand before they could possibly discern how there is no discrepancy or contradiction in the scriptures that say Jesus Christ is returning FOR His saints and also that He is returning WITH His saints? The vision of the transfiguration of Christ on the mount showed Him returning in glory with at least two of His saints, Moses and Elijah! Well, then, doesn’t this support the “rapture” doctrine? Not at all. Not when one considers what Paul wrote to the Philippian believers. Beginning with Philippians, chapter 3, verse 7: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith, THAT I MAY KNOW HIM AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death, IF BY ANY MEANS I MIGHT ATTAIN UNTO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. NOT AS THOUGH i HAD ALREADY ATTAINED, EITHER WERE ALREADY PERFECT, but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. BRETHREN, I COUNT NOT MYSELF TO HAVE APPREHENDED, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:7-14). Note: The English words apprehend and apprehended in verses 12 and 13 are translated from the Greek word katalambano (pronounced kat-al-lam-BAN’-o), meaning to seize, possess or attain.

Notice how Paul clearly says that he had not yet attained unto the resurrection of the dead! But WHAT resurrection? He says the power of Christ’s own resurrection! Paul long before had attained to the resurrection of the redeemed sons of God, but he wanted to be partaker of a far better resurrection – a resurrection awarded to all those who were perfected in Christ. These are the believers who will enjoy a “rapture” of sorts, being resurrected prior to the general resurrection of the redeemed and returning WITH Jesus Christ in glory along with Moses and Elijah and a host of others, surely including the parents of John the Baptist. (See Luke 1:5-6). These spiritually perfected believers comprise and are the bride of Christ!  (See Revelation 14:1-5 with Ephesians 4:11-24).

The word “resurrection” occurs nowhere in the Hebrew scriptures – the Old Testament. The word “resurrection” occurs forty-one times in the Greek scriptures – the New Testament. Thirty-nine times it is translated from the Greek word anastasis (pronounced an-AS’-tas-is), meaning “raised to life again.” Once it is translated from the Greek word egersis (pronounced EG’-er-sis), and meaning “a resurgence from death.” (See Matthew 27:53). And once it is translated from the Greek word exanastasis (pronounced ex-an-AS’-tas-is), meaning “a rising from death,” but much more than that. The EX in front of the word anastasis speaks of an “out resurrection,” that is a resurrection from a group to be resurrected but leaving the greater majority held in death until a later time. And the ones left unresurrected are unperfected children of God!

So, the rapture doctrine does have an element of truth in it. But every professing Christian who thinks they are going to be caught away into heaven at any moment are in for a grim surprise. Such folks should read Revelation 2 and 3 and see if they can discern which of those Christians mentioned therein would have been caught away to heaven had the “rapture” occurred in the First Century. 

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

Many are confused as to just how Jesus Christ can return WITH His saints (See Zechariah14:5; I Thessalonians 4:14; I Thessalonians 3:13; Jude 14) and also return FOR His saints (I Thessalonians 4:16,17) except there be two phases to His return, Phase One being the “rapture” and Phase Two being the actual Second Coming when He actually comes down to this earth to rule the same.  There are a few seemingly unrelated scripture texts that one must read and understand in order to clear up this seeming discrepancy.  There is an article I wrote some years ago that clears up this apparent discrepancy. What follows is that article:

                       THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION                                           

That’s a kind of mystical, “spiritual” word, isn’t it – TRANSFIGURATION! Sounds like the name of a Roman Catholic Church – The Mount of Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church. And there most probably is a Roman Catholic Church somewhere in the world bearing that identity. I would be surprised if there isn’t one.

The dictionary definition of transfiguration is “a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state.” I guess that definition is as good as any. The account of Jesus Christ’s transfiguration is found in the 17th chapter of Matthew, the 9th chapter of Mark, and the 9th chapter of Luke. It is not recorded, or spoken of, in John’s gospel account. Many point to this narrative as absolute proof that dead believers are already now in heaven. After all, the narrative does say, “And, behold, there appeared unto them (the disciples Peter, James and John) Moses and Elias (Greek spelling of the name Elijah) talking with him (with Jesus Christ as He was transfigured before their very eyes)” (Matthew 17:3). We find this same statement repeated almost word-for-word in Mark 9:4 and Luke 9:30. Doesn’t the Bible say we are to accept the testimony of two or three witnesses as true? (See 2 Corinthians 13:1).

Oh, they were telling the truth alright. They did indeed see Moses and Elijah standing beside Jesus on what has come to be called the mount of transfiguration. But they didn’t see what many have mistakenly thought they saw. They weren’t seeing reality. They were seeing a vision. And the vision they saw was of a future event – the second coming of Jesus Christ when He indeed will appear with Moses and Elijah – and a countless multitude of other redeemed men and women.

If you back up out of the 17th chapter of Matthew and read the last two verses of the 16th chapter of Matthew, you will read these words – and Jesus is speaking here: “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he shall reward EVERY MAN (every truly converted human being) according to his works. Verily (truthfully) I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, TILL THEY SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN HIS KINGDOM” (Matthew 16:27-28). Forget your chapter break and keep reading the 17th chapter of Matthew, beginning with verse 1.

“And after six days Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother (that’s the “some” mentioned in chapter 16, verse 28), and brought them up into a high mountain apart (separated from the other disciples), and was transfigured before them, and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you will, let us make here three tabernacles (temporary dwellings), one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.'” (verses 1 – 4, Matthew 17).

I have no doubt that much later the disciples had a good laugh in telling and retelling Peter’s suggestion. In all probability, Peter believing Moses and Elijah were in fact standing in front of them, thought, “What a marvelous opportunity to be instructed in all spiritual matters perfectly. Here are Moses and Elijah and Jesus Christ! Let’s make dwellings for them and urge them to hang around for quite some time and guide and instruct us disciples.”

No wonder Peter said, “Hey, fellows, stick around. We will even build you lodging places forthwith,” so that they could remain together and fellowship and undoubtedly benefit from the knowledge and miracle power evidenced by these three men.  Don’t forget both Moses and Elijah displayed miraculous power during their earthly life, Moses parting the Red Sea, striking the rock in the wilderness when Israel thirsted and having a torrent of fresh water pour out of the rock, plus many other miracles.  Elijah even raised the dead and rightly declared that not a drop of rain, nor a drop of dew would appear in Israel except by Elijah’s own word to allow the same.

Continuing with verse 5 of Matthew 17, we read, “While he (Peter) yet spoke, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold (they heard) a voice out of the cloud, which said, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him,’ (or listen to Him, believe His words. He knows what he is talking about).’ And when the disciples heard it (this voice), they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, ‘Arise, and be not afraid.’ And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man save Jesus only.” Moses and Elijah were gone as quickly as they had appeared. (verses 5 through 8).

But it is the 9th verse that is the all-important verse in this passage. That verse reads, “And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, ‘Tell THIS VISION to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.” Now notice that Jesus said they had seen a vision only. It wasn’t real. Moses and Elijah never were really there. That is why Peter unwittingly was talking nonsense when he suggested building lodgings for Moses, Elijah and Jesus. It would be similar to hiding under your theater seat when seeing a herd of stampeding horses on the movie screen.

But since Peter was one of the disciples who saw this vision, let’s let him explain the vision’s meaning to us. 2 Peter 1, verses 16 through 18 provides us with Peter’s explanation of what he, James and John saw that day so long ago on the mount of transfiguration. Here is his explanation: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables (like the Book of Mormon), when we made known unto you THE POWER AND (SECOND) COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty (or majestic second coming), for he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory (displayed on the mount of transfiguration), ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And this voice which came from heaven we heard when we were with him in the holy mount.”

So Jesus did have it correct when he told his disciples, “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” (Matthew 16:28). Who were the “some” to which Jesus referred? Peter, James and John. Did they live long enough to see the Son of man coming in his kingdom? Yes, IN VISION, because verse one of the very next chapter says it was only six days later that they were shown the vision.  To be continued…..

Christ’s Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

There is a Greek word we need to examine closely when we study the doctrine called “the rapture” as that word is often spotlighted by the “rapture” teachers as definitely showing Jesus Christ’s return is going to be invisible to all but the truly redeemed.  That word is the Greek word parousia (pronounced par-oo-SEE’-ah), meaning “advent, return, or presence.”  This same Greek word is found in I Corinthians 16:17; 2 Corinthians 7:6 and Philippians 1:26.  Here are those verses: “Paul writes, “I am glad of the coming (parousia) of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.” (I Corinthians 16:17).  These three Christians did not appear in Ephesus (from where Paul wrote the Corinthian letter) invisibly, yet Paul said he was glad of their parousia, or coming.  Paul uses the word parousia again in 2 Corinthians 7:6, writing, “Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming (parousia) of Titus.”  Did Titus come to Paul invisibly?  Of course not.  Neither will Jesus return in two phases, His first appearance being invisible, His second appearance visible to every eye!  And once more in Philippians 1:26, Paul speaks of his visiting the believers at Philippi as his “coming (parousia) to you again.” 

Nothing in Matthew 24:3 or 27 implies that Jesus’ return is in two phases or that His presence in the clouds will be invisible to anyone!  In fact, verse 27 of Matthew 24 states clearly “for as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall (in like manner) also the coming (parousia) of the Son of man be.”  And what light, or lightening effect, comes out of the east and shines to the west?  the SUN!  Jesus was not referring to the momentary flash of lightning during a storm.  He was referring to the sun’s bright light as it shines in full strength as it courses across the sky from east to the westt, visible to all but the totally blind.  And that brightest of lights is not visible for a split second only.  It is visible for many hours, “so shall also the coming (parousia) of the Son of man be.”

Preachers have a bad habit of parroting one another.  If most all ministers of their given denomination say such-and-such is the teaching of the scriptures, they generally say the same.  Seminary and Bible college graduates of a Lutheran college enter the Lutheran ministry and preach Lutheran doctrine.  Young Baptist preachers departing sheepskin in hand from a Baptist seminary preach Baptist doctrine, accepting a pastorate in a Baptist church.  Surprise, surprise, surprise!   To be continued……

Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

“To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 3:21-22). Do you know to what particular congregation Jesus was speaking when He uttered those astounding words? He was speaking to the Laodiceans! (See verse 13, Revelation 3). HE WAS SPEAKING TO THE LAODICEANS! A congregation of believers Jesus said were wretched, miserable, poor (spiritually), blind, and naked (verse 17)! He then urged them, “Be zealous therefore, and repent (verse 19). “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.

If ANY MAN hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (verse 20). The Greek word translated as “man” in the above text is neuter, meaning any “person” – male or female. But notice that EVERY BELIEVER, male or female, even the utmost failures in the Christian walk and life are in the running, so to speak, to receive the greatest eternal reward God the Father can offer. All the failures need to do is repent and invite their Lord into full and lasting fellowship in their life. They, too, can then “shine as the brightness of the firmament” in their Father’s eternal kingdom! This was the mark, the prize of the high calling for which the apostle Paul continuously contended and labored. This was “the power of His resurrection” for which Paul aimed. (See Philippians 3:10-14). For him to experience and enjoy the power of his Lord’s resurrection, Paul knew he would have to allow Jesus to LIVE in him. (See Galatians 2:20). He also knew this fantastic reward was open to all, writing, “Let US therefore, as many as be perfect (spiritually complete, full grown in Christ), be thus minded” (Philippians 3:15).

Our Lord is “a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (See Hebrews 11:6). No human being will ever be able to out give God, not even a Moses or an Abraham, not even the most faithful and holy martyr! Some of the final words Jesus spoke to the church was to say, “Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man (Greek, “each”) according as his work shall be” (See Revelation 22:12).

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest, for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is (precious costly material or inferior material). If any man’s work abide (the testing fire), which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved (as he continued on with the Lord and DID produce and was of some service to the Lord), yet so as by fire (as nothing remains that warrants an eternal reward” (See I Corinthians 3:13-15).

“I beheld until the thrones were cast down (over 30 translations, including versions prior to the King James Version, read “until the thrones were set in place”), and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool (in color – not texture). His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire (hence a portable throne). A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him; thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him (to be rewarded). The judgment was set, and the books were opened” (Daniel 7:9-10). Believer, In God’s great Remembrance Library there is a book written with your name on it. (See Malachi 3:16-18. See also Revelation 1:12-18 and Malachi 3:16-18 and Revelation 20:12). May the scriptures cited motivate the reader to produce more and more is my hope and prayer.

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

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

Jesus, during His earthly ministry, was constantly and continually giving forth divine ultimatums, demands and conditions that we members of the human family must meet in order to have a valid and sure relationship with both Himself and God the Father. Again and again He warned that there would be many who would fail to meet these qualifications and conditions and that the road that led to eternal life was narrow and FEW of earth’s inhabitants would find it. (See Matthew 7:33-34). He warned that those who merely HEARD what He said and taught and did not DO what He said and taught were fools and would find themselves on the outside looking in while thinking themselves to be members of the kingdom of God.  “Not everyone that says unto me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father, which is in heaven” (See Matthew 7:21-27).

Today there are scores of radio and television evangelists who assure their listeners that if they believe Jesus died for them, as a sacrifice for their sins, then they have right then qualified for full membership in the kingdom of God. They are then thereby “locked in” to eternal life and have their ticket to heaven stamped “valid.” They are further assured that they can count themselves as full-fledged members of the bride of Christ and when the “rapture” occurs they will be caught up to heaven and find a smiling Jesus Christ waiting to enfold them in His arms while ministering angels will escort them to one of the thousands of tables where the marriage supper of the Lamb will be served.

Jesus Christ taught that the way to ultimate salvation and eternal life is hard, difficult, that it’s a constant battle, a struggle against self, the world and Satan. He taught that it is the DOERS of the word, not hearers only who shall be saved. There must be a constant striving against sin, but if one is diligent he will find himself consistently gaining ground. “Then said one unto him, ‘Lord are there few that be saved?’  And he said unto them, ‘Strive to enter in at the narrow gate, for many I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able'” (See Luke 13:23-24). Jesus taught that salvation is not a momentary decision, but a lifetime commitment! (See Mark 8:34-35). He put sinners on notice that they must turn from sin and obey Him, asking, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not DO the things that I tell you to do?” (See Luke 6:46). Radio preachers and little “gospel” tracts tell you the way is easy. Jesus says the opposite. (See Acts 14:22). The way to eternal life takes one hundred percent commitment.  Jesus cautioned His hearers to COUNT THE COST! (See Luke 14:25-33).  He warned, “You shall seek me and find me when you shall search for me with all your heart,” (Jeremiah 29:13).  How few baptismal candidates can say they did that???  How few realize they must “Fight the good fight of faith” and “Lay hold on eternal life” (I Timothy 6:12).  We must “strive to enter at the narrow gate” (Luke 13:24).  “Be sober, be vigilant, because YOUR ADVERSARY the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour!” (I Peter 5:8).  Paul warns believers that though we are appointed by God “to obtain salvation” in order to do so we must “put on the whole armor of God” (See Ephesians 6:10-18).

Jesus Christ warned that someday He is going to have to inform great multitudes of believers, “I never knew you. Depart from me you who work iniquity.” Don’t say you know me. If you knew me you wouldn’t act the way you do. You wouldn’t talk the way you do. You wouldn’t think the way you think! (See Matthew 7:16-23).

Folks, we had better listen to our Creator. He speaks very plainly and means what He says. Only a fool will turn a deaf ear to His words and choose rather to listen to some fellow human being, steering them away from the teachings and warnings of the Lord and His apostles.  The Father’s voice boomed from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. LISTEN TO HIM!” (See Matthew 17:5). I suggest that we all listen intently to our  Lord.  Failing to do so will be quite costly.  The price we will have to pay will be incredible, I assure you.

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley