Remember when the devil tried to trick Jesus into jumping off the top of the Temple? He disguised himself as a Bible teacher by quoting from Psalm 91, that God would send his angels to catch Jesus and keep him from dashing his foot against a stone. How ironic that the archenemy of God would dress himself up as God’s representative. Jesus recognized Satan behind the costume and rebuked him.
In the last days, when the world is in turmoil, the devil will show up again, and this time, guess what? He will wear a Jesus costume! It is like a thief dressing up as Santa Claus at Christmas time (Luke 21:5-11).
“See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them!”
Did we catch the phrase “in my name?” At a time when everything seems to be falling apart and people are looking for a messiah, “many” will show up. And they will present themselves as either Jesus himself or one of his messengers. How tricky! That is why Jesus tells us not to be deceived. And with a stern command he says “Do not follow them.”
The Church in its catechism echoes this teaching of Jesus by talking about the unveiling of the “mystery of iniquity in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth. The supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in the place of God of his Messiah come in the flesh” (see article #675).
Jesus continues:
“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things much happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.”
How is it possible not to be terrified when wars and insurrections break out? Only by childlike trust in God.
Being anchored in the true Messiah, we are able to discern the counterfeit ones who claim they are coming in his name.
False messiahs win followers by exploiting the insecurities of people whose peace hinges on a makeshift order that rulers of this world attempt to provide. When things seem to be getting out of hand, humans start looking for someone who claims he can solve all their problems.
Jesus has already solved all of our problems by submitting to obedience on the cross and defeating death once and for all by rising from the dead. Jesus, alone, has the power to set us free from sin and breathe into us the eternal life of the Holy Spirit. We know from first grade Bible class that cutting ourselves off from God is what brought about our problems in the first place. Sin—being disconnected from God– can be defeated, not by some huckster who claims he is the messiah, but by God’s only Son who continues to knock at the door of our hearts waiting for us to invite him in.
Jesus tells people that things will get worse.
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place, and awesome sights and might signs will come from the sky.”
Does this not stir us to double up our prayer life, and ground ourselves ever more deeply in the one Messiah, the resurrection and life, who is ready to save anyone who calls upon his name?
“Remain faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
