“Study to Shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” 2 Timothy 2:15
Do you know what to believe anymore? Matthew 24:4 says this, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.” He was speaking of the end of the world to the disciples after they asked the question of when would be the end of the world. Take note Jesus’ answer to that question was the deceit that would happen. Many will be misled because they have not tested the word of God to what they hear from others. We need to prepare ourselves against false doctrine by spending time in the Bible. The following will show you some of the deceptive teachings that are out there now.
(This is an excerpt from the booklet Rendezvous In Space by Joe Crews. If you want to know more download for free with the link below.)
Chapter 2. Satan Impersonates Christ
If you feel you would be insulated from deception, just imagine yourself in the presence of such a personage. Perhaps you have rushed to the scene to expose the crafty pretender, but you are not prepared for the awesome reality facing you. A majestic being, dressed in a glistening robe, towers above all the thousands who try to press in to his side. A tremendous aura of power circulates around the Christ-like figure. He speaks in the same gentle tones that you imagine Jesus used when He was upon the earth. You watch in amazement as he puts forth his hand to touch the blind, lame, and diseased who prostrate before him. Instantly they seem to be healed of every infirmity and weakness. The cry goes up from hundreds of voices, “Jesus has come!” You are strangely affected by the waves of joyful emotion that seem to immerse the adoring multitude who fill the streets.
Then, suppose that this noble benefactor proclaims that he is indeed the Messiah who has returned to resume his work of healing and preaching. How easy would it be to resist the impulse to hail him as the Son of God? The evidence of your physical senses would be overwhelming.
Why could the whole world be captured by such a dazzling demonstration? Because there is a natural response in every human being to the unusual and the spectacular, people will go anywhere at any cost to witness a promised miracle. Satan will exploit this fleshly foible to his own advantage. No wonder the very elect will be in danger of being deceived.
Now that we know how Jesus will not return, let us discover how His coming will actually take place. Our only safety is to understand the truth as it is revealed in the Bible.
Two angels came all the way from heaven to give the clearest declaration on record concerning the manner of Christ’s return. The circumstances of that dramatic moment leave no room for quibbling over what they meant: “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:9–11).
Five colorful words in these verses indicate beyond question that the ascension of Jesus was a very real event—beheld, sight, looked, gazing, and seen. This was not some mystical dream or vision. They were literally watching our Lord with their physical eyes as He disappeared into the distant sky. Said the angels, “This same Jesus … shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go.”
His return will be just as visible and literal as His going away. Since He left in a cloud, He must also come back in a cloud. Do the Scriptures confirm this? John wrote, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him” (Revelation 1:7).
In a few brief words the revelator reveals one of the most astounding facts about the advent of Christ. He will be seen by every living soul in the world as He gradually descends through the atmospheric heavens. The good and evil inhabitants of all nations on earth will look up together and behold the glory of His train filling the sky. Jesus described it this way, “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30).