“At that time many will falter, and betray and despise each other. And false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of many will grow cold. But those who stand firm to the end will be saved. The good news of the kingdom of God will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to the nations. And then the end will come.”
Matt 24:10-14
Okay, I’ll take the bait.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 24:10-14
Satan offends us the most when he pretends to do good. And the greatest appearance of good is often cover for the greatest evil and causes the greatest betrayal and loss of trust, without which no relationship can be repaired.
False prophets can be found everywhere. In fact, there are so many popular Pastors, Preachers, Ministers, and Priests telling lies in Christ’s name, presenting themselves as interpreters of the Lord when in fact, they are rivals to him; therefore enemies to Him, deceivers. Those who argue that the very elect can not be deceived, because of the qualifier “were it possible” (Matt 24:24) may be correct, but in a world full of deception, those proclaiming themselves to be the elect are probably NOT and many of those believing themselves to be the chosen are, in fact, deceiving themselves.
Even though great troubling times are upon mankind, love for our neighbor and for our Lord must be rekindled and not grow cold. If we are to withstand the treachery and hatred that will be directed against Christians, simply for being followers of Christ, then we must love those who are persecuted for any unjust reason. In order to abide by God’s laws in the days to come, we must stand clothed not only in the full armor of God, but maintaining the love for Truth in our hearts, even though we may face betrayal beyond any we could have imagined. (Matt. 10:21. The brother shall deliver up the brother to death.)
Those who have been chosen as God’s remnant must hold fast their integrity, and somehow, just as Elijah found God in a still small voice after the storm when he thought himself left alone, the chosen will endure the troubles and be saved. But, not from the onslaught of evil they face… the true salvation referred to here is the only one that any of us should concern ourselves with: Eternity in paradise for a brief moment of suffering for our Lord.