Just shortly before Jesus was arrested, lied about by false witnesses, was found guilty of blasphemy, was scourged and beaten, spat upon, had parts of His beard pulled out, and suffered the agony of the crucifixion, He had given the great “Olivet Discourse” found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 24 and 25, Mark 13 and Luke 21.

In this end-time prophecy of His Second coming, He gave many insights into the events that would unfold as humanity approached the end of the Age of Grace and His return to set up His Kingdom on earth.

He gave signs that everyone was familiar with, such as war and rumors of war, earthquakes in various places, famines, and pestilence. He also mentioned significant signs from the heavens and the perplexity of nations.

As a precursor to these signs, Jesus warned His followers that the world would be subjected to a grand deception before the Second Coming.

There would not only be some that would profess to be Christ but there would also be false prophets and teachers that would acknowledge that Jesus was the Christ and would try to deceive the very elect of God.

Jesus warned that this deception would come, and the Apostle Paul highlighted that when it came, it would be crafted with enticing words of man’s wisdom and packaged to look like the real Gospel, but it would be counterfeit.

This would be a watered-down Gospel with some truths but embellished with carnal motives and sensual desires.

Paul spoke in the scriptures about when this deception would come, “This also know, that in the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

For this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly woman laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” II Timothy 3:1-7

Paul told the Galatians, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” Galatians 1:6-7

The Apostle Paul said, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” 2 Timothy 4:3

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

“Yea, and all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse, deceiving and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:10-17

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom;

“Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2