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Deception: Signs & Wonders

As I sit down to write this article, it is with great concern. The supernatural has become the stamp of the Spirit and those claiming to be God's people are seeking signs and wonders as a means to verify what is of God. It is as if the scriptures have not warned us, but indeed they have.

"For there shall arise false Messiahs, and false prophets, and shall SHEW GREAT SIGNS AND WONDERS insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before". Matt 24:24-25

This warning comes from the Olivet Discourse as the Lord instructs the disciples about the dark days that will precede His return. Lets' take a moment to look at these two words ; "signs & wonders".

According to the Vines Expository, the word translated as signs is the greek word "semeion". It means a sign, a mark, a token distinguishing one in authority. Now in context with Yeshua's warning, these false messiahs or anointed ones, will have a sign of religious authority. Now lets take a closer look at "wonders".

Again we will use our Vines. Here we see that the word is translated from the greek "teras" and means something strange causing the beholder to marvel. Furthermore, the Vines tells us that the sign appeals to the understanding, while the wonder appeals to the imagination , the unexplainable or supernatural.

So let's now put these two together. As we approach Messiah's return there will be those accepted as religious authorities who will deceive many by the means of the supernatural.

Ok, now will go to the Book of the Revelation.

"And, I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed". Rev 13:11-12 John is describing the work of the false prophet during the great tribulation. All that he does will be to benefit the anti-messiah and cause others to give their adoration to him. But how does the false prophet accomplish this task? The nest verse tells us.

"And he doesth great WONDERS, .... And deceiveth then that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast;" Rev 13:13-14

By the time the false prophet begins to perform his miracles , the masses will already be conditioned to accept the supernatural as of God. Without question.

THE TWO EDGED SWORD

"Study to show yourself approved unto God, a work man that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH". II Tim 2:15 "... from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee WISE UNTO SALVATION through faith which is in Yeshua Messiah". II Tim 3:15 The Word of God is the measuring rod with which to examine EVERY spirit. Whatever is taught or done must be held up to the penetrating light of scripture. If there is NO FOUNDATION FROM THE WORD to support a teaching or a phenomenon, then it must be REJECTED. It does not matter how good it sounds or how miraculous it seems. SCRIPTURE IS OUR GUIDELINE AND AUTHORITY.

LED BY THE SPIRIT?

Today , it seems that a dangerous tool of measuremnt is replacing God's Word for authority. The tool is "feelings" under the disguise of "being led by the Spirit". Now please, do not misunderstand me. Our Father is all powerful and He does do the miraculous, but He does not violate His Word. The certainty of God's Word provides for us the safety net from which we will not fall. To discard that net is to invite danger. Yet, many do just that. Setting aside the security and firm foundation of God's written word, they erect in it's place the pulpit and their goosbumps.

Take just a moment to examine what it really means to be "led by the Spirit".

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth:" John 16:13

"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: THY WORD IS TRUTH". John 17:16-17

"And ye shall know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you free". John 8:32

So, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth and the truth is the Word. The Word sets us apart and sets us free. Therefore, the Spirit leads us to the Word, so that we can "know" it, "embrace" it, "walk" in it and thereby "live in freedom". Obviously, from the scriptures, being LED BY THE SPIRIT, is being submitted to and controlled by the Word. One who is truly LED BY THE SPIRIT, is one who is under the authority of the Word. This is ACCORDING TO THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD. Unfortunately, "being led by the Spirit" is nothing more than a catch phrase to most of the people using it. To them it does not mean that they are in submission to the Word's authority, it is simply a convenient way to spiritualize what they want to believe and what they want to do REGARDLESS OF THE WORD.

Let me show you why I am so concerned. Turn to Matthew chapter 4.

"And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But He answered and said, IT IS WRITTEN, man shall not live by bread alone, BUT BY EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city ... If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for IT IS WRITTEN, He shall give His angels charge concerning thee: ... Yshua said unto him, IT IS WRITTEN AGAIN, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again the devil taketh Him up ... fall down and worship me. Then saith Yshua unto him, Get thee hence satan: FOR IT IS WRITTEN, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, AND HIM ONLY shalt thou serve". Matt 4:3-10

The devil attacks, Yeshua responds with THE WORD. Even when the enemy attempts to counter with the Word, the Lord's knowledge and understanding of scripture is greater than that of satan. Through rightly dividing the Word of Truth, the adversary is defeated.

This is the format of how we are to STAND and having done all , continue to STAND. The Word must be in us. When are we going to wake up to this important reality ... God's Word is the foundation that will not sink. When the test comes, scritpure is certain and we are certain when it is on the scriptures that we rest.

Guard well your hearts. The supernatural can be convincing by it's sheer lack of explaination. But all that glitters is not gold and all that looks like a manifestation of the Spirit, is NOT. If you can not find a basis for it in the written Word of Adonai, then back off ... quickly. No matter who's endorsing it, no matter who's running to embrace it. Let your response be ... IT IS WRITTEN.