“See that you are not led astray.”
That’s Christ’s warning to us in Luke 21:8. “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them.”
A little research proves that false christ claims have happened throughout history. In the 1800s, at least six different men claimed to be Christ. That number grew in the 1900s. I’m writing on this subject today because I expect that the frequency of such claims will increase as time marches on. Notice that Jesus used the word “many” – and I don’t think we’ve seen that yet.
So far in this century, one of the most high-profile “christs” was David Shayler, the former MI5 (the U.K.’s domestic counterintelligence and security agency) agent and whistleblower who called himself the Messiah in 2007. So as not to confuse you if you look him up, Mr. Shayler now identifies as the transgender Delores Kane.
There was also Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez, who claimed publicly to be “the modern-day Jesus Christ” on a mission to kill President Obama – whom he considered to be the Antichrist. You may remember that, in late 2011, Mr. Ortega-Hernandez used a semi-automatic rifle to fire at least eight rounds at the White House – later claiming that he “never meant to hurt anybody.”
Something tells me that we’ll look back on these imposters as amateurs compared to the ones that are coming.
When you and I consider the unfolding of God’s plan for the ages – what we should expect to see in the world, and how we should prepare to respond to each event – we better stick to our only source of ultimate truth: God’s Word! Jesus said that there would be “great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved.” Thankfully, Jesus also promised: “But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”
Christ spoke plainly: “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.”
Surely, Jesus is calling us to spiritual sobriety, bold prayerfulness, and critical discernment.
We’re instructed not to be deceived! “So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:21-27).
I’ll offer a few areas of particular concern. If not directly, at least indirectly, these till the soil for false christs …
1. “Lazy Jesus”
As Christ’s Church, our call is to vigilance! Even the earliest Christ followers had to struggle with assaults on the gospel, and so will we in our generation. “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:13-14). You and I have been called to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1-3), and this requires humble hearts, faithful prayer, and hard work.
2. “Restricted Jesus”
I’m thinking of leaders like Jim Jones, David Koresh, Sun Myung Moon, and plenty more. It’s very dangerous when any group becomes convinced that they have a unique corner on God’s truth. Many movements have started with an apparent desire to teach the Scriptures, but have veered off-track by lack of accountability. Regardless of charismatic personality or personal winsomeness, we must beware of dreadfully false doctrine parading as Bible-based Christianity.
3. “Luxurious Jesus”
“Have it all, now” is cross-less glory – and a lie. Whether or not we want to believe it, times of suffering are part of God’s plan for us – this side of heaven (John 16:33). Yes, you and I have God’s unshakable promise to see us through, and His Holy Spirit to comfort us in every trial, but the idea that “your best life now” captures the essence of the gospel is severely misleading at best. It fosters self-worship, and makes Jesus nothing but a ticket to God’s material blessings. Yet the Biblically illiterate seem to love this stuff.
4. “Twisted Jesus”
Many of the pseudo-Christian cult members knocking on our doors have the best of intentions. They claim to follow Jesus, and to live for Him. They often display admirable “family values.” But they’re all sold on some version of works-righteousness – which is damnable heresy per Galatians 1:6-10 – whether they know it or not (they likely don’t). They all deny the work of Jesus, ultimately, as our only Way to forgiveness and eternal life (John 14:6). Ask them who Jesus is. You’ll find – 100% of the time – that their jesus is less than God.
5. “Reinvented Jesus”
It’s easy to see how “liberal” churches abandon orthodox teaching on important subjects, but I’m also concerned about “conservative” and “evangelical” churches in America. We’re also at risk. Anytime we minimize the more difficult truths of the Bible, we present a false Christ. (Yes, you read that correctly.) Similarly, when we pressure people to “make a decision for Christ” – bypassing their genuine repentance – we present a phony Jesus.
6. “Boring Jesus”
Second Timothy 4:3-4 warns us that a time is coming when people will despise sound doctrine. Absent Spirit-dispatched revival and renewal transforming the pervasive culture, as the world grows darker and as sinfulness – in general – escalates in the last days, many “church folks” will find themselves all too happy with a more palatable “christ” who scratches the itching ears of those who “love the darkness rather than the light” (John 3:19).
Many false christs can be expected. We know this from Christ’s own lips. Though some will be readily recognizable as whacks and quacks, I suspect that many will be far more convincing. That’s why now is the time, friends, for us to draw closer than ever before to the real Christ. Intimacy with God, and saturation in His perfect Word, will keep us from falling prey to the deceptive signs and wonders headed our direction in the days ahead.
There is no end to what the sinful human heart can do to hide from the real Jesus – by imagining a schizophrenic one. God, please save us from such.
Pastor Charles
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