Monday, September 25, 2017

FIVE SATANIC DECEPTIONS DESIGNED FOR THE END-TIMES (Part I)

FIVE SATANIC DECEPTIONS DESIGNED FOR THE END-TIMES (Part I)

Recently, I have felt a tremendous burden to alert everyone about the increasingly prevalent and powerful satanic deceptions that seek to subvert the gospel and pervert our faith in God.  This may not be my most popular devotional series because, in these end-times, truth is not always palatable or politically correct.  Rather, much of the Christian community seems to be embracing and espousing a ‘feel good faith’ that requires little in the way of personal change or commitment.  We call it “Christianity-Lite.”  Today, I begin with a simple illustration.  Although it is totally fictional, it will shed light on Satan’s subtle and deceptive strategies to distort our thinking and destroy our souls.

While walking along a busy thoroughfare, a successful female executive was hit by a bus; soon afterwards she died.  Her soul arrived at Heaven’s gates where she was met by St. Peter, himself.  “Welcome to Heaven,” smiled Peter.  “Before you settle in, however, we have a bit of a problem.  It seems that your life is somewhere in the ‘middle’ and we’re not exactly sure what to do with you.”  “No problem,” said the assertive business woman, “just go ahead and let me into Heaven.”  “Well, I’d love to do that,” said Peter, “but there are higher orders…so we’re going to do something totally unprecedented in your case.  You will spend one day in hell and one day in Heaven, and then you can choose where you want to spend eternity.”

“Actually, I’ve already made up my mind,” chimed in the woman, “I prefer to stay in Heaven.” “Sorry, but we have rules,” Peter insisted.  And with that, he escorted her to the elevator that transported her down-down-down to hell.  When the elevator doors opened, she stepped out onto a well-manicured putting green on a gorgeous golf course.  In the distance, she spied a palatial country club.  Standing in front of it were numerous deceased friends, arrayed in lavish evening gowns and handsome tuxedos – all clapping and heartily cheering her on.  They ran over and greeted her warmly, kissing her affectionately on both cheeks and conversing about the good old times.

They played a delightful round of golf, which was followed by a phenomenal evening at the country club, where she enjoyed the most delicious steak and lobster dinner ever!  During dinner she met the devil, who actually turned out to be quite a nice guy (kind of cute she thought), and they had a great time laughing it up and dancing.  In fact, she was having such a good time that, before she knew it, her hour of departure had arrived.  Everyone shook her hand warmly and waved good-bye as she hopped onto the elevator.  The elevator went up-up-up and opened at the Pearly Gates where Peter was waiting.

“Now it’s time to spend a day in Heaven,” he announced with joy.  So, she passed the next 24 hours lounging around on beautiful brightly colored clouds, playing enchanting celestial harps, dining on fabulous foods, listening to an awesome repertoire of gospel music and meeting all the saints of the ages.  She was having such a wonderful time that, before she knew it, 24 hours had flown by.  Peter arrived to retrieve her.

“So…” Peter began, “you have spent one day in hell and one day in Heaven.  Tell me, what do you think?  Now you must choose your eternal home.”  The woman paused for a split second and then replied, “Well, I never thought I’d say this – I mean Heaven is really great and all – but I think I had a much better time in hell with all of my friends.”  Peter clearly frowned and escorted her back to the elevator; once again she made the trip (a permanent one this time) down-down-down to hell.  When the elevator door opened, she found herself standing in a desolate pit loaded with putrid garbage and filth.  It was terribly hot and the awful stench of sulfur permeated the air.  Once more she saw her friends, but this time they were in agony.  They were miserably dressed in smelly old rags.  They were picking up nasty garbage with their hands and depositing it in huge burlap bags.

The devil showed up right on cue.  As he placed his arm on the woman’s shoulder, he appeared to be very different, not so cute after all.  “Welcome to your eternal home,” he grinned.  “I don’t quite understand,” stammered the woman.”  Just yesterday, there was a beautiful golf course and country club here.  We ate steak and lobster.  We laughed and danced and had a great time.  Now this is a terrible wasteland filled with garbage and foul odors.  And my friends who looked so happy yesterday…now they’re all miserable!”  Satan looked over at her and simply smiled.  “Yesterday,” he explained, “we were recruiting you.  Today, you are on our staff!”  And then he broke out into the loudest and most obnoxious laughter she had ever heard.  It was her very first day of forever…

I start our series with this story to underscore the power of satanic deception.  Satan is both a liar and the father of lies.  Matthew 24:24 warns us that crafty satanic deceptions will characterize the end-times, and the Word even suggests that some of this duplicity will take place in and around the church: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”  This is a tragic and perilous state of affairs.  One only need watch the evening news to discern how close we are to the age of this age.  I pray that you will allow the Holy Spirit to awaken and alert you through this vitally important devotional series.  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

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