Be Not Deceived Pt 3

Jesus answers the disciples’ questions about the end of the age with a warning before he gives them signs: “Watch out.” The temple that looks so impressive will fall, but the greater danger is deception. False messiahs and false prophets will lead many astray. The last days call for more than an interest in prophecy. They call for believers who know the truth and refuse the lie, including the lies they may choose to believe themselves.

Wars and rumors of wars will come, but Jesus says the end is not yet. Famines and earthquakes are the beginning of birth pains. Like contractions, these troubles grow more frequent and more intense as the end draws near. These signs call for watchfulness, not alarm or confidence in a timetable.

Persecution brings the cost of following Jesus into sharp focus. Hatred because of his name will reach all nations, and some believers will face death. Revelation describes victory through the blood of the Lamb, the word of testimony, and a willingness to remain faithful even unto death. Leaving out that last part leaves believers unprepared. Persecution will become a trip wire for many, leading to falling away, betrayal, and hatred.

Increasing lawlessness brings another danger: love grows cold. The days of Noah and the pictures of the homeowner, the ten virgins, and the entrusted talents press the need for readiness. Readiness is not merely looking respectable or expecting Christ’s return. It involves the Holy Spirit’s presence and faithfulness with what God has entrusted.

Self-deception makes the final warning especially searching. Matthew 7 describes people who call Jesus Lord and point to impressive works, yet hear that he never knew them. Religious confidence cannot settle the question of eternal destiny. What finally matters is whether Jesus genuinely knows the person claiming his name.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The First Warning Is Against Deception. Jesus begins his answer about the end with “Watch out,” not a date or a timetable. That order puts guarding the truth ahead of satisfying curiosity about coming events. Believers must take seriously both the lies offered by others and the temptation to choose a lie themselves. [06:26]
• 2. Birth Pains Call For Steady Watchfulness. Jesus calls wars, famines, and earthquakes the beginning of birth pains, while also saying the end is not yet. The picture holds growing intensity together with the need for patience. Faithful watchfulness recognizes trouble without treating every crisis as proof that the final moment has arrived. [15:20]
• 3. Faithfulness May Cost Life Itself. Revelation’s picture of overcoming includes the blood of the Lamb, the word of testimony, and not loving life even unto death. Leaving out that final part makes Christian victory sound safer than the text allows. Believers need a faith prepared to remain loyal to Jesus when loyalty carries a real cost, not merely when it brings acceptance. [20:16]
• 4. Readiness Requires More Than Religious Appearance. The ten virgins share an outward description, yet not all are ready when the bridegroom comes. The entrusted talents likewise distinguish faithful service from merely holding what has been received. Readiness involves the Holy Spirit’s presence and active faithfulness, rather than a respectable appearance or unused opportunity. [25:31]
• 5. Religious Confidence Can Hide Self Deception. The people in Matthew 7 appeal to prophecy, deliverance, and wonderful works done in Jesus’ name. Their confidence is real, but confidence does not make their claim true. The searching question is not simply whether someone claims to know Jesus, but whether Jesus knows that person. [28:32]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:24] - Jesus Warns About the End
• [04:05] - The Temple and the First Warning
• [06:44] - Deception and Choosing the Lie
• [09:51] - Satan, the Father of Lies
• [14:26] - Wars and Rumors of Wars
• [15:20] - Natural Disasters as Birth Pains
• [17:13] - Persecution Because of Jesus’ Name
• [18:04] - Overcoming Even Unto Death
• [21:30] - Persecution Becomes a Trip Wire
• [23:41] - Lawlessness and Love Growing Cold
• [24:18] - Warnings and Pictures of Readiness
• [27:31] - Self-Deception and Being Known by Jesus

Bible Reading

Matthew 24:4-14
“And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” [00:24]

Revelation 12:11
“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” [18:48]

Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” [28:32]

Observation questions

1. In Matthew 24:4–14, where does Jesus warn about deception, and who does he identify as leading people astray? [02:30]
2. What responses to persecution does Jesus describe in Matthew 24:9–13? How do those responses contrast with enduring to the end? [21:35]
3. What three elements of overcoming appear in Revelation 12:11, including the costly commitment that can easily be overlooked? [20:03]
4. In Matthew 7:21–23, what accomplishments do people offer as evidence that they belong to Jesus, and what does his response reveal about their confidence? [28:33]

Interpretation questions

1. Why does Jesus begin his answer about the end of the age with a warning against deception rather than a timetable? What priorities does that establish for believers interested in prophecy? [05:46]
2. How does the picture of birth pains help explain the troubles Jesus describes? Why should that picture encourage watchfulness without encouraging predictions about the date of his return? [16:17]
3. How does Revelation 12:11 challenge the idea that Christian victory always means escaping suffering or remaining physically safe? How might that shape a believer’s expectations of following Jesus? [20:16]
4. In Matthew 7:21–23, how does Jesus distinguish impressive religious activity from genuinely belonging to him? What place does doing the Father’s will have in that distinction? [28:33]

Application questions

1. Sometimes a lie appeals to us because it protects something we want. Where are you tempted to explain away a biblical truth because accepting it would require a change? What could help you face that honestly? [07:06]
2. When news of wars or disasters unsettles you, what do you usually do next? What might help you remain informed and prayerful without becoming consumed by fear or end-times speculation? [15:38]
3. When has identifying yourself as a follower of Jesus cost you acceptance, comfort, or an opportunity? What would help you remain faithful when staying quiet or compromising feels easier? [22:47]
4. Increasing wickedness can leave people bitter or numb. Where have you noticed your love for God or others growing cold, and what is one practical way you could nurture that love this week? [23:49]
5. Readiness for Jesus’ return involves faithfulness with what he has entrusted to us. What ability, responsibility, or opportunity have you been leaving unused? What small step could you take to put it to faithful use? [26:05]
6. When you think about your relationship with Jesus, what do you tend to point to for reassurance—religious activity, past experiences, others’ opinions, or trust in him expressed through obedience? Is there something you would like prayer or support to examine honestly? [29:53]