Verses 23-28

Matt 24:23-28
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
(KJV)

Here, Jesus warns them that during the Great Tribulation, there will be false or counterfeit second comings. The false Christs and false prophets will produce miracles, capible of fooling many. But, the whole point of Jesus' statement above, is that the false "second coming" cannot duplicate Christ's real coming. He [this same Jesus Messiah] will come in a blaze of glory, like lightening shooting across the entire horizon. The false "Christs" will apear "in the desert," or "in the secret chamber." In other words, false messiahs will want yo to come to where they are, perhaps to an auditorium, where they might entertain you with majic tricks. Jesus says, don't believe it. He is not going to come in this manner.

New Age theology states that Jesus was just a man, and that he was born of Jewish parents. But, during His baptism, the "Christ Spirit" descended on Him. This was His "Christ anointing" that made Jesus the "Christ." ["Christ" means "anointed one."] Beware of Christian Ministries who teach "the anointing" of Jesus, as being available to others. This is a lie that is being taught by several Charismatic Ministries, like Kenneth Copeland, and several others. [Click here for more info on Kenneth Copeland.] This is pure New Age theology, and it is setting the stage for the appearance of Antichrist. New Agers believe that during His ministry, Jesus "the Christ" taught Divine truths. But, at His crucifixion, when Jesus "gave up the ghost," the "Christ Spirit" left Him, and he died like any other man. They do not believe in the resurrection.

They also believe that other great religious leaders have been anointed by this "Christ Spirit," including Budda, and Mohamed. So, the "Christ Spirit" has been the originator of many world religions. Where the teachings of these religions are similar, they claim they are really parts of the larger cosmic truth. Where they differ, they have been preverted by their adherents down through the centuries. Being "the Christ" is sort of like an office that one holds, which, when vacated, is passed on to another. Hence, the blending of all religions into one, that is the trademark of the New Age, and will be the religion of the Antichrist, centered in the Roman Church.

When the Antichrist appears, He will claim to be the latest reincarnation of the "Christ anointing." Notice, Jesus did not say that anyone would come claiming to be Jesus Christ. But, that false "Christs" [or anointed ones] would appear, and deceive. The Antichrist will claim to be the latest sucessor to the "Christ Spirit." And, with the help of the False Prophet, will claim that all religions are one, and he will demand worship.

But, Jesus' warning, is not to be deceived by this imposter. He is NOT Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself will return, as was clearly stated by the angels at His ascension.

Acts 1:10-12
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
(KJV)

We are not looking for "a Christ." We are looking for the return of Jesus, the one and only "Christ." The false Christ, while he will be able to do many apparent miracles, cannot duplicate the second coming. Jesus was making it perfectly clear that His coming in power and glory must be taken literally, if we are to avoid being deceived.

Matt 24:28
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
(KJV)

Jesus is going to destroy this false Christ, and give his armies to the fowls of the air. You can read about this in Rev. 19. For further comments on the this topic, see the article; As in the Days of Lot . This is a discussion of the parallel passage in Luke 17.

Go to: Matt. 24:29-31
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