When I was younger I worked in an Acute Psychiatric hospital as a chaplain. I loved the ministry with these precious people who so often had never had anyone share the Gospel with them. They all too often had precious few people who would actually listen to what they were saying. Quite frankly, that is because they were nuts! Some believed they were people they were not.
Within the walls of that hospital unit I met the Virgin Mary, Jesus (on several different occasions), John the Baptist, various Presidents, some actors, and a few long dead famous people. So I never knew who I was going to talk to that day at work. It was never dull. But I learned a few things during my time there. Even though these people had lost touch with reality to one extent or another, they were still people created in God’s image and likeness. Even mental illness couldn’t erase His mark on them.
None of the people I met on those occasions was trying to deceive me. They actually believed they were the other person. I guess it was their mind’s way of making sense of the world. Once the meds had taken effect, I had the privilege of hearing their life story. Some had lived fascinating lives, despite their illnesses.
Jesus begins His response to the disciple’s question about timing and signs with a warning. This warning is just as applicable today as it was back then. There will be people who purpose to deceive you about who they are, unlike my friends at the hospital. They know they aren’t Jesus, but they will come promising all sorts of things as if they were the Savior.
There are many today who are claiming to have the ‘real’ gospel message. They take out the offensive parts and glitz it up. And large crowds seem to follow. There message is primarily that God loves everyone, won’t reject anyone, and that he wants what is best for us right here, right now. Ignore the world’s brokenness and put some money in the offering plate.
The easiest way to find out if they are deceivers is this: who gets the attention and credit. Is the ministry named after them? Do people talk about them as if they were someone special? Do they seem to receive the credit for the ‘success’?
But someday men will come claiming they actually are Jesus. They will do it on purpose, to deceive people and draw them away from the Truth. In a day before photographs, it would be fairly easy to claim a false identity. And since some of these people will have the fake miracles, paid actors, as part of their regular sideshow, people will believe them. At least some people will believe them.
Don’t be one of the deceived! Watch out. You have the responsibility to make sure you aren’t deceived.
The Arnold Journey 