I believe the reason why God tells us in James chapter 1 to count it all joy when we go through tests and trials is because these tests and trials are the canvas upon which God teaches us, matures us and shows us something deeper about himself about ourselves and how to live in and understand this world. This is what God is doing in my life presently. This is the message he spoke to me this morning.
The END-TIME Era of Wickedness is simply a cocktail of GREAT DECEPTION.
Matthew 24:37-39
New English Translation
37 For just like the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 38 For in those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark. 39 And they knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away. It will be the same at the coming of the Son of Man.
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This is deception in its most sophisticated form (that if possible, even the very elect will be fooled, Matt. 24:24 ). It is safe to assume then, we have NEVER seen it quite like this before. (2 Tim. 3:1-5). It is a contamination of both flesh and spirit. It is an era where even the righteous will deem themselves righteous while their actions are profoundly ungodly. It is an era where injustice will be deemed just and the wicked will believe their own narrative of reason and it will sound quite convincing. In this kind of climate contamination, the only way to know the truth is to examine the FRUIT. In doing so, the word of God ALONE will determine where the light, truth and presence of God truly REST because the words and the actions of a person will line up with God’s will and his ways as this will be a committed believer’s primary pursuit. Apart from this, EVERYONE will be deceived because they will not be discerning by their spirit but rather by their flesh.
This means people (even believers), will be more greatly influenced by their sinful passions. They will be drawn more by the areas of their own blindness and spiritual brokenness. They will live compromised lives and feel justified by the wisdom of the world rather than the wisdom of God. People will become impatient with God; with his ways and will and consider that his ways are too high an expectation and they will trust their own ideas and approaches to achieving the things they desire rather than through the plans, purposes and spirit of God. Obedience to God will be greatly challenged by one’s own wisdom and experiences in life. (Prov.14:12) It will be a “War of Wisdom” and the deception that is in the world will cause people to choose themselves above God, considering the goal they seek IS the will of God. Therefore, the things they desire will be achieved by any means possible and ultimately, life’s purpose will be defined by merely what we can get out of it.
So, consequently, people will grow more blind, more wicked (separated from God) and also believers will live even further from the purpose and truth upon which they were redeemed. The most fascinating thing about this end-time era is that NO ONE (not even the elect-the people of God) will be able to recognize wickedness on the surface, that is because it can ONLY be discerned by the Spirit. This level of deception will appear as innocent as a lamb, but it will be a “wolf” in sheep’s clothing. (Matt.7:15) It will appear as an Angel of light (2 Corin.11:14) but it will be a “Demon of Darkness” and neither the deceiver or the deceived will truly know what’s REALLY going on without fully surrendering themselves FIRST, to the Spirit of God. EXAMINE THE FRUIT TO KNOW THE TRUTH. Surrender, sacrifice and obedience will be the fruit that will shape and clearly define the end-time people of God in this new era.
Karen Gaithers-Life Discipleship 