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. Matthew 24:4-5
And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Matthew 24:22-25
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Matthew 24:35
What is the ‘great deception’? Someone other than the real Jesus will proclaim themselves to be Christ / Jesus / God / our Creator. So how will you know what actually is true? By knowing the REAL Jesus. Knowing the authentic so well makes one able to easily spot the counterfeit. How do you KNOW the real Jesus? By His voice / His Word / spoken by the Holy Spirit. How do you know your spouse or child in a crowded room when you can’t see them? Can you easily pick out their voice? Do you know the way they talk, sound, and inflect in their speech? What does Jesus sound like? The prophets have attempted to describe it. But the real “voice” is now through the Holy Spirit. Jesus was giddy to go – so that the Holy Spirit could come. The Holy Spirit reminds us of EVERYTHING He has said … to us. (John 14:26) Jesus gives us His Holy Spirit … to know Him. (John 20:22) You follow Jesus because you responded to His Holy Spirit / His Voice. He uses His voice many ways. Can you discern His voice? Many first hear His voice spoken through a ‘preacher’ delivering the Gospel. The Voice of the Holy Spirit bringing conviction of the Truth to your heart. That recognition brings Truth, and then repentance (you admitting your sin), and then acceptance of His sacrifice … for you. That brings a lifelong journey of beginning to follow Him and His voice.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27
So can you be in the sheep pen and NOT actually know Him? Apparently … yes.
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.’ Matthew 22:21-23
“I never knew you.”
Is Jesus talking about plain knowledge or something deeper? How does an omniscient God not “know” someone? Does ‘knowing’ the scriptures intimately mean the same as ‘knowing’ Christ? In Jesus’ day the Pharisees by far knew the scriptures better than most – yet they could not recognize Him when He was right in front of them.
Our ‘ticket’ into heaven doesn’t come by any other way but by Jesus “knowing” us.
But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19
Does Jesus actually ‘know’ you? Do you walk and talk together? Do you have conversations together? Do you work together? Do you eat together? Do you meet together? Do you have lots of adventures together? How well does He know you? How well do you really know Him?
Father we want to know YOU! Jesus we want to know YOU! Holy Spirit we want to know YOU!
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. Galatians 6:7