Jesus' and Paul's Teachings on Deception in the Last Days

Encouragement in the Last Days: Understanding God's Protection and Judgment

The Call to Goshen: A Place of Refuge

In the days of the Exodus, Goshen was a place of divine protection where God shielded His people from the plagues that fell upon Egypt. This serves as a prophetic picture for believers today. While the world experiences increasing deception and judgment, God's people are called to a spiritual Goshen—a place of peace, wisdom, and alignment with His truth. This is not a physical location but a state of being, resting in the sovereignty of Christ and understanding that His judgments are not against the redeemed but the unrepentant.

Exodus 8:22-23 – “And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the land. I will make a difference between My people and your people.”

Why God Judges and How to Align With His Heart

Many fear God's judgment, but judgment is not meant to harm His people—it is a manifestation of His justice and purification. Throughout Scripture, God’s judgments have always served to expose wickedness, restore righteousness, and call people back to Him.

Understanding His judgments means recognizing that they are not directed at His elect who walk in obedience, but against corruption and rebellion. Believers are called to agree with His justice, rather than fear it, knowing that it is a part of His divine order.

Isaiah 26:9 – “For when Your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”

Deception in the Last Days: A Warning to the Elect

Jesus and Paul warned that in the last days, deception would be so strong that even the elect could be led astray if they are not vigilant. While God's people do not need to fear His wrath, they must be cautious of deception. The enemy does not attack through obvious lies but through subtle distortions of truth, leading many away from sound doctrine.

Matthew 24:24 – “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

2 Timothy 4:3-4 – “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

The key to remaining steadfast is staying rooted in Scripture, being led by the Holy Spirit, and testing everything against the Word of God.

Resting in Sovereignty vs. Fear of Judgment

The enemy seeks to instill fear, but fear has no place in the hearts of those who belong to Christ. Those whose names are written in the Book of Life have nothing to fear from God's judgments. They are under divine protection, just as Noah was in the ark, Israel was in Goshen, and Lot was led out of Sodom before destruction. There will be some persecution but its historically its not been the major theme, and we are not to live in fear but be a bold witness.

Instead of reacting with fear, believers should respond with faith, seeing the signs of the times as confirmation of God's Word and an encouragement to draw closer to Him.

Psalm 91:9-10 – “Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.”

Coming Out of Egypt and Babylon: A Call to Separation

Throughout the Bible, Egypt and Babylon symbolize spiritual bondage, idolatry, and worldliness. God calls His people to come out of these systems, both physically and spiritually. To come out of Egypt means leaving behind reliance on worldly security and aligning fully with God's provision and truth. To come out of Babylon is to reject spiritual compromise and deception.

Revelation 18:4 – “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’”

This is not a call to retreat from society but to live with discernment, refusing to conform to the values of a world that is under judgment. It is a call to be set apart, holding onto the truth while shining as a light in the darkness.

Relying on God's Provision Despite Circumstances

Trusting in God's provision means knowing that He is our ultimate source, not our jobs, economies, or governments. When we shift our reliance onto Him, we see miraculous sustenance even in difficult seasons.

Matthew 6:31-33 – “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Practically, this means:

• Praying over financial decisions and seeking His wisdom before making choices.
• Living within our means and trusting that He will provide what is necessary.
• Being generous and obedient to His leading, knowing He will supply all our needs.
• Finding peace in the fact that provision is not just about material wealth but also includes strength, wisdom, and divine favor.

Even in times of famine, those who trust in God will not lack, as demonstrated in the stories of Elijah being fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:4-6) and the widow’s flour and oil never running out (1 Kings 17:14-16). Provision comes not from worldly systems but from God's hand.

Facing Persecution: Housing, Transport, and Work

As persecution intensifies, believers may face challenges in housing, transportation, and employment. Trusting in God's provision means seeking His guidance and trusting that He will open doors in unexpected ways.

• Housing: Believers may need to rely on Christian communities, house-sharing, or temporary shelters. Just as the early church supported one another (Acts 2:44-45), forming strong faith networks ensures no one is left without shelter.
• Transportation: In difficult times, travel may become limited. Walking in faith means trusting God for safe passages, whether through miraculous provision or strategic relocation, much like how Joseph led Mary and Jesus to safety (Matthew 2:13-14).
• Work: Some may lose jobs for standing firm in their faith. Relying on God's provision may mean new career paths, working within Christian businesses, or skills-based self-sufficiency. Like Paul, who worked as a tentmaker while spreading the gospel (Acts 18:3), believers should seek ways to sustain themselves while remaining steadfast.

God is faithful, and His people will not be abandoned. The body of Christ must support each other, ensuring that those who stand for righteousness are upheld and provided for.

Encouragement to Study End-Times Prophecy

Rather than avoiding the topic of the last days out of fear, believers are encouraged to study prophecy and seek understanding of God’s plans. Studying end-times prophecy strengthens faith, deepens intimacy with God, and prepares the heart for what is to come.

Conclusion: Stand Firm and Do Not Fear

The last days will be marked by great deception and shaking, but also by a great awakening for those who are in Christ. As we see the signs unfolding, let us be encouraged, knowing that we are under divine protection, standing firm in faith, and awaiting the return of our King.

Luke 21:28 – “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

Deception Will Be Global and Widespread

• Matthew 24:11-12 – “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”
• Matthew 24:37-39 – “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
• Luke 17:26-30 – “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.”

The Power of Deception Will Be Strong

• John 5:43 – “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.”

Paul’s Warnings About Deception in the Last Days

The Rise of the Antichrist and His Deception

• 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 – “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”
• 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 – “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

Doctrines of Demons and the Corruption of Truth

• 1 Timothy 4:1-2 – “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.”
• 2 Timothy 3:13 – “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
• 2 Timothy 4:3-4 – “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

People Will Be Spiritually Blind and Deluded

• Romans 1:28 – “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.”
• 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 – “And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
• Ephesians 5:6 – “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”

Moral Decay Will Fuel the Deception

• 2 Timothy 3:1-5 – “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

Final Warning in Revelation

• Revelation 13:14 – “And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.”
• Revelation 20:10 – “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

Key Takeaways on Last Days Deception

1. False christs and false prophets will arise, performing signs to deceive even believers.
2. The Antichrist will come with great deception, claiming to be God.
3. Doctrines of demons will corrupt the faith, leading many astray.
4. People will turn away from sound doctrine to follow their own desires.
5. God will allow a strong delusion to come upon those who reject truth.
6. Moral decay and lawlessness will create an environment ripe for deception.
7. The final deception will culminate in worship of the Beast, leading to God’s final judgment.

Final Encouragement

• 2 Peter 3:17 – “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked.”
• 1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Stay watchful, stay grounded in the Word, and do not be deceived.