Mk 13.21-23,
Mt 24.23-28,
Lk 17.22-24, 37.
The word
Thing is, hristós literally means “anointed one.” And you’re likely aware there are a lot of people nowadays who call themselves, or call their favorite gurus, Spirit-anointed leaders, or teachers, or prophets, or even politicians. People who follow those gurus as if they’re Jesus himself. People who worship those gurus, although they’d never, ever admit it: They claim they only worship Jesus, but y’notice how you’re never, ever allowed to dislike or criticize their gurus. Speak ill of them and their worshipers will call you
When I was a kid and read this passage, I noticed how Jesus said these people would “seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.”
But like Jesus himself said, “But take ye heed; behold, I have foretold you all things.”
Mark 13.21-23 KWL - 21 “Then when anyone tells you, ‘Look here; it’s Messiah!’
- ‘Look there!’—don’t believe it,
- 22 for fake Messiahs and fake prophets will be lifted up,
- and will present signs and wonders,
- to lead the chosen people astray, if doable.
- 23 You watch out.
- I have foretold you everything.”
Matthew 24.23-28 KWL - 23 “Then when anyone tells you, ‘Look here; it’s Messiah!’
- or ‘There!’—don’t believe it,
- 24 for fake Messiahs and fake prophets will be lifted up,
- and will present great signs and wonders
- in order to lead even chosen people astray, if doable.
- 25 Look, I have foretold you.
- 26 So when they tell you, ‘Look, he’s in the desert,’
- don’t go out!
- ‘Look, he’s in the private room,’
- don’t believe it!
- 27 For just as lightning comes out of the east
- and is visible all the way in the west,
- thus is the Son of Man’s second coming.
- 28 Wherever the corpse might be,
- there the eagles will gather.”
Luke 17.22-24, 37 KWL - 22 Jesus tells the students, “The days will come
- when you will long to see one of the Son of Man’s days,
- and will not see it,
- 23 and people will tell you, ‘Look there!’
- or ‘Look here!’
- Don’t go, nor follow.
- 24 For just as lightning flashes from the sky
- and gives light to all under the sky,
- thus is the Son of Man in his day.
- 37 In reply the students told him, “Where, Master?”
- Jesus told them, “Where the body is,
- there also the eagles will gather.”