- Key Verse
- He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. . . . Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:8, 27, NLT)
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Central Truth
Jesus states that the last days will be confusing and difficult. He speaks of wars, earthquakes, famines, and political chaos. People will be searching for answers and a deliverer—the true Messiah. One thing is certain, however, Jesus will not be on the earth. He will come in the clouds.
Reflections
We live at a time when identity theft is quite common. It is such a problem that there are a number of companies that specialize in securing and guarding a person's social security number and other personal information that could be used to steal money from bank or credit card accounts. Not only are one's finances insecure but also one's career can be stolen. I learned of a doctor in California who had his identity used by a man to practice medicine in another California city. This charade went on for over a decade.Companies verify one's identity by checking facts, especially for loan applications. Last December Laurel and I took advantage of the low interest rates and refinanced our house. We had to complete numerous pages of information, supply evidence of ownership of our home, and show tax files and bank accounts to prove our possession of the house and our identity. The mortgage company even called Towson University to verify that I was employed.
It appears that the most desirable identity to steal is that of the Messiah, Christ, God's chosen one. Around Jesus' time there were new "messiahs" who promised deliverance for the Jewish people from the Roman rulers. Easton's Bible Dictionary finds no fewer than twenty-four men who have claimed to be Messiah prior to 1682. In recent times the leader of the “Moonies,” the Unification Church, claims to be the Messiah. Also claiming the title was David Koresh of the Branch Davidians located near Waco, Texas. The list of “messiahs” will continue to expand. For instance, we read in Thessalonians 2 and Revelation 13 that one claiming to be Christ will deceive many with signs and miracles.
In the case of the true Messiah there are many facts and statements that can be verified. Much of the Bible attests to this. Jesus warned that many would claim they were the Messiah. So He gave us several simple tests. Foremost among the tests is Jesus' words that you will not find Him next on the earth. He will come in the clouds (Luke 21:27).
Discussion Questions
If you are interested in verifying the true Messiah I can recommend a couple of books. In addition to the Bible read Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell and A Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. These books are helpful for answering the last question below.1. Why do you think so many people want to be the Messiah?
2. What people do you know of right now who are claiming to be the Messiah?
3. What are the tests that distinguish the true Messiah from the false messiahs? (For example, see John 5:31-47 and 1 John 2:18-29)
Dorothy Beebe
April 1, 2010 11:01 AM
Terry, thank you for your encouraging comments about this topic, because the passages of scripture and your questions have motivated me the consider how I would recognize a false Messiah. 1. People that have an abnormally large appetite to control others for their own exploitation want to claim to be the Messiah. Healthy people recognize that Jesus would never present Himself in a show-stopper way. The Lord's motives for encountering us are always to feed our spirits in relationship to Him so that we can become like Him. 2. I don't know of anyone who is claiming to be the Messiah right now. Anyone who wants us to look exclusively to them for all our answers is suspect of this false claim, however, though they may not label themselves as 'Messiah'. 3.The tests that distinguish Our true Messiah from the false one: Jn 5:31 - Lone testimony - anyone claiming to be the Messiah must have testimony from the Father (vs 32) a prophet inspired by the Father, such as John the Baptist (vs 33) works inspired by the Father (vs 36) direct testimony from the Father (vs 37) indwelling testimony from the Holy Spirit dwelling within the believer (vs 39-40) The true Messiah does not receive glory from men as His motivating force (vs 41)has followers that have the love of God in them (vs 42) does not have followers that receive glory from each other as their motivating force (vs 44) The true Messiah's followers would not twist the Bible to support their claims, but would honor the true intent of God's heart in the scriptures (vs 45-46)The false Messiah's followers cannot receive Jesus' works but ignore them as admissible evidence because their bias against proper interpretation of the Bible renders them unable to believe what their own eyes are seeing. IJn 2:18-29 calls me to take personal responsibility for my own experience of the Messiah resident in the privacy of my own heart. When I sense that someone I used to identify with has stopped believing, I am to let them go and recognize that they have identified with the antichrist (vs 18-19) I must be honest with the Holy Spirit living in me and acknowledge that anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ is breaking fellowship (vs 20-23). I have to reflect on what the Lord has done in me through the Holy Spirit since I was a babe in the Lord and see how consistently He has given me eternal life and eternal perspective to guide all my attitudes and affairs. An honest overview like this will help me avoid the deception of being pulled further into relationship with this antichrist spirit.(vs 24-25) I must trust this indwelling of Christ as the Holy Spirit that will guide me to continue to honor Jesus without reference to anyone else (vs26-27). If I make this very personal commitment to listen to the Holy Spirit in me as I have been guided from the beginning of my conversion, then I will continue to respond to His inward promptings to good works and will be prepared to meet the real Messiah when he appears and will continue to be able to identify and fellowship with those who are NOT decieved. (vs28-29). Thank you Terry, for such thought-provolking questions. Dorothy Beebe