Nuggets from Countdown to the Second Coming—Growing Religious Deception (Part 1)

Jesus warned that the major sign heralding the nearness of His return would be religious deception: “Take heed that no man deceive you.” He clearly identified the basic elements that would characterize the prevalent last-days delusion: “Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many....For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew:24:4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
See All..., 11, 24).

That the Bible clearly foretold a major “signs and wonders” movement in the church in the last days is a remarkable prophecy that has been fulfilled in our time. The claim of a supposed last days revival of miracles is a major thrust of much Christian radio and television—for example, Pat Robertson’s 700 Club and the Crouch’s Trinity Broadcasting Network. This claim is the major emphasis of entire ministries: Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Hagin, Marilyn Hickey, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyers, Frederick Price, Oral Roberts, and a host of others. Nor can it be denied that the Bible clearly states that this movement would be deceptive and destructive.

Christ declares that He will rebuke and send away into eternal punishment many who will have claimed to have worked miracles in His name and who apparently will be those who “crept in unawares” (Jude 4): “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew:7:22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
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Why will Christ reject them? Instead of faith in Christ as their claim for entrance into heaven, they profess supposed signs and wonders performed in His name—exactly what we see in many today. John Wimber, deceased leader of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship movement, even claimed in his book, Power Evangelism, that the gospel was virtually powerless without signs and wonders accompanying it.