Send
Close Add comments:
(status displays here)
Got it! This site "creationpie.org" uses cookies. You consent to this by clicking on "Got it!" or by continuing to use this website. Note: This appears on each machine/browser from which this site is accessed.
Matthew 24:4-5 False Christs and all of it
1. Matthew 24:4-5 False Christs and all of it
2. Matthew 24: Olivet discourse
3. Matthew 24:3 All of it in the Olivet Discourse
In the "
Olivet Discourse" , which spans Matthew chapters 24 and 25, Jesus tells about "
all of it" (play on words) as in "
Ol-i-vet".
Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? [kjv]
This verse, from the middle of the 1800's, has become the foundation of theology, books, etc., on the "
End Times". Beliefs, sometimes fanatical, in the
inerrancy of the Bible, became solidified from these beliefs.
4. Planets as wandering stars
Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]
πολλοι γαρ ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες εγω ειμι ο χριστος και πολλους πλανησουσιν [gnt]
How does a "
sheep" know if it has gone or is going
"astray"?
The ancient Greek word
"πλάνη" ≈ "wandering, roaming" and, figuratively,
"going astray" or
"in error". as in wandering off-target. The English word
"planet" comes from this Greek word as a shortened form of
"wandering star" since planets were considered wandering stars. The modern Greek word
"πλανήτης" (pla-NEE-tees) ≈ "planet".
Discuss: Consider the billions of people throughout the ages. Are the "
many" a few insurrectionists from the first century or so who led a few thousand followers?
5. Jesus and deception
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. [kjv]
24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]
24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. [kjv]
In Matthew 24, Jesus warns many times about
"deception". The Greek is the word for
"wander astray" and is the source of the English word
"planet".
What does it mean to be
"deceived"? A deception happens when what you perceive as reality is not actually a reality. Erroneous perceptions can cause us to think differently from what is actually true.
The Greek word used here by Jesus is «
βλέπετε» which literally means "
see" and the Greek word «
πλανηση» means
"deceived" from which we get the word
"planet" as a
"wandering" star.
6. Matthew 24:4-5 False Christs and all of it
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. [kjv]
24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]
Many appears to mean
"many" as in "
not just a few". Can you identify some candidates through out history that might fit the description? Mark is similar to Matthew. Luke has some differences.
Will they actually say that they are "
Christ"? One might "
fact check" that they are not actually "
Christ".
Or might they, as teachers, preachers, etc., be their own version of "
Christ", using selected parts of scripture, etc., and become as a "
god", in their deception of others and themselves?
[False teachers, functional equivalence]
7. Once upon a time
Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]
πολλοι γαρ ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες εγω ειμι ο χριστος και πολλους πλανησουσιν [gnt]
18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. [kjv]
και ος εαν δεξηται εν παιδιον τοιουτο επι τω ονοματι μου εμε δεχεται [gnt]
In Matthew 18:5, the Greek word translated as
"receive" is that of
"accept" which is a play on words with the "
ten" "
commandments".
The same words "
upon the name of mine" are used by Jesus for
true believers and of those who
deceive. Thus,
context must be used before making any deep theological points using just the words "
upon the name of mine".
8. Matthew 24:4-5 Many
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. [kjv]
24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]
Approximately 600,000 died in the Bar Kokhba revolt which appears to have been a military revolt against Rome. Jesus appears to be talking about a more general deception involving a large number of people.
600,000 localized Bar Kokhba revolt
50,000,000 World War II casualties
7,000,000,000 Population today.
50,000,000,000 Population from the time of Christ (estimates vary)
9. Matthew 24:4
KJV: And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Greek: και αποκριθεις ο ιησους ειπεν αυτοις βλεπετε μη τις υμας πλανηση
Latin: et respondens Iesus dixit eis videte ne quis vos seducat
10. Matthew 24:5
KJV: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Greek: πολλοι γαρ ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες εγω ειμι ο χριστος και πολλους πλανησουσιν
11. Matthew 24:5 Definition
Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]
πολλοι γαρ ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες εγω ειμι ο χριστος και πολλους πλανησουσιν [gnt]
What exactly are the requirements to say "I am the Christ"?
How is this different from someone saying "I am not the Christ"?
12. Matthew 24:23-24 False Christs
Let us look ahead to verses about false Christs. The word translated
"here" is that of
"in this way/manner". Let us assume that the false Christs in verses 4-5 are more general and less powerful false Christs than those in verses 22-25.
Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. [kjv]
τοτε εαν τις υμιν ειπη ιδου ωδε ο χριστος η ωδε μη πιστευσητε [gnt]
24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. [kjv]
εγερθησονται γαρ ψευδοχριστοι και ψευδοπροφηται και δωσουσιν σημεια μεγαλα και τερατα ωστε πλανασθαι ει δυνατον και τους εκλεκτους [gnt]
13. Mark 13:5-6
14. Mark 13:5
KJV: And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
Greek: ο δε ιησους αποκριθεις αυτοις ηρξατο λεγειν αυτοις βλεπετε μη τις υμας πλανηση
Latin: et respondens Iesus coepit dicere illis videte ne quis vos seducat
Wessex: þa on-gan se haelend heom andsweriende to cweðen. warnieð þt eow nan man ne be-swice.
Wycliffe: And Jhesus answeride, and bigan to seie to hem, Loke ye, that no man disseyue you;
Tyndale: And Iesus answered the and bega to saye: take hede lest eny man deceave you.
Spanish: Y Jesús, respondiéndoles, comenzó a decir: Mirad que nadie os engañe;
15. Luke 21:8 Luke
Luke 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. [kjv]
ο δε ειπεν βλεπετε μη πλανηθητε πολλοι γαρ ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες εγω ειμι και ο καιρος ηγγικεν μη πορευθητε οπισω αυτων [gnt]
Luke, as usual, takes a more literal (and less abstract) view of the same passage.
Instead of
"deceive", Luke adds to "
not go after them" which would appear to mean "
do not follow them".
16. Luke 21:8
KJV: And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
Greek: ο δε ειπεν βλεπετε μη πλανηθητε πολλοι γαρ ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες οτι εγω ειμι και ο καιρος ηγγικεν μη ουν πορευθητε οπισω αυτων
17. Trust
Might "
IN GOD WE TRUST" on a United States dollar bill be a
counterfeit statement? Discuss.
A "
fake" requires "
trust".
Trust in someone else, as in a "false" Christ or a "fake" Christ.
Trust in oneself - usually via ignorance (do not know) and/or apathy (do not care)
18. Matthew 6:24 A wealth of logical ideas on mammon
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. [kjv]
ουδεις δυναται δυσιν κυριοις δουλευειν η γαρ τον ενα μισησει και τον ετερον αγαπησει η ενος ανθεξεται και του ετερου καταφρονησει ου δυνασθε θεω δουλευειν και μαμωνα [gnt]
Jesus points out
two mutually exclusive choices: God vs.
"mammon".
true Father God.
false Mother (mama, harlot) god (mammon), sand (ammo).
[without spots, opinion, glory, statement or question]
The historical usage of
"mammon" in Hebrew is that of a confidence in one's own ability to do things (independent of God). That is a central idea of
humanism. The modern Hebrew definition is that of "
wealth".
The ancient Greek word
"καταφρόνησις" ≈ "think badly of, hold in contempt, despise". Note that this can be done
without the other person knowing. False leaders, false teachers, etc., will show an
outward appearance that is
different from their
inside heart.
There appear to be some logical translation issues of what Jesus said. Let us investigate.
19. Christ
The meaning of "Christ" in Greek is "anointed one" and is used to translate the Hebrew word for "Messiah".
It appears that "false Christs" or "fake Christs" or those who feign to be "Christ" may be self-anointed as a "knock-off" of the real "Christ".
20. Matthew 24:5 Impersonation
We are to imitate (Greek word "
mimic") Christ but not impersonate Christ.
Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]
πολλοι γαρ ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες εγω ειμι ο χριστος και πολλους πλανησουσιν [gnt]
Is the impersonation of the real Christ what Jesus is talking about? If so, how might we identify such false or fake Christs?
21. Matthew 22:14 Many and few
Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. [kjv]
πολλοι γαρ εισιν κλητοι ολιγοι δε εκλεκτοι [gnt]
multi … vocati pauci … electi [v]
The Greek word is
"many" and not
"few". English words: polynomial (many names), polymorphic (many forms), polymer.
The English
prefix "poly" as
"many" comes from the ancient Greek word
"πολύς" ≈ "many" and the ancient Greek prefix
"πολύ" ≈ "many" is used often.
How many were not saved through the flood? How few were saved? (as if by baptism)
How many were not saved at Sodom and Gomorrah? How few were saved? (As if by fire)
Is it good or not good to be
"chosen" as an
"elect"?
22. Many
The Greek word is
"many" and not
"few". There must be a lot of fake Christs. How might one identify such a fake?
It is somewhat like the puzzle book called "
Where's Waldo Now?", popular in the 1990's and after.
Finding Waldo is difficult when there is only one Waldo among many people in the scene. Finding Christ can be difficult too.
23. Waldo and needles and haystacks
There is a saying that something is so difficult to find it is like "
finding a needle in a haystack". The computer science take in this is that it is like "
finding a needle in a haystack of needles".
Finding the real Waldo in a page of fake Waldo's is very difficult, as in the book "
Where's Waldo? The Land of Waldos".
How might someone find "
Christ" in a world with many saying "
I am Christ"? Would someone actually say that?
24. Matthew 24:5 The boss
Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]
πολλοι γαρ ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες εγω ειμι ο χριστος και πολλους πλανησουσιν [gnt]
Consider the following employer-employee relationships.
If the boss tells you to do something, you do it, or risk losing your job (or salvation).
Someone says, "I am the boss, do this!".,Would you do it? You would ignore it if you know the authentic boss.
Someone says, "The boss says to do this!". Would you do it? How would you know if the directive is from the boss?
Effectively, saying "
The boss says to do this!" appears to be very similar if not the same as "
I am the boss, do this!". That is, acting as an authorized agent of the boss.
[black box]
25. Matthew 24:5 Sin
Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]
πολλοι γαρ ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες εγω ειμι ο χριστος και πολλους πλανησουσιν [gnt]
Which appears to be the
greater sin? What is a sin?
Saying "I am Christ" and leading others astray.
Saying "Christ says to do this" and leading others astray.
Half a truth is often a great lie. Benjamin Franklin (American scientist, inventor, philosopher, statesman)
[fact check fallacy, converse error, strawman]
26. Organizational shapes
The organizational shape or hierarchy of Jesus is very short. There is no intermediate between you and Jesus.
The organizational shape or hierarchy of man can become very tall. There can be many intermediates between you and Jesus.
Any one of them can act to impersonate the boss, deceive by omitting facts, cherry-picking verses, filtering the massage, creating new messages, etc.
27. Balanced view
Why is it important, as a teacher, to present a balanced (not unbiased) view so that listeners are aware of options and viewpoints - even those to which you might not agree?
28. Communication security and authentication
The classic communication scenario has
A sending a message to
B. Usually,
A is chosen as
Alice who is sending a message to
B who is chosen as
Bob.
The primary security issues that can arise include the following.
eavesdropping
man in the middle attack
spoofing
29. False Christs
Considering the above communication attacks. Which might a false Christ use?
Man in the middle: change the message between source (Christ and the Bible) and destination (sheep)
Impersonation or spoofing: make up one's own messages
A false Christ can be compared and contrasted with an "
antichrist" in the general (and not specific) sense.
30. The one Antichrist and many antichrists
The
"antichrist" in the Bible is both a general term for those who put themselves
"in place of Christ" and the
"Antichrist" or "
beast" (or many other names in the Bible) as a unique being in the end times of the Bible.
31. Summary
32. Follow-on
Personally I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught. Winston Churchill (British statesman)
It is not enough to understand. One needs to be able to teach or show someone else what you know or have learned.
Use Daniel in the Bible (or someone else) as an example. How would you convincingly demonstrate to someone else, such as a superior, that they are being deceived?
 |
Details are left as a future topic.
|
33. End of page
Mark 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: [kjv]
ο δε ιησους ηρξατο λεγειν αυτοις βλεπετε μη τις υμας πλανηση [gnt]
13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]
πολλοι ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες οτι εγω ειμι και πολλους πλανησουσιν [gnt]
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. [kjv]
και αποκριθεις ο ιησους ειπεν αυτοις βλεπετε μη τις υμας πλανηση [gnt]
… respondens … dixit … videte … seducat [v]
24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]
πολλοι γαρ ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες εγω ειμι ο χριστος και πολλους πλανησουσιν [gnt]
