Friday, December 19, 2025
Little to nothing is said in organized churches that believers must beware of and discern many end-time deceptions because many in leadership don’t think it necessary. But of the end-times Scripture warns “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” (2 Thess. 2:9–10). And Jesus warned, “false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matt. 24:24); and He said “Take heed that no one deceives you” (Matt. 24:4); and “Let no one deceive you by any means” (2 Thess. 2:3). I hope you hear God’s urgency very clearly. Western Christianity is overrun with false prophets and you must discern them. And believe this vital truth: “the elect” are we true born again believers!
Now, before one can discern a deception one must be aware of it, and we can only be aware of it if we know God’s word that reveals a deception. The safeguard to that is this: “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psa. 119:11). Today, I will reveal some of those deceptions that you may be equipped to discern and safeguard yourself by God’s word. On this side of eternity it’s never too late to equip yourself in the truth and discern these deceptions.
Example number one: the deception that believers will be raptured pre-tribulation. The biblical truth is that not one verse of Scripture speaks of a pre-trib rapture, because it’s not true. Period. What Dispensational pre-trib rapture preachers and teachers create to support their deception is many assumptions, conjecture and wishful thinking. They have robustly led tens of millions of believers down a destructive path of unbelief of the testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Please take time to read this: “The Ninety-Five Theses Against Dispensationalism”. (Source)
Example number two: the deception that unbelieving Jews of Israel are God’s chosen people. It’s horrible that many deceived pastors and Bible teachers deceive their followers in this, given the truth of Scripture. As I’ve taught for many years there was a time when ancient Israel was God’s chosen people as revealed at Exo. 19:5–6, but through repeated rebellion, unbelief, idolatry and backsliding God gave Israel “a certificate of divorce” (Jer. 3:8) and He never remarried her as it would have been a violation of God’s own Law at Deut. 24:4. Furthermore, God reminds us of that divorce if we, like ancient Israel fail to “continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off” (Rom. 11:22). But if we, by grace through faith, continue in Him, then post-Calvary believers are “His own special people … [and we] are now the people of God” (1 Peter 2:9–10).
Example number three: the deception by church leaders that silence of the end-times is golden. Silence of the end-times is tragically linked to the ungodly, deceptive pre-trib rapture narrative; the falsehood being that believers will not be on earth during the seven year tribulation and will avoid Antichrist’s reign; therefore, there’s no need for teaching the end-times. But not one verse of Scripture supports such nonsense and unbelief. No, quite the opposite because the Holy Spirit said “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him … [which occurs at the rapture] 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, [Antichrist] 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 Thess. 2:1, 3–4).
Example number four: the deception that Christians are obligated to support unbelieving Israel. Today, one dare say virtually nothing against Israel lest he’s labeled antisemitic, racist or Nazi. That’s brazenly sinful. God said “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also” (1 John 2:22–23). Unbelieving Jews of Israel vehemently deny Jesus the Son of God! God’s Spirit said “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12). And “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9); “and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36b). And of unbelieving Jews of Israel God said “I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” (Rev. 2:9). Then Jesus said again “Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you” (Rev. 3:9). True Jews are defined at Rom. 2:28–29. And here, read God’s command about being unequally yoked with unbelievers, 2 Cor. 6:14–16).
Example number five: the deception that believers are obligated to pay the tithe to the organized church they attend. First, discern that the word “tithe” occurs only twice in the New Testament at Matt. 23:23 and Luke 11:42, and in both cases Jesus condemned the Jewish leaders because they had so horribly perverted the tithe from its original intent. And when you understand the original purpose of the tithe as commanded by God who has not changed the tithe at all, you will see how the church, just like ancient Israel, has also perverted the tithe to enrich itself at the expense and hardship of others. It’s organized theft. It’s utterly corrupt. That you might know the original and unchanged purpose of the tithe, please read the truth of it at Deut. 14:22–29. You will learn that 2/3 of the tithe is intended for you and your family, and 1/3 to feed the pastor “the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, [that they] may come and eat and be satisfied, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do”.
Example number six: the deception that America and the world are moving into a golden age of prosperity and peace. If there is an appearance of a golden age for this world it is solely because the world is preparing for the time of Antichrist’s seven year peace “covenant” of Dan. 9:27. It’s going to prove to be one of the greatest deceptions this world has ever seen and we must discern it by God’s guiding word and not be deceived to think that a new age of global bliss has arrived.
Example number seven: the deception that Christians, Judaism and Islam have spiritual common ground. Many deceived pastors and Bible teachers make the false claim that Christians worship the same God as unbelieving Jews of Israel and Muslims of Islam. That is sinfully 100% false! Here I direct your attention back to “Example number four” above. All the same Scriptures there apply here also, because neither unbelieving Jews of Israel, nor Muslims, believe in God’s Son Jesus Christ and as such are spiritually lost and separated from God. We need to pray for them.
Example number eight: the deceptions of AI, Digital ID, Biometrics, Robotics, UFOs/UAPs and so-called aliens. None are from God. None are your friends. All are and will be used against you whether or not you’re aware of it. All are instruments that will be used by Antichrist to control or monitor and surveil each of us. All are and will be used to deceive all human beings if possible. I believe that in 2026 all these rapidly developing technologies will reach new and extraordinary levels of deception, and we who are the Bride of Christ must be equipped to discern by the truth of Scripture and by the Holy Spirit how to protect ourselves and our loved ones from such tech. Additionally, the U.S. Government is promising disclosure of so-called UFOs/UAPs and aliens which will be yet another deception, because governments will never tell us the truth that aliens are demonic beings who, with extraordinary knowledge which they learned from their fathers, the fallen angels, will likely tell us that they are the creators of humanity and are here to help.
Above, I’ve only listed eight examples of end-time deceptions, but there are many others that will deceive many who don’t know God’s word, nor are guided by His Holy Spirit. Particularly one deception should have our attention. And at the present time I don’t know for certain what it is, but it’s something for which I am very watchful because this deception will be focused on the Body of Christ. Here it is. The Lord said: “false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matt. 24:24). Think about that. There’s a deception coming from false christs and false prophets, in the church, who will, by their great signs and wonders to deceive “if possible, even the elect”. We believers are “the elect” of God and His Christ. We must discern present and future great signs and wonders.
I pray you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas celebration of Jesus Christ loving us enough to come to Earth, to redeem all who would by grace through faith believe Him. My second book “ON EAGLES’ WINGS” would make an excellent Christmas gift for yourself or loved ones who desire biblical end-time truths.
Marlin J. Yoder
