False messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
Matthew 24:24 HCSB

Matthew 24 speaks of the time of the tribulation. Our former pastor did an in-depth study on the book of Revelation. He fully believed that we would be raptured prior to the tribulation and be saved from the tribulation. However, he admitted that he had no idea how bad it would get before the rapture occurred.

I think we are seeing it get pretty bad right now. Just look at our political system. I shudder to think of it becoming even more disastrous than it is now. We see a nation in trouble.

Just look at the blatant disregard for God’s word. We are prideful about things that should bring conviction on our hearts and cause us to fall down before our knees and repent.

I believe what Ruth Graham, wife of the late Billy Graham, said says it best. She was quoted as saying, “If God doesn’t punish America, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.”

We are living in times when we could easily be led astray. When a politician can lead an entire church in chanting obscenity, we have some serious problems. These serious problems, however, are no surprise to God and neither should they surprise us.

God gave us the book of Revelation to help us avoid being led astray. He very clearly explained what the end times are going to bring about. He provided this to help us understand what sign to look for. Jesus told us in Matthew 24 what would happen during these times. The archangel Michael came to Daniel in Daniel, chapter 12, and told him what would happen during these times.

The only way Christians can be led astray is if they don’t read and study God’s word. God gave us His word to teach us. He gave us His word to explain what is right for us and what is wrong. He gave us His word to make it impossible for the devil to lead us astray.

Our Scripture says, “If possible, even the elect, will be deceived or led astray.” Calvinists believe that we are predetermined to either go to heaven or to hell long before we are even conceived.  If you are predetermined to go to heaven, or the elect, it is impossible for you to be deceived.

I believe, however, that the elect refers to those who are saved. If you are not truly saved, it is possible to be deceived. If you are truly saved and committed to Jesus, you cannot be deceived, because you have surrendered your life to Christ. You are given wisdom and discernment. You are convicted of wrongdoing.

This is why we should always pray for wisdom and discernment. Many of us want God to tell us what we should do in any given situation. Well, have no fear, God does just that in His Holy Word. The “catch” is you have to read and study His word in order to have wisdom and discernment and know what God intends for us to do and how He would want us to react in any given situation.

You must understand we are in the end times. Personally, I believe we are desperately close to the rapture. I also believe the rapture happens just prior to the beginning of the seven years of tribulation. Now whether these times will go on for another day or another 1,000 years, only God knows. None of us know how much longer we will be here on earth.

I also believe wickedness and evil will increase on the earth and the only way to be protected from it is to surrender to the Lord and live in the refuge He provides (Psalm 91:1-2).

This is why we must not be led astray. We must not fall for the devil’s lies. We must not follow those who are lost. We must stand strong. Pray daily for God’s wisdom and discernment. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us not to lean on our own understanding, but to acknowledge God in all we do, and He will lead us on the right path.

Trust God, obey Him, do His will and study His word and you can avoid being led astray.

Have a great day!