An introduction to the study of the Two Lords in the Holy Scriptures.

About 1968 I attended a meeting in Texas of a fellow evangelist who was preaching on end-time events. His text that night was from Matt. 24 where we find Jesus departing from the temple and walking up to the Mount of Olives. Jesus had just finished the most scathing denunciation of his career on the scribes and pharisees in Matt. 23. His final word was, "Behold, your house is forsaken and desolate--abandoned and left destitute [of God's help]. I Kings 9:7; Jer. 22:5, Matt. 23:38. If you back up and read the whole chapter in a modern version the directness of Christ's words are incredible. And then, as if that were not enough, He told them that they would be held responsible and found guilty of every righteous person who had been martyred from Able to Zechariah. V. 35.

Obviously our Lord was trying to shock the leaders of the nation into reality; to wake them up to the fact that they were facing total destruction, which eventually came in AD 70. "Little did the Jews realize the terrible responsibility involved in rejecting Christ. From the time when the first innocent blood was shed, when righteous Abel fell by the hand of Cain, the same history had been repeated, with increasing guilt. In every age prophets had lifted up their voices against the sins of kings, rulers, and people, speaking the words which God gave them, and obeying His will at the peril of their lives. From generation to generation there had been heaping up a terrible punishment for the rejecters of light and truth. This the enemies of Christ were now drawing down upon their own heads. The sin of the priests and rulers was greater than that of any preceding generation. By their rejection of the Saviour, they were making themselves responsible for the blood of all the righteous men slain from Abel to Christ. They were about to fill to overflowing their cup of iniquity. And soon it was to be poured upon their heads in retributive justice." DA 618, 619. Everyone knew exactly what Jesus was talking about. The history of how king Joash had commanded that the prophet Zechariah be killed right out in public with the words of warning fresh on his lips, was well known. 2 Chron. 24:20. "His blood had imprinted itself upon the very stones of the temple court, and could not be erased; it remained to bear testimony against apostate Israel. As long as the temple should stand, there would be the stain of that righteous blood, crying to God to be avenged. As Jesus referred to these fearful sins, a thrill of horror ran through the multitude." DA 619.

Now, friends, it was on this very day, after speaking these solemn words that Jesus left the temple. "Pharisees and Sadducees were alike silenced. Jesus summoned His disciples, and prepared to leave the temple, not as one defeated and forced from the presence of His adversaries, but as One whose work was accomplished. He retired a victor from the contest." DA 620.

After His crucifixion and resurrection many who were awestruck by His words that day took their stand for the truth and became mighty instruments of the Holy Spirit to spread the message of salvation to all who would listen while probation lingered for this apostate people and nation until October 66 AD when the Roman armies came and surrounded the city. They withdrew a little later, which was the door of opportunity Jesus had predicted for His people to escape. No believer in His words died in the next siege that last until AD 70.

Our country and the whole world stand today in a similar circumstance as the Jewish nation at that time. The leaders who heard Jesus' words of warning that fateful day were shocked and filled with terror even though they tried not to show it. They could not imagine their magnificent temple lying in a heap of ruins. But now an unseen danger seemed to be threatening them. This foreboding of coming disaster had also affected the disciples. In an effort to call forth a more positive statement about the future the disciples pointed out to their Lord the strength, beauty and magnificence of the various buildings of the temple, as if to say, Lord, surely all of this will stand forever.

But Jesus had no encouraging words about the future. The Jewish nation had sealed its very own fate: "Do you see all these? Truly, I tell you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." These words were not spoken privately so many no doubt heard Him. A little later, as He sat on the Mount of Olives, four of His disciples mustered up the courage to ask Him for more details of His prediction about the temple. "And as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple (enclosure) Peter and James and John and Andrew asked Him privately, Tell us when is this to take place and what will be the sign when these things, all (of them), are about to be accomplished? Amplified Bible. Mark 13:3, 4. We have always assumed that all 12 of His disciples were with Him at this time but there were only four. Have you ever wondered why? Well, we know that Peter, James and John were the "favored" three. But now Andrew is also with them. It is possible that Jesus had invited them to be with Him for a special time of meditation, prayer and instruction. And during this time they got up the courage to ask Him when the temple would be destroyed. It is extremely important here that we notice the very first seven words that came out of Jesus' mouth. "TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU." Matt. 24:5.

So, the leading sign of the end is DECEPTION. During the last year of his life, AD 66, Paul expanded upon this theme of deception to his young disciple, Timothy, from prison in Rome. "But wicked men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and leading astray others and being deceived and led astray themselves." 2 Tim. 3:13. Amplified.

Now, who is the "Deceiver?" We know it is Satan and I will prove that to you from the Bible but first let us ask this question. Does God ever deceive? The answer is no, although He has been accused of deceiving people just as He has been accused of killing people. Jer. 4:10; 20:7. God does not break His own law. To deceive is to lie and the Bible says that it is impossible for God to lie. Hebrews 6:18. James says that if you break one of the Ten Commandments you have broken them all (James 2:10) therefore, if God ever destroys (kills) #6, then He would also be guilty of breaking #9... "Lying or bearing false witness." But, because we know that He does not lie, we also know that He does not steal or covet or take His Name in vain or kill or murder because the reverse is also true: If you keep one then you keep them all.

"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world:" Rev. 12:9. Now, how is Satan able to deceive the whole world? "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." Here John tells you the method and manner by which the world is deceived by Satan. It is through the "miracles" the false prophet "wrought" (performed) throughout the world. This has been going on for some time but is going to increase more and more.

Again Paul tells us how much power Satan has to deceive and how he does it. We have already seen how Satan will use the "false prophet" which means that when Satan deceives he sometimes uses people to carry out his deceptions. "For such men are false apostles--spurious, counterfeits--deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles (special messengers) of Christ, the Messiah. And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light, so it is not surprising if his servants also masquerade as ministers of righteousness." 2 Cor. 11:13-15. There have been various films and movies made during this century of the silver screen exposing false religions and preachers. Steve Martin starred in one titled, "Leap of Faith." A more recent one was entitled, "The Apostle," written by the star himself, Robert Duvall. His portrayal of a self-deluded southern Pentecostal type preacher was an obvious effort to expose and ridicule. How many preachers and congregations fit into this mold it is impossible to tell, but it is far too many. As far as I know there have been no protests or buoycott of the film which speaks volumes. Satan is having a field day in organized religion.

Now, what about Lucifer (Satan)? Is he also deceived? The answer is "yes." Jude 6 tells us that all the angels who "left" heaven of their own free will, are "under chains of darkness," which would include Satan, the king and leader of the evil angels. They all are deceived. They were not cast out of heaven by God. Why do I say that? Because the Lord never uses force to accomplish His purposes. "Had Lucifer really desired to be like the Most High, he would never have deserted his appointed place in heaven; for the spirit of the Most High is manifested in unselfish ministry. Lucifer desired God's power, but not His character. He sought for himself the highest place, and every being who is actuated by his spirit will do the same. " DA 435, 436.

Now, let us also read the last part of Jude 6 which clearly tells us that these angels who left are "reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." Jude 6. What does the word "darkness" indicate? It means to "be in the dark" which is another way of saying that a person is deceived. And Satan is the Prince of Darkness, the one who has been the leader and chief deceiver in the rebellion against God from the beginning. Also remember that Jesus asked the Father to "forgive" everyone because "they know not what they are doing." Luke 23:34. So, this is a sin of ignorance which is a major cause of deception. "We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." I Cor. 2:7, 8.

Now we are ready to go to the final deception which is going to come upon this old world in our day.

Everything we have studied up to this point has been for the purpose of preparing us for what Paul tells us that Satan will do in this last Remnant of time. "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." 2 Thess. 2:3, 4.

This is obviously a prophecy about the future that would be fulfilled before the end of our age. Most Bible scholars believe that the "man of sin" is primarily the papacy but the real power behind the papacy (Satan) has been hidden from the beginning. So, the "revealing" here has a deeper meaning. Revealed is from the Greek word, "Apokalupto", "to uncover," or "unveil" or "to disclose and make known." This same verb is repeated in 2 Thess. 2:6, 8 and is used elsewhere in the NT of supernatural revelations. Mt 16:17; Lk 10:22. It is used especially in regard to the appearing or unveiling of Christ. The noun form is apokaupsis.

So this word in both its verb and noun form clearly indicates that what is going to be revealed has been hidden until a certain period of time. Actually, the reformation did reveal and expose the Papacy to a degree but we can see much more being exposed or manifested to the world today via all the law suits in the courts because of the pedophile priests. This unveiling will continue until Satan Himself appears as Christ and then is exposed by the Elect, whom he cannot deceive, Matt. 24:24; Dan. 12. This revelation will be more intense then anything in the past. Up until this particular time God has permitted Satan to conceal himself under various disguises. But little by little his masks are coming off.

All that I have written so far is really only an introduction to the topic of what I call the "Two Lords," which is the third level of the character of God which is already on the web site in the article section. One such article is entitled, "Would Jesus Kill A Little Sparrow?" Another one is "Job's Final Test and The Final Deception." Now, here are two important quotes I do not believe I have ever shared before.

"Rebellion and apostasy are in the very air we breathe. We shall be affected by them unless we by faith hang our helpless souls upon Christ. If men are so easily misled now, how will they stand when Satan shall personate Christ, and work miracles? Who will be unmoved by his misrepresentations then--professing to be Christ when it is only Satan assuming the person of Christ, and apparently working the works of Christ?" 2 SM 394.

"Satan will work with all deceivableness of unrighteousness to personate Jesus Christ; if it were possible, he would deceive the very elect. Now if the counterfeit bears so close a resemblance to the genuine, is it not essential to be on your guard, that no man deceive you?" 2 SM 87.

Now this quote from "Great Controversy," page 624, which man believe is referring to Satan's future use of UFOs as a means to deceive the masses.

"Fearful sights of a supernatural character will soon be revealed in the heavens, in token of the power of miracle-working demons. The spirits of devils will go forth to the kings of the earth and to the whole world, to fasten them in deception, and urge them on to unite with Satan in his last struggle against the government of heaven. By these agencies, rulers and subjects will be alike deceived. Persons will arise pretending to be Christ Himself, and claiming the title and worship which belong to the world's Redeemer. They will perform wonderful miracles of healing and will profess to have revelations from heaven contradicting the testimony of the Scriptures.

"As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. Rev. 1:13-15.

"The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: "Christ has come! Christ has come!" The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion. Like the Samaritans who were deceived by Simon Magus, the multitudes, from the least to the greatest, give heed to these sorceries, saying: This is "the great power of God"

But the people of God will not be misled. The teachings of this false christ are not in accordance with the Scriptures. His blessing is pronounced upon the worshipers of the beast and his image, the very class upon whom the Bible declares that God's unmingled wrath shall be poured out." GC 624, 625.

There are several videos on this topic of the character of God. Only $5.00 each. For those who write in for the two video programs will be sent a free book and back issues of God's Last Call Newspaper. mfc

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