CABSDA

Christs, False

Jesus warned that in the last days there will arise counterfeit Christs who will masquerade as the Messiah and claim to be the savior of the world. It's in the Bible, Matthew 24:4 & 5. "Jesus answered: 'Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many."

Jesus warned that one of the signs that would occur at the end of the age, just prior to his Second Coming, would be the appearance of false Christs. It's in the Bible, Matthew 24:23-26 NIV. "At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. So, if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out, or 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it."

Paul warns Christians concerning false apostles who preach about a Jesus who is not the real Jesus of the Bible. It's in the Bible, 2 Corinthians 11:3 & 4 NIV. "Just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough."

Who are the followers of the other Jesus really serving? It's in the Bible, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NIV. "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. Is it not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve."

Just prior to the day of Jesus' Second Coming, there is going to appear visibly on earth a great counterfeit Christ. It's in the Bible, 2 Thessalonians 2:3 & 4 NIV. "Don't let any one deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God."

What will happen to this false Christ, and how will we recognize him? It's in the Bible, 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10 NIV. "And then the Lawless One will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus Christ will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the Lawless One will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved."

Tragically, those who follow false Christs sincerely regard themselves to be genuine believers actively doing the work of Christ. It's in the Bible, Matthew 7:22 & 23 NAS. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.' "

(For further information on False Christs, see our Common Questions.)