Satan's Strong Deception - Micah 6-7 and Revelation 13
Satan has always realized that he has to rely on deception and temptation to lead people away from God and His truth. He is very good at deception. He makes sin pleasurable, and then, he deceives us into thinking there are no negative consequences. When we take the bait, he has us hooked, and it is hard to pull away from the desires of the flesh. Many times, his deception leads to spiritual death and eternal separation from God, because a person is unwilling to admit their sin and repent.
Micah was calling the nation of Israel to repentance. He asked them to consider all of God's blessings over the years and why they would turn from Him to idols. He pointed out that God did not want religion but a a relationship. That is the solution to Satan's deception. If we will focus on God, instead of pleasure, and we will walk humbly with Him, we will not fall for Satan's deception. However, if we drift away from God, and we put our eyes on the pleasures of this world. Satan has us in his grasp.
Revelation 13 tells us about the ultimate deception of Satan during the Tribulation time. For three and a half years Satan will have pretty much free reign on this earth. He will empower a world ruler, the Antichrist, and a man to support him by signs and wonders, the False Prophet. Many people will follow them and worship Satan because of his strong deception. In fact, everyone who does not take the mark of the Antichrist will be killed. The mark will enable people to buy and sell. However, when a person takes the mark,it is an act of worshiping Satan, so believers won't do it. What would you do if that happened in your lifetime? Would you give in to Satan's deception. or would you refuse the mark, even though you knew that meant death? All true believers would refuse, because they realize the need to reject the pursuit of pleasure and walk with God only. I believe that is a good way to judge our hearts right now. Does money and pleasure mean more to you than God? If there is even the slightest chance that is the case, we need to examine our relationship with Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Nahum and Revelation 14.
Micah was calling the nation of Israel to repentance. He asked them to consider all of God's blessings over the years and why they would turn from Him to idols. He pointed out that God did not want religion but a a relationship. That is the solution to Satan's deception. If we will focus on God, instead of pleasure, and we will walk humbly with Him, we will not fall for Satan's deception. However, if we drift away from God, and we put our eyes on the pleasures of this world. Satan has us in his grasp.
Revelation 13 tells us about the ultimate deception of Satan during the Tribulation time. For three and a half years Satan will have pretty much free reign on this earth. He will empower a world ruler, the Antichrist, and a man to support him by signs and wonders, the False Prophet. Many people will follow them and worship Satan because of his strong deception. In fact, everyone who does not take the mark of the Antichrist will be killed. The mark will enable people to buy and sell. However, when a person takes the mark,it is an act of worshiping Satan, so believers won't do it. What would you do if that happened in your lifetime? Would you give in to Satan's deception. or would you refuse the mark, even though you knew that meant death? All true believers would refuse, because they realize the need to reject the pursuit of pleasure and walk with God only. I believe that is a good way to judge our hearts right now. Does money and pleasure mean more to you than God? If there is even the slightest chance that is the case, we need to examine our relationship with Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Nahum and Revelation 14.