End Times Training, Part 1:

Avoiding Deception

© 2011 Lee Ann B. Marino. All rights reserved.

Apostle Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino, Ph.D., D.D., ChancellorApostolic University

http://apostolicuniversity.webs.com

What are the “End Times”

A term used to describe a period of time that precedes the Second Coming (return) of Jesus Christ

The period of time is unspecified and, therefore, is debated

The term “end times” is actually not a Biblical term, but is a modern rendering of terms like “latter days” or “last days”

What exactly does the term “latter days” or “last days” mean?

It does not mean the literal end of the universe where people blow up or are invaded by aliens or taken over by foreign life forms

It is a terminology to mean the end of an age, the end of a system that has been in place for thousands of years; it is the end of a cycle and the beginning of a restoration of God’s original plan for the planet and for mankind

Physical changes to the earth are a part of that but it does not refer to a total destruction of the universe as some teach

What we seek to learn about the end times in this training

Recognize signs of the days in which we live and learn about interpreting signs

How to understand the signs we see Discerning teachings we hear about the

end times and sorting through what is correct and necessary from what is not

To apply practical reason and application to understanding the times

What this program is not about

This is not so much an interpretive theory on end times doctrine as an application and understanding of it

We will not be discussing timetables, rapture theories, or other doctrines that surround end times theory

We are not about confusion or hype; this is not meant to inspire debate or rage, anger or fear

Avoiding deception(Matthew 24:1-5; 2 Timothy 4:3-5)

One of the key facets of the last days is deception› If people are being deceived that means they are

seeking to be deceived› People want to believe what appeals to them on

all levels Personally (relationships, self-image, how they

desire others to view them, internal dialogue) Professionally (on job performance, professional

skills, abilities, and realities of performance – even if it is untrue)

Spiritually (in the church, in what we perceive in belief and what we accept and receive when people speak over us)

Manifestations of deception False flattery – People are

constantly seeking to use other people for their own advancement and gain, and do so through manipulation; in knowing psychology and ways to handle people, they tell others what they think they want to hear, in order to get the person to do what they want them to do (2 Timothy 3:2).

False doctrine – The promotion of false teachings that appeal to people on an emotional level and keep them in bondage, immaturity, and immobility while making them think they are acceptable in belief and practice before God (Matthew 24:5, 2 Timothy 3:2,4,6-7; 4:3-4)

False perceptions – The way people perceive themselves, concepts, teachings, and the truth is greatly distorted; perception is altered from the truth; people are deceptive in their attitudes and twist things to meet their altered perceptions (2 Timothy 3:2-4)

False speech – People lie; as in the words of Dr. House, “Everybody lies.” (2 Timothy 3:2-5)

False realities – People’s perception of what is true is shaped by the media, by facets that control the media, impressions, thoughts, and concepts that are often what controlling forces want us to believe, but are not, in actuality, a part of the truth (Matthew 24:4)

Why is deception appealing – and dangerous?

It appeals to the emotions, the ego, and one’s desired perception of self or of the world

Deception often employs fear of false enemies with a puffing up of one’s self

It gives one a false perception of God and one’s place before God

It doesn’t help individuals to be discerning and can often include mind control and the planting of thoughts that are out of alignment with God’s Word

Does not promote truth in all things

Can easily mislead an individual into other areas of untruth

Major areas where we must monitor for deception

Spiritual deceptions› False theologies, philosophies, and Bible teachings› False prophecies, words, and gifts – no matter how

legitimate they may seem Informative deceptions (we will specifically speak

on some informative deceptions next time)› Media outlets, news information, newspapers, internet

reporting, historical reports, propaganda, patriotism Organizational perceptions

› Freemasonry, Shriners, Order of the Eastern Star, Illuminati, New World Order, secular governments, many religious groups

Medical deceptions› The Greek translation of a particular description in the

Bible describes people in the Last Days as being pharmacological zombies

› Accepting various diagnoses without evidence or allowing ourselves to be “labeled”

› Mind-altering and mood-altering drugs, prescription-based chemical dependencies, physical deteriorations that can be solved naturally but are instead solved with drugs

Personal deceptions› Dishonesty with God, ourselves, those in relationship

with us, or expecting others to reflect a certain false impression of us

› Dishonest presentation to others of who we really are› Lying, flattery, false speech

Identifying deception

Stand strong in the Spirit of God and live by truth, thereby helping you to identify dishonesty and deception in others

Learn to listen to the voice of the Spirit as He speaks through your instinct

Learn the facts about issues› Conspiracy is a part of the end times and

understanding the nature and fact behind conspiracy (rather than writing it off as nonsense) helps

Know God and His Son, Jesus Christ Know the Word and recognize when it is being

incorrectly presented or applied

False christs and false messiahs

The Greek in Matthew 24:5 does not just refer to people who claim to be Jesus Christ or claim to be the Messiah, but also extends to any person who claims to be of Christ, come in the Name of Christ, or bear an anointing that they do not have

Thus in other words, it is when anyone comes in the name or identity of Christ and represents themselves falsely

We are told these people will deceive many

There are always fringe groups that seem to follow strange or odd individuals that are very bold and make grand claims; but we genuinely need to watch for people who claim to be of God…and simply are not

Jim Jones (founder, Jonestown)

Sun Myung Moon (founder, Unification Church; claims to be the Second Coming of Jesus Christ)

Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda (claims to be the living incarnation of Jesus Christ and the Antichrist)

Elizabeth Gould White (Claimed to be a prophet who espoused false visions, teachings, and was a plagiarist)

Joseph Smith (Claimed to be a prophet and a restorer of the true church who stole much of his teaching from others and his rite from freemasonry)

Discerning a false leader – Malachi 1-3

Does their teaching line up with God’s Word? Do their ethics and methods align with the

conduct expected of God’s leaders? Are they pointing people to God or to

themselves? Are they exceedingly dramatic, without any

substance behind it? Do they blame God for personal

misconducts? Are they in any way questionable in their

lives or their ministries?

In the next teaching…

Wars and Rumors of Wars› Learning about the conflicts to arise in the

last days› Learning about the necessary discernment

for rumors of national events and the politics of current times

› Knowing why rumors are an essential component – and how to avoid deception therein

› Preparing for panics, disorders, and political lies