How should Christians respond to miraculous signs that contradict biblical teachings? Setting the Scene Revelation presents a future moment when dazzling wonders will be used to pull hearts away from Christ. The spotlight lands on the “second beast,” a deceptive figure who looks spiritual but serves darkness. The Warning in Revelation 13:13 “And the second beast performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of the people.” (Revelation 13:13) Key observations • The signs are real, not illusions. • The purpose is persuasion, not worship of God. • Spectacle alone never guarantees divine origin. Identifying the Source of Deceptive Signs • Revelation 13:14: the signs “deceived those who dwell on the earth.” • Matthew 24:24: “false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive.” • 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10: Satan backs the “lawless one” with “every kind of power, sign, and false wonder.” • Deuteronomy 13:1-3: even if a sign comes true, “you must not listen” when it contradicts God’s commands. How to Discern True from False 1. Compare the message with Scripture – Isaiah 8:20: “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.” – Galatians 1:8: any gospel that differs from the apostolic message is cursed. 2. Examine the fruit – Does it lead to repentance, holiness, and worship of Jesus? (Matthew 7:15-20) 3. Test the spirits – 1 John 4:1: “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits.” 4. Rely on the Holy Spirit’s witness – John 16:13: He guides into all truth; He never contradicts the Word He inspired. Our Proper Response • Stay anchored in Scripture—daily reading fortifies discernment. • Refuse fascination with power for power’s sake. • Guard the fellowship—encourage one another to test every teaching. • Hold fast to Christ’s sufficiency; signs that shift trust away from Him must be rejected. • Endure in hope, knowing deceptive wonders signal the Lord’s soon return. Promises for Those Who Stand Firm • Revelation 14:12: “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” • James 1:12: steadfast believers “will receive the crown of life.” • John 10:28: no one can snatch Christ’s sheep from His hand. Key Takeaways • Miracles alone do not authenticate a message; harmony with Scripture does. • God allows counterfeit signs as a test of love and loyalty. • Discernment grows through Scripture saturation, Spirit reliance, and fellowship accountability. • The safest place in an age of dazzling deception is humble, obedient trust in the unchanging Word of God. |
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