Why is it important to test claims of Christ's return against Scripture? Christ’s Own Caution to Us (Matthew 24:23) “At that time, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it.” • Jesus Himself foresees a season of intense deception just before His return. • The warning is clear, simple, and timeless: every claim about His appearing must be filtered through His own words. • Loving obedience means taking His caution seriously, refusing to accept any report that contradicts Scripture. Why This Command Matters Today • Protects from spiritual fraud: false messiahs often twist Scripture, prey on fear, and exploit hope. • Preserves the purity of our hope: authentic expectation fuels holy living (1 John 3:3). • Guards the church’s unity: shared submission to the Word prevents division over sensational rumors. • Honors Christ’s authority: testing every claim demonstrates confidence that He alone sets the timetable (Acts 1:7). Scripture—Our Unchanging Measure • Acts 17:11: “The Bereans were more noble… they examined the Scriptures daily to see if these teachings were true.” • 1 Thessalonians 5:21: “But test all things. Hold fast to what is good.” • 1 John 4:1: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…” • These verses underline one principle: every new proclamation must match what God has already revealed. The Genuine Signs of His Return • Matthew 24:27: “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” • Matthew 24:30: “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven… all the peoples of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” • Revelation 1:7: “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him…” • 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: the shout, the trumpet, the resurrection of the dead—public, unmistakable, global. Key takeaway: the true return of Christ will be impossible to hide and impossible to miss. How to Test Every Claim 1. Compare details with the plain teaching of Jesus and the apostles—does the claim align or conflict? 2. Examine the messenger’s doctrine—do they uphold the full deity of Christ and the gospel of grace (2 John 9; Galatians 1:8)? 3. Look for sensational secrecy—Jesus said His coming will not require private meetings in the wilderness or the inner rooms (Matthew 24:26). 4. Watch for fruit—true servants point people to repentance, holiness, and steadfast faith, not panic or self-exaltation. 5. Wait patiently—if the claim sets dates or contradicts the “no one knows the day or hour” statement (Matthew 24:36), it must be rejected. Staying Watchful Without Fear • The same chapter that warns against deception also calls us to remain alert (Matthew 24:42). • Healthy vigilance combines eager expectation with scriptural discernment. • By anchoring our hope in God’s written Word, we can live confidently, serve faithfully, and look forward to the day “when He comes to be glorified in His saints” (2 Thessalonians 1:10). |
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