Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. "Lying wonders" (2 Thessalonians 2:9) no doubt — wonders that serve a purpose of imposition, partly, it may be, on the wonder workers themselves, and partly on those whom they wish to attach to themselves. There are wonderful idiosyncrasies among men, that give scope for the performance of such wonders. In some natures — as in Valentine Greatrakes and Gassner (see Howitt's "History of the Supernatural"), singular therapeutic energies instinctively well up and flow over. In others there is a singular power of something like "second sight," or "clairvoyance," turning fitfully its penetrative eye, now upon objects distant in space, and now upon objects distant in time — though in a way far removed from infallibility. This clairvoyant eye often takes cognizance of only frivolous realities, and seems blind to things of moment. Still its peculiarity is fitted — when once a willing and shadow fanaticism tries its hand at understanding it — to be a "lying wonder." There are other remarkable endowments and instincts, which crop up at times in exceptional idiosyncrasies, and may give occasion either to self-delusion, or to deliberate artifice, or to a minglement of the two perversities. (J. Morison, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. |
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