LWCF

"And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by these signs which he was granted to do..." -Revelation 13:14

The thing about being deceived is that we never know in the moment we are being deceived or certainly we wouldn't allow ourselves to be taken advantage of. It is always after the fact we realize we have been scammed and are just crushed! But here, God gives an explicit warning to those who will experience unmatched spiritual deception by a skilled con artist. People who have lived their lives saying, "If I could just see a sign," will be a prime target for this scam. Jesus teaches in Mark 13:22-23, "...false Christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive if possible even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand." The saints are not exempt! Be wise! Be discerning! Don't live in fear, that's not Christ's spirit.  Measure what you see and hear against the certainty of God's word because He remains faithful and true. 

​"He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and faith of the saints." -Revelation 13:10

In the midst of tremendous violence and chaos - a world ruled by wickedness - it seems only natural that people should  seek to assert themselves, defend themselves. In desperation people will even justify committing violence to protect what they perceive as basic human rights and dignity. Let it not be so for every person named a saint! May we cast off our earthly rights in exchange for our Lord's righteousness. Faced with brutality and death may we patiently and faithfully bear our light and momentary affliction in exchange for eternal peace with our Lord. By the Spirit that dwells in us may we demonstrate Christ's nature before a raging world.