the message includes truth for the church in its relationship to the present age, and also truth for Israel in its
time of trouble to come at the end of the age. These disciples are representatives of both groups, and Y‘shua
speaks to them as such.
As Y‘shua sits looking out over the city, he is facing the darkest hour of his life. He knows the scheming of
His enemies and the opposition that even then is sharpening against Him from almost every quarter. He
knows what Judas is planning. His enemies think they are doing their evil deeds in secret, but He knows it
all. He knows the frailty of His friends and that He can never depend upon them. These very disciples who
cluster around Him on the mountain will in a few hours forsake Him and flee. One of them will even deny Him
with curses. He knows all that. He sees the darkness of the coming centuries, but He looks through them to
the light beyond. When all around Him seems utterly hopeless, He quietly declares what the end will be
without the slightest uncertainty or doubt.
All things, He says; all events will find their significance and meaning in relationship to Him. Any event which
is not related to His purpose in the age is worthless and useless, without real meaning or significance.
24:4-5 Take heed that no man deceive you―(4) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. (5) For many shall come
in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.‖ (Matt 24:4-5)
It is important to place this verse (as with all of the "New Testament") back into its Hebrew context. Y‘shua is
saying that many will come in His name.
John‘s ―Antichrist‖The apostle John wrote at the close of the First Century, "For many [antichrists] have gone out into the
world." As said, the term "antichrist" or "antimessiah" does not indicate someone who is openly against
Messiah, such as an atheist or a pagan. Rather, it is one who appears instead of Messiah; and in this sense
opposes the true Believers. It is a counterfeit Messiah.
Of course, it includes the originators or propagators of all the false cults which have arisen throughout the
course of the age – beginning with the First Century. We have witnessed the rise of many in the last few
decades, especially those with the label "Made in America" like Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Christian
Science and others. These are outwardly ―Christian‖ in language and activity; but their basic message is
false, rejecting the true Messiah. Any person or organisation which purports to be godly in its outward
aspects, but whose message is actually opposed to the true biblical faith is an ―antichrist.‖ It is the rise of
these groups Y‘shua predicts. What a peril to faith they have proved to be.
But by no means are these the most deceptive of the false voices. Perhaps Y‘shua is thinking of even subtler
expressions. We will miss the full meaning of His words if we look only for those who actually say, "I am the
Messiah", or "We have the true Biblical message." Are they not more dangerous who claim to do what only
Y‘shua alone can really do? ―I am the Way" says that lonely Man who died forsaken upon the crucifixion
stake. "We are the way" say all the many voices that attract today: politics, patriotism, social work, literacy
crusades, and churches with false doctrines and rejecting the Torah. Their claim is false, and many are
deceived throughout the course of the age. They offer to lead men into peace without forgiveness, and thus
are really evil masquerading as angels of light. How many are being misled by these siren voices which
neglect the narrow way by which an individual is confronted with the person of Y‘shua the Messiah – the one
way to redemption and cleansing and forgiveness of sin?
The final "anti-Messiah" will also not come in opposition to Y‘shua, but will be a counterfeit who will deceive
almost everyone. Why must people take heed to not be deceived? The answer is in Rev 6:1-2:
(1) ―And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one
of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
(2) And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto
him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.‖
The final Antichrist person will make his debut at the beginning of the seven years of tribulation, immediately
after the rapture of the Believers. Y‘shua also said the same thing in John 5:43: ―I am come in my Father's
name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.‖