He said that many would be deceived
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Jesus warned his disciples about deceivers. He said to them:
Matthew 24:24 "For false Christs [A] and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. (NASB-77)
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Anointed ones [A] and false prophets, and they shall give great "signs" and "wonders", in order to mislead, if they are able, even the chosen ones. (Author's tr.)
Mark 13:22 for false Christs [A] and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order, if possible, to lead the elect astray. (NASB-77)
Mark 13:22 for there shall arise false Anointed ones [A] and false prophets and they shall give "signs" and "wonders", in order to mislead, if they are able, even the chosen ones. (Author's tr.)
[A] In these two verses, the Greek word used is pseudochristoi (plural of pseudochristos). The part pseudo means "false", and christos is a Greek translation of the Hebrew mashiyach, "anointed". Jesus himself was often titled ho Christos, "the Anointed". Here, he warned his disciples about false "Anointed ones". Or, "false Messiahs", if you please. And, he was talking about things and events that were to take place during those people's own lifetime.
It is good to know that the word pseudochristos that appears in the Greek text of Matthew 24:24 and Mark 13:22, was a synonym of antichristos which the apostle John used in his epistles. In other words: Both pseudochristos and antichristos meant "false Anointed one" ("false Messiah").
An explanatory note: In ancient Greek, the prefix anti had a different, wider use than what it has in English. That matter is explained in more detail in the essay eo02d.htm which takes a closer look at the antichristoi, plural, whom John wrote about, and who had already come on the scene when John sent his letters, in the first century.
It is not only in Matthew 24:24 and Mark 13:22 but even in other places in the New Testament, that we find Jesus warning his disciples about false prophets, teachers of falsehood, deceivers and deception. And, he said that many would be deceived. Not a few, but many.
Let us read even these passages:
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. 5 "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' [B] and will mislead many. (NASB-77)
Mark 13:5 And Jesus began to say to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. 6 "Many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He!' and will mislead many (NASB-77)
Luke 21:8 And He said, "See to it that you be not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time is at hand'; do not go after them. (NASB-77)
[B] Many English bible-translations have in Matthew 24:5 the wording "I am the Christ". Again, the Greek phrase ho Christos meant "the Anointed [one]", just as did the Hebrew ha–Mashiyach (whence "Messiah"). The meaning of Matthew 24:5 is that Jesus warned those people, that there would come many who [denied Jesus] and claimed that they were the Christos, the Messiah, the one anointed and sent by God.
Now, it is true that Jesus said those things to the people who were listening to him at that time, and not to people of our day. But, as we all know, even today there are many deceivers, false prophets and teachers of falsehood, especially in the field of religion. Because of that, those words of Jesus are very much worth considering, also for people of our day.
A note regarding Matthew 24:24 which was quoted above: In some churches whose members have been caused to think that they are "the Elect", people have also been caused to think that it was "not possible" for "the Elect" to be deceived. But, Matthew 24:24 does not say that. Again, the above-quoted passages show that Jesus warned his disciples about deception, and told them that many would be deceived.
Also, verses 10-13 – Jesus said to the people who were listening to him at that time:
Matthew 24:10 "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. (NKJV, highlighting added)
Many false prophets were to arise. Many would be deceived. Many people's love (obviously, love towards Jesus) would become cold. Again, consider this: Why would Jesus have warned those people about deceivers, false prophets and teachers of falsehood, if it was not possible for them to be deceived? Clearly, Jesus warned those people for the reason that there was a significant risk that they would be deceived.
But, regarding the "Elect" that Jesus referred to, Matthew 24:24 – who were they? Was he talking about the followers of some preacher in our day? Hardly. But, many people have been caused to think that if they attend some specific church or follow some specific preacher, they somehow become "the Elect" (and that everyone else is under deception). But again: The above-quoted passages record what Jesus said to his disciples, people of the first century. Those things were spoken to people of those days. But yes, there is a lesson in those things even for us, of course.
In that connection, an important note: It is a common mistake to read the Bible, as if it was written to and regarding oneself. Thus, when people read passages that refer to "the Elect" (that is, the saints, people of the apostles' day), they think that those passages talk about the one who in our day reads about those things. But, that is not so. One does not become "elect", by reading about those who were that. It is important to understand that when one in the Bible reads such words as "we", "us", "our", "ours", "you", "your" and "yours", those words do not refer to reader, but to people of biblical times. The essay eg02c.htm has more on this.
The essay eb02c.htm takes a closer look at what the Bible says about the saints' calling, election, sanctification and justification. The essay eg03c.htm contains a study on the words and concepts "saint" and "sainthood" in general. And, this present essay takes a look at what the New Testament says regarding whether the saints, "the elect", could be deceived or not, and how they were warned, regarding such things.
A note: Once again, it is important to understand that it was the saints, people of the apostles' day, who were chosen and elect. It was about them, that the books of the New Testament talk about. And yes, even Matthew 24:24 refers to those people. The words of Jesus recorded in verse 34, "this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled", indeed referred to the generation who was listening to him at that time. (The essay eg04b.htm has more on this.) But, that does not mean that people of our day would not be deceived. No, the very opposite is true, of course. Thus, the warnings Jesus gave to his disciples, regarding deceivers and deception, are very much worth considering even in our day and age. Believers have much to learn from those things.
In 1 John 2:18, we can read how the apostle John noted that the deceivers whom Jesus had warned about, had come on the scene. He called them antichristoi, a synonym for pseudochristos, both words simply meaning "false Messiahs". (Again, the Greek prefix anti had a wider use than what the English anti has. The essay eo02d.htm has more on this.)
In verse 22, we read John's words "who is the liar (Greek pseustês), if not he who denies that Jesus is the Christos (the Messiah)". In 1 John 4:3, we read how John noted that the saints had been told that antichristos would come, and now was there. ("Now" – back in John's day.) And, then we have 2 John 7. Unfortunately, most English translations make a mess of that verse (just as they do in the case of 1 John 2:18, 2:22 and 4:3). Here is one version among many:
2 John 7 Because many deceivers have gone forth into the world, those not acknowledging Jesus Christ coming in flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. (ACV)
What was John really saying? Here is another, a bit clearer translation:
2 John 7 For many deceivers have come into the world – men who do not acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah who came in human form. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichristos. (Author's tr.)
That is – John warned the saints about deceivers – antichristoi, the same as pseudochristoi, false Anointed ones, false Messiahs – men who denied that Jesus was the Messiah and instead claimed that they were the Christos (Messiah, Anointed). The same goes for Mark 13:5 and Luke 21:8 which record how Jesus warned his disciples about deceivers who would come and claim, regarding themselves, "I am the one". In other words, those deceivers would claim themselves to be the Messiah (denying Jesus, as 2 John 7 shows).
More: In Matthew 24:5, Mark 13:6 and Luke 21:8, the words tô onomati mou, "in my name", do not mean that those deceivers would claim Jesus the Messiah had sent them. No, they would claim that they were the Messiah, the one anointed and sent by God. That is why they were called pseudochristoi and antichristoi, "false Anointed ones".
The essay eo02d.htm has more on those false Messiahs, false Anointed ones, the pseudochristoi and antichristoi. The essay ea08b.htm has more on titles of men in the religious context.
And yes, it is true that Jesus said those things (Matthew 24:4-5, Mark 13:5-6 and Luke 21:8) to and regarding people of those days. But, there are many deceivers even today, false apostles, false prophets and false Anointed ones, and many teachers of falsehood. Because of that, the warnings Jesus gave to his disciples are very much worth considering even for people of our day and age.
Peter wrote to certain saints:
2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you; who will privately introduce destructive sects, denying even the Lord who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their lewd practices, on account of whom, they way of truth will be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness, they will make merchandise of you, by fictitious tales: to whom the punishment threatened of old lingers not, and their destruction slumbers not. [...] (LO, highlighting added)
A note: Even that was regarding things and people of New Testament times. But, applying what he said, to our day: A common reason why "religious leaders" cause people to believe lies, is that they want to empty those people's wallets. Such deceiving preachers often cause people believe that being a member in some church (in the preacher's church) supposedly is "the (only) way to salvation", or that obeying the preacher as some kind of "representative of God" is "a key to salvation", or a "way to escape tribulation" – and so on.
Numerous preachers and churches of different kinds have used such deception, over decades and centuries, as a tool for controlling people and emptying their wallets. Thus, those words of Peter, "and through covetousness they will make merchandise of you, by fictitious tales", are true even now.
As was noted above, the warnings recorded in Matthew 24:4-5 and 24, Mark 13:5-6 and 13 and Luke 21:8, were specific to people of the first century, and directed to them. But certainly, those passages contain much to learn for us as well. Even today, there are many deceivers, persons who have claimed that they have been "sent by God" and that they are "God's apostles" [C] or "God's anointed", [D] and further claimed that they have "special revelations" or "inspiration" or "unique new understanding" which "only through them" is being revealed to the world.
[C] Only Jesus was God's apostle (a messenger sent by God). The twelve and Paul were Jesus' apostles. Check this in your bible, and you will find that it is so.
[D] Many preachers and other such figures have been called "God's anointed", but not even the true apostles whom Jesus sent, used such titles. Again, as was mentioned earlier, the Hebrew ha-Mashiyach (whence "Messiah") = Greek ho Christos = English "the Anointed". Jesus was and is the Messiah, the Anointed of God, God's Anointed. That title belongs to him.
Regarding deceivers who claim that God has sent them – let us again consider what the apostle Peter wrote to certain saints:
2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy brought by the will of man; 21 but the holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit. (LO)
2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you; who will privately introduce destructive sects, denying even the Lord who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. (LO)
Please note that Peter wrote about deceivers (false prophets) who denied the Lord Jesus (and put themselves in his place, as Teachers and Masters). Even the apostle John wrote about such deceivers:
2 John 7 For many deceivers have come into the world – men who do not acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah who came in human form. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichristos. (Author's tr.)
Again, the first part of that verse obviously means that those deceivers did not acknowledge that Jesus was the Messiah who was to come. Then John wrote that such as deceiver was, as the Greek text of that has it, an antichristos. Here, it is important to know that both that word and its synonym pseudochristos which appears in the Greek text of Matthew 24:24 and Mark 13:22, meant "false Christos" (false Anointed one, false Messiah). The essay eo02d.htm has the linguistic details regarding this matter.
That is: John warned about deceivers who denied or pushed aside Jesus the true Messiah, and presented themselves as the Anointed (Christos, Messiah). Just as it is in Mark 13:5 and Luke 21:8 which record how Jesus warned about deceivers who would claim, regarding themselves, "I am the one".
In other words: John warned about men who took upon themselves a role that belongs to Jesus alone – men who presented themselves as someone "sent by God", as "God's Apostle" or "God's Anointed". But, despite the warnings by Jesus, Peter and John, many people have nevertheless followed as "leaders" preachers who have given themselves such titles and claimed to have "special knowledge" or "new truth and revelations", or whatever.
That was regarding warnings by Jesus, Peter and John. But what about the apostle Paul – did he have a different view regarding that matter? Because, many preachers have claimed that Paul supposedly told people to follow men – to "follow him as a leader". No, Paul did not have any "different views". The claim that Paul told people to "follow him as a leader" is a deception produced by the help of misleading bible-translations. In actual fact, Paul condemned the manner of following men and men's teachings. The Greek text of the New Testament shows that what the apostle did, was instead that he told others to imitate the example which he and his companions set, regarding a certain specific matter. The essay em03c.htm shows what that example was, and why preachers are very quiet about it.
Some preachers have even created a dogma of 1 Corinthians 1:10 where the 1769 King James version has the words "we must all speak the same thing". They have caused people to believe that the apostle Paul supposedly meant that people should not think for themselves but should merely repeat as "truth" whatever some preacher has declared to be "the Truth". But, that was not what the apostle Paul was talking about. The essay ea06c.htm sorts out 1 Corinthians 1:10 and considers what the apostle really meant.
A note: If one wants to avoid being deceived, one must study the Bible, personally and in depth. (That means studying the Bible, and not some "study material" produced by a church or a preacher.) For that, proper tools are needed. This is because the Bible is not an English book – the manuscripts are written in ancient Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek – and because all bible-translations contain errors, bias and twisted and misleading wordings. The pages es01d.htm and es02c.htm have more on tools for bible study. The essay eg02c.htm provides a number of easy but vital keys to understanding Scripture in a deeper and better way, by avoiding certain fundamental but common mistakes and errors in bible study.
If some preacher comes and makes wide claims about his own "importance", and says that "only through him" some things have been "revealed", or that he supposedly is the "first one" to introduce some observances or teachings "in this era", then one can be pretty sure that he is a deceiver. God has no "special representatives" here on Earth today. Jesus has no "deputies" or "vicars" here. (The Latin noun vicarius means "substitute", "deputy", "proxy", "vicegerent".)
The essays es06d.htm, es05c.htm and eb08c.htm have more on "biblical authority" and some related subjects. The essay es08c.htm shows that the concept of having "doctrines" and "doctors of theology" is in fact not biblical. (Doctrines, dogmas, tenets, creeds and "statements of faith" always consist of teachings of men.) The essay es07c.htm has more on such concepts as "professional theologians", "amateur bible students", "clergy and laity" and "scholar".
The essay ea04c.htm contains a detailed study on the word and concept "worship".
Often, people are not very zealous but let things just run on, without getting personally involved and without checking things up. They kind of float along. This applies also to religious things, and perhaps especially to them. Because of that, it is very easy for preachers (or prophets" or "Anointed ones") to persuade people to accept and follow all kinds of teachings. Many people do not really look up to Jesus and follow him and his teachings. Instead, they look up to men and men's teachings, and follow some "religious leader".
That is in many ways similar to what ancient Israel did when they rejected the Lord as their Leader, and wanted to replace him with a mortal leader who was to take them back to Egypt, back to slavery (Numbers 14:1-4). The result: None of those who were of adult age at that time, were allowed to enter the Promised Land (except for Joshua and Caleb). Later, their descendants rejected the Lord as their Leader, and demanded to have a mortal leader (1 Samuel 8:7). They got what they wanted. Their descendants have been suffering ever since.
Again, the warnings recorded in Matthew 24:4-5 and 24, Mark 13:5-6 and 13, Luke 21:8 and so on, were specific to people of the first century, and were directed to them. But, there is much to learn in those passages, also for people of our time. There are many deceivers even now.
For a deceiver, the important thing is to cause people to stop thinking. When people no longer think for themselves, the deceiver can have them in his power. Deceiving preachers have created many different kinds of dogmas, for that very purpose. Those dogmas claim that people should "only follow" [the preacher], or "leave biblical things to experts", or "speak all the same thing" [as the preacher speaks]. Often, such deception also includes talk about "spiritual authority", "ordination" and "clergy and laity", "spiritual leadership" or "servant leadership", or the like. For more on these things, see these notes which link to separate essays on those matters:
• Who really has biblical, spiritual or religious authority? In other words, who can speak for God? The essay es06d.htm has the answer to that question.
• Many "clergymen" have claimed that "laymen" should leave biblical things to "experts", to "ordained men". But, those who have checked how things really are, know that the concept of "ordination" has no support in the Greek text of the New Testament. Many bible-translations talk about "ordaining", but the Greek text does not. The essay ee02b.htm has more on this very important matter.
• In 1970, a certain American writer introduced the dogma of "servant leadership". But, that dogma is unbiblical; there is no true scriptural basis for it. The essay ee03c.htm has the details on that subject. (Check this: For instance in the 1769 King James version New Testament, the word "leader" is found only in one passage, Matthew 15:14. Read it, and see what it says.) Then, some have claimed that the apostle Paul supposedly told people to "follow him as a leader". But, the Greek text of the New Testament shows that what the apostle did, was instead that he told others to imitate the example which he and his companions set, regarding a certain specific matter. The essay em03c.htm shows what that example was, and why most preachers are very quiet about it.
• Some preachers have even claimed that the saints supposedly were "ruled" by elders, and that today, preachers should be ruling over people (over "laity", or similar). That is not true, of course. The essay ee04c.htm has more on this. The essay ee01c.htm contains a general study the role of elders, in the saints' fellowships.
• Some "clergymen" talk about "the seat of Moses". But, no mortal has such a seat; it belongs to Jesus who is the "Second Moses". There are no other "Moseses", only the first Moses and then Jesus the "Second Moses". The essays eo08c.htm and eo12c.htm clarify that matter.
• The essay es05c.htm recapitulates some of the points above, and considers whom one should listen to in religious matters, and whom not.
Preachers who deceive people merely for the purpose of making money, are one thing. But, there is a still worse deceiving group, the darnel or "tares" of the parable.
Matthew 13:24 He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 "But while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. 26 "But when the wheat sprang up and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. 27 "And the slaves of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' 28 "And he said to them, 'An enemy has done this!' And the slaves said to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?' 29 "But he said, 'No; lest while you are gathering up the tares, you may root up the wheat with them. 30 'Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn."'" (NASB-77)
The essay ew11c.htm has more on the darnel, the seed the Enemy sowed.
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A clarifying explanation of the short names for the bible-versions quoted or mentioned at this site, such as that NKJV stands for New King James Version, YLT for Young's Literal translation, HCSB for Holman Christian Standard Bible, NRSV for the New Revised Standard Version, and so on. → es09c.htm
What does the Bible say about the antichrist or antichrists? The meaning of the Greek word antichristos. Also: The apostle John spoke about multiple antichristoi, plural, not a singular one only. → eo02d.htm
The concepts "saint" and "sainthood" analysed. Does the Bible define or clarify who is a saint and what sainthood consists of? Also: Are there saints here on Earth, in our day? What do the Scriptures say concerning these things? Further: What is the etymology of the word "saint", and what does it really mean? → eg03c.htm
How to understand the Bible. Easy keys to interpreting and understanding Scripture in a better and deeper way, by avoiding certain fundamental but common mistakes and errors in bible study. These vital keys are really the basics for objective bible study. Knowing these keys will make many things easier to interpret and comprehend, and one will see several central matters in the Bible from a new and different perspective, especially in connection with the Gospels and the Epistles. → eg02c.htm
What does the Bible say about calling, election, sanctification and justification? → eb02c.htm
Check your bible knowledge. A basic self-test with 15 biblical questions (with answers and commentary). → es04b.htm
What the Bible says about titles of men in the religious context. A few comments regarding certain ecclesiastical titles, such as apostle, bishop, deacon, doctor of theology, evangelist, father, minister, pastor, priest, prophet, reverend, and so on. → ea08b.htm
On the example the apostle Paul set, for others to imitate. Paul did not tell people to "follow him as a leader"; what he did was that he told the saints to imitate him, to copy his example. It is important for believers to know what kind of example Paul referred to and meant, and in what connection. → em03c.htm
How to study the Bible in a deeper way. Some simple guidelines and notes on study methods. Also, advice and information on easily available practical study helps and useful modern-day tools and resources which, on top of many other things, can help one to view and translate the Hebrew OT and Greek NT texts. → es01d.htm
For real and thorough in-depth study and exegesis of the Scriptures, an interlinear bible with Strong's numbers and a concordance with a lexicon and bible commentaries are not good enough; a computer bible is needed. Some facts and recommendations regarding bible study suites for computers, including tools for word search, word study and adding and editing your own electronic marginal notes verse for verse, tools for studying the Hebrew text of the Old Testament and the Greek text of the New Testament, and links for download of bible software (both free and commercial). → es02c.htm
Worshipping God. What does the Bible say about worship, when it comes to New Covenant times? Serving God is something important, for many believers. There is a custom to gather for worship services. Indeed, for many people, worship is the same as going to church or attending church. But, where does the word "worship" really come from, and what does it mean? And, what about praise and giving thanks and "offerings", and so on? In what way and when and where should believers be serving and worshipping God? → ea04c.htm
What does the Bible say about authority? Who has biblical, spiritual or religious authority on the mundane, human level? Who can speak for God? Knowing the answers to those questions is a vital key to understanding the Bible in a better and deeper way. → es06d.htm
1 Corinthians 1:10, "all speak the same thing" – what did the apostle Paul mean? → ea06c.htm
What does the English language word and concept "doctrine" literally mean? Likewise, the terms "dogma", "creed" and "tenet", what do they signify? Countless preachers and doctors of theology compile dogmas, creeds, tenets and doctrinal statements of beliefs, and claim them to be "the Truth". But, they do not agree with each other. Their opinions and teachings differ, depending on their denomination and its viewpoints, and there is much confusion. So, the pertinent question is, who has the "true doctrines" or "correct dogmas"? What should one think – do the Scriptures give any guidance regarding this matter? What does the Bible say about "doctrine"? → es08c.htm
What does the Bible say about ordaining and ordination? In other words: How did the saints appoint or choose their elders? And, were those elders "ordained", and did they function as "priests" of some kind? → ee02b.htm
Whom should one listen to in biblical matters, and whom not? → es05c.htm
Is "servant leadership" a biblical concept? Did elders in the saints' fellowships act as "servant leaders"? What the Bible says about leadership among Jesus' disciples. → ee03c.htm
Moses – Jesus the Second Moses – parallels between Moses and Jesus – the seat of Moses – Jesus, Moses and Elijah. → eo08c.htm
Were the saints "ruled" by elders, as some have claimed? On Hebrews 13:7 and 17 and a number of other passages. → ee04c.htm
Essays regarding various matters in connection with religious fellowships. → keyw-a4.htm (Look under the heading "Assembly".)
What does the Bible say about the Pharisees? Also, why did Jesus call them vipers, snakes and actors? → eo12c.htm
Power among Jesus' disciples. What powers were given to the apostles, and to the saints in general? Also: Did the apostle Peter receive some special powers? → ea09b.htm
What does the Bible say about elders? What was their role in the saints' fellowships? Also, was there a "hierarchy" with "ranks"? → ee01c.htm
"Amateur bible students" versus "professional theologians". Some preachers have spitefully called people who actively study the Bible on their own, "amateur theologians". Indeed, many a clergyman seems to feel that a layman should not put his or her nose into theological studies but should rather leave those things to "experts". But, is that correct? This treatise sorts out that matter, and clarifies and explains in layman's terms the linguistic and historical background of the concepts "clergymen" and "laymen", and gives the definition and actual meaning of such words as "clergy", "laity", "scholar" and "scholarly". → es07c.htm
On Jesus' teaching regarding "the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven" or "the keys of the Reign of Heaven". Bible study notes on Matthew 16 verse 19, with context. What did the word "keys" depict or symbolise? What is the interpretation of that passage – what was it that Jesus was saying to his disciples? Also, a general overview and comments on the subject of "binding and loosing". → eb08c.htm
The origin and meaning of the word "church". → eg06b.htm
Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43, the parable of the darnel or "tares", the wicked seed sown by the Enemy. → ew11c.htm
Many people wonder, why does God allow evil, sickness, pain, war and suffering? What is the biblical answer – does the Bible explain that matter, or in some way make it understandable? → ew01b.htm
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The essays at this site are not in "bible lesson" or "bible study course" format, nor are they meant as on-line "bible study classes" of some kind. Even though this site gives ready answers to biblical questions of many kinds, its main goal is providing food for thought on a variety of biblical subjects, and challenging and encouraging people to get started with deep personal bible study and then continue with that. (Many religious organisations and denominations have their bible lessons and correspondence courses; they are ready-made "studies" which are shrewdly constructed and written in such a manner that they lead the reader to conclusions that fit the dogmas of the group in question.) A careful, closer study of the books of the Bible with proper tools will help a believer to gain better and deeper biblical understanding. In that way, one will find out more about what the Bible really says, means and teaches. One can then, with wisdom, use that knowledge as a guide for one's life, instead of accepting as "biblical truths" whatever commercial religion – churches and their ministers (preachers) – have taught and want people to believe.
A more thorough, bible-based study with care and with thought will, not only help one to learn more, but also show one how many a popular belief has no scriptural basis or support but is altogether false and not biblical at all. This applies, not only to prophecy and "end time" related things, but also to many other subjects where prevailing dogmas are often taken "for granted". For this reason, it is extremely important for believers to personally study the Writings, and to thoroughly analyse them down to the smaller details, in order to find out the real facts. For doing that, it is not necessary to know the Hebrew, Greek or Latin languages (even though learning their letters and alphabet can be a good idea); there are modern, advanced tools which can help one to study in an effective way – see the pages es01d.htm and es02c.htm for more on this. The essay eg02c.htm supplies a number of easy, elementary keys to acquiring a better and deeper understanding of the Bible, simply by consciously and methodically avoiding certain usual errors and pitfalls.
This site is non-denominational and non-sectarian. It is not connected to any church, sect or religious organisation or movement. This site looks at things from a biblical perspective, and not from a dogmatic one. It does not claim to be without error or to "know it all" or to have a perfect or complete explanation to all things – it consists of an ongoing bible study that has been made public, and as the study goes on, the contents of these pages are revised and also expanded, with new topics and themes being addressed. Readers are invited and welcome to write to the author with thoughts and comments, or to ask questions or to point out a mistake if they feel that they have found one. For more on this, see the page purpose.htm.
The address to this page is www.biblepages.web.surftown.se/eo09e.htm
Please send or mention the address to this site to others, and link to these pages.
This page was created or modified 2010-02-28.