Anonymous Asks (409)

“What is the great deception of the end times?”

The Bible portrays the final years of our present age as a period characterized by lies and deception, one in which truth will be very hard to find. Sometimes I wonder if we are getting close.

In Matthew 24, the disciples asked Jesus what signs will indicate the end of the age has come, and that the Lord Jesus is returning to earth as king. Among other things, he replied, “Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray”, including deceivers who claim to be the Christ. Paul would later write to Timothy, reminding him that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and the teaching of demons. Numerous other passages say similar things.

A Strong Delusion

One in particular stands out. In writing the Thessalonians on this subject, Paul points to something more than a generalized atmosphere of confusion and deception. A specific lie will deceive the entire world:

“The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

That’s the ESV. Many modern translations make that “what is false” even more specific, referring to “the lie”, with a definite article. I’m not a translator, but the number and variety of translations that do this suggests they have good reason.

What is False

Three things are notable about this particular lie:

1. This deception is connected with the coming of the lawless one, later revealed to be the beast of Revelation 13.
2. This deception is reinforced by God. It’s not just demons trying to confuse people.
3. This deception is the fault of the deceived. There are no innocent victims involved. The lie comes because they refused to love the truth and be saved. It comes because they insist in taking pleasure in unrighteousness, and at one point, God gives them the desire of their hearts.

When I say this lie will deceive the entire world, I do not mean there will be no exceptions at all. Jesus taught that some signs and wonders are so convincing “as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect”. That phrase strongly suggests that people who trust Christ during the great tribulation period will be exempt from the delusion that clouds the minds of their neighbors, friends and family members. And, of course, the Church will be in heaven at that point, so believers from our present age will also not fall for the “strong delusion”. Why would the Lord want to deceive his own?

A Specific Deception

So then, the world awaits a specific deception that will be extremely effective and pervasive. Many have speculated what that might be. Historically, the writers of commentaries have tended to steer clear of the wilder and more crazy ideas, reducing the lie to generalities like “man can be his own god”, which is certainly a popular delusion even today.

Internet commentary shows no such restraint. Two ideas about the strong delusion are very much in vogue right now: (1) AI, a digital “strong delusion”, and (2) aliens, an extraterrestrial “strong delusion”.

Either could be the case, I suppose, but all kinds of trendy ideas have come and gone over the centuries. I tend not to put a lot of stock in novelty. Further, as we have pointed out, the Bible says this great deception is specifically associated with the coming ruler of this world, the false Messiah called the beast. Deceptions along the lines of “the singularity is here” or “aliens exist” are far too general and superficial to meet that standard. All are lies, but when THE lie comes, it will be associated with the “lawless one”, possibly with his identity or his ability to solve the world’s problems. (Hint: He will not.)

So what is the great deception of the end times? Scripture doesn’t give us enough information to say with 100% certainty. For those who believe the word of God, it’s really not our problem, and those who reject the word of God will not hear it anyway, no matter how clearly it is worded.