*DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

*SIGNS OF THE END III (EXPLOSION OF THE GOSPEL AND DECEPTION)*

*BIBLE READING: MATTHEW 24; 1TIMOTHY 4*

*Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 1 Timothy 4:1-3 (NKJV)*

A major sign of the end is the explosion of the Gospel to the entire inhabited parts of the earth before the coming of our Lord Jesus. The unprecedented dimension of the reality of the fulfillment of this sign of the end found practical expression during the lockdown, as a result of the pandemic. Most Governments of nations ordered a total/partial lockdown of worship centers in a bid to curtail the spread of the corona virus. However, the Gospel could not be locked down, it moved via the airwaves to penetrate the uttermost parts of the earth. The airwaves were flooded with the Gospel of Jesus; the virtual gathering of the brethren enabled the assembling of a large number of Christians which no single location would have been able to contain at once, and even Arab nations were reached because men cried out to God for a solution. This is truly a sign of the end time.

The unreached people groups shall hear the Gospel before the return of Christ as the age gradually winds up, the hosts of Heaven are partnering with men to see to the fulfillment of this prophecy. The conversion of the first African (Ethiopian Eunuch) by Philip with supernatural assistance is happening in greater measures(Acts 8:26-39). The covering casts placed on the eyes of men by the god of this world to prevent them from seeing the glorious light of the Gospel is being removed (2 Cor. 4:4). Men are having Throne room encounters with the Trinity, they are having Angelic visitations and getting a change of heart just like the prodigal son, and they are coming back to the Lord.

While the Gospel is breaking forth on all sides, the counterfeit of the Gospel and lying deceptions are also finding alarming expressions in these end times. We have a lot of false doctrines denying the divinity of Jesus, salvation by the Blood of Jesus, Jesus being the only way to God, etc. We are to be steadfast in our faith and ensure that we are not swept away by the wind of deception.

We are now in the latter times Apostle Paul forewarned us about in 1 Timothy 4, we should not give room to deception or doctrines of demons. The doctrines are often spiced with certain benefits that begin to question the foundation of our belief in Christ. We have been given a response template to such proposals - *My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! Proverbs 1:10(NLT).*

In these last days, we need to develop a personal relationship with God to have a revelation of Him and His ways for ourselves. This is not the time to be told as a Christian, it is a time to know by searching the scriptures daily and maintaining an intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit. As you get to know more of God who is light, the darkness of deception will give way. The presence of knowledge is the way to avoid perishing. Do not just be an observer of end time events but be actively involved in seeing that the Kingdom of God is advancing by doing all or any of these; praying for the gospel to reach the unreached, winning souls, funding the gospel, and following up new converts until they grow and are established in the faith.

*PRAYER
Father, teach me to know You and Your Truth, reveal Yourself to me and let me know Your will and please, give me the grace to do it. Preserve me; let me not be swept away by the wind of false doctrines and deception in Jesus Name.