Counterfeit Gospels

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matthew 24:24

The Devil is in the Details

Counterfeiters have become increasingly sophisticated in minting and laundering bills. How do we know the cash in our wallets is real? In many cases, only experts can detect inauthentic details. They shine UV lighting to expose inconsistencies. They also burn the bills in isopropyl to verify authenticity. Unless we know the originals, we cannot recognize the counterfeits.

Jesus said that, in the last days, even his elect would be deceived if possible. But how is it possible to fool those with unwavering faith, discernment, and fortitude? Counterfeit Christs and prophets will rise. The enemy has had thousands of years to mint deception.

The Light of God’s Word

Believers should test their faith under the light of the Word. End times counterfeit gospels will deceive many who believe they serve the God of the Bible. However, these so-called Christians will be unrecognizable to Christ on judgment day.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:22-23

Counterfeit God

We must know God, the original. He is light, and there is no darkness in him (1 John 1:5). Omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, his love radiates the path to redemption through his Son. Some Christians, however, have veered off the path by compromising their faith and hiding in sin. They become vulnerable to deception without a lamp for their feet (Psalm 119:105). Living in the shadows leads to bondage, fear, and death. However, God is the “Father of Lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). When we walk in the light, he is faithful to forgive our sins and purify us from unrighteousness. Thus, without a shadow of a doubt, we can know we serve the true and living God. His light and love expose counterfeit gods.

Still, many so-called Christians are religious but not redeemed. Unfortunately, they fall into temptation, worshiping idols unawares. Lucifer, the master deceiver (whose very name means light-bearer), offers a pantheon of false deities to suit any Christian’s weaknesses. His wicked ministers and prophets also drive unsuspecting believers into darkness.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

How do we know if we are walking in darkness? If we rationalize sin in our lives, culture, and politics, we remove ourselves from the light of God’s truth. God commands us to put no other gods before him, but modern-day Christians serve mammon and Baal unwittingly.

But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Matthew 6:23-24

Many believers spend more time building earthly treasures than serving God and building his kingdom. They attend church services to learn how to grow wealth and elevate their status. These so-called Christians do not worship God; they crave worship from others.

How can a believer serve an idol without knowing it? Lucifer convinces Christians that religion is synonymous with redemption. If we practice extra-biblical rituals and rites, recite extra-biblical prayers, and heed psychic prophets, our faith is counterfeit. For those who reduce their relationship with God to a transactional exchange of works and blessings, Lucifer offers the ancient calf god, Baal.

And they abandoned all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made for themselves metal images of two calves, and they made an Asherah and worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal.

2 Kings 17:16

Masquerading as Baal throughout the millennia, Lucifer has turned many believers to darkness. His altars can be found in church buildings throughout the world. Undiscerning believers who substitute religion for faith are like temple prostitutes, sacrificing their children to Baalistic institutions and jeopardizing their eternal life.

Counterfeit Christ

We must know Jesus Christ, the original. He is the light of the world—the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Indeed, darkness shrinks in the radiant beauty of his holiness. Through Christ, we can test the authenticity of our faith.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:1-5

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, illuminates the path to truth. We must be able to distinguish the true Messiah from false Christs. Those deceived by the god of this world are destined to spend eternity in outer darkness.

There is no other name under heaven whereby men can be saved, but since the beginning, civilizations have tried to circumvent God’s plan for salvation—Jesus Christ. Through science and technology, they strive to ascend to godhood. And so, for those seeking secret knowledge, Lucifer offers the ancient fire god, Prometheus.

Human evolution is a counterfeit salvation, and artificial intelligence (in every sense of the word) is a false Christ. How do we know if we are following another Jesus? If we put more credence in human physics and biology than faith in God, if we believe in human theories even when they contradict the Word, and if we relinquish our souls to AI, then we worship a counterfeit Jesus.

Masquerading as Prometheus, Lucifer tries to counterfeit what can only be achieved through Christ Jesus. Here is the devil’s lie: human evolution brings immortality. Only through Christ can we be changed in the twinkling of an eye, caught up to meet him with immortal, glorified bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-54). In other words, we cannot purchase eternal life with intellect or scientific discovery. We must be born again of water and spirit, which human science cannot explain. Indeed, Jesus was there at the beginning of creation; all things were made by and for him (Colossians 1:16). Who knows the world’s mysteries better than he does? Do we believe that he is the way to salvation, or will we keep flailing in the darkness of Scientism? Jesus brings us out of darkness and into the marvelous light.

Counterfeit Holy Spirit

We must know the Holy Spirit, the original. He guides born-again believers into all truth and shows them things to come. Recall the wonderous day the Father sent the Holy Spirit to Christ’s disciples!

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:2-4

The Holy Spirit is like fire, purifying and refining the saints. He empowers Christ’s disciples to proclaim the gospel and defend against the enemy. And since we do not battle against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), a sure-fire way to detect counterfeit gospels is to test the spirits.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

1 John 4:1-3

Baptized by fire, believers can discern false Christs, false prophets, and false doctrine. Counterfeit spiritualism cannot hold up under the fire of the Holy Spirit; it will burn away like a fake dollar bill soaking in isopropyl. For those seeking spiritual power and enlightenment outside of Christ, Lucifer offers the ancient tantric god, Mysticism.

Many believers have fallen into occult practices, believing that they are centering themselves or finding inner peace. How do we know if we are entertaining false spirits? If we reach altered states of consciousness through meditation or yoga, if we try to become one with the universe through mantras and vibrations, if we believe in reincarnation or engage in primal energies, then we operate in false spirits. Lucifer, masquerading as the Universal Mind, comes to kill, steal, and destroy. Believers should not grieve the Holy Spirit by selling their souls in exchange for counterfeit enlightenment.

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Ephesians 1:17-21

Christ’s Blood is True Currency

How is it possible to deceive the elect in the last days? Well, believers are drawn away from the light when they rationalize sin, esteem science above God’s truth, and seek spiritual enlightenment outside of God’s wisdom. Unless we cast down imaginations and bring our thoughts under the subjection of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), we cannot discern counterfeit gospels. On the other hand, Christians who walk in the light, sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption, will not be tossed with every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14).

If Lucifer cannot tempt believers with wealth and status, he entices them with promises of hidden knowledge and immortality. If that fails, he lures them into mysticism—spirituality without the Holy Spirit. Satan has invested many years attempting to bankrupt God’s kingdom. While he seeks to deceive with counterfeit gospels, Jesus came to save the lost by revealing the truth. Human souls are very expensive, and blood is the currency in the spiritual realm. Christ paid our debts on the cross out of love, tendering his life for our salvation.

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 6:20