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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 [2 Cor. 11:13–14].
Evidently there were deceitful workers who attempted to make themselves apostles of Christ when they were not. They were actually servants of Satan.
People have the idea that Satan has cloven hooves and horns. This kind of erroneous idea comes from the great god Pan of Greek mythology, who was portrayed as half animal and was worshiped as Dionysus. Likening Satan to Pan certainly is not the scriptural point of view. Satan himself is an angel of light. If he would make himself visible to you, you would see a being of breathtaking beauty. Paul draws from that this conclusion:
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 Cor. 11:15].
The frightening statement here is that Satan has ministers. It makes your hair stand on end. As Satan is transformed into an angel of light, so his ministers are transformed as the ministers of righteousness. They are very attractive.
I remember as a boy in my teens I went to hear a lecturer from a certain cult. I was not brought up in a Christian family, and I didn’t know how to differentiate truth from untruth. This man read questions from the audience. I am of the opinion that no one really asked this question but that he made it up himself so that he would be able to make a point. He said someone asked whether he could explain the halo of light that was around his head. Well, I took a good, hard look and I couldn’t see any halo of light around his head. But don’t you see what he was doing? He was making himself to be a minister of light. He was glorifying himself. All Satan’s ministries glorify themselves. This is one way you can tell whether a man is preaching the simplicity of the Word of God or whether he is preaching some other Jesus and some other gospel.
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 [Matt. 7:22–23].
Obviously these verses do not refer to believers today. Every believer, living or dead, will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. None will hear the Lord say, "depart from me." This passage has particular reference to the Great Tribulation Period and the Millennium. This is the place to suggest that the Sermon on the Mount will have a particular meaning for the remnant during the Great Tribulation.
Also, there is a needed warning
here for professing church members—in fact, for all believers. Folk talk
enthusiastically about certain so-called miracle workers today, and they say to
me, "You can tell God is with them." In light of these verses, can we be sure of
that? The name of Christ is on the lips of many people who are leaders of cults
and "isms." Just to use the name of Christ and the Bible is not proof that a
system is genuine. It is not the outward profession but the inward relationship
to a crucified but living Savior that is all-important.
McGee, J. V. (1997). Thru the Bible commentary (electronic ed., Vol. 4, p. 42).
Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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