A lie (NT:3543) pseudei (NT:5513). Properly, "the" lie. The article gives the generic sense, falsehood in all its forms. Compare John 8:44; Romans 1:25; Ephesians 4:25. Compare the contrast of truth and unrighteousness in 2 Thessalonians 2:12. All wrongdoing has an element of falsity. (from Vincent's Word Studies of the New Testament)

The preparation is to have people believe lies so that they can accept the lie in the end. The majority of people are unbelievers and are well in the reach of this influence that’s deceives.

He left those that did not love the truth to their own devices, and had them to believe what was false, and it would bring their own destruction.

God sends a Strong delusion to those who refuse to live by God’s absolutes, beginning with not accepting the gospel. What will begin to work is energeian planees -`an effectual (energizing) working of error' directly connected to the "working of Satan” by his active power to mislead.

[Believe a lie] - Greek, `the lie' which Antichrist tells, appealing to his miracles as proofs (2 Thessalonians 2:9). (from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary).

If we think false miracles are influential today, wait the restraint is fully removed, it will be immensely worse. All three areas, world, the flesh, the Devil will be used against us. What Paul says in 1 Cor. 16:13 should be embraced “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”

I Jn. 1:7-8: “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Christian’s that say they do not have sin nor have a need to confess sin are sorely deceived. But this is just one of the many deceptions that are spreading as we remove our selves from the bible. Walking in the light means to be truthful, honest with each other, not hide our feelings.

3 Jn. 1:3-4 “For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

John along with the Lord rejoiced at believers repenting, wanting to do what is right to others and for God.

Eph. 4:17: “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind.”

Our walk should be different than a non believers walk; we should have honesty, integrity, genuine care; not phoniness not just words with no actions. But I see and experience this as change

This wave of deception is increasing and taking place in various arenas and on numerous levels, i.e. politics, and this would be expected as the false Messiah will come through politics first to gain control of the nations.

It appears that many are believing in some kind of lie, politically, socially, religious. Some have even brought up the point of a vast sociological experiment taking place; a worldwide reconditioning is taking place. This deception is liken to a spiritual blanket, like clouds blocking the sun, if it continues to stay cloudy people will not know what the sun is like.

The worlds ways: Liberalism wants people to unite and become part of the consensus. We can see what is taking place in the world is the same taking place inside the church. The tension between those who are independent and think for themselves and the sheeple who believe every word of pastors (who can be spiritual politicians) without ever checking them out with the Scripture; will be their ruination in the end.

The spirit of age is aggressive in its progress and its goal to merge all into a unity in diversity. “Liberal” and “conservative” are not just terms limited only to the politics, they are concepts, lifestyles and they are at odds with each other in the church. There are belief systems behind these words, when we accept them they affect how we live. You can apply someone who is conservative to be a Bible believer, who consults the word for his decisions and way of living; someone who believes in absolutes and consequences. The Liberal is someone who not guided by absolutes from the Scripture he can be identified with the emergent movement or with Charismatic way of the Spirit that does not have the word; the Bible as their basis for life or decisions but uses it intermittently, when it is convenient for them.

Israel did not destroy the high paces of the other gods they worshipped along with the true God. In the church we do not remove the false teachers; both yield the same results. These false teachers and prophets are conduits for demonic powers (1 Tim.4:1) that intend on changing the church. Do not listen to their teachings; if you are not suited up with the armor you will be deceived. Even error, if it is something small; can begin a journey away from the truth and you will have no idea where you can end up without taking precautions.

Some do not see the apostasy taking place but consider as a future even (if it takes place at all). In the future it will come to its zenith but it is certainly taking place today. To say it is still future (or not to happen) is a dangerous position to hold and keeps you from being guarded from its influences.

I have heard some the most outrageous claims, teachings and practices in this last year. Occult/ other religious practices of god being a force; he is passed on to others by the hand of an “anointed one.” In fact all the modern charismatic revivals were done by transference, the laying on of hands for an anointing, to pass a gift. Some even touch others saying they are placing a mark on their followers' forehead, calling it the "Seal" of the Living God, (it’s the Lord who seals the 144,000 Jews in the Tribulation, something no man can do).

Encounters: spiritual experiences are used to attract the pursuers of the supernatural. It is mysticism when you learn by a technique, once it is learned it becomes second nature to your life. The Holy Spirit is like Jesus, He does not lead the followers of Jesus into other religions practices. Instead of following Jesus the way He taught, they are influencing people to be more open, open to anything. Because the word is rarely preached in context at these gatherings, when it is preached correctly many do not accept it because it becomes offensive to their new spiritual practices.

Christianity is not based on experiential spirituality (experiences) like the occult is. It is practical living, it is caring for others as you would yourself, helping to heal them emotionally, physically; being a support in their time of need. The new focus has believers compromise the Bible and attach other spiritual systems and ways to life. All it takes is a small adjustment to change real Christianity. It’s like having the color blue, if one mixes a small percentage of yellow or red, the color changes to a different shade. The more you add this additional color the more changes take place. It will finally end up being something completely different in the end.

Take the example of people, young and old taken to heaven and come back with a whole new revelation that is contrary or adds to the written word. We are told angels, even Jesus is making a special appearances in their home, ‘visualization,’ ‘imaging’ and ‘imagination’ are all used to contact a Jesus. These people are drunk on what’s new and different, and the teachers are using the ungrounded people in the church to support their new revelations. This then becomes a paradigm to change the commission of Jesus (Mt.28:18-19).

Without the power and presence of the Holy Spirit we cannot be witnesses, and when other religious practices are used, when worldly ideas are allowed he is quenched; this explains the increase of universalism. The intention of doing nothing to spread the gospel causes a void where the very opposite teaching can fill the church. Courses on spiritual warfare to battle demons in the other "dimensions" of the spirit world are learned instead of countering the darkness by engaging non believers directly only adds to the deception. Seeing into the spirit world is not what we are told to do anywhere in Scripture (as if there is something we can control).

They have people repeat after me — they can’t think outside the box the teachers have made for them, they can’t scrutinize their teaching by the bible. Repetitive unbiblical prayers that are like mantras are given to individuals to be repeated over and over for a result to happen, even by song. Word faith teachings and concepts have been adopted in the church they are hardly noticed as different anymore by the willing active participants.

Jingles and slogans are all part of advertising, it’s all geared toward promotion of an image and it is now being used in the church in an ungodly manner. Churches want to be on the cutting edge and this is coming through worship music. False doctrine is regularly promoted through worship songs; some are from cultic churches that have embraced every charismatic heresy possible. Calling it Innovative and progressive seems to win over the listeners who are unable to discern what they are singing about. The one that leads you into worship of God should have accurate teaching in the lyrics - purely based on the Bible (such as the Psalms), it does not have to be scripture but it should be scriptural. Consider what happens when they teach winds of doctrine, the newest trends in the church. It stays with the participant because music by itself can be a powerful influence, but when united with false teaching it becomes far more damaging.

Some teach Adam and Eve were alive before they came to earth, that we were all spirits before we took bodies (much like Mormonism and reincarnation teach).

What believers really need is correction from the pulpits, to learn what is right and wrong so they can live an exemplary life that is free from the increasing falsehood in the world. This means they need to hear what is wrong and why it is wrong so they can embrace what is true.

I have never seen this much cultic and occult activity invading the church, we are at the point of either actively resisting or will be overcome; yes: it is that bad. Does this mean that there will be no remnant, of course not! There will always be a remnant, what will be determined is the size of this remnant.

There are churches that are in terrible shape spiritually but the pastors are in good shape (financially) and keep their position and control. Many ministries are run like a theocracy; they are the head, the mediator. They act as the Maestro of an orchestra instead of picking up an instrument and playing music along with everyone else. They are not serving but being served, yet few under their influence (anointing) understand the difference.

Being aware and awake were two important points Jesus made for those living in the last days. Both have to do with the end of the age and the generation that sees the signs that precede His coming. “Signs of the end of the age” are increasing. Foremost is indifference, apathy is running a high pitch fever, leaving a wake of emptiness in its path. The Bible calls it apostasy.

Jesus gave us examples of being awake = aware of what is taking place to keep from being deceived.

Mark 13:35-37 "Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming-- in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-- "lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.

"And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"

Stay awake: At the Lord’s weakest hour, when he faced his mission of coming to earth, he found his three closest disciples sleeping when they were to be praying with him, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mark 14:37-38)

Jesus describes what it will be like in the end. Matt 25:1-10 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. "Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. "Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, "but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' "Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. "And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' "But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Who is wise, those who are filled with the Holy Spirit, as the call went out they were ready…

We are admonished over and over Mark 13:33 "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” V.35-37 "Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming-- in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-- "lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. "And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"

1Thess. 5:6 “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”

Rev. 3:2-4 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. "You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.”

All through Scripture we are told to watch, to be awake and not sleep.

No one believed Noah as he preached of the coming judgment, they watched him prepare as he built the ark. Today they did not believe that judgment is coming, that a tribulation is our world’s future. The world’s ways are closing, it is fast approaching the time when Jesus warned would be unlike any other, are they watching us prepare? The world is falling asleep, the church should not be like the world. 1 Cor. 15:33-34 ‘Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.”

Luke 12:37-40: "Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. "And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

The longer we wait, the darker it will get and the more asleep everyone will be.

Matt 16:1-3 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus v2-3 He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red'; "and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.”

Can you see what is taking place in the world? How can we think it is not happening? Some people have their system of theology blind them, they are convinced this cannot be what Jesus spoke of even though it becomes clearer each day.

Rom. 13:11-14 “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

Eph. 5:14-18 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light." See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.”

The answer is God’s Spirit. Controlled by Him as the onslaught of the enemy surrounds us and do what he has commissioned us to. Walk in your calling.

Does the truth matter to you? Think about the last time you went out of your way to defend it, to proclaim to those who blatantly mock it. Whom do we seek to please in being loyal in the face of stark departures from the word? Do we fear man or God? Do we have our soul tied so intrinsically to that leader and his ministry that we do not want to see, hear or speak what they do wrong? To choose to not listen to those who see, hear and speak

parroting statements like, judge not, touch not the anointed or labeling one a heresy hunter, shows that they have been trained like Pavlov’s dogs, to continue to argue an unbiblical position never letting sound bible teaching, logic and reason enter their decisions has them submerge into dark waters. The teachers they follow (not just the teaching) becomes idolatry in the heart.

A spiritual war has come and will eventually engage everyone. It is a spiritual combat whose results are life or death. The great deception is in every area of society and in the church; it involves not believing the truth and instead a lie. The only thing left to answer is whether you are part of it.