p. 7 | FALSE MESSIAHS

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 8, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 41.

FALSE MESSIAHS.

Jesus said to His own people the Jews: “I am come in My Father’s name, and ye receive Me not; if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” John 5:43. The next verse tells why.

How many times since has history demonstrated the truth of these words here and in Matt. 24:5, “And many shall come in My name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray.” Again He warns: “If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or Here; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you beforehand. If therefore they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the wilderness; go not forth; Behold, He is in the secret chambers, believe it not.” Verses 23–26.

And yet how many have been deceived. Not less than a score of deceivers arose in the early centuries, and in these days they are multiplying rapidly. The earlier deceptions were largely among the Jews; the later is largely among the Christians. Spiritism and kindred cults declare that Jesus comes in the secret chambers, and millions are deceived. Mormonism and Dowieism declare that His headquarters are here or there; or He is here, or Here, believe it not. All this is contrary to the teaching of His Word. Yet there are multitudes that follow the signs and the wonders as preferable to truth and character because they do not know the truth.

Gentile Christians are not alone in these deceptions. There is now (we obtain information from the Voice of Israel) taught that the prophesied Redeemer is now in Persia, having the name in the flesh of Abbas Effendi. He has a representative in this country, Merza Abdul Fazel. The editor of the Voice of Israel tells us that this Persian prophet has his residence in a fashionable quarter in Washington, where he was found sipping his tea, with pipe at hand. It is claimed that about 30,000 Jews in Persia, Assyria, and Russia, are now the followers of this false messiah, and 10,000 in the United States. He is now gathering out the 144,000, his prophet tells us, and with them will enlighten others. The prophet makes great promises to those who will become one of these.

And thousands will be deceived here also. Yet no one need be led astray. Christ does not come the second time in that way. “For as the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of Man.” Matt. 24:27. “Behold, He cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see Him.” Rev. 1:7. “Shall so come in like manner as ye beheld Him going into heaven.” Acts 1:9–11. “Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus.”