The Deception of the Last Days

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 28, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 42.

The Deception of the Last Days

The last days are, in the light of prophecy, portrayed as days of deception. Matt. 24: 3-5, 11; 2 Thess. 2: 7-12; 1 Tim. 4: 1, 2; Rev. 13: 11-17. All these scriptures, as well as others, show that this deception will be of a religious character. People are more readily deceived by that which is pleasing to the imagination, so "touching little incidents" are often brought into play and wield a widespread influence upon superficial minds. One of these incidents, referring to the death of Bishop Phillips Brooks, is going the rounds. It is said that on the day of the bishop's death a lady acquaintance at whose house he was a frequent visitor, broke the news to her little five-year-old daughter by saying, "Bishop Brooks has gone to heaven." To which the child replied, "O mamma, how happy the angels will be!" This sad deception of both mother and child is indeed a "touching little incident," as it illustrates a very popular "strong delusion" that has obtained through extensive perversion of the truth. The word of God plainly teaches that Christ went away to prepare a place for his own, and that he will receive them all, both living and dead, at once when he comes again. John 14: 1-3; 1 Thess. 4: 15-17.