Jesus is speaking in this verse to the Scribes and Pharisees. They had just claimed God as their father, but Jesus stated startlingly that Satan was their father! The reason for the statement, was their continual lying, and misuse of Scripture, together with their own writings, to support their falsehood, and their perverted leadership positions over the Jewish people. Jesus was also pointing to a greater fact, that the lying activity He highlighted in the perverse rulers of Israel, had been active "from the beginning" (John 8:44), under the auspices of Satan!
This begs the question from the sincere seeker as to how to know and discern Truth. It is clear from Jesus’ words that perversion of Truth has taken place since Eden, it is still taking place, and will continue to do so until Christ’s return to Earth in Great Power! It is clearly implicit that Truth has to be worked at, and in 2Timothy 2:15, is explicit!
In Rev. 14:5, the 144000, are declared without "the Lie", this is the translation to the original manuscripts. These especially selected men, 12,000 from each of the Jewish 12 Tribes, have a particular function to perform for Almighty God. The fact that “the Lie” is not in them, emphasizes how wide spread and pervasive the Lie will become by that time. Again the obvious question is how to know Truth? An examination of the use of the word "Lie" in Rev.14:5, is a starting point.
"The Lie"; the A.V. translates "no guile". The Interlinear manuscript Str. number (1388) renders "to decoy", "to trick", "deceit", "guile", "subtlety", from a root word (Str. 1185) "to entrap", "delude", "allure", "beguile", "entice". Dr. Bullinger gives "was not found the Lie", his deduction from ancient texts. The N.I.V. has "no Lie". J.N. Darby "no Lie". R.S.V. "no Lie". Revised Authorised "no guile". However, the Lie goes on. It has continued from Eve in various forms, and usually men and women find the Lie attractive in the form it is presented in their own life time. Instead of trusting, studying and teaching the Truth as God the Holy Spirit gives it in the Bible, it is perverted, modified etc., to suit the feelings, dogmas, motives and perversions of fallen mankind. The most prevalent currently is "there are many ways to God". This one appeases the world religions (all of Babylon), and even the pastors, preachers, vicars etc. in the Western world are now exhorted by their colleges, seminaries etc., "not to create waves", by preaching Christ crucified, and the only way of Salvation, (Acts 4:12 and elsewhere). This is the ultimate version of "the Lie".
The "charismatic" effect is an example of one of "the variations of the Lie", that has permeated many mainline Churches, i.e. Roman Catholic, C of E, Baptist, Methodist, Brethren, etc. and of course the Charismatic Churches as an offshoot of Pentecostals. Even some Alpha courses in some parts of the world have included a "spiritual" section, which is charismatic in all but name! The degree of penetration of this Lie, is often a function of the understanding and determination of the leadership. Truly spiritual leaders stand against the encroachment and the false claims of the adherents, and maintain the correct focus, Christ Crucified, Risen, and Returning to Earth at some stage in the future! See: GIFTS AT PENTECOST.
The many subtleties and variations of "the Lie", are too numerous to list, and are in any case unknown. Satan's temptation of Eve and Adam in the Garden of Eden is the first recorded in this Creation. After the Flood, "the Lie" gathered new momentum at Babylon, via. Nimrod and his mother, "the Lie" has continued since through all pagan religions, in all parts of the world. It is recorded in the Old Testament that Almighty God started to deal with this problem, by calling Abram out of Ur, which calling Abram could have refused in his God given free-will. Abram obeyed God’s call, left his family and their pagan gods behind, and in that action became the "father of Israel" and followed the line of "faith from Abel", (Heb.11). The flood was God’s dealing with the first perversion after Eden, He has stated that the next Retribution will be by fire (2Peter 3:7).
Although the list of pagan/false christian religions is too numerous to make, there is however an underlying ethos in all of them, which for the seeker of truth must prayerfully be observed. All false religions, and false religious practices, demand adherence to a leadership WHICH MUST NOT BE QUESTIONED, which is the opposite to that which Christ gives, freedom! What they SAY in an interpretation or a rule must be adhered to! This principle of abdicating one's own mind and intelligence to the group leaders is the great controlling power, allowing erroneous and Satanic groups to grow!
All True and healthy groups in a Christian context, encourage study of a good translation of the Bible. Questions as they arise must not be suppressed, but debated openly, and in a spirit of love, bearing in mind constantly that The Truth of Almighty God is being handled! In practice, although mostly good intentions are expressed, differences do arise, which is where a true test of The Spirit of Christ in a group is manifested, or otherwise!
The situation in the world has probably never been more confusing for the “seeker” than at the present time, (2014), as the myriad of Churches, cults, groups, religions, spiritists, mediums, shamans, holy women, holy men, and many, many more, are all claiming truth!
At the forefront are the "respectable Churches", one being the Roman Catholic Church. If they are examined to the principles above, they draw a zero rating, as they fail all the criteria of a true to the Bible group! For example, they demand complete obedience to the Priest, to his teaching, to his interpretation of the Bible, to his rules of worship, and among many other errors, his non Biblical teaching on many subjects, including the Pope, Purgatory, Hell, to name but a few.
At the other end of the "Christendom" scale are the various cults, which have many and various teachings from the Bible, particularly the Gospels, which can seem to have veracity, especially for the vulnerable, and people under various troubles.
What they all have in common is their dictation of the lives and minds of their members, who are not allowed to question the leaders "edicts and interpretations". They go so far as to say in some current groups, that unless the person “can perform miracles, speaking in tongues (languages) other than the native, they are not saved”! Some years ago, this type of group, (Pentecostal, Charismatic etc.) did not make such a strong claim. They were content to pronounce that some people had not received the "second blessing", called by others "the Toronto blessing", as its origin was Toronto, which created a two tier system within the group! They all misuse many Scriptures to try to enforce their claims, which will have its own reward, as is shown in Matt. 7:23.
The end result of all the attempts by Satan to propagate "the Lie" in its many forms as partially described above, is "the Lake of Fire" in Rev. 20-15. However prior to that, Rev.14:9-11 comes into play!
The point is that all the methods and variations of "the Lie" mean one thing only, those people BELONG TO SATAN, they are owned by him, and the later ones described in Revelation have his mark and worship him openly! Many will object, that they are worshiping God, and his Christ! If they have any doubt about that, and their controllers threaten "expulsion, or excommunication", and will not let them question their teaching, they may eventually hear the words of Christ as recorded for prophecy by Him, Matt. 7:22-23!
Many people will object, that this is too all embracing, and that there are many people who sincerely worship God and Christ, even though their leaders are either misguided, or ignorant, or deliberately misleading their adherents. That is a totally valid point, which when examining the "ordinary Jew" of Jesus’ day large numbers believed and were saved INDIVIDUALLY. The Lord is the only one that "knows the heart" of a person, and He is the final arbiter! Any grouping that proclaims Christ is not “The Son of God”, (God manifest in the flesh) but a created son, has God’s total condemnation. Some so called Christian groups teach such, a notable one being Jehovah's Witnesses. In all the mainline Churches there are quite probably sincere Christians, but if that is the case, they will at some stage have to give account of their laxity of understanding etc., which quite possibly bears on their eternal condition! See: (God's Only Begotten Son).
The leaders have the greatest burden of Truth. The Shepherds of Israel have come into great judgment (yet future), because of misguiding Israel! The leaders ever since are under the same watchful Eye of Almighty God for the same reason! All misuse of Scripture for Satan’s purpose will have terrible punishment! In this context, our Lord’s words in Matt. 7:22-23, regarding some people who claimed to be doing His work, i.e. prophesying, casting out demons, wonderful works in His name etc., will be told "to depart, I never knew you"!
There are some leaders that say that we are still in the same times (Age) now as in the Acts period, and that the same rules apply. If that was the case, many Christians would die, almost as soon as they became Christians, as they would be convicted by the Holy Spirit in the same way as Ananias and Sapphira! (Acts 5:1-10). Many of these same groups say that the conditions still apply as detailed in Mark 16:15-18, and fulfilled in Acts 5:12, and elsewhere in Acts, but they will not allow close inspection of the so-called powers of healing etc., which clearly proves the point of false claim!
To arrive at Truth, always remembering that God knows all our true intentions, (our hearts), we must study for ourselves from a good Bible translation. If we can find a Bible believing group we should join it, for study and worship, the group organization should allow open discussion on the Bible, and any other subject related. It should allow any genuine question on the groups teaching, principles, organization, activities etc. The group, or leaders should never demand obedience beyond normal good behaviour or manners. If claims or demands are made which do not appear to chime with reason, common-sense or the Bible, they should be challenged in open forum. The will of the individual should never be “subjected” to a person or group, except in openly approved, Christian “norms and principles” which are common to the group, and Posted and known prior to joining. In such a Christ centred atmosphere, growth of group and individual will flourish, and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter will be in the midst in Truth!
See: The Age of the Earth Controversy:
If you have questions or comments, please click here.
Subjectindex or
www.revelationsmessage.co.uk or