“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you”
–Mark 13:3-5
The end times are, of course, a time of almost-complete deception.
And end times man–regardless of what he may believe–is completely deceived.
End times man is deceived by that master of lies, Satan.
“And the great dragon…that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world”
–Revelation 12:9
ONE of the end times’ biggest deceptions is the one where end times man believes he is too intelligent; too smart; too wise; too clever(?) to be deceived.
BUT this is not true. Proof is provided by
- The number of end times men who are fooled by the schemes of man–let alone deceptions crafted by the father of lies.
- The popularity of entertainment featuring the victory of the con man over the ordinary fellow; and,
- The enduring use of some of the oldest schemes of man.
One of the most enduring of the schemes of man is the concept of controlling the public by the use of bread and circuses.
In a political context, the phrase means to generate public approval, not by excellence in public service or public policy, but by diversion, distraction or by satisfying the most immediate or base requirements of a populace — by offering a palliative: for example food (bread) or entertainment (circuses).
In case the reader mistakenly believes modern man is too smart to be controlled by bread and circuses, he need look no further than America as proof the concept is flourishing.
Modern America has ALWAYS been the Land of Bread and Circuses.
The “bread” is the “safety net“–including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps).
The “circuses” are a number of time-consuming distractions so effective they ensnare many of their users so that the distraction becomes an obsession or compulsion.
Some of the deceived use the word “addiction,” though that word hides what is truly happening.
Video games, television programming, movies, the Internet, physical fitness, political theater, the “news,” popular magazines, college and/or pro sports, puzzles and games: the list is nearly endless.
And–as the populace has become less educated, civic-minded and well-mannered–the distractions have become more base and vulgar: more devoted to attaching themselves to the most sinful aspects of man’s character.
One illustration is political theater, which has degenerated into little more than name-calling, staged confrontations and comedic quips by those thought of as “our leaders.”
When political leaders begin hitting each other with folding chairs, then the reader will know staged political theater has truly become the successor to the similarly staged pro wrestling shows.
Another illustration is the near-constant deluge of media promotions featuring “celebrities” of every flavor. The reader only has to pay close attention to the “news” to know that these celebrities do little more than create confrontations with other celebrities; attend public functions in order to be seen by the public; and/or pretend to be involved in fake relationships which many times produce marketable offspring.
Yes, bread and circuses is alive and well and controlling the public every bit as effectively now as 2000 years ago.
MORE: Modern Slavery: Some thoughts
DOES the reader indulge in one or more of the bread and circuses components?
It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: Making a Choice
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The End Times Power of God Unleashed
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: January 22, 2019.]
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- The Powerless Churches: Church Folk and Their Lack of God’s Power
- PRAYER: A Few Thoughts on Prayer and Praying
- Constructing One’s Own Reality Begins with Self-Deception
- Satan Has Counterfeited the Christian Church
- The Deceptions of Demonic Power
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- The Normalizing of Illegitimate Supernatural Power in the End Times
- The Nature of Spiritual Deception
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- God is in Control
- The Nature of Spiritual Deception
- Tender Mercies of the Lord: Will Not Always Be Available
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: Wikimedia Commons/pd
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-19. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP, 2007-2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s authors and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson, Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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