GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 13-6
The Power of Deception
Reverend Jim Jones was a charismatic church leader who founded the Peoples Temple in Indianapolis. He moved the church and the congregation to California in 1965 and became involved in politics and social activism. The Peoples Temple grew to over 3,000 attendees. Jones’ reputation began to sour, however, when rumors of abuse began surfacing, and he was more vocal in his rejection of traditional Christianity. He then moved the church and the congregation to Jonestown, Guyana, in 1974. Following the murder of a U.S. Representative and four others in 1978, Jones ordered his followers to drink Flavor Aid laced with cyanide—909 people died.
This is one extreme example of Jesus’ warning, recorded by all three synoptic gospel writers, about being led astray. Jesus warned of the disasters the Jews would face, citing the prophetic warnings of Amos (5:16-20), Isaiah (13:6-16), Joel (ch. 3-4), Daniel, and others. Every Jew of Jesus’ era knew these solemn prophecies. Mark says, “But Jesus began to say to them, ‘Watch out, lest someone deceive you. Many will come in my name saying, “I am he,” and they will deceive many.’” (Mark 13:5-6) St. Matthew said that many will come saying, “I am the Christ.” (Matt. 24:5) Soon after Jesus’ crucifixion, men such as Theudas (Acts 5:36) and Simon Magus (Acts 8:10) attracted many followers. There are numerous instances of leaders since Jesus’ warning who have led believers astray. Though most are not as terrible as Jim Jones, the result is often the same—abandonment of biblical teaching.
“Look out (Βλέπετε),” Jesus commanded. The command implies seeing something physical with spiritual results—to see, perceive, and discern. There are two major ways for believers to “look out”: joining with other believers, and letting Genesis through Revelation serve as guardrails, i.e., staying within the pages of Scripture.
Joining with other believers to worship and study Scripture is a powerful, though not perfect, way to protect one’s faith. One should examine the history of the faith and be open to the judgment of Christ’s church.
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