Master of Deception
Satan is the "Adversary" of truth. God created him to fill that role, and he is really good at his job, having earned a Masters Degree in Deception. Jesus and Paul both warned people about his deception...
"You are of your father, the Adversary, and the desires of your father you are wanting to do. He was a man-killer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, for truth is not in him. Whenever he may be speaking a lie, he is speaking of his own, for he is a liar, and the father of it. Yet I -- seeing that I am speaking the truth, you are not believing Me..."..."Satan himself is being transfigured into a messenger of light." John 8:44-45; 2 Corinthians 11:18 CLNT)
The "Adversary", or Satan, has disguised himself as a "messenger of light", not among the wicked, but among the religious folks. One of his favorite tools is the mistranslation of Scripture. For example:
Mistranslation of Greek words into English:
"Aion" and its cognitive adjective "aionios": The Greek words mean "a space of time, an age and age lasting".
Satan, however, influenced theologians to define the words as "eternal" or "everlasting" or "forever and ever" in various places!
"Gehenna': This was a place in the valley of Hinnon, near Jerusalem, where propitiatory sacrifices were made to the god Moloch. It is derived from the Hebrew ge ben Hinnom, the valley of the son of Hinnom. It was being used as a garbage dump when Jesus was on earth.
Satan, however, influenced theologians to translate the Greek word as "hell", the Greek mythological underworld ruled over by Hades, son of Zeus.
But his most deceptive victory was getting believers to to mix the good news of the Kingdom promised Israel with the good news of Grace which applies to all mankind.
Mixing the gospel of the Kingdom with the Gospel of Grace: Paul writes...
"...perceiving that I have been entrusted with the EVANGEL OF THE UNCIRCUMCISION, according as Peter OF THE CIRCUMCISION (For he who operates in Peter for the apostleship of the Circumcision operates in me also for the nations), and, knowing the grace which is being given to me, James and Cephas and John, who are supposed to be pillars, give to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we, indeed, are to be for the nations, yet they for the Circumcision." (Galatians 2:7 CLNT)
This was not just a matter of to whom Peter and Paul went, but it is a matter of what they taught - the content of the gospel they were to share. Both evangels (gospels) are rooted in Jesus but are two different ministries to two separate groups of believers with two separate destinies in this age and the two following ages:
1. Gospel of the Kingdom "for the Circumcision": It is good news for God's covenant nation, Israel. They were to obey the Law of Moses in order to prosper. They failed but God had promised to send another Prophet like Moses who would restore to earth the Kingdom that God had promised ISRAEL. That Prophet was Jesus, the Messiah. But they rejected and killed him. And the irony is that his blood that they shed is the very blood that has atoned for their sin. It is all a part of God's plan, and Jesus promised Israel that he would come again to establish the Kingdom, and bring in the "times of refreshing".
The promises and curses in the Law of Moses, the Levitical Priesthood, the word of the Prophets, and the Pentecostal gifts and miracles are for them and applies directly ONLY to them. As the covenant nation, they are to confess their sin, call upon the name of the Lord, turn from their evil ways, be baptized for the pardon of their sins, and continue to do works of righteousness found in the Law of Moses. And most importantly, to believe that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah). His resurrection was the proof to them that he was the Messiah.
"And Jehovah testifies against Israel, and against Judah, by the hand of every prophet, and every seer, saying, ‘Turn back from your evil ways, and keep My commands, My statutes, according to all the law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent unto you by the hand of My servants the prophets."... "Simon Peter said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Now, answering, Jesus said to him, Happy are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood does not reveal it to you, but My Father Who is in the heavens."..."Peter is averring to them, Repent and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the pardon of your sins...so that the times of refreshing should be coming from the face of the Lord." (2 Kings 17:13 YLT; Matthew 16:16-17 CLNT; Acts 2:38, 3:19 CLNT)
It is Israel's destiny to rule and reign with Jesus Christ in His Kingdom to be established on this earth during the two ages following this present Age. The details of the Gospel of the Kingdom for Israel is found in the Books of the Old Testament and the New Testament Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Hebrews, James, 1st and 2nd Peter, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John, Jude and Revelation.
2. Gospel of Grace "for the Uncircumcision": It is the good news for all mankind that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried and rose again, and the result will be the salvation and reconciliation of all creation . Those of all nations who believe this good news are "placed" in the Body of Christ by God as He "wills". Members of the Body are to share this good news on earth during this present Age and their destiny is in the heavens in the following Ages. Jesus is the Head of the Body and His death on the cross for all sinners, flowing from the love, grace and mercy of God, is the focus of this gospel. Jesus gave the details of this good news first to the Apostle Paul which had been hidden in past Ages. Paul was the worst sinner, and the FIRST member of the Body of Christ..
"To Him who has it in His power to make you strong, as declared in the Good News which I am spreading, and the proclamation concerning Jesus Christ, in harmony with the unveiling of the Truth which in the periods of past Ages remained unuttered." ... "Christ died for our sins according to the scripture, and was entombed, and he has been roused the third day..."... "Faithful is the saying, and deserving of universal acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; among whom I stand foremost. But mercy was shown me in order that in me as the foremost of sinners Christ Jesus might display the fullness of His long-suffering patience as an example to encourage those who would afterwards be resting their faith on Him with a view to the Life of the Ages. Now to the immortal and invisible King of the Ages, who alone is God, be honor and glory to the Ages of the Ages! Amen." (Romans 16:25 WEH; Timothy 1:15-17 WEH)
All of the details and destiny of the Body of Christ are found in the New Testament Books of Acts, Romans, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
Summary of the Deception:
Satan and his "servants" have succeeded in mixing these two gospels to such an extent that the gospels have become "a different gospel, which is really not another".
"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the GRACE of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ...For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:6-12)
Satan's deception is temporary, for "the truth" of the "redemption" of all mankind will be obvious to all at the end of the ages when all are saved, and all creation reconciled to God.
"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins...and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach." ..."This is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things." (Colossians 1:13-22;1 Timothy 4:9-11
Pass on what Paul told us to "teach" so that others might come "to a knowledge of the truth".
"This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-8)