Quote by John:
The Bible says that "many will be deceived".
Who will be deceived? The deception happens to those people who claim to believe in Jesus Christ and NOT nonbelievers.
Hey John,
The way I see it is that the non-believers are decieved also, according to 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12:
And with all decievableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them a strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
I agree though there will also be a sector of the modern day church that will be deceived also, like what you said. This would be the goats, or wolves, depending on which parable is being read...
The True Church of Christ, the bride of Christ, made up of only born-again saints, will not and can't be deceived by a lie. (See John 8:12 below) Since they abide in Christ, the Bible says the Holy Spirit guides them into all truth.
In John 8:12, Jesus says
I am the light of the world, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
The ones who will be decieved comes in two groups - the heathen will be sent a delusion by God for not loving the truth, and false christians will be decieved by themselves and and also the same way the heathen will be deceived. The politically correct "church" is not the True Church. So the politically correct church is the wolves and sheep together. This false part of this "church" (the wolves, or goats in other passages) will be deceived. The true part of the Church cannot be decieved. The devil will attempt to deceive even the most elect, but will be unable (see Matthew 24:24 below). The modern day Pharisee will suffer an extra measure of damnation, for they were enlightened to the truth, but rejected Him (Hebrews 6:4-6)
Matthew 24:24
For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect.
I really think this is saying that "if it were possible, which it isn't, the elect could be deceived.
It begs the question, who is a modern day Pharisee and who is a true born again Christian? The modern day Pharisee doesn't believe in Jesus and his finished work on the cross and the resurrection. The modern day Pharisee hasn't been born again. Yet they declare their self-righteousness out of a proud heart.
The true born again Christian need not worry - he has been born again, and truly abides in Christ as Christ abides in him. The Holy Spirit seals him, guiding him into all truth. The true born again Christian cannot fall away.. it is impossible. Why? Because the true born again Christian seeks after God's glory and after the face of the Father, believes in all things, and has been called, justified, sanctified, and glorified in God's eyes.
Finally, the lost who are not Pharisees who have rejected Christ for good, are the ones we go after to bring the Gospel message to. They are not necessarily self-righteous, but sick in sin and need Jesus Christ to heal them. May The Church reach out to the rest of the world, in whatever way God gifts us- music, ministry, love, mercy, prayer, and righteousness of God.