For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. 2 John 1:7 (ASV)
Image via Wikipedia
The Decepticons are usually depicted as the antagonists in the fictional universes of the Transformers toy line and related comics and cartoons, and the enemies of the Autobots.[2][3][4] The villains take many forms, and have many different origins and stories across the different Transformers media, but in almost all incarnations, they are led by Megatron. They are typically represented by the purple facial insignia they all wear. Primarily, Decepticons have red eyes, while Autobots have blue eyes. They are usually known for their air power, especially since many of them turn into aircraft. They often turn into military vehicles, construction vehicles and even smaller-than-human-sized objects.
Most Decepticons think very little of humans and consider them no better than pests or “insects”. This is strongly emphasized in the 2007 film Transformers, when Megatron is seen flicking a human like a bug and saying “disgusting”. Another example is when the Decepticon Frenzy complained about how the “stupid insects” tried to shoot him. In the animated series, Starscream works with the human, Doctor Arkeville and comments about how little he cares about destroying the entire planet Earth to meet his goal.
Some deception can be useful as in the case of World War II. Jasper Maskelyne was a British stage magician when World War II erupted in Europe. He joined the Royal Engineers and showed an extreme gift of camouflage and deception.
He convinced skeptical officers by creating the illusion of a German warship on the Thames River by using mirrors and a model.
He was deployed to the African theatre in the Western Desert along with 14 assistants: an architect, art restorer, carpenter, chemist, electrical engineer, electrician, painter, and stage-set builder. The group was nicknamed the Magic Gang.
Image by Ric e Ette via Flickr
The Magic Gang built a number of illusions. They used painted canvas and plywood to make jeeps look like tanks — with fake tank tracks — and tanks look like trucks. They created illusions of armies that fooled the Germans.
One of Maskelyn’s greatest illusions was making the Suez Canal disappear to German pilots. To mask the Suez Canal he built a revolving cone of mirrors that created a wheel of spinning light nine miles wide. The effect dazzled and disoriented the enemy pilots so they could not see the Suez Canal.
Others deceive only to serve their own purposes. Take as an example Dr. Bob Harris. In 1969, Harris phoned WCBS-TV, introducing himself as a Ph.D. in geophysics from Columbia University. “Nobody ever asked for credentials,” he explained.
For the next decade he did well in is career and was also hired by the New York Times as a consulting meteorologist.
On January 18, 1979 “Dr. Bob” Harris was fired by both the New York Times and WCBS radio as a meteorologist. His crime, he wasn’t a doctor. He wasn’t even a meteorologist. After 10 years of pretending to be a professional weatherman, Harris had been caught in a serious lie.
“I was so ashamed,” said Harris, 39. “I was publicly disgraced. I went from $75,000 a year to zip. I had lost everything.”
However most deceivers have ulterior motives that are destructive and sinister. Just like the Decepticons in the transformers franchise there are Decepticons active in our society today. They take on many forms and disguises but one thing you can be sure of, their main purpose is to deceive as many as possible into believing they are honest and true. These Decepticons want others to believe that what they present is reality and everything else is a lie. These sinister bots would like it if everyone fell for their lies and manipulations of truth.
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Mark 13:22 (NKJV)
The Magic Gang was able to fool the Germans in World War II and Bob Harris was able to fool the New York Times and WCBS, and I am sure many of these false christs and false prophets will deceive many as well. But thanks be to God that even with all the lying and deceiving going on, those who are chosen by God, who know Him and are called by His name, will be able to expose the lies for what they are and will not be deceived by them. However; one has to wonder if anyone will actually care to hear the truth? Will the earth be overtaken by the Decepticons? Will there be anyone to rescue the earth from the lies of the deceivers?
If magicians were able to fool the Germans, and one man was able to avoid detection for almost a decade, it is reasonable to assume then that many will be taken in by the lies and deceptions of the last days. You have been warned, not all is as it appears. There are Decepticons among us. Lies are being masqueraded about as truth. There is a subtle plan hatched by Satan himself to destroy all human flesh on the earth because he thinks so little of it. To him they are pests, and since he can not get at his true arch nemesis- God, he must be content then to make war on all those who have been created in God’s image, especially those of the house of Israel. There is no reasoning with the ultimate Decepticon. He must be resisted. And ultimately defeated.
Then Jesus said to those who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32 (NKJV)
This is the key to avoid being deceived. Abide in God’s word so that you too can know the truth, for it is the truth that will set you free from the Decepticons.
And that is this week’s tail feather. Think about it.
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (RSV)
Along for the journey
Thoughts and views as seen from the resident raptor. Reflecting on life and the world as I see it.
