Matthew 24: 23-25 “At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect – if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time” (NIV).
During that horrible seven year tribulation period from 66/67 A.D. to 73/74 A.D., it is likely some people suffered extreme despair and hopelessness. And in the wake of the fall of Jerusalem, much despair surely sunk in for many Israelites.
Tragically, certain people took advantage of such vulnerability.
Justin Martyr was an early Christian writer who lived from 110 to 165 A.D. Having keen ability and rare courage, Justin wrote an explanation of Christianity which was addressed to the Roman Emperor, the sons of the Emperor, the Roman Senate, and all Roman people. In his written work entitled First Apology of Justin, in Chapter 26, he told of a man named Menander, who practiced magical arts. Justin stated: “He persuaded those who adhered to him that they should never die, and even now there are some living who hold this opinion of his.” (1)
Irenaeus, who became a church leader for both Lyons and Vienne, lived from 120 to 202 A.D. Preserving some history of that period in his writing entitled Against Heresies, in Book 1, Chapter 23, he likewise told of the man Menander.
Menander claimed to be the savior.
Irenaeus stated: “…for his disciples obtain the resurrection by being baptized into him, and can die no more, but remain in the possession of immortal youth.” (2)
Menander was one of a number.
Jesus gave a warning. Jesus was correct. There has been the need to heed the warning of Jesus regarding both false Messiahs and false prophets at various junctures in history ever since His ascension.
Yet let us continue to listen to this epic teaching of Jesus, as we are on the doorstep of a glorious revelation from Jesus of the truly glorious news regarding the fact that He will return!!!
Hunter Irvine
(1) Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, eds.,
The Ante-Nicene Fathers: The Writings of the Fathers Down to A.D. 325
(1867; digital repr., Albany, Oregon: SAGE Software, 1996), 1:320.
(2) Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, eds.,
The Ante-Nicene Fathers: The Writings of the Fathers Down to A.D. 325
(1867; digital repr., Albany, Oregon: SAGE Software, 1996), 1:718.
