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I guess that's plausible, but isn't that reaching a bit? Are we really Christ?
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No, but we are the "representation" of Christ on earth. Christ is the Light of the world, and God says that we are the light of the world. It is because Christ is in us that we are the light of Christ. It's no secret, God speaks of the Church and Christ as being "one." Whomever we are ruled by, we are of that body or generation. If of Christ, then Christ. If of Satan then, Satan. Did not Christ call Peter Satan? He did so simply to "illustrate" that he was savoring the things of Satan. Likewise, we're called of Christ because we do savor the things of Christ.
These deceivers come looking like Christ, but their words are antichrist. Thus, rather than exalt God in the Temple, they exalt themselves, and rather than bear witness to God's word, they speak with their own words. Rather than testify to lawfulness, they find ways to justify lawlessness. Spiritually speaking, they are false Christs in the Temple ruling themselves, instead of ruled by Christ (2nd Thessalonians 2).
I think the key phrases here are
Come in my name, and
shall deceive many. Those who come in Christ's name are called Christians.
Acts 11:26"
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."
These are those called "Christs." We are of the family of Christ, and thus are called "by His name." The Church is intimately identified with Him, indeed even to be called one, the very body of Christ. These are those who come in His name. We are those created in Christ, and in Him we live and breathe and have our being.
Ephesians 2:10"
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Ephesians 2:6"
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:"
Galatians 6:15"
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature."
So then, those who come claiming that they are Christ, but are not, and so deceive "many," are those coming claiming to be Christs' or Christians, and are not. They are the only ones who possibly could deceive
many in doing so. Surely some lunatic come claiming he is literally Christ is not going to deceive the world. However, false Christs' who come as wolves in sheep's clothing will. They are those who falsely take the name of Christ. Just as our Lord spoke of them when He addressed the messenger of the Church at Sardis:
Revelation 3:1"
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead."
They had the
Name of Christ, but they had no life in Christ. They were dead in trespass and sin, but they had taken the name of Christ.
nosce te ipsum"
Peace,
Tony Warren
"I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. -Psalms 32:5"