Topical Bible: The Devil: Works Lying Wonders

◄ The Devil: Works Lying Wonders ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Devil, also known as Satan, is depicted in the Bible as a master deceiver and the father of lies (John 8:44). One of his primary methods of deception is through the performance of "lying wonders," which are miraculous acts intended to mislead and draw people away from the truth of God.

Biblical References

The concept of lying wonders is explicitly mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:9, where the Apostle Paul warns the Thessalonian church about the coming of the lawless one: "The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder" . This passage highlights that the Devil can perform signs and wonders that appear miraculous but are ultimately deceptive.

In the Old Testament, the magicians of Pharaoh's court in Egypt are an early example of such deceptive wonders. In Exodus 7:11-12, they replicate some of the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron, such as turning staffs into serpents. However, their power is limited and ultimately inferior to the power of God, as demonstrated when Aaron's staff swallows their staffs.

Nature and Purpose

The lying wonders of the Devil serve several purposes. Primarily, they are designed to lead people away from the truth and to promote falsehood. By imitating the miraculous works of God, Satan seeks to confuse and deceive individuals, making it difficult for them to discern the true source of power. This is evident in the warning given by Jesus in Matthew 24:24: "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible" .

These wonders are also a tool for promoting idolatry and false worship. In Revelation 13:13-14, the second beast performs great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven, to deceive the inhabitants of the earth and lead them to worship the first beast. This passage illustrates how lying wonders can be used to establish and reinforce false religious systems.

Discernment and Protection

Believers are called to exercise discernment and to test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1). The presence of lying wonders necessitates a reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance and the truth of Scripture as the ultimate standard. In Ephesians 6:11, Paul exhorts believers to "put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes" . This spiritual armor includes the belt of truth and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, equipping Christians to stand firm against deception.

The Bible also emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus Christ as a safeguard against the Devil's deceptions. In 1 John 5:4-5, it is written, "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. Who then overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God" . Faith in Christ provides the foundation for recognizing and resisting the lying wonders of the Devil.

Conclusion

The Devil's lying wonders are a significant aspect of his strategy to deceive and lead people away from God. Through miraculous but deceptive acts, he seeks to confuse, mislead, and promote false worship. Believers are called to be vigilant, discerning, and grounded in the truth of Scripture to withstand these deceptions and remain faithful to God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Thessalonians 2:9
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 16:14
For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

What the Apostle Paul Wrote to the Thessalonians About the ...
... It is commonly questioned whether these works are called "signs and lying wonders"
because he ... done only by God, being ignorant of the devil's power, and ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 19 what the apostle paul.htm

Signs and Wonders.
... of birds: but only in strange portents, absurd and lying miracles, which ... The Lord
shall rejoice in His works.". ... of the world, the flesh, and the devil"oh then ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xix signs and wonders.htm

The Doctrine of Christ.
... the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil"
(iii:8 ... apostasy and from there into the delusion with the lying wonders and on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the doctrine of christ.htm

Introduction
... Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders." The apostle ... a thousand years later
by the Devil himself, to ... under the sun" (Ecc.1:9). History works in cycles ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/introduction.htm

Of Passages from the Holy Scriptures, and from the Apocrypha ...
... allowed them, when blinded by sense, both to be deluded by lying vanities and ... peace;
and the Son of God, who came to destroy the works of the devil, is not ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/of passages from the holy.htm

On the Clause, and Shall Come in Glory to Judge the Quick and the ...
... to be born of a Virgin, the devil created prejudice ... And with all signs and lying
wonders; for the father of ... will make a show [1877] of the works of falsehood ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xv on the clause.htm

Antichrist in Daniel
... that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works" (John 14:10 ... his prodigies by power from
his father, the Devil. ... with all power and signs and lying wonders." Thus will ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/4 antichrist in daniel.htm

Conclusion
... That God will yet permit the Devil to bring forth ... with all power and signs and lying
wonders, and with ... have "no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/conclusion.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... And Jesus rebuked the devil, and he departed out of ... whose end shall be according
to their works," 2:Cor ... with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, and with ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy.
... by the immutable Word of God are proven to be lying wonders. ... All these works are
indications of a proud heart. ... the people are away up, but the devil can appear ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter ii scriptural predictions of.htm