The Great Deception – Part 1: It’s Already Here

By Jacob Kern

Welcome to Part 1 of “The Great Deception” series. If you’re new here, this series exposes the spiritual lies infiltrating the Church, culture, and end-time systems. Follow the full series here as each part is released.

The Deception Has Already Begun

Many believers are waiting for a future moment when deception will rise—when the Antichrist appears, when the False Prophet demands worship, or when open persecution begins. However, the truth is far more urgent:

The great deception isn’t coming—it’s already here.

We’re living in a time when truth offends, compromise is celebrated as love, and tolerance demands silence from the righteous. As a result, a spiritual infrastructure is forming—one rooted in control, confusion, and counterfeit worship.

Scripture Has Already Warned Us

Paul’s words to Timothy resonate today more than ever:

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
— 2 Timothy 4:3

That time has come. From pulpits to podcasts, many messages sound spiritual yet are diluted, distorted, or dangerously misleading. Consequently, believers must stay anchored in sound doctrine.

Where Is It Happening?

In the Church: Many sermons elevate self, wealth, and comfort above repentance, holiness, and reverence for God.
In Culture: Truth, identity, morality, and even biology are constantly redefined.
In Technology: Digital platforms increasingly monitor behavior, restrict speech, and normalize compliance.

Modern church sanctuary with lights and fog, empty seats symbolizing spiritual emptiness.

This Isn’t Paranoia—It’s Prophetic

Jesus warned in Matthew 24 that “even the elect would be deceived—if that were possible.” Additionally, Paul noted that the arrival of the Antichrist would be preceded by a “strong delusion” sent to those who rejected truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10–11).

We are not sounding an alarm in fear, but in faith. The deception is real, it is spiritual, and it has already begun. Therefore, believers must remain awake and equipped.

What Can You Do?

Know the Word: Study Scripture deeply—understand both context and doctrine.
Discern the Spirits: Test every message, teacher, and movement through the lens of God’s Word.
Stay in Fellowship: Isolation is a tactic of the enemy. Surround yourself with grounded, accountable believers.
Pray for Wisdom: The Holy Spirit still speaks—seek His guidance daily.

External Resource: What is spiritual deception? (GotQuestions.org)

In the Next Part…

We’ll explore how the enemy uses false light—a mix of truth and lies—to seduce even well-meaning believers. Don’t miss Part 2: False Light – When Truth Gets Twisted.