In the first verses of Matthew 24 we find the occasion for Jesus’ speech about “the last things”. Jesus tells His disciples that the temple will be destroyed and they ask Him when that will be and also how they can tell when He will officially be present as King, they ask about His parousia. That will herald a whole new era, the coming aeon, of which the prophets speak: the Kingdom of the Messiah. And hence their third question: what is the sign of the end of the aeon? The first thing Jesus says is:
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed lest any man lead you astray.
temptation
This aeon is an evil age, because the god of this aeon blinds the mind (2 Cor. 4:4). Satan is “the father of lies” (John 8:44) and that means that lies are the rule rather than the exception in this eon: “the lie reigns.” The Lord warns His disciples against deception. Paul also warns in his letters against deception and, according to him, this would only increase at the end of this evil aeon, which is also mentioned in Matthew 24 (2 Thess. 2:10; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. .3:1-5).
5 For many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ…
It literally says: many will come up my name. Would this mean that those who lead astray are people who say they recognize Jesus and even preach him? Paul also warns against those who pretend to be representatives of God, but in reality are not.
2 Corinthians 11
13 For such men are pseudo-apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
14 No wonder! For Satan himself presents himself as a messenger of light.
15 Therefore it is nothing special if his servants also present themselves as servants of righteousness (…)
messengers of light
Satan also presents himself as a messenger (>angel, Greek: aggelos) of light. Satan uses the word of God, but subtly twists it so that he presents himself as a messenger of light. Remember the serpent in the garden, who asked Eve: is it not that God has said…? (Gen.3:1). Or in the temptation in the wilderness, where Satan points to what is written (Matt. 4:6).
We would be especially attentive to those who pose as messengers of light and ministers of righteousness. The words of Jesus and Paul are indications that the servants of Satan are in the religious world, in Christianity. Since they are messengers, it concerns those who claim to bring God’s word: pastors, preachers, etc.
5 … and say, I am Christ, and they shall lead many astray.
I am the Christ
Throughout history there have been various figures who pretended to be Christ (>Messiah = Anointed One). Usually this was on a small scale, such as in certain sects. But Jesus’ statement here is specifically about the time that is yet to come, as can be seen from verses 23 and 24. In the time of the great tribulation (:21) false Christs and false prophets will arise, who will show great signs and wonders (:23-24). The deception will be enormous. One figure, who is yet to come and whom we know from Scripture, stands out. We find this at the opening of the first seal in Revelation 6.
Revelation 6
1 And I saw: when the Lamb opens one of the seven seals (…)
2 And I looked, and behold a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, and a laurel wreath was given to him: and he went out conquering, and that he might conquer.
Rider on a white horse
Later in the book of Revelation we find a Rider on a white horse described, who is called: Faithful and True, and also: the Word of God (Rev.19:11-13). This unmistakably concerns Christ Jesus. But in Revelation 6 we read that the peace that this rider on the white horse brings is taken away and brings terrible slaughter and oppression (:3). This is described in the second to sixth seals, a picture of the great tribulation.
This rider on the white horse is what Jesus calls a false (>pseudo) Christ in verse 24. Someone who pretends to be Messiah, but is not. Paul also refers to this period of false peace, which is followed by the great tribulation, when he says: And when they say, Peace and security, then suddenly total destruction comes upon them (1 Thess.5:3).