Notice Jesus' specific warning: “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5, King James Version). It is these people—false preachers and teachers claiming to be Christian—who would proliferate and deceive ever more people as the end of the age neared. The apostle Paul later affirmed, in a Christian context, that “evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). So not only do they deceive others. These false teachers themselves are deceived.
