The Bible warns against deceptive teachings and false prophets who come in the name of Jesus. It emphasizes the importance of discerning true teachings from deceptive ones and the need to guard against those who corrupt the truth. 

Gal 5:9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. ~This means, false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough.

False teachings can be subtle and creep into our beliefs without our awareness and leaven the whole lump of what we believe and understand. One small and seemingly insignificant alteration of Scripture can give birth to a different message and understanding than the author intended. Example: John 1:1 where it says “the Word was with God and the Word was God”, the adding of an (a) making it say “the Word was (a) God” has fueled and given credence to an entirely different belief system.

I feel it quite necessary to bring to the forefront a few passages of Scripture that have been erroneously translated. These are verses that have caused deception by how the translators have conveyed them and it has lead to many false doctrines to spring up over the centuries. The passages of Scripture are in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and start in verses 3-4. These verses are translated not just poorly but purposely misleading. I have studied the Greek of the Bible for 35 years and can assure you that I would not point this out if I didn’t feel it was crucial to the topic of this article on the leaven of deception that stems from false teachings. Let’s start off with examining verses 3 and 4 as they are translated in the King James Bible. I’ve emboldened the words that are mistranslated and then attached the accurate translation beneath it. Take a look.

2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 
2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

The way the King James translates it, puts a lot of emphasis on a particular person we are to watch for when in actuality it is particular persons we need to be watching for. Take a look~

Let not,G3361 anyoneG5100 deceiveG1818 youG5209 byG2596 anyG3367 meansG5158 becauseG3754 unlessG3362 there comesG2064 a falling awayG646 firstG4412 andG2532 menG444 of sinG266 be revealedG601, as theG3588 sonsG5207 of perditionG684; who opposeG480 andG2532 are exaltedG5229 aboveG1909 allG3956 that speak G3004 of GodG2316 orG2228 worshipG4574 so thatG5620 theyG846 asG5613 GodG2316 sitG2523 amongG1519 the templeG3485 of GodG2316, putting forthG584 themselvesG1438 as thoughG3754 they areG2076 GodG2316.

Let me break down these crucial words in the King James version that are clearly mistranslated.

The first line says “Let no man deceive you by any means” when it actually says “Let not anyone deceive you” the word for man (G435 anēr) is not used here, and the use of the word “anyone” includes deception coming from either a man or a woman.

In Greek the second line that says that man of sin; the word “that” has been added when there is only one word used, anthrōpos. Properly translated it says men of sin. Men or mankind/man is anthrōpos G444, and can include all mankind. Example:

Mat 4:19 “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men (G444)” 

Mat 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men” (G444)

Mat 6:1 “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men.” (G444)

The actual words in Greek for “that man” are ekeinos (G1565) anthrōpos (G444) two distinct words not one. Example:

Mat 12:45 “and the last state of that man (G1565 ekeinos G444 anthrōpos) is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”

Mat 18:7 “but woe to that man (G1565 ekeinos G444 anthrōpos) by whom the offence cometh!”

The next error is “the son of perdition.” In Greek the words “the son” is ho G3588 uihos G5207, two words not one, example:

Mat 8:20 but the Son (ho G3588 uihos G5207) of man hath not where to lay his head.

Mat 9:6  But that ye may know that the Son (ho G3588 uihos G5207) of man hath power on earth to forgive sins.

Mat 12:23 Is not this the son (ho G3588 uihos G5207) of David?

 In 2 Thes 2:3 it uses only one word uihos G5207, which is translated as sons plural. Example:

Mark 3:17 The sons (G5207) of thunder.

Mark 3:28 All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons (G5207) of men.

Luke 5:18 All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons (G5207) of men.

Acts 2:17 and your sons (G5207) and your daughters shall prophesy.

The words translated in the next line of this verse as “exalteth himself” is also wrong. Again, just like “that man” and “the son” it is two words G5312 hupsoō, G1438 heautou, and not just one. Example:

Mat 23:12 “And whosoever shall exalt himself (G5312 hupsoō, G1438 heautou) shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 

Luke 14:11 “For whosoever exalteth himself (G5312 hupsoō, G1438 heautou) shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” 

Luke 18:14 “for every one that exalteth himself (G5312 hupsoō, G1438 heautou) shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 

The single word used in 2 Thes 2:4 is (G5229 huperairomai) and it’s only used twice in all of the New Testament. It means “exalted above measure” used also in 2 Cor 12:7 “lest I should be exalted above measure“.

Moving along, the next error is “that is called God” the singular word used that is mistranslated as “that is called” is legō G3004 and it means: to say or to speak. So it actually says “to speak of God”.

After this we see the words hōste G5620 autos G846 translated as “so that he as God” when it really says “so that they as God”. Example:

Mar 3:20  And the multitude cometh together again, so that they (hōste G5620 autos G846) could not so much as eat bread. 

Luke 5:7 And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they (hōste G5620 autos G846) began to sink. 

Act 15:39  And the contention was so sharp between them, that they (hōste G5620 autos G846) departed asunder one from the other:

Lastly the final mistranslation in verse 4 is “shewing himself that he is God.” The word shewing in the NT is (epideiknumi G1925) and it means: to exhibit, to bring forth to view, to show. This is not the word used in 2 Thes 2:4, it is the word (apodeiknumi G584) which means: to declare, to prove what kind of person someone is, to prove by arguments, to demonstrate, to put forth or display as proof. The word translated as he is the word esti G2076 which means: they are in neuter plural.

Alright, now that I have cleared that up and provided evidence for these mistranslations, I’ll again show you what it says completely yeast free, and we can proceed to the rest of this article.

2 Thes 2:3-4 Let not anyone deceive you by any means, for unless there comes a falling away first, and men of sin are revealed as the sons of perdition, that oppose and are exalted above all that speak of God or worship; so that they as God sit among the temple of God putting forth themselves as though they are God.

The word temple used here is the Greek word Naos (G3485), and it is used exclusively to represent the most holy place or the body of Christ. The word used when describing the physical temple building is the word hieron (G2411). Naos is the word Jesus used when He said “tear down this temple and I will rebuild it again it three days” speaking of His body.

Now, let’s dive into the yeast free translation of the remainder of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verses 5-12. Paul goes on in verse 5 to say: “Don’t you remember when I was with you I told you these things?”

2 Thes 2:6 Even now you see a restraining for it to be revealed in it’s time.
2 Thes 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness (anomia G458) is already at work: and is being held back now until it appears from within our midst.
2 Thes 2:8 and at that time the lawless (anomos G459, NOT that wicked or lawless one) will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the spirit of His mouth and render powerless by the appearance of His Coming.
2 Thes 2:9 The Coming will be after the working of Satan through every power and sign and false miracle.
2 Thes 2:10 And by every deception of unrighteousness by those perishing because they received not the love of the truth, so they may be saved.
2 Thes 2:11 and by these means, God will send them a powerful deception so they will believe the lie.
2 Thes 2:12 So that all may be judged that believed not the truth, but took pleasure in unrighteousness.

Allow me to point out that the KJV and many other translations, grossly mistranslate verses 6-9 and add words like he, his or himself and (shall that wicked) even capitalizing the word wicked to make the reader believe it’s speaking of a singular person instead of all that are lawless that will be revealed in our midst. Verse 7 shows us that verse 8 is speaking concerning the mystery of lawlessness already at work. John speaks of this in 1 John 4:3 “and these are the antichrists in which you have heard that will come; and even now already are in the world.”

*Who are these men of sin that are revealed as sons of perdition? They are those that will be exposed by their “falling away” or turning back from the faith, look at John 6:66 “From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.” even as Judas was revealed as a son of perdition among the apostles by his falling away. Judas was the only son of perdition spoken of in singular context by Jesus in order to show that the betrayal of Judas and falling away was the fulfillment of O.T. prophecy. NO other future singular or specific son of perdition is mentioned by Jesus in all of the Gospels. Jesus cautioned us that MANY will come in His name claiming that they are the Christ, and not once did He mention that ONE man would come claiming to be Christ and that we should keep watch for THIS one specific man, but rather many. I can assure you, if there was a certain/specific man that would play such a significant role in end time events, Jesus would have most assuredly made mention of it. Let’s take a look at what Jesus DID caution us about.

Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 

Mat 24:5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 

Mat 24:11  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 

Mat 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Mar 13:6  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 

Mar 13:22  For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 

Luke 21:8  And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 

Let’s focus for a moment on the word “antichrist”, it’s a word that doesn’t show up anywhere else in all of the New Testament except for 1st and 2nd John. Jesus didn’t use this word, not even once, neither did Paul or Peter. In Greek this word is antichristos G500 and it is used only 5 times and only in 1st and 2nd John, and every time it’s used it’s plural and NOT singular. Let me show you:

In 1 John 2:18 it is the same word antichristos G500 that is translated as both “antichrist” and “antichrists” and notice that is does NOT say “the antichrist” denoting the singular from the plural context. Properly translated this verse says:

1Jn 2:18  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrists shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 
1Jn 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. *Notice: these antichrists were made manifest by their departing, like it says in 2 Thes 2:3 and 8*

In 1 John 2:22 where it says “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”

The word “he” is erroneously added twice. This verse properly translated says:  

“Who are the liars if not those that deny that Jesus is the Christ? These are antichrists that deny the Father and the Son.”

The second line of verse 22 that starts with “He” is actually the word houtos G3778 and it means: these. The word “he” is autos G846 and it’s not used at all in 1 John 2:22.

1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God: and these are antichrists in which you have heard that will come; and even now already are in the world.

In 2 John 1:7 where it says “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. ” the word “this” is again the word houtos G3778, like in 1 Jn 2:22 which means: these. Properly translated this verse says:

“For many deceivers have entered into the world that confess not that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. These are deceivers and antichrists“.

This verse starts with the words “many deceivers” making it obvious that it is speaking of deceivers and antichrists in the plural and not singular. In fact, there aren’t any scriptures that points to a singular person that is predicted to come as the antithesis of Jesus Christ or rather THE antichrist, other than the mistranslated verses in 2 Thess chapter 2 examined above and the few verses in 1st and 2nd John. The author of 1st and 2nd John, himself coined this word “antichrist” around 85-95 AD, and we don’t see any of the four canonical gospels use this word or even point to such a character. On the contrary, I have shown you the verses in which Jesus warns of MANY that will come that will be enemies of the Gospel, and MANY false Christs and false apostles. Even the beast in Revelation is comprised of 7 heads and 10 horns, and like the beasts described in the book of Daniel, it is symbolic of empires/kingdoms, not a singular man or ruler. The number 666 is the number of man/anthropos/mankind, not the number of one man. It has indeed been a great deception that has caused so many for so long to believe that a specific MAN needs to come and set himself up in a physical temple, before the Lord can return. Jesus told us to keep watch for MANY would come, and let me tell you quite assuredly that Jesus would have most definitely told us this, just as He so clearly warned us about everything else. The Devil has had us looking for an evil man to arise and stand in the place of Christ, in order to distract us from noticing that MEN have already arisen among us that are already standing in the place of Christ among His temple.

All of the New Testament authors made sure to warn us of these deceivers in our midst: and that deception and departing from the faith would be something that we must be on our guard against.

1 Tim 4:1-2 Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

Act 20:30  Also among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 
Act 20:31  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

2Pet 3:17  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 

1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have been seduced from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

Jud 1:4 For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

The word perdition as in “sons of perdition” is apōleia (G684) and it means: perishing, ruin, or destruction. Watch how Peter uses the word “perdition” four times in this caution about false prophets and teachers that would arise among them.

2Pe 2:1  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable/perditious (G684) heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction/perdition (G684). 
2Pe 2:2  And many shall follow their pernicious/perditious (G684) ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 
2Pe 2:3  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation/perdition (G684) slumbereth not. *This is speaking of the sons of perdition.

Heb 10:39  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition (G684); but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. *this is speaking of the sons of perdition.

1Ti 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition (G684). 

Php 3:18  For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: *antichrists
Php 3:19  Whose end is destruction/perdition (G684), whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. *this is speaking of the sons of perdition.

I believe that one of the many deceptions that have crept in unaware among our fellowship, is the preaching and teaching of “Once Saved Always Saved”. Those that teach this gather people unto themselves that do not want to walk in a manner worthy of the calling of Christ, but would rather rally under the banner of “let us continue to sin that grace may abound”. These people teach that you can live a sinful life, deny and forsake all that Jesus taught concerning obedience and holiness and you can still be firmly secure in your salvation. They have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and are eager to lead others away from obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Some of the most renowned and respected ministers in Christianity today, teach this doctrine and have indeed set themselves up in the Temple (the Body of Christ) and present themselves as authorities that speak for God. Following this teaching, is how many fall away/turn away from the fundamental teachings of Christ, concerning repentance, denying ourselves, carrying our cross and following HIM. It IS another Gospel, and it is motivated by another spirit. The Sheep and the Goats will be separated and a distinction will be made between those that call Him Lord and do what He says, and those that do not.

2 Pet 2:2 Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. 

Rom 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 
Rom 16:18  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 

2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 
2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 
2Co 11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 
2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

2Pe 2:14  Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed. 
2Pe 2:15  They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.

2Ti 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 

I hope at this stage in reading this article you’re beginning to see and understand what it means to be given over to a “great deception/powerful delusion” and that it is by the seduction and leading away of false prophets and teachers, that will cause many to exchange the truth of God for a lie, and like John 6:66 says “many will turn back and walk with Him no longer.”

I’ll attempt to wrap up this lengthy article about the leaven of deception and “the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” Eph 4:14, and how even a little yeast when it comes to the interpretation of the Scriptures, leavens the whole lump; by showing you these last few verses that speak specifically of “the sons of disobedience” that are described so well in the many verses above. Many translations mistranslate the word “sons” as “children” even when the word for children is used in an immediate following verse. The word sons is (uihos G5207) as I’ve shown you previously in this article, and the word children is (teknon G5043). Take a look.~

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the sons (G5207) of disobedience: 
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children (G5043) of wrath, even as others. 

Eph 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons (G5207) of disobedience. 
Eph 5:7  Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 
Eph 5:8  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children (G5043) of light: 

Col 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the sons (G5207) of disobedience: 

These, my friends, ARE the men of sin, the sons of perdition that 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 is speaking of.

Notice in these verses, Jesus is clearly showing us that the deception that will deceive many will come from people who come in His name as false Christ’s (anointed ones) and false prophets.

Mat 24:5  For many shall come in My name, saying I am Christ, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. . 

The teaching on the coming of THE Antichrist, as a specific man that will attempt to overthrow God’s kingdom by masquerading as the Coming Christ; is completely outside of any of the teachings of Christ. Jesus gave us ample future warnings concerning everything we needed to keep watch for, and this particular man, that is believed to be THE antichrist, was not included in any His warnings. All teachings concerning this, stem from a very small amount of mistranslated scripture that we have examined in this article.

If you are questioning WHY I have given this topic so much attention, and placed it front and center on the topic of the leaven of deception; it is because this leaven has been rising for centuries, slowly enveloping the entire loaf of the teachings and cautions of Jesus Christ and His disciples. It has been steadily and consistently setting the stage for the final deception of the Enemy to deceive many into following and worshipping the beast system. Even now, as I write, there are plans in the works to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, in order to reenact what has been written about in fictional books and popular movies, in order to secure the support and worship of the many that have been given over to this powerful delusion. Jesus said THIS concerning the Temple in Matthew, Mark and Luke, “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” Not a single word about a new Temple being built, because as Jesus taught us, WE are the Temple, and God does not dwell in the temples built by the hands of men. Jesus also said “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.” so actually building a Temple in Jerusalem is contrary to what Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4:21.

Mark 13:5 Beware that no one deceive you. 

1Co 5:7 Therefore purge out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened.~

Please prayerfully consider everything that I have shared in this article. Keep coming back to this one question: Did Jesus teach this or make mention of this even once? If He didn’t, it warrants closer examination to see if the leaven of false teachings may be at work.

God Bless you, Be Free and Set Free in Jesus name!