The Messiah is Here?

Last month while riding a train through Baltimore, I saw a billboard like this one advertising “Moshiach is Here.” Moshiach is the Hebrew word for “Messiah.” The man seen on these billboards in various cities is an Orthodox rabbi named Menachem Mendel Schneerson (a/k/a Lubavitcher Rebbe), who passed away in 1994. Followers of him believe he is the Messiah despite being dead for almost thirty years.

Jesus warned in Matthew 24:4-5, “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” Occasionally, I meet individuals claiming to be God or Jesus. I expose these imposters by pointing out they don’t have nail prints in their hands. I also ask false Christs how many hairs are on my head since God has them numbered (Matthew 10:30).


Some religious groups claim the Second Coming has already happened. Jehovah’s Witnesses preach that Jesus returned invisibly in 1914. Revelation 1:7 says otherwise, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.” There’s also a cult called the Church of Almighty God, which claims Christ is physically on earth in China. I once chatted online with a follower of theirs who evaded answering my questions. If Jesus is presently in China, then how come they haven’t posted photos and videos of Him as proof?


Jesus also said in Matthew 24…


23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 

24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 

25 See, I have told you beforehand.

26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.”


False messiahs appeared even before Jesus began His earthly ministry. He said in John 10:8, “All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.” Acts 5 mentions two by name…


34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 

35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 

36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 

37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.


Jesus warned the Jews in John 5:43 that they would fall for a false Messiah, “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.” Ultimately, many will be duped by following the Antichrist. In the meantime, following religious figures who merely suggest adding “goodness and kindness” will not result in eternal life.


There is a reward for anticipating the Lord’s return (2 Timothy 4:8). One can recognize the real Messiah by knowing what the word says about Him and rejecting the counterfeits that will appear before His return.


“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” - John 5:39

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