(1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:4-5; Revelation 9:7-9)
The apostle Paul explained the false teachings of the last days as the doctrines of demons and deceiving spirits.
John said, “On their heads they wore what appeared to be crowns of gold. Their faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like the hair of women, and their teeth were like the teeth of lions. They had breastplates like breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was like the sounds of chariots, many horses rushing for battle.”1Rev 9:7-9
The crowns of gold signify that these demons work through the respected in society and deceive men through their status. These demons have “faces of men,” meaning they work through people. They have “hair like the hair of women” and teeth “like the teeth of lions,” suggesting that they are seductive and will devour those who do not love the truth.
These demons have “breastplates of iron,” and the sound of their wings was like that of “many horses rushing for battle.” Here, we should remember the words of Isaiah, who said, “In returning and rest you shall be saved … but you would not, and you said, ‘We will ride on swift horses.’ Therefore, those who will pursue you shall be swift.”2Isa 30:15-16
Paul described the deception of the end-time demons as teachings that place confidence in the flesh. Paul wrote: “The Spirit explicitly says that in the latter times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons … forbidding marriage and advocating abstaining from certain foods.”31Ti 4:1-3 In Colossians, Paul denounced this confidence in the flesh as “self-abasement and severe treatment of the body [that] has no value against fleshly indulgence.”4Col 2:23 Paul said that in the last days men will become “conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.”52Ti 3:4-5
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