Signs and Wonders

Without Satan's intervention the False Christians in the Roman provinces would have never been able to grow to a changing influence among the churches. Satan promoted Pagan doctrine and promoted the older Pagan religions from different countries as the same religion as Christianity, just under different names. Since Pagan religions grew in different countries they grew to have some differences. The idea that Christianity was the same religion under different name wasn't hard to sustain.

Keep in mind the Jews had fallen sway to pagan worship multiple times in history. Playing upon the likenesses of all the religions made it possible to transfer the identity of each religion to the other. It was even more alluring as Satan was directly involved in the transference.

God had taken Abraham out to see the stars of heaven, Pagans could falsely promote this was viewing the stars as Pagans had practiced for centuries.

Gen 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

Pagan's could promote such actions as star gazing. The Jews were often convinced that turning to the stars was viable religion. Pagans could even say rule by the stars was biblical. The grew to worship the sun moon, and stars.

Gen 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

Gen 1:17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,

Gen 1:18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

Pagan goals in general were to unite the empire by showing all religions from the same origins, perhaps with different names and holidays, all seemed to have winter and summer holidays around the solstices. 

Vespasian's goal was to convince the Jews and Christians he was a viable Christ figure from the prophets, and many Jews came to accept this belief. Josephus is a good example of a prominent and educated Jew who began to follow and work with the emperor Vespasian. As Jesus said the lying signs and wonders could deceive even the elect.

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.

Paul could say in 52AD the mystery of iniquity was already at work, but was emphatic the lawless one was still future. Many would say this was Nero, but the start of miracles seems to have begun with Vespasian, followd by his children who worked miracles as well.

Satan seemed to work hand in hand with the emperors, but wonders were not limited to them. It could also be described as general miracles not always associated with an individual.

The purpose was to unite paganism with Judaism during the fall of Jerusalem. The entity growing out of the period would later be attacking the soundness of the church with a mixture of both Pagan thought and Judaistic heresy.

2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders

With the work of Satan the doctrines of Paganism were easily transferred to Christianity. The miracles were real and powerful, their speech showed credibility, and their manipulation of people and documents were masterful.

The miracles began while Vespasian was in Egypt, just prior to the fall of Jerusalem. As he grew in reputation, his successful invasion of Israel using his Son Titus portrayed him to be a power equal to God, having overcome in the peoples mind, the God of the Jews. Vespasian was actually seen as a God. He was in a position to sway the people.

Titus, Vespasian's son and General, also worked miracles. He actually sat in the Jerusalem Temple, allowing himself to be glorified.

The fame from miracles and conquering Jerusalem gave them a religious status that allowed them to sway the multitudes.

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

Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

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.

According to Christ's prophecy these miracles would be close in time to the fall of Jerusalem and continue after.

Matthew 24 being concerned mostly with the fall of Jerusalem. This fits the Vespasian and Titus timeline very well and extended into Domitians reign.

False signs were to mix established Pagan doctrines with Christianity, using the scriptures for support of false doctrines such as Mariology(queen of heaven), infant baptism(Pagan infant initiation), and original sin(Pagan's sinful flesh). Paul's prophecy included

Jesus likely meant the signs would begin or occur during the times Gentiles would control Jerusalem.

Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Luk 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;