{"id":613,"date":"2008-08-27T00:00:17","date_gmt":"2008-08-27T05:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/?p=613"},"modified":"2025-10-20T19:29:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T23:29:07","slug":"the-great-deception","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-great-deception\/","title":{"rendered":"The Great Deception","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u00a0<\/strong>First published January 15th, 2008… \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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WE<\/strong> are being duped.<\/p>\n

Many Christians believe that Satan has triumphed, as society continues in a free-fall into materialism, lust, and lawlessness. But if we think this is Satan’s ultimate goal, we have been deceived.<\/p>\n

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SPIRITUAL DECEPTION<\/p>\n

One of Pope John Paul II’s most memorable quotes came from his predecessor, who said,<\/p>\n

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The sin of the century is the loss of the sense of sin.<\/strong> \u2014POPE PIUS XII, Radio Address to the United States Catechetical Congress held in Boston<\/em>; 26 Oct., 1946: AAS Discorsi e Radiomessaggi, VIII (1946), 288<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

It is this loss of the sense of sin which has led many souls astray in our times, like Hansel and Gretel of that classic fairytale. Lost in the forest, the two children stumble upon a house made of candy and gingerbread. A witch, posing as a little old woman, lures them in with the promise of having whatever they want. But the witch’s intentions are to destroy them.<\/p>\n

So too, the devil has been luring this culture into the Candy Store of sin. Although the enemy’s plan is always to cause us to sin, especially to fall into mortal sin which cuts the soul off from sanctifying grace, this is not his masterplan.<\/em> Jesus has already revealed the “big” plan:<\/p>\n

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When you see the desolating abomination standing where he should not (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains… (Mark 13:14)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Satan’s masterplan is to replace God’s social order with a diabolical order. It is to reduce man, who is made in the image of God and freed by the Cross of Christ, to slavery. It is to turn the power of creation and life into an abomination. It is ultimately to be worshiped by humankind<\/span>.<\/p>\n

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[The False Prophet] wielded all the authority of the first beast in its sight and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast [Antichrist]. (Rev 13:12)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

How is this plan being achieved? By luring the world over many centuries away from the worship of God to the worship of human reason, devoid of faith. The Candy Store is really that place where man can have whatever he wants, when he wants, and how he wants it because he has reasoned that he can, and really, there is no God—save man himself—who can tell him that he cannot.<\/p>\n

But what happens when you have too much candy? Don’t you crave something wholesome? A vegetable, a salad, a slice of beef… anything but another candy?<\/p>\n

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THE GREAT DECEPTION<\/p>\n

Herein lies the Great Deception: Satan knows that we are made in God’s image, and thus, we are made for, and desire at our core, the wholesome things \u2014 that which is spirit<\/span> and life<\/span>. Even though this generation is not yet fully aware that it is becoming sick on the junk food of sin, this awareness will eventually come: a day when this generation will crave<\/em> simplicity, quiet, love, and spiritual things.<\/p>\n

And that’s when Satan will make his move \u2014 to fulfill the longings of the human heart, but with a false solution<\/em>, and ultimately, a false god<\/em>.<\/p>\n

I say this to you now that you will be aware of what’s happening when it begins to happen. Because the solutions which Satan will present through his pawns will seemingly answer even your<\/span> longings! This is why it is so crucial that you are watching and praying now with the help and grace of Our Lady, the Ark of Refuge<\/a>. Only in this union with Christ through prayer, the Sacraments, Our Lady, and especially a humble and listening heart, will you be able to recognize The Great Deception<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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APPROACH THE THRONE OF MERCY\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you want to hear the Lord’s guidance in these days, spend time regularly before the Blessed Sacrament. I have observed in my own life and in the lives of many other Christians, especially lately, that God is pouring out<\/em> instruction and great graces to those who come before Him in the Holy Eucharist.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Behold, for you I have established a throne of mercy on earth \u2014 the tabernacle \u2014 and from this throne I desire to enter into your heart. I am not surrounded by a retinue of guards. You can come to me at any moment, at any time; I want to speak to you and desire to grant you grace. <\/i>\u2014<\/strong>Diary of St. Faustina, n. 1485<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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FURTHER READING:<\/span><\/p>\n