Their first element will be the presence of authoritative personalities. No program of falsehood among men ever existed without a masterful or powerful leader. The human heart inveterately loves a good showman. Men tend easily to follow those who speak with authority and who manifest drive and dash in his personalities. And there is no road to error quite so compelling as a religious one.
History confirms the idea that more people are misled religiously than any other way.
Let a blatant atheist utter an attack against Christianity and no one is greatly disturbed or changed. They will come with a display of signs and wonders, misleading many, and playing ultimately into the hand of the Lawless One. Not only will there be false Christs, but also false prophets. While the church is yet on earth it acts as salt, pervading every section of life, and there are men of true faith found among the prophets of the world everywhere today. Augmenting the pull of masterful personalities in the last days, will be the power of persuasive propaganda.