So if they say to you, “Look, he is in the wilderness,” do not go out, or, “Look, he is in the inner rooms,” do not believe it.
Jesus warns His disciples not to yield to the deception of false messiahs, who in various places will present themselves as the Christ. The expressions “in the wilderness” and “in the inner rooms” point to directions of delusion: outward, false, exaggerated miracles, and closed, secret revelations. Christ clearly says that His second coming will be neither a secret nor a local event, but, as we will see in the next verse, open and evident—like lightning that lights up the whole sky. This word teaches believers to discern, with spiritual senses, the true from the false, and not to follow people who speak in Christ’s name but are driven by ambition for glory. Indeed, this word remains eternally relevant, because in every age there are those who try to replace Christ with their own person, whereas Jesus’ coming will require neither an intermediary nor a hidden place.