The Great Deception

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: Daniel 12:1 Then the Great Deception will come at some point before the end. Satan himself coming down with power to decieve the world. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Revelation 12:12 There is a movement on earth among the world religions looking for a common messiah. To the Jews he will appear as their long awaited messiah, to the Christians as Christ, to the Muslims as the long awaited 12th Imam, To those of the Hindu faith as Kalki and to the buddhists as Maitreya. The New Agers will see him as all of these.
Two things all these religions have in common for their messiahs:
1) He will appear as a divine person to bring about an era of peace and
2) The religions differ among themselves about the details. (Much easier to decieve that way).
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ....For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:3,4,13,14
Jews: They are still waiting for their promised Messiah to come. Maimonides said "I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the mashiach, and though he may tarry, still I await him every day." It is part of Rambam's 13 Principles of faith. Mashiach means "annointed one". He will usher in the Olam Ha-Ba, an age of peace. Within modern Judaism Conservative Jews are not sure if he will literally or symbolicly appear. Reform Judaism does not believe in a messiah. They believe rather in a messianic age or utopia that will take place. Orthodox Judaism follows the 13 Principles of Faith set forth by Maimonides.
Islam: The Mahdi will be the 12th Imam who will appear just before the end during a time of world chaos. He will lead the belivers for 7 years and pray at Mecca with Jesus beside him. Shiite Muslims believe he was born around the 13th century and has been hiding in caves waiting for his time to appear. Only Allah can appoint and annoint the Imam who is thought to be descended from Mohamad through his daughter Fatima. Sunni Muslims believe the Imam will be born among them at the right time and reveal himself from among them.
Christians: Some believe in the unBiblical so-called "Secret Rapture" followed by a 7 year tribulation. Some, the Charismatics, believe in the 1,000 year millenium before His return. They believe once the last person on earth speaks in tongues the millenium will begin. Still others, who are "amillenial", believe He will come whenever and however.
Hindus: Kalki is the 10th and last Avatar of Vishnu. He will return to end the current age of destruction and corruption. He returns on a white horse with a sword in his left hand. The god Vishnu is the sustainer of life and balance between creation and destruction. He will restore moral law and the people will return to a path of righteousness. The Kalki is to return when the sun, moon, Jupiter and Venus enter a new sign--which ironically will be around 2012.
Buddhist: The Maitreya ("Son-of-Love") will appear on earth to teach dharma which leads to total enlightment. He is to be the World Teacher. Before he returns the oceans are supposed to shrink in size so he can walk on them. In an attempt to tie these religions together, some already claim he is a descendent of King David and Mohamed. Some new agers and people into the lost city of Atlantis believe in the Maitreya.
New Age: They are all over the map ranging from belief in Hindu and Buddhist teachings about Karma and reincarnation all the way over to UFO's and E.T.'s. Some believe in different "ages" of historical time and believe we are in the Age of Aquarius. Some believe in angels, others in ghosts. They are pantheistic rather than theistic and are into touch with nature and hence enviromental activism. Many also rely heavily on horoscopes and astrology.
Maya 2012: The Maya 2012 dooms day hysteria has built up a following. This "ending" includes everything from pole shifts to asteroids. The date for the end is 12/21/12.
UFO's: Many are looking to the skies for signs. China recently closed airports several times in 2010 because of supposed UFO's overhead.

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 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. Matthew 24:23,24
"Now the great deciever will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being....." The Great Controversy p.624