Deceiving the elect(orate)

"to deceive the very elect(orate)--if that were possible." Mark 13:22b (NIV)

I am currently studying the book of Revelation in Bible Study Fellowship. We were asked this question, based on Revelation 13:11-18 and Mark 13:22:
"What was the purpose of the power given to the second beast?"
Here are the Scriptures:
"Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for i is man's number. His number is 666." Revelation 13:11-18 (NIV)
"Jesus said to them, 'Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, I am he,' and will deceive many. You must be on your guard. Because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now--ad never to be equaled again. If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect-if that were possible. So be on your guard. I have told you everything ahead of time.'" Mark 13:7,9,19-23 (NIV)
False christs and false messiahs promise hope and change and freedom and greatness without the power of God to make it real. False prophets and false messiahs can be religious, political, pop culture or media icons.
Friends, we are in the middle of the most divisive and least civilized presidential election I have observed in my (nearly) 56 years as an American citizen. I am issuing a warning, "Be on your guard! Don't be deceived!"
God's love and forgiveness are the only true and lasting agents of transformation and change in society. Beware of political promises. Pull out your Bibles and go to prayer. Ask yourself, "Does this promise accurately reflect God's heart for our society?"
And, I will pose the question, do personal insults and name-calling match our calling as Christians, and do we want to purposely elect leaders who will model and lead with such behavior?
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each others just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)

--Posted by Mama O