That’s why that line “if it were possible” is so important. “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 24:24 There’s patristic consensus that even overwhelming deception will not (cannot) succeed in the end. And importantly, only by the grace of God will anyone be preserved.

I do not believe that the Elect can be decieved in the most ultimate, salvation concerning ways, but I see no reason that Saints will not fly close to the sun, being fooled of many things on the way (as consequence of our flesh). My sense of Scripture is that God makes good use of dark backdrops in order to showcase His blinding Glory.

Agree, I view it as inevitable stumbling stones, and that while the deceptions will not succeed in the end, they will prove necessary for our salvation (removing every trace of pride)

Even the Elect are meant to wrestle with their own sinful nature, still fallen in the flesh, still waking with a renewed need and dependence for God, every single day until the end of time. If we are saved, as @R.S. Christopher , it will be despite ourselves, and *only* because God will not fail to finish a work that He has begun in His (predestined) people. It is important to internalize that even the Saints remain weak and frail, only being washed of their sinful nature gradually in order for God to prepare them for Himself, by Himself, in order to spare them from Himself.

Nobody who has read Scripture will come away thinking the end of times will be easy for anyone at all. Without being able to say, I'd have to assume it's going to be gutwrenching, and the Saints will be "sheltering in place" in Christ until the end. Build a deep sense of home in Christ now while things are relatively uneventful.

Note that throughout the Bible l, God's glory is met by fear and trembling. We learn about our creatureliness compared to God and it makes understand ourselves. And yes, excitement and love and relief and exaltation, I would estimate, will be bedfellows.