The Bible foretold there would be an apostasy. Jesus illustrated it with leaven, fishing nets and weeds deliberately planted among the wheat. He also stated very clearly that by the end, apostasy would grow to such an extent that Christianity would be completely compromised (Luke 18:8) and many false prophets would arise and mislead many—to the point that true Christians would be hard to find.
History speaks for itself. True believers have and always will be in the minority. Even when they grouped together they were at risk of infiltration by the false. When Jesus said to be cautious as serpents and innocent as doves, he anticipated this historical anomaly.
James said if any are lacking wisdom they should ask God who gives generously. Why? Because false Christians always dress up to appear true. They are made to be confident in their belief—even more confident than true Christians, which is why they are quick to point out flaws in anyone struggling to be true and condemn all who don’t buy their particular brand and definition of Christianity. Their best defence is a deadly offence making them quick to cry foul and demand equality so that their ambiguous rules might be imposed to manipulate the faithful.
Thus in any sincere group, these are the ones who will quickly rise to the top. They do so through complex reasoning, carefully manipulating others toward the same ambition through powerful arguments until they have established unquestionable doctrines and no true Christian remains to dare speak openly against them.
This is not to say that all false Christians are insincere. Within themselves they believe that they have the truth. How do we know? Because they truly believe their teaching is blessed by God and believe that God blesses their every means to achieve the indoctrination of others. How else were the most heinous crimes in history justified? Were not all inquisitors sincere in silencing their opponents through every manner of torture and murder? (John 16:2)
So how does anyone who wants to become—and remain—a true Christian discern whether he or she is in company others of like faith? How does he or she use sufficiently the wisdom God gives to act wisely?
Few of those among us were given natural insight. Most who search for God with true hearts do so in great innocence, trusting that God is kind enough to answer prayers without the encumbrance of lies. Again, the prime reason Jesus would keep admonishing us to discern with cautious, serpent-like wisdom is that there still exists this narrow gate—this cramped road requiring extra oil for lamps to guide us into God’s favour over any other possession.
To genuine Christians it seems unconscionable that God should make it so unbearably difficult for the sincere of heart to approach him that he would allow them to be stumbled as little children. Yet Jesus indicated this would happen by saying, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble.†(Luke 17:1-2; New American Standard Bible)
It should be noted that never would anyone so convinced of his own falsehood confess to such a crime for in their sincerity they truly believe that the evil God allows justifies ignoring the above statement. Yet to say that God would never allow such a thing and so justify our actions, we show ignorance that the devil has seduced us into an atrocious sin.
How are we to survive? If it is so easy for some to become falsely sincere how are we to gain better insight into all such complexities Satan has raised? We can only pray as James 1:5 suggests, “not doubting at all†that when such wisdom arrives we will discern the difference between trueness and mere sincerity of heart.
The following is a helpful gauge to illuminate signs that we are deluded by a false belief:
1. You view all opponents as either potential converts or enemies.
2. You proceed into every argument for the sole purpose of winning it or making a convert.
3. You will resort to lying as to your true intentions to hide your real motive for entering into such an argument.
4. You will justify anything done to gain a convert because you truly believe that it was Jesus who illuminated your present conviction.
5. You have not discerned that your apparent love of belief is merely infatuation and that such infatuation permits you to never really know God.
Love and affection,
sw
The Bible gives us very precise ways of knowing who these ones are.
Here is one example.
1 Timothy 4
The Great Apostasy
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
I would say The WTBTS really fits the bill.
A. Departing from the faith ( Jesus=Michael not God, deny Physical bodily Resurrection of Christ,2 class system,that no one knows the day or hour of Christs return, etc,etc,etc.
B. Speaking lies in Hypocrisy ( no vaccinations,blood transfusions,suit and tie at the door Saturday morning ( many ) beers at the bar friday night, don't clink glasses at a wedding oooooh taboooo.
C. Forbidding to marry. we all know this one!!! add Higher education in to.
D. commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving
The 7th day advent guys are the Kings of this one.
Two Kinds of False Prophets
Though a great many who are familiar with the Old and New Testaments are aware that there are false prophets, not as many realize that there are two major kinds of false prophets.
The First, the lying false prophet, announces events or says things that do not come true. He is obviously a false prophet (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). The penalty in Old Testament times was death for false prophets (18:20). This kind of false prophet is the most easily recognized and least dangerous of the two.
The second kind of false prophet is more deceptive (Deuteronomy 13:1-3). He is impeccable in his words at first. An exhortation comes to pass. No fault can be found with his speech. Nevertheless, over time he draws the hearts of the people away from the Lord God Almighty. Finally, he leads them off to serve other gods. This kind of person is very dangerous, indeed the more dangerous of the two.
Four Kinds of False Prophecy
Most of us are inclined to forget that there are false prophets. However, the frightening facts are these: there are at least two kinds of false prophets and four kinds of false prophecies. The details of these false prophecies are listed in Jeremiah 14:14.
False Visions. These may come from the evil heart of the false prophet, or they may come from an evil spirit that controls him. The false visions are truly "seen" by the false prophet, but their source is devilish.
Divinations. This is another form of false prophecy. Diviners may examine the entrails of animals or how rice floats in water. Or they may use a thousand other ways to divine. But their information is finally false even though some things may appear to be true, and entrapment of the simple is made easy. True prophets of God do not read palms or witch water.
Idolatries. This breaking of the first of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3) is the third form of false prophecy. Idols in themselves are nothing, nothing at all (Jeremiah 10:1-5). However, if they are seized by demons, then the idols reflect the power of the demons involved. The Ten Commandments explicitly forbid idols or graven images of any kind. When demons empower the idols, it is not long before prophecies emerge from the demons. We dare not have anything with such demons (1 Corinthians 10:21). Their prophecies are false.
Delusions. These are the final kind of false prophecy - delusions of the mind. They are not necessarily from the devil; they may simply be fabricated by the persons themselves. They are still false, however, and very dangerous. And we recall again that false prophets were under severe judgment in the Old Testament. Jeremiah reminds us that even though false prophets prophesy and say all kinds of fascinating things, the Almighty is saying, "I did not send them" (Jeremiah 14:15).
One might even think that false prophets would have no power to attract at all. But the commentators, Keil and Delitzsch, observe in this Jeremiah passage that these willing listeners are under judgment just as severe as those who prophesy falsely: "They are not. . . excused because false prophets told them lies, for they have given credit to these lies."
Four Characteristics of False Prophets
False ministers exhibit a number of peculiar characteristics. Though not every false prophet necessarily displays all of the traits mentioned here, these are common.
The Love of Preeminence. They like to be important and to have others believe and follow them. Diotrephes is a case in point. He loved to have the preeminence, but his heart was wholly evil (3 John 9). If someone has an inordinate desire to be a leader, if he thrusts himself forward to gain ascendancy, ask yourself a very important question: Is that person a false prophet?
The Love of Money. We know from Scripture that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). The early Christians wrote that if a man asked for money, he was surely a false prophet.2 Those writings did not get into the New Testament, and certainly godly pastors and evangelists should encourage God's people to give their tithes and offerings. However, if someone is always pressing for money and seems likely to benefit personally from that gift or offering - beware!
The Love of Immorality. Adultery and fornication are never too far removed from the doors of most false prophets (Jude 4; Revelation 2:20). Some may appear to be holy, even sanctimonious, but their apparent "purity" does not negate the rule (2 Corinthians 11:15). If you have doubts about someone, watch that person's interpersonal behavior.
The Love of Miracles and Spectacles. The God of the Bible is certainly a God of miracles. No one can read the New Testament and come to any other conclusion. Faithful preaching of the Word of God even today will be followed by miracles and deliverances (Hebrews 13:8). At the same time, Jesus clearly warned that the presence of miracles and the casting out of demons are not necessarily authentications of true prophets. Rather, some who do those things, according to Scripture, may be the ones who will hear Christ's words: "I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME" (7:23). He will say this even to those who have been using His name in the doing (Matthew 7:15-23, NASB).
As the return of Jesus Christ nears, we may expect an abundance of false prophets and ultimately the appearance of the Antichrist. He will be a man of lying signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9). We are not to be deceived.
Four Favorite Doctrines of False Prophets
I may be exaggerating when I say that the following are the four favorite doctrines of false prophets. You be the judge.
The Denial of the Deity of Jesus Christ. For false prophets, Jesus Christ may be "a" god but not the Creator, God incarnate, God Almighty. They may even allow that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but not God Almighty (John 1:1). Without exception, they find ways to diminish the integrity and deity of Jesus Christ. If these false prophets are inspired and empowered by Satan, as they are, we should not be surprised that they ultimately attack the Lord Jesus Christ. They do it because Satan is their father, and he has been a murderer and a liar from the beginning (8:44).
The Denial of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. John makes this very clear. Every spirit that does not continually confess that Jesus Christ is come "in the flesh" is not of God (1 John 4:1-3). Why is the incarnation so essential? Because Jesus Christ was not truly man if He was not clothed with flesh. If Jesus Christ did not come in the flesh, who died on the cross? And what was torn if not His flesh? And what was shed if not His blood? The Apostle Paul preached Jesus Christ crucified. He preached the cross. Why was he so emphatic? Because it is on the cross that the enfleshment and incarnation of Jesus Christ are most clearly seen. Beware when there is no mention of the blood of Jesus Christ. Beware when there is no preaching about the cross of Jesus Christ. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18, KJV). False prophets do not love the cross of Christ. They prefer rather not to mention it.
The Denial of the Lostness of Man. The Scripture makes very clear that all men and women who have not believed in Jesus Christ are eternally lost (John 3:16,36). To question that there is a place called hell, and to suggest that eternity is not forever is a favorite device of false prophets. Jesus Christ was the most emphatic teacher of eternal punishment and the lostness of man in all of the Bible (Matthew 25:46; John 3:16, etc.). False prophets, moved and controlled by evil spirits, do not want to confess their own future since the lake of fire has been prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
The Denial of the Inspiration and Integrity of Scripture. The Bible teaches that God's Word has been inspired as holy men were moved by the Holy Spirit to write (2 Timothy 3:16). All that they have written are God's words (Romans 3:2). Every single word of the original texts has been given by God. Not even a tiny jot or tittle will pass away (Matthew 5:18). It is the practice of Satan to say, "Did God really say. . . ?" (Genesis 3:1). False prophets say the same thing because they are energized by the same spirit.
False prophets also like to have their own revelations and attack the adequacy and inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures in order to introduce their own scriptures. If the prophet is adding new revelation to the Bible accepted by the Church for most of these 2,000 years, you can be sure that prophet is false.
Four Favorite Tactics of False Prophets
False prophets are involved in spiritual warfare - against the church and against the Lord Jesus Christ. In their wars on behalf of the counterkingdom ruled by Satan, they follow a number of common strategies.
Invasion from the Outside. When Paul was bidding farewell to the Ephesian elders, he warned them that certain men would descend upon their church and cause havoc (Acts 20:29). This is one of the favorite tactics of the false prophet. Coming in from outside, he is unknown and, therefore, more easily able to deceive. The Church of the first century struggled mightily to distinguish between prophets false and true. Several of the criteria they emphasized in the Didache and other early writings have to do with distinguishing between those who come into the local assembly from the outside.
Emergence from the Inside. Just as Paul warned the Ephesian elders about those coming from elsewhere, he proceeded to shock them further by insisting that even from among themselves false brethren would arise (Acts 20:30). We are not to be surprised by those who rise up and become false prophets. They come, still today, from among the faithful.
Resistance to Authority. False prophets challenge the authority of the pastor and elders. If they are to be successful, they must challenge the existing leadership. The Scriptures teach that believers are to obey those who have the rule over them, those who oversee watch for their souls (Hebrews 13:17). If a true undershepherd, a true and godly pastor (1 Peter 5:1-4), is guarding his flock, his authority has to be overturned before the false prophet can rend and tear the sheep. It also must be admitted, unfortunately, that sometimes godly leaders become corrupt and end up as false prophets themselves, remaining in the places of authority all the while.
Isolation of Victims. False prophets are rightly likened to wolves (Acts 20:29). All predators do one thing to their victims - they separate the one about to be destroyed from the protection of the flock or herd. Once the victim is separated from the rest, he becomes easy prey. The word "demon" means distributor and divider.5 If false prophets are controlled by demons, we should not be surprised when they divide the flock, isolating their victims before destroying them. And if the young, the infirm and the aged are beguiled, we should not be surprised. Young people are inexperienced and unfortunately curious. The weak and aged sometimes do not have the strength or clarity to escape.
BB:happyheart::heartbeat::happyheart:
The following is a helpful gauge to illuminate signs that we are deluded by a false belief:
1. You view all opponents as either potential converts or enemies.
2. You proceed into every argument for the sole purpose of winning it or making a convert.
3. You will resort to lying as to your true intentions to hide your real motive for entering into such an argument.
4. You will justify anything done to gain a convert because you truly believe that it was Jesus who illuminated your present conviction.
5. You have not discerned that your apparent love of belief is merely infatuation and that such infatuation permits you to never really know God.
Yes, but as the comments that followed your post prove, they just can't learn.
Hi Bethelboy,
In read your description of all the different kinds of false prophets. Is there left any place for a true prophet?
If I would believe your descriptions of false prophets it would mean that I am a false prophet.
You know good persons can look false also? Do you remember that they accused Jesus that he missleads the people and that he has a demon?
The best tactic to seem to be a true prophet could be to expose false prophets. Then nobody thinks you are a false prophet. But who studies excessively the methods of false prophets could easily become a false prophet himself.
Jesus said something about how true followers will react on different "voices":
When he has got all his own out, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will by no means follow but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.†-John 10:4,5 (NWT)
Forexample true sheep are attracted by the fruitage of the holy spirit wich is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 mildness, self-control. - Ephesians 5:22,23 (NWT)
But people that are not true sheep of Christ are attracted by fleshly things. If a prophet preaches that different kinds of sins are not so serious as the Bible teaches, he will attract sinners.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, 20 idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, 21 envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these. As to these things I am forewarning YOU, the same way as I did forewarn YOU, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom.- Ephesians 5:19-21 (NWT)
Paul even warned against mock-humility, and severe treatment of the body.
Colossians 2:23 (NWT): Those very things are, indeed, possessed of an appearance of wisdom in a self-imposed form of worship and [mock] humility, a severe treatment of the body; but they are of no value in combating the satisfying of the flesh.
Then a question about why the Bible has 66 books instead of a number of completeness 77?
I guess it is because angels did not write it. Some people adore the Bible as an idol. If you have too big expectations about the Bible, then it might happen that when you start to read it, you will get disappointed and as a result quit to read and study it. Like the Jews, they had too big expectations on The Messiah, and they could not accept Him because of that. Now the same is done by many "christians", who do not accept Christ merely as the Onlybegotten Son of God, but want to think of Him more than that, leaving the truth about his true position.
Best regards Jan
Hi everyone,
I came across yesturday a passage in the Bible about future events, and about a bad shepard in Zechariah.
6 “‘For I shall show compassion no more upon the inhabitants of the land,’ is the utterance of Jehovah. ‘So here I am causing mankind to find themselves, each one in the hand of his companion and in the hand of his king; and they will certainly crush to pieces the land, and I shall do no delivering out of their hand.’â€
7 And I proceeded to shepherd the flock [meant] for the killing, in YOUR behalf, O afflicted ones of the flock. So I took for myself two staffs. The one I called Pleasantness, and the other I called Union, and I went shepherding the flock. 8 And I finally effaced three shepherds in one lunar month, as my soul gradually became impatient with them, and also their own soul felt a loathing toward me. 9 At length I said: “I shall not keep shepherding YOU. The one that is dying, let her die. And the one that is being effaced, let her be effaced. And as for the ones left remaining, let them devour, each one the flesh of her companion.†10 So I took my staff Pleasantness and cut it to pieces, in order to break my covenant that I had concluded with all the peoples. 11 And it came to be broken in that day, and the afflicted ones of the flock who were watching me got to know in this way that it was the word of Jehovah.
12 Then I said to them: “If it is good in YOUR eyes, give [me] my wages; but if not, refrain.†And they proceeded to pay my wages, thirty pieces of silver.
13 At that, Jehovah said to me: “Throw it to the treasury—the majestic value with which I have been valued from their standpoint.†Accordingly I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw it into the treasury at the house of Jehovah.
14 Then I cut in pieces my second staff, the Union, in order to break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
15 And Jehovah went on to say to me: “Take yet for yourself the implements of a useless shepherd. 16 For here I am letting a shepherd rise up in the land. To the [sheep] being effaced he will give no attention. The young one he will not seek, and the broken [sheep] he will not heal. The one stationing herself he will not supply [with food], and the flesh of the fat one he will eat, and the hoofs of the [sheep] he will tear off. 17 Woe to my valueless shepherd, who is leaving the flock! A sword will be upon his arm and upon his right eye. His own arm will without fail dry up, and his own right eye will without fail grow dim.â€
We know that the prophecy about 30 silverpieces got its fullfillment on Judas Iscariot. Also called by Jesus: Son of destruction.
John 17:12 (NWT):
12 When I was with them I used to watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me; and I have kept them, and not one of them is destroyed except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Then 2Thessalonians 2:3 (NWT) predicts of the appearence of the man of lawlessness:
3 Let no one seduce YOU in any manner, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction.
What's remarkable is that there is a distinction between the apostacy and the son of destruction.
And it seems that there is a connection to "my valueless shepard" with the son of destruction.
Best regards
Jan
It has become increasingly apparent to me since leaving the delusions of the WTS that true Christians are few and far between at the present time. Just look at the diverse ideas that are held forth just on this forum, and all of them as best I can discern are all from individuals who honestly want to know the truth from the fallacies. An individual with incorrect understanding is not the same same as a false prophet because he doesn't claim to speak on God's behalf. It's just the way he understands at present. Perhaps he just hasn't been introduced to the accurate view; maybe he hasn't asked the Father for insight; maybe he needs to do a bit more searching. In any case, there won't be many who accurately understand when Christ arrives, but then, isn't that the reason God will pour out his spirit and why the two witnesses will preach? The objective is to illuminate what is the true path. Till then we are left to discern as best we can. We do need to be careful of those who dogmatically declare that their view is the only way, and those who employ charisma rather than reason.
A false prophet promotes a view that is either scripturally untenable, or evidences it's error by proving false over time. When a true prophet arrives he has historically been sent to right the wrongs that are being practised by the majority. As a result he will of necessity be critical of ideas and practises that are esteemed and honored even though they are wrong. This obviously means that he will have to challenge the "spiritual leaders" who are encouraging or promoting the wrongs. That becomes a test for the sincere hearted, whether to follow the prophet or the spiritual leaders.
In the absence of a true prophet, the only recourse for a true Christian is to follow the only spiritual leader we presently have - Jesus Christ. If we are following other spiritual leaders, regardless of how well meaning they are, we are probably heading in the wrong direction. We all know what happens when the blind lead the blind.
Molly
I am convinced the great apostacy or "falling away" will be the modern day fulfillment of this scripture:
Matthew 24
15 “Therefore, when YOU catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place, (let the reader use discernment,) 16 then let those in Ju·de´a begin fleeing to the mountains. 17 Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house; 18 and let the man in the field not return to the house to pick up his outer garment.
and this one:
Revelation 18
4 And I heard another voice out of heaven say: “Get out of her, my people, if YOU do not want to share with her in her sins, and if YOU do not want to receive part of her plagues. 5 For her sins have massed together clear up to heaven, and God has called her acts of injustice to mind.
The actual Holy Temple is already profaned. The disgusting thing has been seen.
Where is the temple?
In God's Kingdom.
Get Out!
In Christ
abe
Ezekiel 9:3-6 (LXX): "Then the glory of the God of Israel ascended from between the cherubs, and His glory hung there between them in the open air of the [Temple]. And He called to the man who was dressed in the full-length robe and wearing the belt of sapphires, and Jehovah said to him: ‘Go through the midst of the city – through the midst of Jerusalem – and put a sign on the foreheads, of the men who are groaning and deeply upset, over the lawless deeds being done in their midst.’
"And He said in my hearing, ‘Then go through the city behind him and strike… don’t allow your eyes to spare or show mercy! Kill and wipe out both old men and young, as well as virgins, women, and children! But don’t go near those wearing the sign… and start at My Holy Place!’
"So, they started with the elders who were there in the [Temple]."
This doesn't appear to have happened yet. My opinion is that, "Israel" or those in the Temple, are all who claim to be in a covenant relationship with God ("Christian" religions, plus Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and Jews). And those who are marked for salvation are the ones who are crying and groaning over all the things going on in their churches (religions). This appears to be the same destruction as described in Revelation 18... No, it didn't happen in 1918-1919.
Two Kinds of False Prophets
Though a great many who are familiar with the Old and New Testaments are aware that there are false prophets, not as many realize that there are two major kinds of false prophets.
The First, the lying false prophet, announces events or says things that do not come true. He is obviously a false prophet (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). The penalty in Old Testament times was death for false prophets (18:20). This kind of false prophet is the most easily recognized and least dangerous of the two.
The second kind of false prophet is more deceptive (Deuteronomy 13:1-3). He is impeccable in his words at first. An exhortation comes to pass. No fault can be found with his speech. Nevertheless, over time he draws the hearts of the people away from the Lord God Almighty. Finally, he leads them off to serve other gods. This kind of person is very dangerous, indeed the more dangerous of the two.
Four Kinds of False Prophecy
Most of us are inclined to forget that there are false prophets. However, the frightening facts are these: there are at least two kinds of false prophets and four kinds of false prophecies. The details of these false prophecies are listed in Jeremiah 14:14.
False Visions. These may come from the evil heart of the false prophet, or they may come from an evil spirit that controls him. The false visions are truly "seen" by the false prophet, but their source is devilish.
Divinations. This is another form of false prophecy. Diviners may examine the entrails of animals or how rice floats in water. Or they may use a thousand other ways to divine. But their information is finally false even though some things may appear to be true, and entrapment of the simple is made easy. True prophets of God do not read palms or witch water.
Idolatries. This breaking of the first of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3) is the third form of false prophecy. Idols in themselves are nothing, nothing at all (Jeremiah 10:1-5). However, if they are seized by demons, then the idols reflect the power of the demons involved. The Ten Commandments explicitly forbid idols or graven images of any kind. When demons empower the idols, it is not long before prophecies emerge from the demons. We dare not have anything with such demons (1 Corinthians 10:21). Their prophecies are false.
Delusions. These are the final kind of false prophecy - delusions of the mind. They are not necessarily from the devil; they may simply be fabricated by the persons themselves. They are still false, however, and very dangerous. And we recall again that false prophets were under severe judgment in the Old Testament. Jeremiah reminds us that even though false prophets prophesy and say all kinds of fascinating things, the Almighty is saying, "I did not send them" (Jeremiah 14:15).
One might even think that false prophets would have no power to attract at all. But the commentators, Keil and Delitzsch, observe in this Jeremiah passage that these willing listeners are under judgment just as severe as those who prophesy falsely: "They are not. . . excused because false prophets told them lies, for they have given credit to these lies."
Four Characteristics of False Prophets
False ministers exhibit a number of peculiar characteristics. Though not every false prophet necessarily displays all of the traits mentioned here, these are common.
The Love of Preeminence. They like to be important and to have others believe and follow them. Diotrephes is a case in point. He loved to have the preeminence, but his heart was wholly evil (3 John 9). If someone has an inordinate desire to be a leader, if he thrusts himself forward to gain ascendancy, ask yourself a very important question: Is that person a false prophet?
The Love of Money. We know from Scripture that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). The early Christians wrote that if a man asked for money, he was surely a false prophet.2 Those writings did not get into the New Testament, and certainly godly pastors and evangelists should encourage God's people to give their tithes and offerings. However, if someone is always pressing for money and seems likely to benefit personally from that gift or offering - beware!
The Love of Immorality. Adultery and fornication are never too far removed from the doors of most false prophets (Jude 4; Revelation 2:20). Some may appear to be holy, even sanctimonious, but their apparent "purity" does not negate the rule (2 Corinthians 11:15). If you have doubts about someone, watch that person's interpersonal behavior.
The Love of Miracles and Spectacles. The God of the Bible is certainly a God of miracles. No one can read the New Testament and come to any other conclusion. Faithful preaching of the Word of God even today will be followed by miracles and deliverances (Hebrews 13:8). At the same time, Jesus clearly warned that the presence of miracles and the casting out of demons are not necessarily authentications of true prophets. Rather, some who do those things, according to Scripture, may be the ones who will hear Christ's words: "I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME" (7:23). He will say this even to those who have been using His name in the doing (Matthew 7:15-23, NASB).
WeAs the return of Jesus Christ nears, we may expect an abundance of false prophets and ultimately the appearance of the Antichrist. He will be a man of lying signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9). are not to be deceived.
Four Favorite Doctrines of False Prophets
I may be exaggerating when I say that the following are the four favorite doctrines of false prophets. You be the judge.
The Denial of the Deity of Jesus Christ. For false prophets, Jesus Christ may be "a" god but not the Creator, God incarnate, God Almighty. They may even allow that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but not God Almighty (John 1:1). Without exception, they find ways to diminish the integrity and deity of Jesus Christ. If these false prophets are inspired and empowered by Satan, as they are, we should not be surprised that they ultimately attack the Lord Jesus Christ. They do it because Satan is their father, and he has been a murderer and a liar from the beginning (8:44).
The Denial of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. John makes this very clear. Every spirit that does not continually confess that Jesus Christ is come "in the flesh" is not of God (1 John 4:1-3). Why is the incarnation so essential? Because Jesus Christ was not truly man if He was not clothed with flesh. If Jesus Christ did not come in the flesh, who died on the cross? And what was torn if not His flesh? And what was shed if not His blood? The Apostle Paul preached Jesus Christ crucified. He preached the cross. Why was he so emphatic? Because it is on the cross that the enfleshment and incarnation of Jesus Christ are most clearly seen. Beware when there is no mention of the blood of Jesus Christ. Beware when there is no preaching about the cross of Jesus Christ. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18, KJV). False prophets do not love the cross of Christ. They prefer rather not to mention it.
The Denial of the Lostness of Man. The Scripture makes very clear that all men and women who have not believed in Jesus Christ are eternally lost (John 3:16,36). To question that there is a place called hell, and to suggest that eternity is not forever is a favorite device of false prophets. Jesus Christ was the most emphatic teacher of eternal punishment and the lostness of man in all of the Bible (Matthew 25:46; John 3:16, etc.). False prophets, moved and controlled by evil spirits, do not want to confess their own future since the lake of fire has been prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
The Denial of the Inspiration and Integrity of Scripture. The Bible teaches that God's Word has been inspired as holy men were moved by the Holy Spirit to write (2 Timothy 3:16). All that they have written are God's words (Romans 3:2). Every single word of the original texts has been given by God. Not even a tiny jot or tittle will pass away (Matthew 5:18). It is the practice of Satan to say, "Did God really say. . . ?" (Genesis 3:1). False prophets say the same thing because they are energized by the same spirit.
False prophets also like to have their own revelations and attack the adequacy and inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures in order to introduce their own scriptures. If the prophet is adding new revelation to the Bible accepted by the Church for most of these 2,000 years, you can be sure that prophet is false.
Four Favorite Tactics of False Prophets
False prophets are involved in spiritual warfare - against the church and against the Lord Jesus Christ. In their wars on behalf of the counterkingdom ruled by Satan, they follow a number of common strategies.
Invasion from the Outside. When Paul was bidding farewell to the Ephesian elders, he warned them that certain men would descend upon their church and cause havoc (Acts 20:29). This is one of the favorite tactics of the false prophet. Coming in from outside, he is unknown and, therefore, more easily able to deceive. The Church of the first century struggled mightily to distinguish between prophets false and true. Several of the criteria they emphasized in the Didache and other early writings have to do with distinguishing between those who come into the local assembly from the outside.
Emergence from the Inside. Just as Paul warned the Ephesian elders about those coming from elsewhere, he proceeded to shock them further by insisting that even from among themselves false brethren would arise (Acts 20:30). We are not to be surprised by those who rise up and become false prophets. They come, still today, from among the faithful.
Resistance to Authority. False prophets challenge the authority of the pastor and elders. If they are to be successful, they must challenge the existing leadership. The Scriptures teach that believers are to obey those who have the rule over them, those who oversee watch for their souls (Hebrews 13:17). If a true undershepherd, a true and godly pastor (1 Peter 5:1-4), is guarding his flock, his authority has to be overturned before the false prophet can rend and tear the sheep. It also must be admitted, unfortunately, that sometimes godly leaders become corrupt and end up as false prophets themselves, remaining in the places of authority all the while.
Isolation of Victims. False prophets are rightly likened to wolves (Acts 20:29). All predators do one thing to their victims - they separate the one about to be destroyed from the protection of the flock or herd. Once the victim is separated from the rest, he becomes easy prey. The word "demon" means distributor and divider.5 If false prophets are controlled by demons, we should not be surprised when they divide the flock, isolating their victims before destroying them. And if the young, the infirm and the aged are beguiled, we should not be surprised. Young people are inexperienced and unfortunately curious. The weak and aged sometimes do not have the strength or clarity to escape.
BB:happyheart::heartbeat::happyheart:
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Steam: For the moment I want to address the following paragraph.
As the return of Jesus Christ nears, we may expect an abundance of false prophets and ultimately the appearance of the Antichrist. He will be a man of lying signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9). We are not to be deceived.
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Steam: You don't know the truth, as is shown by the statement; "As the return of Jesus Christ nears," Jesus Christ returned in 1874; don't you recognize the vast differences in the world since that date?
Continue with "ultinmately the appearance of the AntiChrist", this is another error; the antChrist appeared in 325AD as the Bishops gave obesiance to Constantine and NOT to Our Lord in the conduct of the Church. Mostly it has been the Roman Catholic Church down thru the Gospel Age; the preachers are pushing this idea of a man to become the AntiChrist in these late days. Thai is baloney. Error!
See how you fit the false prophets description?
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A question for Steam.
Re: "Jesus Christ returned in 1874;"
Do those that teach our Master Jesus returned in 1874 continue to "proclaim the Lord's death" ?
1Corinthians 11:26:
"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till he come."
gogh
Ezekiel 9:3-6 (LXX): "Then the glory of the God of Israel ascended from between the cherubs, and His glory hung there between them in the open air of the [Temple]. And He called to the man who was dressed in the full-length robe and wearing the belt of sapphires, and Jehovah said to him: ‘Go through the midst of the city – through the midst of Jerusalem – and put a sign on the foreheads, of the men who are groaning and deeply upset, over the lawless deeds being done in their midst.’
"And He said in my hearing, ‘Then go through the city behind him and strike… don’t allow your eyes to spare or show mercy! Kill and wipe out both old men and young, as well as virgins, women, and children! But don’t go near those wearing the sign… and start at My Holy Place!’
"So, they started with the elders who were there in the [Temple]."
This doesn't appear to have happened yet. My opinion is that, "Israel" or those in the Temple, are all who claim to be in a covenant relationship with God ("Christian" religions, plus Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and Jews). And those who are marked for salvation are the ones who are crying and groaning over all the things going on in their churches (religions). This appears to be the same destruction as described in Revelation 18... No, it didn't happen in 1918-1919.
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Steam:I agree with much of what you stated. It is Christendom; NOT Israel which is meant. I believe this was done by Pastor Russell during the years 1877 til his death in 1916. He had the ability and the freedom to mark people with the truth of Christ's presence. He attempted to give it to al of Christendom; but on some it had an adverse effect because they would not believe it. These lost their standing as Christians. The ones who believed and followed thru with their consecration to do God's will only were put under judgment as members of the body of Christ. This judgment is not completed yet as best I can see. The world of mankind will be judged in Christ's Kingdom in the latter part of the Millennium. About 700 years.
This is NOT the Revelation 18 events. That is the destruction of the systems of religion in Babylon.
[quote=gogh]
A question for Steam.
Re: "Jesus Christ returned in 1874;"
Do those that teach our Master Jesus returned in 1874 continue to "proclaim the Lord's death" ?
1Corinthians 11:26:
"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till he come."
gogh
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Steam: YES! Have the Memotial service each year.
We hope to follow Jesus into sacrificial death.]
A question for Steam.
Re: "Jesus Christ returned in 1874;"
Do those that teach our Master Jesus returned in 1874 continue to "proclaim the Lord's death" ?
1Corinthians 11:26:
"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till he come."
gogh
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Steam: YES! Have the Memotial service each year.
We hope to follow Jesus into sacrificial death.
and you don't see the disconnect of logic and reason between the question gogh asked of you ... and your answer? :whistle: