Over the centuries since Christ’s death and resurrection, countless impostors have pretended to be the Messiah or claimed to know details about the future they could not possibly know. While false prophets are nothing new, they will become increasingly prevalent and destructive in the End Times. Jesus warned us about these individuals in His Olivet Discourse: “many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” (Matthew 24:11).
In Matthew 10:16 and Luke 10:3, Jesus warned His followers about “wolves” who would be openly hostile to the Gospel. But Matthew 7 presents a more subtle threat—wolves disguised as sheep. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:15). These are false prophets who infiltrate the Church and lead people astray.
Jesus warned that false prophets would deceive many people in the Last Days, but we don’t have to fall for their schemes. The Bible provides many warning signs and practical ways we can respond to false teaching.
Just as clever hoaxes have conned many brilliant people, it is possible for Christians—even mature believers—to be duped by false teachers. Many philosophies that have nothing to do with the cause of Christ masquerade under the banner of Christianity. Without the wisdom and grace of God, we’re all vulnerable to deception.
Matthew 7:21-23 contains some of the most disturbing words in the Bible. Jesus is speaking, and He says, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Someday, the true nature of each person’s relationship with Jesus Christ will be revealed when they stand before God in judgment. Unless that individual has a personal relationship with Christ, all their deeds and religious fervor will be meaningless.
Jesus warned His disciples, “Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matthew 24:4). But in a world of deception, how do we spot a false prophet? God’s Word gives us several tools to separate the wolves from the sheep.
False prophets may make predictions that do not come true.
The Bible says, “And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.” (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). Today’s false prophets often try to predict the time of Christ’s return. However, Jesus told us in the Olivet Discourse, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36). The Lord does not intend for us to speculate about the timing of His return. The Christian’s responsibility is to remain watchful, righteous, and ready.
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