“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15.
Here’s a fact that seems to be ignored by many preachers. Time is coming to an end. The same people who claim to believe in God, don’t believe Scripture. Well, maybe we believe the good things, like God is love, our sins are forgiven. When was the last time your pastor preached about sin and how it separates us from God? When did he preach about the blood Jesus shed for your salvation? Maybe there are too many people sitting in the pews who embrace their sin and don’t want their conscience pricked. Sadly, maybe the pastor is happy in his own sin. The Apostle Paul encouraged the men whom he placed as pastors to stay true to Scripture and not turn to false teachings to draw crowds. In fact, Paul wrote to one young pastor about a future time when God’s word wouldn’t be tolerated.
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” – 2 Timothy 4:1-2.
That doesn’t sound very seeker friendly, but it does sound like sound doctrine. If pastors don’t “reprove, rebuke, and exhort” the congregation, then woe unto them for condoning sin and tickling ears.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
That time has come. Christians have become complacent about the fables that are taught in public schools and have allowed the “politically correct” attitude to prevail. Shame on us. God has warned us about false teachers and false prophets, but too many Christians have found it too easy to allow the man (or unfortunately the woman) in the pulpit to tell them what to think, rather than studying Scripture and understanding it. Deception can only happen if we allow it.
Famine is a very dire problem. When crops fail, people and animals don’t get fed. We are in the grips of a famine today. Not a famine of food, but a famine of God’s word.
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.” – Amos 8:11-12.
God’s prophets of old still speak to us today, if we will only listen. Christians must be the leaders in understanding God’s truth and living according to His words instead of what the world dictates. Many prophets of God spoke about the times in which we live, most notably Daniel. He was given a prophecy regarding the end of time, but for centuries it was impossible to understand. Israel was not a nation, and the temple had been destroyed. In Daniel’s time, the Temple had been destroyed, but in his prophecy of the end times, he talks of the Temple service ceasing, which means the temple will once again be rebuilt.
“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” – Daniel 9:27.
This prophecy is regarding the final 7 years of time on earth. Half way through those 7 years, activity in the Temple will cease, so we can be sure the temple will be rebuilt. Daniel was not a false prophet. The Jewish people are ready with everything they need to rebuild the Temple, and this one will be the one the “Anti-Christ” takes as his own. This will happen soon.
Jesus was asked by his disciples about the end.
“…Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the world?” – Matthew 24:3b.
The word translated “world” is “aion” and is better translated “age”. Jesus began His answer by warning against deception.
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many.” – Matthew 24:4-5.
This advice needs to be heeded. After all, Jesus said this, and there is no greater authority than Jesus. How do you keep from being deceived? Study Scripture. In recent years there have been deluded people stating they are the Messiah. Not long ago, there was a man in Israel who was thought to be the Messiah. The Jewish people were very excited, but it came as no surprise to those of us who know that Jesus was/is the Messiah, that the man was not who they thought he was
“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” – Matthew 24:11.
False prophets are all around. Keep in mind that Scripture is God’s word. It was written by men who received it directly from the Holy Spirit.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Therefore, if someone makes a claim that contradicts Scripture, that person is a false prophet or a false teacher.
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” – 2 Peter 2:1.
False teachers and false prophets have always plagued God’s people, but Peter tells us these lies will get worse. There are may “damnable heresies” being taught today, and Christians who don’t know Scripture can easily be deceived.
“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.
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