“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” (Matt. 24:11)
They are called false prophets for a reason, they do not speak the truth, and whether it is an event of the future that they are attempting to get people to believe, or misinterpretations of the Word of God, we are not to fear them. I believe at every opportunity that arises we should rebuke them, not only because they are leading silly women astray, the simple minded and unknowledgeable, but because they dishonor the name of the Most High, and many of them with full knowledge of what they are doing.
“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,” (Acts 8:18) These false prophets do not just seek for “filthy lucre” though, for monetary rewards, but for recognition, for the sake of pride they lie. Amongst people that gossip, one of the most important things is to be the first to bring up the latest news, to know something that others do not yet know, for that knowledge in their own eyes lifts them up above their fellows, and these false prophets are no different, they do not just want that recognition from others, they need it to boost their recognition in their own eyes.
Pride is a beast that must be fed continuously, and it will blind all who fall into its trap to the truth.
In these days that we find ourselves in it is quite easy to garner a following of people who are seeking for some type of firm foothold, nearly all of them not realizing that the one they are listening to is leading them not just to sinking sand, but into quicksand, whether its intentionally or not.
The love of money and the love of pride are powerful motivators, perhaps the most powerful. You will either read or hear these false prophets carefully use the words “might” or “may,” “could,” and “is possible” to attempt to cover their tracks, to keep those who are deceived by them coming back each time they are incorrect, which is nearly every time. The odds, so to speak, are occasionally in their favor, and the wisest in the world of them would calculate those odds to ensure that one out of a hundred times they will be right.
Every single time that Elijah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, every single time that a prophet sent by God spoke, what they spoke came to pass, every time without fail. “I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.” (Jer. 35:15)
For money, self-recognition, recognition from others, for pride, such is the desire of that false prophet.
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2 Tim. 3:13)
“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Matt. 24:5)
The more imminent the danger, the more these false prophets will come out of the woodwork. Our message is to remain the same, whether it be in times of plenty, or in famine, in war or peace, in sunshine or the storm, “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 3:2)
The man of Gods message from God does not change with the circumstances of the world, we speak of the eternal security in Christ of a man’s soul, not the temporary trials and tribulations that the world finds itself in. We warn of the second death, not the first. Fear of a possible adverse future in this life is the way of Satan, fear of eternal separation from the love of God is what we preach. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28)
It is unlikely that you will be able to reach these false prophets, many if not most of them are far too deceived, but there is a possibility that with the truths of the Word of God, given by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit for the sake of Jesus Christ you may be able to reach some of those who follow them, who are being deceived by them.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
Whether it be a religious cult or an individual on a social media site leading those that will follow them to hell, you must intercede whenever you have the opportunity to, without concern for yourself, but solely for the glory of God. And my friends, in the days that we find ourselves in, you have ample opportunity to do just that.
