False Prophets, we are living in dangerous times. As we get closer to the second coming of the Jesus, there will be many events and prophesies that are fulfilled. We’ll see people emerge that claim to be followers of Christ, or teach on wild topics, completely misinterpreting the Bible. Their motivation is greed and the manipulation of people.

We have seen and heard many teachers of the Word claim certain “truths” that are not Biblical. They claim to have a thorough understanding of the Word, having multiple degrees; however, they are misleading people with theology that is not Biblical.  Much of what they teach is based on the following, a misinterpretation of the Word (taking it out of context), disregarding historical considerations and injecting their own views rather than obtaining God’s purpose/message. Furthermore, these false prophets have an alternative agenda at the core of their message. to understand God’s intent, and the existence of an agenda at the core of the interpretation; some interpret the Word which is based on either to extract extract monetary benefits and/or to attain political gains. 

We should be asking ourselves; is this a new phenomenon, or has this happened in prior?    

Well, let’s look at the Old Testament and see what we can find. In Ezekiel and Jeremiah, both prophets speak about the deceit which was rampant during their tenure as God’s prophets.  Ezekiel 22:23-29, Jeremiah 23:16 and Jeremiah 14:14 illustrate this

Ezekiel 22:23-29 (Read the verse on False Prophets but mention that Ezekiel address all)

23 Again the word of the Lord came to me: 24 “Son of man, say to the land, ‘You are a land that has not been cleansed or rained on in the day of wrath.’ 25 There is a conspiracy of her princes[a] within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her. 26 Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. 27 Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain. 28 Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says’—when the Lord has not spoken. 29 The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice.

Jeremiah 23:16

16 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes.  They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.

Jeremiah 14:14

14 Then the Lord said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries[a] and the delusions of their own minds.

So, clearly False Prophets are not a new concept, they are not unique to our time or to the New Testament. 

Next, let’s see what Jesus and the Apostle Peter have to say about false prophets: 

Matthew 7:15-20

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

2 Peter 2:1-3

2 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

Who is the source of these lies and why? God is clear on defining who our enemy is, we know that Satan is the adversary and our foe from day one of creation. The Apostle Paul and Peter have the following to say:  

1 Peter 5:8

8 be alert and of sober mind. your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

2 Corinthians 4:4

4 the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

So, we know that Satan is behind these lies and deception in the world.  Now that we have defined the topic, can we identify some examples of false prophets today?  Let’s look at three Pastors in our contemporary examples of false prophets

1. First Example
   1. At Pastor at a church in San Antonio states in his book “Jesus did not come to earth to be the Messiah”.  The Pastor’s definition of messiah is not a spiritual deliverer, but a political one.  He states that Jesus never stated that he is Messiah, however, in John 4:25-26 Jesus does admit that.  The Pastor’s purpose is to vindicate Jews of their involvement in crucifying God.  He totally misses the main point here.  Jews didn’t crucify our Lord alone; we all are guilty because He came to be crucified for our sins.  That was His mission, to be sacrificial lamb and the final sacrifice for the sins of mankind.

• Second Example
  • The wife of a Pastor at megachurch in Texas stated, “I want to encourage every one of us to realize that when we obey God, we are not doing it for God, that’s one way to look at it, we’re doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we are happy.  That’s the thing that gives Him the greatest joy this morning.  Just do good for your own self, do good because God wants you to be happy.  When you come to church and when you worship Him, you’re not doing it for God really, you’re doing it for yourself because that’s what makes God happy”. –

• Third Example – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America –
  • A Pastor at Evangelical Lutheran Church in America expressed his position on the virgin birth on social media.  He stated that he believes in the virgin birth, however, the virgin birth to him means that Jesus was intersex.  The definition of intersex is an individual having reproductive organs or external sexual characteristics of both male and female. – this statement comes at a very interesting time, when the country is being forced to retreat from our foundation and to accept homosexual/transgender policy. 

Therefore, test everything you hear according to the Word of God.  Do not accept anything blindly as truth, rather pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you in your search and conduct thorough research.  I want to emphasize thoroughness because going on a whim will derail you.   Do not take verses out of context and simply develop your own theories; otherwise, the threat of falling into one of these four Pastors views is possible. 

If you are ready to receive the Lord and to join the body of Christ, pray this prayer, Lord Jesus I know that I am sinner and I ask you forgive me of my sins.  I believe that you were crucified for my sins and through your blood I have redemption and salvation.  Please come into my heart and I receive you as my God.  I pray in Jesus name. AMEN