Scripture: Matthew 24 v 11: (And Jesus said) "Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."
Deuteronomy 13 v 3: "Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul."
1 John 4 v 1: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."
In the discourse concerning Jesus' return and the end of the world in Matthew 24, Jesus warned us that many false prophets would appear and deceive many. And it is happening all around us.
Many years ago Jim Jones declared himself to be Jesus. He was a sexual pervert who took many of his congregation's wives and daughters into his bed. This did not deter their husband's from thinking it was a privilege! He started out as a Pentecostal pastor and had combined meetings with another false prophet called William Branham.
Such was Jones' demonic powers that on November 18, 1978, he persuaded 909 of his followers, including 304 children to drink poisoned orange juice. Then they could all die simultaneously and be Raptured into Heaven together. Only his daughter managed to escape to tell the world of the tragedy in Guyana. The fruit of a false prophet is very rotten.
The militant false prophet, David Koresh of Branch Davidian Seventh Day Adventists, and his followers, died in a shoot out with the FBI in Waco, Texas in 1993. He also had sexual problems which involved sleeping with wives and daughters of his insane congregation. People who are gullible are prey for the false prophets of this world and when they are found out they like to kill their followers.
These days the false prophets are comfortable in churches where they water down the gospel of Jesus Christ. They grow rich on tithes and sales of "Feel Good" books that condone sin and easy living.
Matthew 7 v 13 - 15: (Jesus said:) "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
Jesus is saying the wolves are in sheep's clothing, meaning they pretend to be Christians but by the fruit of their ministry and lifestyle they are revealed as false. But how can the body of Christ discern this fruit?
We need to have a very close walk with Jesus! It is vital to know His voice, and ask Him to show us by the Holy Spirit whether the person you are following is truly anointed by God. He will show you how to "try the spirits" because no false or evil spirit ever admits that Jesus Christ came to Earth as a fleshly person.
Through the Holy Spirit gift of Discerning of Spirits of good and evil we are able to witness with true Christians that they are part of God's family. Jesus in our hearts connects with Jesus in their hearts. When we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.
Through the same gift we discern evil spirits. I employed a new domestic worker after moving to a new home. Her brother arranged it so I had not met her. I was astonished at the speed and thoroughness of her work. I was standing next to my washing machine in the kitchen. There was an island in the middle with stove plates on it. She was on the other side of it.
I looked at her face and saw pure evil and hatred in her eyes. I was a young Christian then, not sure exactly what to do. She was breathing heavily and I knew she planned to murder me. I looked over my shoulder and saw the edge of an angel's wing behind me. Peace washed over me. She must have seen him too as she ran at full speed out of my house, without being paid, never to be seen again. It started me on a spiritual journey to be equipped for battles in the future.
The false prophets will speak about 'The Christ' or God, or the Lord, but you will hardly ever hear the name of Jesus. Especially in churches where Interfaith is taking over, the name of Jesus is an offence. Christians are asked to stop speaking the name of Jesus as it will cause discomfort to other religions. Of course it will! There is power in the name of Jesus Christ. As Peter preached in his first recorded sermon
Acts 4 v 10 - 12: "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
All the pastors, prophets, churches, who have embraced interfaith have betrayed the sacrifice of Jesus. They have been deceived so there will be gnashing of teeth on the day of Judgment.
In Numbers 3 v 4 two false priests died after they offered strange fire before the Lord. Interfaith is a strange fire, a mingling of false gods with the One True and Living Saviour. In 2 Corinthians 6 v 14 God says be not unequally yoked with unbelievers, which Interfaith is, and in v 17 He says, come out from among them and be separate unto Me.
The Antichrist is rising and with him the Beast and the False Prophet. This is the unholy counterfeit trinity and the unwary are already being sucked into many deceptions. I have to speak the truth in love to you all in case you are being deceived and will lose your eternity in Heaven.
You have to have a vibrant personal relationship with Jesus Christ and love Him and the Father with your whole heart. This will manifest in fervent love for all true believers. It will also give you a love for sinners, which you once were. You will have a desire to save them from sin, death and hell.
You will also have a love for Israel, upon which God's judgment will rest. God said to Abraham in Genesis 12 that he would become a great nation and whoever blesses him will be blessed and those who curse him will be cursed. He was talking about Israel.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit in Christians is found in Galatians 5 v 22-23: love, joy, peace, long-suffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (self-control; moderation). So do a personal audit of your life and make sure all of these are evident. If any are missing pray for the Lord to change you.
The Lord Jesus Christ wants us to be fruitful in bringing sinners to the Cross and turning them into motivated disciples. New Christians learn from those who minister to them so always be a blessing to Jesus in your behaviour.
You need to pray for discernment and wisdom in these days of growing deception. You can never condone sin. Nor can you compromise with truth and righteousness. Live a clean and honourable life before God. The strait and narrow path means disciplined and moral behaviour which leads to a life few will find.
Prayer: Heavenly Father we live in troubled times and the world is reeling under huge pressures, the church is reeling under so much falseness, the only stability is in Your Kingdom sheltered by the Rock of Ages. I pray that Your true people will stay secure in truth and love and shun all that is false, especially prophets who pen sweet stories to deceive the gullible. I rebuke those false prophets and pray for all Christians to resist them. In Jesus' name. Amen.