False Prophets
[4] And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. [5] For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. [6] And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. [8] All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
(Matthew 24:4-8 ESV)Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
(1 John 4:1 ESV)
I just finished reading The Twelve Imam by Joel C. Rosenberg. I have reviewed the book here and it is a fiction story, but one with a lot of truth. The Twelfth Imam is the coming Islamic messiah and they believe that the destruction of Israel and America will bring about the return of the Twelfth Imam of Mohammed to our world.
Like I stated before this book is fiction but written around true prophesy. In Matthew 24 it states “many WILL come” and “you WILL hear of wars and rumors of wars.” During the coming days we will have individuals rise up calling themselves the messiah, they will show great wonders and signs. These are false prophets. False prophets are people who claim to speak for God but are actually speaking by demonic influence. These false prophets will be able to perform things you can not explain, but they will be doing them to lead you astray.
In 1 John, John warns us to test the spirits to see if they are from God. In my ESV study bible it states: If a spirit does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, that spirit or person is misleading God’s people. Anyone can talk about Jesus and even believe that he lived on earth, as other religions, cults, and philosophies often affirm. But unless such people affirm both the full deity and the full humanity of Jesus, they are not truly “confessing Jesus,” but, as John states in unequivocal terms, they are under the influence of the spirit of the antichrist.
After reading this powerful book by Joel C. Rosenberg I believe many of us are asleep to what is happening over in Iran. It is a spiritual warfare more than a political warfare. The good news is we, as Christians washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, can rest in the assurance that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. Satan can not touch us, even in death we are victorious.
Another piece of good news, we know who wins in the end. There will be great damage, but they do not win!
Heavenly Father, my heart is heavy for my fellow believers who are living under persecution in Iran. We take for granted the bibles we can have in our homes, many in Iran have only the teachings of other believers. Father make yourself evident to them and I pray in the coming days more people will follow the true Messiah, not a false prophet. Help us also to be alert to the coming false prophets and if we have already fallen prey to any false beliefs I pray you will reveal this to us. Thank you for sending your son to die on the cross for our sins. Amen
Yes, this is the only story that truly has a happy ending. Much to think and pray about.
Andie
Oh, Lori, it is true that we have to watch for the false prophets; always testing against Scripture what we are told. There are many teachers out there that do not base their teaching on Scripture, but their own interpretations.
Thank you for the reminder to be careful.
I was just reading a friends “testimony”. She is claiming God but her beliefs go directly against scripture. My mind was pondering many things and my heart was saddened. Then I came to your blog. The scripture you shared here will help me to know exactly what to pray for her. 1)She be aware of the false prophets around her 2) that she not be a false prophet
Thank you for sharing!
So true, we need to base everything upon the Scriptures. Thank you for the reminder. Blessings..