TOPIC:BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS TEXT: Ezekiel 33:1-7; Matthew 7:13-15 In this passage (Ezekiel 33:1-7), the Lord had commissioned Ezekiel to give warning to the children of Israel. Ezekiel’s responsibility as a watchman was to sound the warning to them of impending danger in order to avert their destruction. The people had a responsibility to take heed to the warning, lest they perished. Failure on either side spelt doom and destruction. The appointment of Ezekiel as a watchman by the Lord springs from His love for His people. The same love also motivated the watchman in watching over the people. In the New Testament (Matthew 7:13-15), the Lord Jesus Christ expressed a similar concern for His disciples because of His love. He was concerned about showing them the way to heaven. He revealed that the way to heaven was a narrow way and urged them to make the effort necessary to enter in at the “strait gate”. Then, he gave the warning that “wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat” (verse 13). On the other hand, the way to heaven is a strait, narrow way: the way of repentance and salvation; the way of the cross and self-denial and the way of holiness and obedience to the Lord. The unfortunate reality, is that, only very few people find the narrow way, take that way and continue in it until they get to heaven. The reason why many do not take the narrow way is because the broadway is very easy and convenient for the natural man and the flesh. Also, many people are being deceived into the broadway because it is the way of liberty and uncontrolled freedom which eventually leads to destruction. Hence, the Lord told Ezekiel to give them warning, to blow the trumpet loud and clear that the people may know of the danger ahead. That is the reason why Jesus said: “Beware of false prophets” (verse 15). He brought this warning to His own disciples to prevent the few that have found the narrow way from being sidetracked from it to the broadway. The same warning he gave at that time. He still gives to us today by His Spirit through His word. Looking at the activities of the end of the age, the nearness of the coming of the Lord and the happenings in the world, the Lord is giving this warning so that believers will not be carried away by the wind of liberty, ease and convenience blowing all around them. True disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ will earnestly take heed to His warnings. 1.THE DESCRIPTION OF FALSE PROPHETS Matthew 7:15-17; 2 Peter 2:1; Acts 20:29-31; Jeremiah 2:8; 50:6; Isaiah 9:16; Romans 16:17,18. Christ in His warning to His disciples gave a vivid description of false prophets. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Their outward appearance is a far cry from their inward disposition, motive and nature. They may look nice, gentle and meek outwardly, but inwardly they are destructive, savage and ravenous wolves. In contemporary times, there are false prophets, just as there were at the time of the prophets in the Old Testament and the apostles in the early church. Some of these false prophets were once in the faith but now have gone apostate. They are clever, cunning, subtle and, through the use of good words and fair speeches, communicate error. “Who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:21). False prophets deny the teaching and word of the Lord. They are not concerned about the Great Commission - bringing souls to the Lord, but speak “perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves”. Their primary concern is to take away those already in the fold. They will not go to sinners outside who have never been born-again. “And they that handle the law know me not”. There are false prophets who hold offices in churches, teach in Sunday schools, organise prayer and deliverance ministries and are prophesying to other people - yet they do not know the Lord. Many families have been destroyed through their prophecies. “For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed” (Isaiah 9:16). Children of God are warned not to follow after people who teach erroneous doctrine and cause divisions and offences in the household of faith. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). 2.THE DECEPTION OF FALSE PROPHETS Matthew 7:15; 24:24; 2 John 7-11; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Corinthians 2:17; Ezekiel 13:22; Jeremiah 14:14; 23:16. The true motive or intention of false prophets is hardly discerned. They come in “sheep’s clothing”, but in reality, they are “ravening wolves”. They are very deceptive, and those who are running after signs and wonders easily fall into their deceptive plots. False prophets take advantage of people’s need of healing, deliverance, jobs, children and money; and give undue emphasis to such needs in their preaching. “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; in so much that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24). John, the apostle of love, motivated by love, warned the believers concerning false prophets: “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (2 John verse 7). Without equivocation, he warns “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed” (verse 10). Part of the deception of false prophets is to twist the word of God to confuse the children of God. By their lies and deception, they encourage the unrighteous, those not living right and discourage the righteous. Believers who are living peaceful, joyful and happy lives are made sad by their negative prophecies. “Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked that he should not return from his wicked way by promising him life” (Ezekiel 13:22). The dreams, visions and prophecies of false prophets are mere divinations of their own minds. 3.THE DAMNATION OF FALSE PROPHETS Matthew 7:19,22,23; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Romans 1:24,28; Numbers 22:12,13,15-21.32,34,35; Numbers 23:10; 31:8,16. What are the punishments or chastisements reserved for the deceivers? There is damnation for the false prophets and those who follow them. “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire” (Matthew 7:19). On the last day, many who lay claim to have used the name of the Lord to prophesy, cast out devils and perform many wonderful works would be utterly disappointed. The ringing condemnation will be: “ ... I never knew you: depart from me ye that work iniquity.” Those who forsake the truth they once believed and now defend error and lie, may eventually be given up by God. They will be allowed to be under “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie” and will be given “Over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient”. Balaam, a prophet in the Old Testament knew the Lord before, but coveteousness came into his heart. He spurned the warning of God and eventually died a deceiver and a false prophet. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).
Posted on: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 08:59:39 +0000
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