Connecting With Jesus

End Times – False Prophets

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1 NKJV)

The New Testament demonstrates an unusual emphasis on false prophets. The Greek term “pseudoprophetes” is used eleven times, and there isn’t a Hebrew term that corresponds in the OT.

Today, the internet is jam-packed with people claiming to be prophets, with the majority in the USA and from the continent of Africa. Since when did these two continents become so richly blessed with prophetic wisdom, and why have so many individuals decided to declare themselves a prophet?

Eight of the 298 usages of “prophet” in the Hebrew Scriptures are connected to “false” prophets and only concern visions and dreams. In the New Testament, the pseudo-prophets work “miracles” and “signs and wonders.”

John warns us to “test the spirits” because “many false prophets” are now here. Long before Christ arrived, a false “dreamer” (Deu 13:1-5) was easily exposed when their prophecy failed to come true. Back in that time, these false prophets were executed!

Christ warned that the prophets of the end times would perform “great signs and wonders” (Matt 24:24) to “deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Mark 13:22).

The problem is that they claim to be Christians! Peter gave us five warnings in his second epistle (2:1-3):

1. They come from a “Christian” background.
2. They deny the biblical Lord Jesus in some way (failure to keep God’s Commandments is one way; see John 14:15).
3. They will become very popular, especially with emotionally motivated people.
4. They will degrade some Bible doctrines.
5. They will stimulate greed to attract followers.

We’ve been warned to test them! Their teachings must reflect Christ in every way, or we must reject and discontinue fellowship with them (2 John 1:9-11).

False prophets are insidiously dangerous (Matt 7:15), and many of them promise you great wealth and happiness under the pretense of following Christ!