The rise of false prophets

May 15, 2018

Jesus predicted the rise of false Christs and prophets (Mark 13:22).

By Charles Okecha

Global advent of democracy and rule of law promotes freedom of expression in many spheres of life: spiritual, socio-economic, political, cultural et al. Persecutions suffered by God's messengers in the past are becoming matters of history.

Believers in God are free to share his love and blessings. Education and availability of scriptures in softcopy/print coupled with digital migration makes spiritual activities unstoppable. However, there is a lacuna for propagation of falsehood in equal measure.

Who are false prophets?

Jesus predicted the rise of false Christs and prophets (Mark 13:22).

While false prophets are the talk of the nation, false Christs are also mentioned. Christ (Greek) refers to the anointed one and chrism to the anointing. False chrism or anointing leads to teaching/belief in error or falsehood. Deviation from the truth exists in varying degrees in today's traditional and contemporary churches. The foundational New Testament doctrine of the apostles teaches the importance and application of both doctrine and charismatic gifts.

Absence of prophecy and the miraculous denies believers the opportunity to experience the presence of God who then becomes a historical or antiquated entity.

As long as spiritual leaders lack or do not recognize those gifts they will have no capacity to stop idolatrous/occult practices however much they condemn them. When they attempt to correct believers with the gifts but going into error, they are counted as envious and seeking for domination. Therefore to ignore spiritual gifts of God is a false teaching.

Secondly using the spirit of divination to reveal hidden secrets, ‘heal' or invoke fortunes is open idolatry that violates the first and second commandments against idolatry. It is absolute falsehood and worship of Satan.

The third form of error are those who operate in God-given spiritual gifts but afterwards swell with pride, indulge in sexual sins or merchandise gifts by asking for tokens from those who need help. They are later overtaken by strange spirits or dry up.

The word and gifts of God are sealed by the blood of the holy prophets and apostles and of the Son of God. Turning them into articles of trade is to hold a slippery rope that slides deeper and deeper into the abyss of eternal ruin, unless you come to your senses immediately and repent!

The vast majority of latter day false prophets are these last categories who abuse God-given spiritual gifts or operate directly under the influence of Satan.

The parable of weeds

In the parable of weeds (Matthew 13), Jesus revealed widespread increase of Satan's followers at the end of the age. He taught a universal fundamental truth that before every fake copy of anything (currency, receipt or certificate) there is first an original true copy. God gave Israel the law that prohibited adultery, bestiality, incest and intermarriages with idolatrous nations in order to raise and preserve godly descendants for Abraham. Gross violation of those laws in the name of ‘freedom' in these last days has resulted into a sensual generation with body and soul but without spiritual life from God and lack genuine faith. Crave for sweatless pleasure and wealth more than God makes them easy prey to false prophets and not even government can stop people from going after them.

Way of escape

Jesus died to deliver us from this present evil age (Galatians 1:3-4).

He instituted the New Covenant to make God's Spirit and word available to both Jews and gentiles.  Just as each family sacrificed a lamb during the Exodus, the responsibility of salvation trickles down to the family. God commanded Israelites to teach each other and their children even when they had priests.  Paul commended Jewish believers in Berea for searching the scriptures. Rather than lamenting about preachers, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

In fact God's purpose for ordaining bishops, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers is to teach and equip believers to avoid error and do ministry. Teach and exhort each other, lay hands on the sick, cast out demons, prophesy not to go after false prophets, unless they are mere make-believers!  Some of those preachers you adore do not actually seek God for fresh messages but just mimic sermons from you tube downloads.

The writer is an ambassador of Christ

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