False Prophets
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Mat 7:16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Mat 7:17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.
Mat 7:18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Lets start, by asking the question. Are we to be cautious of false prophets? Do false Prophets appear like believers on the surface? We are told in Matthew 7:15 to beware of false prophets. They are likened unto sheep’s in wolves’ clothing.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
False prophets are very real. They are in place to lead the immature away from the Will of God. They are a very real threat in this world. It is imperative that we are well studied and strong in our faith so we can recognize these wolves, and lead others away from them.
False teachers can be very hard to recognize. The fact is, our flesh is going to seek out the false prophets, over the true every time. True prophets and teachers will teach us to follow the Will of God, and will lead us to obedience. False prophets and teachers will try to show us a false freedom, which is really just a dressed up form of bondage. So how do we know false prophets?
Mat 7:16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Mat 7:17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.
Mat 7:18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Yeshua (Jesus) said we will recognize them by their fruits. We can see them for whom they are by their works. If you haven’t read the last article, faith of the heirs defined. Please go back and do so before continuing.
Our fruits are our works. If all you see from a teacher is lies and deceit. Or even if all that is seen is some kind of worldly gain, then you may just be dealing with a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Yeshua taught us that no good can come from diseased teachers and their diseased doctrines. We are warned that those who do teach something other than the truth will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So before we go on to describe the disease. Lets take a moment and go over the idea of fruit.
What is good fruit that believers bring forth?
Joh 15:8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Joh 15:9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
Joh 15:10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
Yeshua taught us that in order to glorify our father, we must bear much fruit. And it is by this that we prove to be Yeshua’s disciples. we are shown that in order to show a true discipleship of our Messiah, we must glorify our Father, and bear much fruit. He teaches that as the Father has loved the Son, so the Son loves us. We are taught to abide in his Love. But once again Love and discipleship are directly linked to keeping the commandments. We are shown that it is by keeping His commandments we abide in his Love. He shows us the idea of discipleship, as following his example, and walking as he walked. And here in verse ten Yeshua (Jesus) our Messiah is teaching us that he kept the Fathers commandments. and by doing so abide’s in His Love.
In order to really claim that we are disciples, we have to walk as our Messiah walked, and our Messiah kept the commandments. These verses are not taken from the Tanach (old Testament.) These are from the gospel of John. These are the words of our Messiah. So why are we so quick to ignore them in favor of teachings from false prophets?
Our flesh wants to believe that there is no Will that we have to follow. Our flesh wants to believe the false interpretations and teachings that say we can now live in sin. We want to believe that freedom from God’s Will is anything other than bondage in its truest form
It is here in John 15:8-10 that we get our truest definition of what fruits are meant to be. So many have fallen under the false interpretation that the fruits are only saved souls. But the simple fact is we do not know the hearts of men. Let’s look at an example. If I were to make a false claim that I have personally saved more than 100,000 souls. How would you know the difference? Or better yet, lets say there was an evangelist that taught that, hey, come up say some magic words, and all your sins are forgiven. And now that you have said these magic words, you will be rich, and have a genie God that will grant all your wishes as long as you send me some trivial amount of money. How many people do you think would line up to be saved by him?
Now lets say, right across the street, another teacher shows the truth of scripture. This teacher teaches from scripture that salvation breed’s obedience. And you are not going to have an easy life because of following this God. You will want to be poor instead of rich, but the possession’s of this life really aren’t important. And all you have belongs to God anyway, so why should we focus on fame and fortune. Whom do you think will be more popular?
Statements of the tongue are not works (Fruit). The fruit that can be seen is ones obedience too our Father through discipleship of the one and only begotten Son, Yeshua (Jesus) our Messiah. These fruits are the keeping of the commandments (Will of God, Law, Law of Moses, LOVE.)
So the exact opposite of fruits would be the disease that we spoke of earlier. It is teaching the false truths and traditions of man. The thorn bush is set to destroy the clear teachings of our Messiah. It is going against the Will of our father that is the disease. I was once one of these false prophets and I didn’t even realize it. I was teaching a gospel that didn’t truly exist in scripture. I taught the free willing sloppy agape that so many have fallen under. I as so many others’ showed only half of the picture.
So one may ask how is it that you were a false prophet without realizeing it? Are their people that think they are bringing forth good fruit, but actually are bringing corrupt fruit?
Mat 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'
Mat 7:23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
Not everyone who claims Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. Doesn’t that just send chills down your spine? The idea that as long as you speak some magic prayer, all is well, takes on a whole new depth of evil doesn’t it. There are many that teach a false gospel. They can prophecy, cast out demons, and even do mighty works in the Lords name. But they never knew him. So how do we know if we know him? Once again by not being workers of lawlessness. So ask yourself, are we supposed to follow the Law?
Some may point out that some translations have the word translated as lawlessness (anomia). And some translators write it as iniquity. So is there a difference between the two? What is the Fathers Will and what is iniquity?
Lev 5:17 And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
Sin and iniquity are the definitions of lawlessness. They are the product of going against the Will of our Father (Law, Law of Moses, Torah, commandments.) Leviticus 5:17 says if a soul sin it is by breaking the commandments of the Lord. This is iniquity, lawlessness.
If not all that say Lord, Lord, actually know our Messiah. How do we know that we know Him and are in Him?
1Jn 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jn 2:4 Whoever says I know him but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
1Jn 2:5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
1Jn 2:6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
Is the connection becoming clear yet? If we claim to know him, we will keep His commandments. All those who do not are liars’ and the truth is not in them. False prophets will not keep the commandments. False prophets will lead others away from the commandments. It is by keeping the commandments that we know we are in Him. It is by keeping the commandments that the Love of God is perfected, and we know we are in Him. We are to walk as our Messiah walked, and our Messiah kept every single commandment that applied to Him. There is no other interpretation. It is easy to be a false prophet. I was once one, and I didn’t even know it. My intentions were good, but it is often said that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Although I was once ashamed that I was a false prophet, through the atoning blood of our Messiah, I was lead to the truth, and am no longer condemned by my sin. I can now use my experience to lead others back to the true Will of God, and to the True Messiah that is plainly shown in Scripture. Which is plan to see when Scripture is left to speak for itself through the Holy Spirit!
I was led to the Messiah that truly saved me, and brought me out of the false traditions of man. I found the truth as shown in Titus
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
Tit 2:12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
Tit 2:13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Tit 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Tit 2:15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Yeshua is the grace of God bringing salvation to all people. It is through this grace that we are trained to renounce ungodliness, and wordily passions that so many false prophets teach as being so important. We are taught to live self controlled, upright, and Godly lives in the present. We are awaiting our blessed Hope, the appearing of the glory of our great savior Yehshua our Messiah (Jesus Christ). Who gave himself to redeem us from all lawlessness not to create lawlessness! To purify himself, a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works (the Law). This is what we are to declare. We are to exhort, and rebuke all other authority, in regards to these things. And let none disregard us.
We were forewarned that many false prophets would arise, and what they would do.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
Mat 24:12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
Mat 24:13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. Because lawlessness (anomia) will be increased. The very teaching that so many have fallen under, the idea of no Law But it is those who endure this false teaching of false prophets that will be saved. And the True gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations. It is then that the end will come. Until we wake up and start proclaiming the True gospel, the end will not come. The time for this is now. The awakening is happening. It is time for the true disciples to endure and teach the Truth as seen in Holy Scripture, as shown by the Holy Spirit, and not by man.
We see in Daniel what some of these false teachings would be.
Dan 7:25 He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.
The false prophet will bring lawlessness, he will wear out the saints, and change the times and the Law. The Law was never meant to change. The times of the Holy days were never meant to change. It is the false prophet that will teach these lies.
We are warned in 2 Peter of these false prophets also.
2Pe 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
2Pe 2:2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.
If you remember from previous articles denying the Word, is denying our Messiah. Many false prophets do not even realize that by teaching an anti Law theology they are in fact denying the Messiah, they claim as Lord, Lord Remember the warning’s of destruction set forth by our Holy Scripture. Remember the lessons shown to us through Israel of old in their bondage for disobeying the Will of God.
We are told that many will follow their sensuality, and by them the way of Truth as shown by the Law is blasphemed.
Since iniquity is sin, why do people let these numerous false prophets cause others and themselves to sin?
2Ti 4:2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
2Ti 4:3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
2Ti 4:4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
Man’s fallen flesh will lead them to these false prophets because the flesh wants to suit its own passion. It is by allowing these false teachers to enter into our lives that we are allowing those to turn Holy Truth into mere myth. Many false prophets today use the prosperity message to led others away from sound teachings. Through this many are coming in droves to suit there own passions and are more than willing to forgo the Law of God in their lives.
We have spoken a lot about false prophets and teachings up to this point. But what is the way or truth that will be spoken of as evil by false prophets?
Psa 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Dan 9:13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities (lawlessness), and understand thy truth.
Mal 2:6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.
If Yeshua (Jesus) was the Word made flesh, and the Law is the Truth, is Yeshua the Truth?
Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Joh 14:7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.
Yeshua is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. If you claim to know Yeshua (Jesus) you would have known the Father.
If Yeshua is the Truth, which is also the Word and Law, what is the Life and the way?
Pro 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
Pro 13:13 Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
Pro 13:14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
Pro 13:15 Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.
Scripture is not written in code. The way of truth is plan, and it is found in what so many call the Law. We must stop denying who our Messiah is and teach Him from the Scripture that so plainly describes Him.
There are many false prophets in our world. And the first message they teach is that the law is no more. We have to see these teachings for what they are. Because often the most vile false prophet doesn’t even realize what he is teaching. I am speaking from experience.
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our Father
