False Prophets

Scriptural Warning of False Prophets (Teachers)

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
(Matthew 24:11)

Throughout all scripture is the theme of the many and the few… and we need to understand that when Christ speaks of the many he is speaking of the majority.  When he speaks of the few, he is speaking of a minority.  Many and few — big group and small group.  Sounds elementary doesn’t it?  Well it does get more difficult… in that “the many” never means “the minority”.

I want to repeat one more time… many means many… as in a lot… as in the most of… the majority.  Conversely, few means few… as in a small amount… the minority… the little group.  I should probably repeat it some more but let’s keep going… just remember the relationship of the many and the few.

Harold Camping
I hear comments by people referring to Camping (and others like him) to the false prophets we are warned about in scripture.  Let’s look at all the words.

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
(Matthew 24:11)

How many Campings would you say there are?  Would you say many?  … and how many people are being deceived by these types?  How many people do you personally know… and how many of those people are so easily deceived?  Would you say many?

It is true that Harold Camping is a false prophet.  Inspired prophets tell the truth… false prophets lie… but is Camping the type that scripture warns us of?

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Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made….
(Genesis 3:1)

This word subtil means cunning, crafty, prudent… all in a bad sense, ok?  This creature was created more subtil, cunning, crafty, and prudent (in a bad way) than any other of God’s creatures… including you, me, and everyone else.  Does that make sense?

Can we begin to see that people like Harold Camping, who hasn’t fooled many people at all, isn’t so subtil, cunning, crafty, or prudent (in a bad way)?  Would you say he has many followers or a few?  Has he deceived many or a few?  Do we honestly believe that this is the level of deception that God warns us of in scripture?

Let me show you the level of deception that God warns us of in scripture:

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world…
(Revelation 12:9)

How can I emphasize enough the level of deception within the abilities of the great and old serpent?  Do not think that you have uncovered the serpent’s evil plot or foiled his plan by exposing such people as Harold Camping… because the great serpent deceiveth the whole world.

I’m sure you have been genuinely deceived, scammed, or tricked in your lifetime… someone has led you into believing a lie… and since you have come out of that deception you are now aware of it.  Does the subtlety of Harold Camping even compare?  Do you think Harold Camping is cunning?  Were you almost fooled?  Do you believe that Camping represents the depths of deception used by Satan who deceives the whole world?

This is a short paper so I am ending with a few scriptures regarding the false prophets we are warned about in scripture.

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
(Matthew 24:11)

Many (not a few) will say to me (Jesus) in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied (taught, preached) in thy name (Jesus)? and in thy name (Jesus) have cast out devils (demons)? and in thy name (Jesus) done many wonderful works (miracles)? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
(Matthew 7:22-23)

For, many, will come upon my name, saying(that)—I (Jesus), am the Christ,—and will, deceive many.
(Matthew 24:5)

Who teaches in the name of Jesus, casts out demons in the name of Jesus, and performs many wonderful works in the name of Jesus?  The Jews?  Muslims?  Atheists?  Really?

Who professes that Jesus is the Christ, yet deceives many?

Do many of the TWO BILLION CHRISTIANS in the world today, “teach, preach, cast out demons, and do many wonderful works in the name of Jesus Christ?”

If wonderful thoughts, words, works, and actions (in the name of Jesus) are not enough… are you willing to search the scriptures for what’s missing?