false prophets

Prophetically, part of the end time scenario just before Christ's return includes the increase of both false Christs & false prophets.

Of the last generation Jesus Himself predicted: "For false Christs & false prophets will arise & will show great signs & wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance." (Math.24: 24, 25).

Right now this scenario exists all around us, even within the body of Christ. These 2 pro- files are similar. They both are "leader" types & both are "false". They also both "mislead" people away from God & the Lord Jesus Christ.

False Christs....

The word "Christ" means "anointed one" in Greek. False Christs may or may not be known for their "religion". That can be very much secondary. Most notably, a false Christ will profess some special revelation or message (religious or not) that directs people away from the Lord Jesus Christ as their prime focus.

Many of today's secular & new age speak- ers fit into this profile. Their message is that the the ultimate controller & ultimate being that we should answer to is ourself. And that every person's ultimate dependency should rest upon himself. Of course, this kind of misleading philosophy exlcudes the need for the cross & the Savior, Christ Jesus.

False Prophets...

False prophets are more recognized for their "religious" image & platform than a false Christ. A prophet is a true man of God. But a "false" prophet is a "false" man of God. He is a religious impostor who wears the dis- guise of being a "man of God".

But, both he & his message oppose the Word of God (the Bible) & the Lord Jesus Christ. This makes him "false", from God's perspective. However, many false prophets speak favorably of Christ. So, from the belie- ver's view, this can require close examination & sharp discernment to spot the deception.

Today, we see various false prophets who represent various religions who are mislead- ing thousands, even millions worldwide. The Dali Lama, Osama Bin Laden, Joseph Smith (Mormonism), David Koresh, Jim Jones, Rev. Moon & Sheik Nasrallah, to name a few.

False prophets within the body of Christ...

To Christians, the most alarming part of the Lord's prophecy is that potentially "even the elect" (God's own people) could also be "misled". Today, false prophets within the body of Christ are masterful & sophisticated in their Christian appearance & mimickry.

It will take sharp discernment in these Last Days for believers to decipher the true man of God from the false one within the church.

Scriptures show that these false ministers within the body of Christ "Are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ, & no wonder, for even satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore, it is not surprising if his (satan''s) servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness...". (2 Cor.11:13-15).

The Final "End Time" False Prophet...

The epitome of the evil deception that is shap- ing up right now in this generation can be recognized in the Bible's profiling of the False Prophet of the End Times. (Rev.13:11; Rev.16:13; Rev. 20:10).

He will be the ultimate religious deception in all of world history. His influence & impact will be worldwide in scope under his relig- ious facade. Scriptures are clear that His End Time presence in the world's scenery will be, initially, welcomed & friendly in appearance to an unsuspecting world who reverences him. (Rev. 6: 1, 2). The End Time False Prophet "will look like a lamb, but he speaks as a dragon." [Rev.13:11].