False Prophets and True

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

In the apostolic period, two main gifts of the Spirit were those of the apostle and prophet. In fact, the church itself was "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Eph. 2:20). One functon of these was to recieve and transmit God's revelation to His people; first verbally, then eventually written in permanent form in the New Testament. Eph. 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

The apostle Paul revealed also that such prophecies would cease once they were no longer needed. 1 Cor. 13:9-10 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. Clearly in the context, this refers to the complete revelation of God. When the last book of the Bible was transmitted to the Church by the Holy Spirit through the last living Apostle, John, the Lord Jesus Christ warned us neither to "add unto" nor to "take away from the words of the book of this prophecy" (Rev. 22:18-19).

But many false prophets have indeed "gone out into the world" (I John 4:1), just as Jesus warned, and they have "deceived many." One of them, a self-asserted seventh century "prophet" from Arabia, received certain "revelations" from a "god" that were vastly different from those of the God of the Bible, and his followers now number over a billion.

There have been others, before and since, and the Lord Jesus Christ warned us always to "beware of false prophets" (Matt. 7:15). The basic criterion by which to test any alleged prophecy, ancient or modern, is whether or not it fully conforms to the written Word of God, the Bible. Isa.8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

2 Cor. 4:4-6 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Everlasting Contempt

Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Some claim that the Old Testament knows nothing of a resurrection, but this promise of God clearly refutes such a notion. Not only will some be raised to everlasting life, but some to everlasting shame and contempt!!!

What a bitter end this will be for those who now look with contempt upon the Bible. The Hebrew word translated "contempt" is used only one other time in Scripture, in the very last verse of Isaiah, but is there translated "abhorring."

Isaiah 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

There is probably no doctrine of the Bible more hated by unbelievers than the doctrine of everlasting punishment. It was this teaching (not the imaginary evidence for evolution) that turned Charles Darwin away from God according to historians. Nevertheless, it was verified by Christ Himself.

Mark 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

In the future, the Lord Jesus Christ will say to the "goats" on His left hand;

Matthew 25:41, 46 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

The Apostle Paul, the human instrument the Holy Spirit of God used to pen many books of the New Testament, also warned those who "obey not the gospel."

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Everlasting contempt, everlasting fire, everlasting punishment, everlasting destruction - these await all who reject God and His saving word through Jesus Christ. How much better after death and for all eternity to "awake to everlasting life!!!"

The Importance of Bible Prophecy

During work a week or so ago, the topic of prophecy came up in a general setting. Fulfilled prophecy in the Bible is a vital truth to the Christian faith, but it also gives the Christian today encouragement in his daily walk with the Lord. Here is a portion of a helpful outline from the Learn the Bible website which outlines the importance of prophecy, with an emphasis to the bible-believing Christian and his service to his Saviour and personal evangelism.

I. Prophecy Makes Up Over One-Fourth of the Bible

II. Prophecy is Exalted by God Himself

III. Prophecy Proves the Authority of Scripture

IV. Prophecy Explains the Meaning of History

V. Prophecy Arms the Believer Against Cultism

VI. Prophecy Motivates the Church to Evangelism

A. The Imminency of Christ’s Return

B. The Urgency to Reach the Lost

VII. Prophecy Challenges the Believer to Holy Service

A. To Watchfulness--Matthew 25:13
B. To Faithfulness--Luke 12:42-44
C. To Comfort--John 14:3
D. As an Encouragement in the Lord’s Supper--I Corinthians 11:26
E. To Confidence--Philippians 1:6
F. To Sincerity--Philippians 1:9-10
G. To Faithfulness to the Word--Philippians 2:16
H. To Heavenly Conversation--Philippians 3:20-21
I. To Moderation--Philippians 4:5
J. To Mortification of Fleshly Lusts--Colossians 3:3-5
K. To Waiting--I Thessalonians 1:9-10
L. To Brotherly Love--I Thessalonians 3:12-13
M. As a Source of Consolation--I Thessalonians 4:14-18
N. To Sanctification--I Thessalonians 5:23
O. To Obedience--I Timothy 6:13-14

P. To Pastoral Diligence--II Timothy 4:1-2; I Peter 5:2-4
Q. To Love the Second Coming--II Timothy 4:7-8
R. To Separation--Titus 2:11-13
S. To Look For Him--Hebrews 9:27-28
T. To Patience--James 5:7-8
U. To Endure Temptations--I Peter 1:7
V. To Soberness--I Peter 4:7
W. To Bear Persecution--I Peter 4:13
X. To Godliness--II Peter 3:11-13
Y. To Abide in Christ--I John 2:28
Z. To Purity--I John 3:2-3
AA. To Repentance--Revelation 3:3

Here is the link for the complete outline: http://www.learnthebible.org/prophecy_importance_lesson01.htm