Bogus Christs & Bogus Prophets: Part I

I am regularly asked if an office or position of prophet still exist. I will answer as plainly as possible. Yes and no. Yes, in relation to the fact that they build up and are edifiers-speakers of truth to a local congregation or small portion of the body. Having studied the topic extensively from the Scripture I would say no, in relation to the idea of the Old Testament prophet that usually said such things as: “Thus sayeth the Lord!"

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. ~Hebrews 1:1-2

So what should be we looking for when it comes to false prophets? The Bible is clear and makes many statements concerning those that speak on behalf of God or claim to. What I can say for certain is that there will be many warning signs long before we get to the point elaborated on in Mark 13:22-23: “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.” If we are careful and observant we should be able to see the “ψευδόχριστοι / psuedochristoi / false anointed ones” and the “ψευδοπροφῆται / pseudoprophetai / false before averers” long before they breech the strongholds of the church as we are given the warnings and telltale signs in Scripture.

Do They Ever Give False Prophecies?

“And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?’— When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.” ~ Deuteronomy 18:21-22

Do They Try to Contact “Dead” Spirits or Ghosts?

“There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead” ~Deuteronomy 18:10-11

Do They Use Means of Divination?

“There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead” ~Deuteronomy 18:10-11

Do They Involve Mediums or Witches?

“There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead” ~Deuteronomy 18:10-11

Do They Follow False "gods" or "idols"?

“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth…” Exodus 20:3-4

“…you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” ~ Deuteronomy 13:3

Do They Deny the Deity of Jesus Christ or The Risen Christ?

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” ~Colossians 2:8-9

Do They Deny the Humanity of Jesus Christ?

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” ~1 John 4:1-2

Do Their Prophecies Shift the Focus off of Jesus Christ?

“Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelations 19:10

This is one of those places that I must focus in on. We see it in many evangelical circles that shanghai the book of Revelation and make it into their own person foretelling of the “End Times” and use it as a forecasting tool. Although there are some of these elements in Revelation, those that will make this book into tabloid fodder for the “End of the World” are in serious jeopardy of misusing this book. By focusing on Revelation's apocalyptic nature they remove the focus off of Jesus Christ and His revealing of Himself in the end of days and fail to focus on the coming day of the Lord. Revelation is not so much for people like Harold Camping to make absurd predictions, as it is to reveal the Savior’s second coming and the salvation and restoration He brings with Him. How can we allow the false teachers and money hounds on specific television networks and false ministries beat Revelations to death as a “prediction” or doom book? Do we allow them to do so until they have crossed over from preaching Jesus to preaching a false spirit and misguiding millions or do we call them out on their misgudied teachings? I for one feel a rebuke coming on...

[Continued in Part II]