false prophets

Christ’s Return

The Old Testament prophecies that predicted the birth of Jesus Christ also talked about a time when Christ would return to the earth and rule over all people and kingdoms. Differentiating between the events of Christ’s first and second coming is sometimes difficult because of an intersecting event that ties these two time periods together, what Jesus referred to as “the last day” (John 12:48) and also as, “the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). Matthew, John, Peter, and James, the brother of the Jesus, all referred to Christ’s return in their writings and linked the topic of judgment to this event. Jesus taught his disciples about his second coming in his Sermon on the Mount. This lesson was prompted by a question from his disciples. Matthew 24:3 states, “As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?’” Jesus’ response made is sound is if his second coming might happen within his disciples’ lifetime. Events that were going to take place over thousands of years were condensed into a short synopsis of the key indicators of Christ’s return. Jesus told them:

“See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 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.” (Matthew 4-14)

One of the key indicators that Jesus identified as a sign of his second coming was people being led astray. Jesus said, “See that no one leads you astray…they will lead many astray…And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray” (Matthew 24:4-11). False prophets will not only be a problem in the last days. There were many false prophets in the Old Testament who were trying to keep the people of Israel from realizing that they were going to be taken into captivity. The LORD told Jeremiah, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds” (Jeremiah 14:14). Leading someone astray involves an intentional effort to misguide a person in the course that they are taking. The Greek word translated lead astray, planao (plan-ahˊ-o) is translated as deceive in the King James Version of the Bible. It means, “to (properly cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue)” (G4105).

Jeremiah’s message about the day of judgment had to do with the people’s refusal to repent. Jeremiah said, “They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to repent” (Jeremiahs 5:3). Repentance is associated with the process of conversion which requires one to turn away from sin and to turn toward God. “The process called conversion or turning to God is in reality a re-turning or a turning back again to Him from whom sin has separated us, but whose we are by virtue of creation, preservation and redemption” (H7725). Because the people refused to repent, Jeremiah warned them about the impending disaster for Jerusalem and included a warning about false prophets. Jeremiah said, “An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction: my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes” (Jeremiah 5:30-31). The end that Jeremiah was referring to was not the people of Jerusalem going into captivity. God said, “But even in those days, declares the LORD, I will not make a full end of you” (Jeremiah 5:18). When the end does comes, Micah prophesied that Christ will gather the remnant of Israel and set them together like sheep in a fold, and their king will pass on before them, “the LORD at their head” (Micah 2:12-13).

Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians dealt with a concern that those believers who had already died would miss Christ’s return (Introduction to the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians). Paul mentioned Christ’s return when he conveyed his longing to see the Thessalonians and also in his discussion of Timothy’s encouraging report. Paul asked, “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19). Paul wanted the Thessalonians to know, “the same Jesus who ascended to heaven will come again (Acts 1:11) at the end of the age (Matthew 24:3)” (note on 1 Thessalonians 2:19). Paul went on to say, “Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13). Paul indicated that the Lord Jesus will bring all the saints who have died with him when he returns. The Greek word hagios (hagˊ-ee-os) is “spoken of those who are purified and sanctified by the influences of the Spirit, a saint. This is assumed of all who profess the Christian name” (G40).

Peter talked in detail about the day of judgment in his second letter. Peter introduced the topic by making reference to the predictions of the Old Testament prophets (2 Peter 3:2) and the commandment of Jesus in which he stated that it was not for the apostles “to know the times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority” (Acts 1:7). Peter said, “The heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly” (2 Peter 3:7), and then, explained that the delay of Christ’s return is to allow more time for people to be saved. Second Peter 3:8-10 states:

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

Jesus’ second coming will ignite a series of events that will conclude with God creating a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21). Peter argued that because this was how everything is going to end, we should be living lives of holiness and godliness, eagerly awaiting Christ’s return (2 Peter 3:11-12). Although Christ’s “authority is not readily discerned by the world at the present time, it will be made visible by his apokalypsis (G602), or ‘revelation’ (2 Thessalonians 1:7). The power and glory that Christ possesses will then be unveiled and disclosed to the world” (note on 1 Thessalonians 2:19).

The worthless shepherd

Jesus described himself as the good shepherd and said, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John10:11). Along with himself, Jesus identified another character who would interact with God’s people whom he likened to helpless sheep. Jesus said of this other shepherd, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1). Jesus indicated that the other shepherd would gain access to God’s people by climbing into the sheep pen by another way rather than using the door. Jesus said of himself, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). This comment suggests that the other shepherd will not be concerned with the salvation of people’s souls but will steal and kill and destroy by replacing Jesus’ gospel message with another form or means of godliness. Jesus told his followers to “beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Jesus alluded to the other shepherd being a wolf when he said, “He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them” (John 10:12).

The other shepherd that Jesus warned his followers about is mentioned in the book of Zechariah in the context of the Messiah, the coming King of Zion. Zechariah 9:9-17 predicts Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (cf. Matthew 21:4-7; John 12:14, 15). “Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the people’s rejection of him marked the end of Daniel’s sixty-ninth ‘week.’ Zechariah’s prophecy then continues with a discussion of the period of God’s dealing with Israel in the seventieth ‘week’ of Daniel. In the end times, Israel will no longer rely on military power but on the ‘Prince of Peace’ who will exercise worldwide dominion” (note on Zechariah 9:9-17). Zechariah’s prophecy concerning the other shepherd is recorded in Zechariah 11:15-17. It states:

Then the Lord said to me, “Take once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd. For behold, I am raising up in the land a shepherd who does not care for those being destroyed, or seek the young or heal the maimed or nourish the healthy, but devours the flesh of the fat ones, tearing off even their hoofs.

“Woe to my worthless shepherd,
    who deserts the flock!
May the sword strike his arm
    and his right eye!
Let his arm be wholly withered,
    his right eye utterly blinded!”

Zechariah identified the other shepherd as God’s “worthless shepherd.” The worthless shepherd is raised up by God to show the people of Israel the error of their ways. Zechariah 11:15-17 “is a description of the Antichrist that will come (cf. Revelation 13:1-10). The prophecy does not end, however, without revealing the doom of the Antichrist (v. 17)” (note on Zechariah 11:15-17). The Antichrist is referred to in Revelation 13:1-10 as “the beast.” It says in verses 5-8, “And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.”

Daniel’s vision of the end times (Daniel 9:24-27) took place during the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the return of God’s people to the Promised Land after they had been in exile in Babylon for 70 years. “Daniel had been praying about the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the return of his people. God gave Daniel a time frame for all his dealings with Israel. The prophecy pertains to Daniel’s people and the holy city (Daniel 9:24), and the beginning of the prophecy’s fulfillment was marked by the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25). The seventy ‘weeks’ (Daniel 9:24) refer to years. Some biblical scholars suggest that the sixty-nine ‘weeks’ until the Messiah would come (Daniel 9:25) began with the decree that was issued to Nehemiah in 445 BC and ended 483 years later on Palm Sunday (based on 360-day years; see Revelation 11:3; 12:6; 13:5). The phrase ‘an anointed one shall be cut off’ (Daniel 9:28) is a reference to the crucifixion of Christ. There is likely a gap, a feature that is characteristic of some prophesies, between the sixty-ninth and seventieth ‘week.’ If this is the case, then the ‘prince who is to come’ (Daniel 9:26) refers to the Antichrist, who will make a treaty with the Jews and then break it (Daniel 9:27). Jesus stated that the ‘abomination of desolation’ (referring to Daniel 9:27) would take place at the end of the age (Matthew 24:15)” (note on Daniel 9:24-27).

Zechariah’s prophecy about the coming King of Zion preceded a prediction about the restoration of Judah and Israel and a discussion of God’s flock being doomed to slaughter. God said:

My anger is hot against the shepherds,
    and I will punish the leaders;
for the Lord of hosts cares for his flock, the house of Judah,
    and will make them like his majestic steed in battle.
From him shall come the cornerstone,
    from him the tent peg,
from him the battle bow,
    from him every ruler—all of them together.
They shall be like mighty men in battle,
    trampling the foe in the mud of the streets;
they shall fight because the Lord is with them,
    and they shall put to shame the riders on horses. (Zechariah 10:3-5)

God’s reference to the shepherds in this passage has to do with the lack of spiritual leadership among his people. Ezekiel’s prophecy expanded on God’s condemnation of the shepherds of Israel (Ezekiel 34:1-10) and talked about Jesus’ ministry of seeking the lost, bringing back the strayed, binding up the injured, and strengthening the weak (Ezekiel 34:14-16). Ezekiel went on to talk about the LORD’s covenant of peace that would be established during the millennial reign of Christ. Ezekiel said, “They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid. And I will provide for them renowned plantations so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord God. And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God” (Ezekiel 34:28-31).

Zechariah’s prophecy about the worthless shepherd indicated that Antichrist “does not care for those being destroyed, or seek the young or heal the maimed or nourish the healthy, but devours the flesh of the fat ones, tearing off even their hoofs” (Zechariah 11:16). This suggests that the ones who are most vulnerable to Antichrist’s attacks are believers who are spiritually fat or rather, well-versed in the Scriptures. This was true of the Pharisees in Jesus’ day, they knew the Scriptures backward and forward, and yet, they did not see their own hypocrisy in condemning Jesus’ disciples for not washing their hands when they ate (Matthew 15:1-6). Jesus said to these men:

“You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

‘This people honors me with their lips,
    but their heart is far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
    teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” (Matthew 15:7-9)

Jesus explained to a woman he met at a well in Samaria that worship is not about where you are worshiping, but about who you are worshiping. Jesus said, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:21-24).

Revelation 13:8 indicates there will be believers on the earth during the reign of Antichrist, but they will not worship the worthless shepherd even though he has been given authority over every tribe and people and language and nation (Revelation 13:7). It’s not clear whether these believers are among the 144,000 sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel (Revelation 7:4) or are non-Jewish believers who are converted during the tribulation. It says in Revelation 20:4 that those who had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands were beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God. At the end of the tribulation, these faithful worshipers of God will be resurrected and will reign with Christ for a thousand years. It says in Revelation 20:5-6, “The rest of dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.”

The liar

One of the few descriptions of the devil in the Bible is found in John 8:44. Differentiating between those who are true children of Abraham and those who are not, it says, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lust of your father ye will do .He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for his is a liar, and the father of it.” Satan’s reputation as the father of lies implies that all lies originate from him. In the book of 1 Kings, there is recorded an incident in which a lying spirit was sent to the king of Israel (1 Kings 22:23-24). A conversation between God and the host of heaven suggested that king Ahab could be persuaded by a lying spirit to do something that would result in his own death.

At the time of the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem, the people were being told lies about their safety inside the city walls. Ezekiel was told, “They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they made others to hope that they would confirm the word” (Ezekiel 13:6). “Divination was a pagan parallel to prophesying…it seems probable that the diviners conversed with demons…Divination was one of man’s attempts to know and control the world and the future, apart from the true God” (7080). Even king Zedekiah participated in the deception of God’s people. His consultation with Jeremiah revealed that surrender was the only way to avoid death, and yet, Zedekiah chose to keep the information from the people and tried to escape secretly by night (Jeremiah 39:4).

In an attempt to make the truth known to his people, Ezekiel was given advance warning of king Zedekiah’s plot (Ezekiel 12:6) and was told to warn the people against false prophets (Ezekiel 13:2). God said to Ezekiel, “Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth? Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision. For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel” (Ezekiel 12:22-24).

The connection between idolatry and lying divination was found in a sacrificial system that promised peace and prosperity at a price. In a sense, the false prophets were bribed to tell the people what they wanted to hear. Sacrifices to pagan gods were used as a front for the business of organized crime. It was illegal for the Israelites to worship other gods, and yet, idols were kept in God’s own temple (Ezekiel 8:12). God’s condemnation of the false prophets showed that his people were under their control and needed to be delivered from their dangerous practices. He said, “Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 13:22-23).