False Christs and False Prophets

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24).

“If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” Guess what? It isn’t possible for the elect, God’s chosen to be so deceived. No man can snatch away God’s very own. 

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand” (John 10:28-29).

“Christians may be sometimes led far astray; they may be in doubt about some great doctrines of religion; they may be perplexed by the cavils and cunning craftiness of those who do not love the truth, but they cannot be entirely deceived and seduced from the Saviour.” (Adam Clarke).

We, as children of God, are to be Christ like.  Some believe that this means that a true child of God must also display supernatural powers like Christ. Many are keen to speak in tongues, lay hands, and prophesy. Those weak in the Lord or struggling with sin are apt to reach out towards those who display some sort of supernatural ability. The devil knows this and will prey on those very souls.

So what are we to do? God certainly can work in miraculous ways.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

“And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him” (Deuteronomy 18:21-22).

A true child of God will never deviate from the word of God. If some “prophet” preaches another word, no matter how great the miracles they perform, they are to be avoided and banished.

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9).

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

A great man of God is not judged by his miracles. He is judged by his obedience to, and faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Bill Hitchcock