Wolves in sheep’s clothing:
2 Pet.2: 1. The Apostle Peter, in his second letter, warns the church of false prophets. ‘But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who secretly will bring in destructive heresies…’ This is true today, even as it was during the days of King Jeroboam (1 Kings.13: 33). We also read in 1Kings. 22: 3, how Ahab listened to a false prophet, to go to Ramoth-Gilead, promising him success and prosperity.
A prophet is a speaker of and for Yahweh. His words are not his own but come from Yahweh. He is a spokesman of Yahweh. The great task assigned to the prophets whom God raised up among the people was “to correct moral and religious abuses, to proclaim the great moral and religious truths which are connected with the character of God, and which lies at the foundation of his government.”
However now a days we find many self-proclaimed prophets who promise you the heavens but are sadly lacking in godliness. They interpret the Word of Yahweh according to their own knowledge, fully forgetting that ‘no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation’. (2 Pet.1: 20) Some prophets have even re-written the Bible, claiming that they were ‘inspired by the Holy Spirit! Some who are even today looked upon as prophets have seen that their prophecies were not fulfilled, neither on the appointed day or even today!
Even today we find well-meaning people who claim to preach the Word, leading people away from the true way. They believe their congregation to be ignorant and educate them with worldly teachings. They extort money from their followers in many ways. They prey on the emotions and sentiments of the poor people and introduce new doctrines.
All those are false prophets, who teach any other way apart from that which our Lord has here marked out. In sheep's clothing - With outside religion and fair professions of love, but inwardly they are wolves - not feeding, but destroying souls.
2Pet.2: 19. They promise them liberty; they themselves are the servants of corruption.
How do know a false prophet? By their fruits ye shall know them (Matt.7: 20) - A short, plain, easy rule, to know true from false prophets: and one that may be used by even simple people. True prophets convert sinners to God, or at least confirm and strengthen those that are converted. False prophets do not. There are also false prophets, who though speaking the very truth, yet are not sent by the Spirit of God, but come in their own name, to declare it. They are not born again of the water and the spirit, but minister with hypocrisy and without the Spirit in their hearts.
They will say, ‘we have prophesied - We have declared the mysteries of thy kingdom, wrote books; preached excellent sermons: In thy name done many wonderful works” - So that even the working of miracles is no proof that a man has saving faith. (Matt.7: 22,23)
But the Lord will say, ‘I never knew you’ - There never was a time that I approved of you: so that as many souls as they had saved, they were themselves never saved from their sins.
‘For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Yahshua Messiah. And no marvel, for satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.’ (2 Cor.11: 13,14)
Pray that Yahweh gives us the gift of discerning of spirits (2Cor.12: 10) so that we can be careful not to follow after false prophets.
The richness of life.
Recently I received e-mail from one of my friends with the subject as ‘The richness of life’. It was so deep in meaning that I decided to share it with you.
A tax auditor came many years ago to a poor servant of Yahweh to determine the amount of taxes he would have to pay. “What properties do you possess? List all your possessions please.” The auditor instructed.
The poor servant of Yahweh replied:
First, I have everlasting life. (John.3: 16)
Second, I have a mansion in heaven. (John.14: 2)
Third, I have peace that passes understanding. (Phil.4: 7)
Fourth, I have joy unspeakable. (1 Pet.1: 8)
Fifth, I have love divine that never fails. (1 Cor.13:8)
Sixth, I have a faithful wife. (Prov.31: 10)
Seventh, I have healthy, obedient children. (Ex.20: 12)
Eighth, I have a true, loyal friend. (Prov.18: 24)
Ninth, I have songs in the night. (Psa.42: 8)
Tenth, I have the crown of life. (Jas.1: 12)
Eleventh, I have a Saviour, Yahshua Messiah, who supplies all my needs. (Phil.4: 19)
The tax auditor closed his books and said, “Truly, you are a very rich man but your property is not subject to taxation.”
Really, how rich we are! Our Lord is promising us all these blessings and more if only we say, ‘Come Messiah, come into our hearts, and make it your temple.’