You’ve likely seen this billboard. People nationwide are talking about it– especially as the supposed day is quickly approaching. I had largely ignored the signs until this variation appeared… “The Bible Guarantees It.”
What does the Bible guarantee about impending judgment?
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” — Matthew 24:36
I’m going to take the words of Jesus over the words of an AM radio prophet any day.
What does the Bible guarantee for false prophets?
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” — Matthew 7:15
“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” Romans 16:17-18
The Law of Moses in Deuteronomy 13 commands that false prophets be “purged” from the community. (v. 5) Moses goes on to say that false prophets who lead people astray are to be stoned. (v. 10) Lastly, Moses explains that if a city has been deceived by a false prophet, it is the responsibility of the greater community to put the residents of the city to the sword and burn it. (v. 14-16) In other words– God takes false prophesy seriously.
Further down the timeline documents times when God’s people dealt with false prophets…
Micah 3 is one of those times. Here are some descriptions:
v. 4 – “Then they will cry to the LORD, but he will not answer them; he will hide his face from them at that time, because they have made their deeds evil.”
v. 6b-7 – “The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be black over them; the seers shall be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame; they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God.”
Jeremiah 23: 15 explains what God thought of false prophets who lead people astray: “Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: “Behold, I will feed them with bitter food and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone out into all the land.”
Both the Old and New Testament are not amused by false prophets. And so when we see the billboards, we may laugh it off, and we may be embarrassed for the people behind the charade. (Truthfully, because a lot of us are a little bit embarrassed to admit that we believe in a pre-Tribulational rapture. Or we are shy to admit that we believe that we are pre-millennialists.)
But we have a greater responsibility than that, don’t we?
Harold Camping has done this before. He last predicted judgment day for September 6th, 1994. Obviously it didn’t happen. Chances are really good that we’re going to wake up next Sunday morning and Jesus will have not returned.
How do we know that? Jesus said that NO ONE knows the day, not even the Son. Only the Father.
The question the Christian community should be asking is, “Are there still ramifications about being an overtly false prophet for your own gain?“
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