In The Last Days, They Will Come :: By James Pannafino

A crash course on Biblical discernment for our generation

Matthew 24:11 “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.”

The Bible foretold of those who would arise in these last days, savage wolves and evil charlatans, who would come from within the true church. We have been forewarned, but so few are listening or discerning, which is heartbreaking, but the truth.

What did Jesus teach His church regarding spiritual deception, especially in the last days?

Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”

Mark 13:22-23 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.”

How to identify a false prophet according to the scriptures?

Deuteronomy 18:21-22 “And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’—when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.”

Jeremiah 14:13-14 “Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, the prophets say to them, “You shall not see the sword, nor shall you have famine, but I will give you assured peace in this place.” And the Lord said to me, ‘The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart.’”

What should the true believers do when false prophets proclaim their own vision, which is contrary to true revelation?

Jeremiah 23:16 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the Lord.’”

We should be wise, like the Bereans, examining the teaching of anyone who claims to be speaking for the Lord.

Acts 17:11 “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

We need to remember that the ultimate false teacher/prophet is Satan himself!

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”

We need to be ever discerning regarding the crafty but false teaching of men.

Colossians 2:8-10 “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”

We have been forewarned by the Lord that false teachers would bring forth wicked deception in the last days generation.

1 Timothy 4:1-3 “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”

False teachers are identified by their ruinous heresies that many fall prey to, as well as their deceitful greed.

2 Peter 2:1-3 “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.”

We are commanded not to believe in naivety but to test the teachings of those who claim to be prophets.

1 John 4:1-3 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because 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 of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.”

As the Bible foretold, many would come in the last days proclaiming “another Jesus” (2 Cor. 11:4) other than our historical Savior and Lord.

2 John 9 “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.”

The true remnant church of Jesus Christ will not put up with false, evil teachers as their shepherd.

Revelation 2:2-3 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.”

For more information about what the Bible reveals for the days in which we are living, go to PerspectiveInProphecy.com.

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