SIGNS OF THE FALSE PROPHET
In Matthew 12 and 13 we read of the signs of the false prophets who will proclaim a false Christ. The main sign is their showmanship. They will SHOW great success with seeming wonders that will deceive Christendom of the last days. Though the sheep will be numbed by the display of personality cult leaders they will not be deceived at the end. Only for a while will they allow the hireling to rule with cruelty and stop the prayer gatherings that have been so instrumental in the awakening of the lost around them. Only for a season will the sheep sleep from the benumbing, deception of a false gospel and a false Christ.
This will be rife in the last days and John in the book of Revelation describes not only the Church of Laodecia, but also the Church of Sardis. The former is easily recognized by its cold liberalism and rank apostasy, but the latter seems to be rich with success, clothed with the right clichés and old style jargon of the past. It seems to be very successful, at least by its profession of growing conversions. Its numbers swell and the performance cannot be faulted. The smooth, oiled machine of soul winning fervour is a sight to behold. Human faith seems unlimited and there is nothing it cannot accomplish if the believers have the right mind-set.
Amid the flurry of cameraderie and freedom of social interaction coaxed by the jovial, if not flippant pastor, all seems to be a happy place to meet. The intricate parts of its ministry are strictly controlled to prevent breakdown or individualism. For this reason public prayer is limited to selected individuals who have the right credentials of conformity and will be as brief as possible. The 19th C intercessory weekly meeting of free prayer gathering of the saints has been superseded by a Torrey styled Bible Study, to which a short window of prayer is annexed. Sentence prayers for a list of the ailing has replaced free prayer of the brethren for the lost. What was once a concord of all the assembly is now divided separately into T groups for the limited time allowed. Gender restraints prevail at the behest of the pastor unlike the meeting in the Upper Room where gender division was absent, women praying silently in one accord with the brethren’s outpoured fervency as the place shook with the spirit of prayer.
THE SLEEPING SAINTS
In the last days Jesus had predicted that the saints would almost be deceived by the presentation of other gospels by false prophets, pastors, ministers and priests. They would be benumbed by the falsity of smooth words, ear-tickling, self-ingratiating pulpiteers become personality promoters who play the man with their frivolous gift of the gab. Their successful self aggrandizing style comforts the goats and sedates the sheep into sombre sleep.
Jesus had warned that these charlatans would become the false ministers of light who would almost deceive the very elect. The true backwoods’ prophets would alone bring them again to WATCH for the Master’s return as their eyes are again opened to the apostasy of the great falling away around them. These are wolves in sheep’s clothing teaching goats how to don fleecy apparel with a broad smile to cover the emptiness of their vain religion void of grace.
John David
bonitabiblemission@gmail.com
