False Prophets, Brethren, and AntiChrist’s
Greetings to the scattered pilgrims abiding in the hope of the glorious Gospel and the Promise of salvation. Peace and Grace to you as we continue to grow together in the knowledge of the Lord’s Grace.
The weight of Scripture warning about false Christians of all types is big for a reason. We interact with many deceivers on our journey, waiting for the Promise to come and later walking out our faith. The Lord makes all things, including those who are deceived and those who deceive. Deception is all worked by the Lord to winnow and test the flock and teach us to obey His commandments in all ways. It is all being worked per the counsel of His will. We all need to overcome the wicked one within us, who deceives us all with carnal reasonings [lies, fables, vain babblings we tell ourselves], until the Lord has mercy and saves us from our enemies. All things are ours to fulfill, and the written lessons and warnings guide the way.
Tit 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another
Our time in orthodox churches was undoubtedly under the wing of false teachers and brethren, as none of them know the Lord in Spirit and Truth. So also was our time spent in past fellowships where the mystery of the Gospel, the Promise, remained hidden from our eyes, yet we began to learn some truth. These warnings about false teachers, prophets, and antichrists were not for back then; it is for NOW, after the Gospel, the Living Truth of God has been preached. We tarry together, completing our baptism by John and waiting for Christ, the Promise to come. After the day of Christ, we walk out our faith in obedience and are commanded to remain vigilant to the very end. The stakes are raised, the trials of faith are increased, and we are commanded to take heed and carefully guard our doctrine, holding fast to the Gospel we have heard.
1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Once the Holy Spirit comes, we are not to entertain any words to the contrary, no matter who speaks them.
Gal 1:8 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.
Gal 1:9 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.
We do not go back from whence we have come. We are now free in Christ by the perfect law of liberty that lives in us. We give no subjection to false brethren who bring a different message than the Gospel. We shun these deceivers and remain steadfast in the Gospel.
Gal 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Gal 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
These experiences with deceivers and false prophets are among the many perils we endure, which mold and shape us. They teach us spiritual discernment and instill the fear of God deeply in us. These dealings are not enjoyable but necessary, and rejecting those of our own house and spiritual family makes obeying the Lord much harder. We face what Paul calls many perils, which are spiritual life-threatening experiences. We obey the Lord to escape these perils and stay alive in the Spirit, including false brethren.
2Co 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren
It takes only a little leaven to corrupt the Lord’s commandments and mix in the flesh and the reasoning of the carnal mind. This is how deception works; it is seductive, or else one is not deceived. Words are readily added to or taken away from the commandments, and one quickly departs from Christ, the Truth, the way, and the life. Paul was often concerned about this, as for Christ to come in power and the Spirit, we are prepared as chaste virgins, meaning having no leaven in our doctrine. Our baptism of John is not complete until we are cleansed of all the lies and false doctrines, and thus, the promise never comes if we are not ready. Many come preaching another Jesus that sounds the same to the undiscerning, but the subtle differences deceive the unwise and undiscerning.
2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
2Co 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him
The Promise cannot come until the will of God, our sanctification, and abstaining from fornication, is completed. This is the preparation step, the day of preparation that precedes the coming of Christ. Anyone following a deceiver is fornicating, and the will of God has not yet been accomplished until they repent of said fornication and complete their baptisms of John.
1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
If we are led astray into error, Christ does not come with the Promise, and we remain outside the faith of Jesus Christ despite the outward appearances. Some grow impatient, decide they do not want to wait, and thus are led astray by the many deceivers, false brethren, and antichrists who deny the truth and claim many lies, such as there is no waiting or they already have the Promise. This fornication must stop for the will of God to be completed, for the Promise to come.
Heb 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
From a practical standpoint, we are not to look for spiritual food outside the place the Lord has chosen for you to hear and receive the Gospel. The Lord, not ourselves, sets the place of His offerings and sacrifices, which is where we spiritually eat and make our sacrifices. Those who eat at many places [Websites, YouTube, physical churches, writings of dead people] are unknowingly fornicating and are not ready for the Promise, still being under the influence of deceivers.
Deu 12:5 But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:
Deu 12:6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:
Marking Deceivers and Separating
Those weak in the faith in Christ, we receive and never send them away, so long as they do not proclaim and speak false doctrines in the assembly. We feed them the truth, the Gospel that washes them and wait on the Lord to finish the baptism and then bring them His Faith.
Rom 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
The Lord says to beware of false prophets, as they are hard to spot. False prophets come disguised as sheep but are inwardly, in their hearts, ravening wolves. Outwardly, they look like true brethren who love the Lord, but we know them by their words and actions that become evident over time.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Paul said the same here as a second witness for how deceptive the deceivers can be. Satan, the carnal mind of every man, comes looking like a sheep and even like the angels of God who preach the true Gospel. Not everyone working for Christ is sincere and in the Truth. Beware.
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Deceivers can be spotted through their words and deeds, known as their fruits. Are they manifesting the fruits of the Spirit [Gal 5:22 – Love, peace, joy, gentleness, meekness, temperance, longsuffering] or not? If spiritual thorns and thistles are evident, the accusing and excusing words and actions of the carnal mind, we had best take heed. The works of the flesh [Gal 5:19-21] include speech and acts such as evil speaking, strife, bitterness, envy, drunkenness, hatred, sedition against the leaders, and are a sure sign of a deceiver. A tree established by the Lord will not bear such fruit; this kind of tree is from the wicked one.
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
What comes out of man is what defiles him, so we can be sure that when someone speaks words of strife, murmuring, envy, hatred, rebellion, or any works of the flesh, the fruit is bad.
One’s popularity among men is no compass to determine who is true and who is a deceiver. The Lord’s way is narrow; few find it, and those who do are spoken about as evil by those not chosen of God who have not been washed in the truth.
Luk 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
The commandments to dissociate, withdraw, and cut off false brethren do not seem like love to our carnal reasoning, yet they are the love of God, required of us. Disobeying the many commandments to separate is the opposite of the love of God; it is disobedience.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Judging in the flesh, by the carnal mind, mixes in fleshly emotions that lead to error and not righteous judgment. We are to judge only by the Word and be no respecter of persons. Keeping the assembly holy and not eating the Lord’s supper with those practicing sin, despite the forms of external godliness, is a commandment. It is not just fornicators we do not eat with, but it includes virtually all the works of the flesh being openly practiced without shame. We cannot eat with them and cannot allow them to remain in our congregations.
1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
How and with whom we eat the Lord’s supper is super important, as all the matters of our spiritual health and the health of the entire flock are at stake. We must judge ourselves in this regard, or the Lord comes to do it.
1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
Watchmen Guard the Sheep
Watchmen sit on the wall of the Temple, which are the commandments, and watch over the sheep and the holy city. Thus, one reason the Lord installs overseers and leaders in His assembly. These are the first line of defense, the faithful watchmen who must care for the sheep, be discerning, and keep the sheep safe from devouring wolves and spiritual dogs. Near the end of his physical life, Paul reminded the Ephesian elders of this responsibility, a warning he often gave to the church in tears.
Act 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God [including warning about false brethren and cutting them off in obedience to protect the sheep].
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. [Examples of perverse lies include: all are holy; we cannot be perfected, stirring up sedition against those set to rule]
Act 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
The weight of Scripture on false brethren and teachers should not have us underestimating how severe and expected these trials with deceivers are to be. Those who cause divisions and offend on doctrine make fair speeches that can easily seduce and persuade the young ones who have yet learned spiritual discernment.
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
We are commanded to try the Spirits and prove all things so we are not deceived by Satan’s [a carnal mind’s] appearance as an angel of light. Any spirit confessing the Living Christ with the power in our flesh is of God, the others are not of God.
1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
We are not to be kind and gentle to antichrists; we are to act like Phinehas in Numbers 25 and rise immediately, and get them out of the congregation. That is the role of the shepherds of the sheep, who care for the sheep and do not engage in carnal reasoning with those who are causing spiritual harm by their works of the flesh. Love unfeigned is acting swiftly to protect the sheep and accelerate the needed sorrow and repentance for the fallen brethren.
1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
These are difficult trials of faith, as cutting off someone we have known for years and walked with, pursuing the Lord, seems contrary to what we think is forgiving and long-suffering. Shepherds act, and the hierlings flee when the thief enters. The overseers who act obediently to the Lord are accused of many evil things by those who are young and yet carnal. But the shepherds the Lord raised were appointed to please God and not men, and give their lives for the sheep.
Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Joh 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
Joh 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Stopping the mouths of deceivers is an often-repeated commandment, as entire houses [flocks of God] can be subverted.
Tit 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Tit 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
The Lord hates those who speak lies and sow discord among the flock. It is one of the seven things He hates.
Pro 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Warnings in the Latter Days – NOW
The warnings of false brethren and deceivers are mostly about those we encounter in the last days, meaning the time just before the Promise comes. The Lord is constantly winnowing the flock, and we do lose brethren to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, once the Gospel has been preached as we are now in the latter times. The reason for them showing up in the latter times is that the Gospel being preached, the Living Commandments, is unappealing and contradicts those who think they are already rich and increased with goods and lack nothing. The wheat and the tares are planted at the same time, the good seed by the Lord and the bad seed by Satan, our carnal mind. Both grow together until the harvest, which is when the Promise comes. Only then, in the latter time, are the tares removed. This is how deceivers creep in unawares and are not made manifest until the latter time.
Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
When the Lord establishes and sends forth His angels to preach the Gospel, rebellion is initiated in the hearts of those the Lord has blinded, and they become active deceivers and anti-Christ’s.
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats [the Gospel, the meat of understanding], which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the Truth.
Some disciples [brethren] stop walking when the Gospel comes, when the emphasis shifts to the doing and not the hearing the commandments, and gaining knowledge is not the priority anymore. This new wine is not tasty to the carnal mind, which would rather hear and not do, and call themselves delivered. The true ones on whom Father has mercy, do not stop walking; as they have their ears tuned to Christ and His Christ who speak the words of eternal life.
Joh 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
The very Elect of God, chosen before the world was formed, will not be deceived by the false workers of God. We are given the requisite spiritual eyes and ears from the Lord, which allow us to discern them and thus keep ourselves and the camp of Israel safe.
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24 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.
Mat 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
Many AntiChrist’s are Come
The antichrist is not out there in the future; they are in our midst now, the last times, as we wait for our day of Christ or mature in the knowledge of the Lord’s grace after He comes. An antichrist means an opponent of the Messiah or an adversary of the anointed one. Everyone is an antichrist until the Lord draws them near by His election. The world is full of antichrists, and the church is warned to be on the lookout for them in our assemblies and fellowships. Here John introduces the term antichrist and links them to those who fellowshipped with us and then left us and walked no more with Christ.
1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1Jn 2:19 They [antiChrists]went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Antichrists are liars who deny the power of God to save them completely from all sin. It is a spirit of unbelief, the spirit of error. While antichrists have some truth, it is mixed with lies, just as the devil deceived Eve in the Garden. The Truth has no lie in it, and thus a little lie makes all of it a lie. The liar is a son of Satan, the carnally minded, father of death, who denies the Father and the Son, the Promise of God coming to live in our flesh.
1Jn 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the Truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the Truth.
1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. [The Promise]
This is why being washed in the commandments, knowing them, and studying them all is the means of avoiding straying from Christ and being deceived.
Enmity Against the Truth
Many other names are used to describe those who walk in error to deceive those who profess the name of God. Some of those terms from the Scriptures are:
- Sadducees and Pharisees
- False Teachers
- False Prophets
- False Circumcision
- Spiritual Dogs
- Deceitful Workers
- False Apostles
Most of the deceivers and opposition seen in the New Testament church were from those of the “circumcision”. Circumcision symbolizes that one has walked many years seeking the Lord and knows the Scriptures well in the letter. It was those of the “circumcision” who contested the Gospel and rose up against the Apostles, stirring up Jews and Gentiles alike against them. These deceivers are the rich young rulers, unwilling to forsake all their spiritual riches and follow the Living Christ they have now encountered.
Act 11:2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
Act 13:45 But when the Jews [the circumcision] saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
These deceivers magnify themselves against those the Lord sets in His church to preach the Gospel, and so it is today. The root of this is a spirit of envy and jealousy, which are works of the flesh of the carnal mind of Satan. This envy is the reason the leaders of Israel sought to crucify Jesus Christ, as He took away much of their esteem and following. The Scriptures tell us that Pilate knew the real reason Christ was turned over to him to be crucified was because of the Jews’ envy.
Mat 27:18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
The Jews of the circumcision of knowledge seek to kill the risen Christ, who makes them envious and bruises their pride. Who do you think you are is their carnal response when Christ appears in their synagogues. When we encounter these unruly deceivers, the commandment is to withdraw from them and not give in to their subjection for even an hour.
1Ti 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the Truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
2Th 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
Deceivers who opposed the Gospel
Deceivers overthrew and shipwrecked the faith of some who were waiting for the Promise, being the unborn children of God still in the womb. If the appointed watchmen fail to act in obedience and fear men instead, it is put to their charge, and they will be judged harshly. We review some of the named deceivers in the Scriptures, identify the spirit and the consequences, and the upset that befell the house of God.
Alexander the Coppersmith: Alexander spoke against Paul’s authority and the preaching of the Gospel. He created strife and sedition against the order that the Lord put into His Church. The result was that many abandoned the faith and followed the deceiver instead.
2Ti 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
2Ti 4:15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
2Ti 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
Alexander and Hymenaeus: We do not know if this is the same Alexander as the Coppersmith, but we do know that, along with Hymenaeus, Paul put these deceivers out of the congregation because they were making a shipwreck of the faith of the young ones waiting for the Promise. These two had blasphemed, meaning they spoke evil of the Lord’s work or His ministers. We also know that Hymenaus believed the resurrection was already past, meaning he claimed to have the Holy Spirit already when he did not. Loving these deceivers is turning them over to Satan, getting them out of our feasts so they come to knowledge of the Truth in due time. Godly sorrow works true repentance, not worldly sorrow, and requires being separated from the living Christ. Enduring spiritual famine and thirst by separation is how the Lord brings about godly sorrow in its time.
1Ti 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
1Ti 1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Hymenaeus and Philetus: Here we see Hymenaeus mentioned with Philetus, who both spoke lies to the sheep and had erred. They claimed the resurrection was past, meaning everyone already had the Spirit of God, and there was no need to wait for the Promise and be baptized by studying the commandments. Their false words brought disease into the congregation, and many strayed from the Truth.
2Ti 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
2Ti 2:18 Who concerning the Truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Demas and Titus: A beloved son of Paul, whom he begot in the Gospel, was Titus, and we even have an epistle addressed to this once dear brother. Demas likewise was a leader in the church. While it is not said, it is a good bet that the works of deceivers such as Alexander the Coppersmith, Hymenaeus, and the canker being spread impacted these once dear brethren who abandoned their walk with Christ. Paul was left with only Luke standing in the faith. These lessons warn and encourage us as we face similar trials with beloved brethren who the Lord leads astray and do not walk the straight path.
2Ti 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
2Ti 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
Diotrephes: Jealousy and envy are works of the flesh, and anytime that spirit is in play, the Spirit of the Lord is absent. We have many admonishments of false teachers and brethren who speak evil of dignities, meaning those whom the Lord has made into Apostles and Prophets. One such deceiver, the Apostle John encountered, who would not receive John or other brethren, forbade others from receiving them also. Having preeminence is not serving the Lord; it is self-exaltation and is better known as man’s pride.
3Jn 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
3Jn 1:10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
This does not mean there is no order and rulership in the church, because there absolutely is, but the Lord does the appointing, not man. A deceiver has appointed themselves, and we know by examining their fruit.
Beware of the Sadducees: The Sadducees are the worst offenders in opposing the Gospel and the Lord’s appointed ministers. These are Jews with lots of knowledge who have sought the Lord for many years. They are gathered in Jerusalem (think spiritually, not out there), and the Lord uses them to sharpen the skills of His appointed Apostles and leaders. Most of the contention with Jews against the preaching of the Gospel, in the early days when the true foundation was being laid, came from the Sadducees. They are the rich ones who need nothing and claim there is no resurrection because it is past for them and deny the Lord’s angels, His ministers sent to preach the Gospel. It is these Jews of the circumcision, the Sadducees and the Pharisees, who bring division into the house of God and who stir up most of the contention in the church.
Act 23:7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
Act 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
All these stories in Acts of the Apostles are not history lessons; they are written for our admonition to learn thereby and be alert as we ourselves fulfill these words in the appointed time. Sadducees seek to bind the Apostles [put them in prison], and take away their ability to preach the Gospel in the house of God by stirring up dissension and strife. All of Acts is a parable.
Act 5:17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
Act 5:18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
The Word of God is not bound and will be preached; thus, the Lord does not allow His Apostles to be shut up; the Gospel will be preached.
The Sadducees appeal to the flesh of their hearers, which naturally does not want to be ruled over. But rulership is the way of God’s house, and when Christ comes, He comes by way of His Christ, His chosen Apostles, and the leaders He raises who rule the house of God with a rod of iron.
Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Speaking Evil of Dignities:
Beyond knowing them by the fruits, false brethren do not receive the Lord’s words in Spirit and in Truth. They count on their feigned words of godliness to deceive the simple and speak evil of the way of the truth that is the Gospel preached by the leaders the Lord sets in the church.
2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of Truth shall be evil spoken of.
2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
One telling behavior pattern in deceivers’ works is that they speak against government and the rule of order that the Lord sets in the Church.
2Pe 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
These deceivers are not set apart, manifesting all the works of the flesh and readily deceiving [beguiling] the young in the faith, which is why faithful watchmen must act.
2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
The Apostle Jude wrote similarly to Peter, reminding us to be diligent, contend for the faith, and not let these deceivers enter and defile the flock.
Jud 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Jud 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
These filthy dreamers despise the dominion of the Apostles and Prophets the Lord has established in His church, and they speak evil of them.
Jud 1:8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
We do not speak evil of them, as their deception is all by the Lord’s will, who has not had mercy on them. But we do rebuke them sharply with the Word. Jude brings it all back to the fruit as these deceivers promote themselves, feast with us at the Lord’s table, bringing no Spirit [water] in their witness and showing no fear of the Lord.
Jud 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Jud 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
We are to separate from those who murmur, complain, and walk after their own lusts and who speak great swelling words and with feigned admiration seek to gain advantage and deceive. From such we must turn away.
Jud 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
Dealing with false prophets and deceivers is not just in the New Testament; the Truth is throughout the Scriptures, preserved to warn and teach us the right way to walk. We quickly look at just a few Old Testament passages.
False Prophets in the Old Testament
The commandments of the Lord regarding false prophets and deceivers have not changed. Deceivers have never been allowed to remain in Israel and are always to be cut off from the people of God. False prophets speak lies out of their own deceived heart, as they do not know the Lord, only of Him. Spiritually speaking, this says they do not believe in the Living Promise, the Gospel that saves. Upon close inspection, their Jesus is another Jesus, having NO power unto salvation. They act in pretense, deceiving and being deceived, boasting in themselves and magnifying themselves against the Lord’s servants. False prophets are to be cut off and live in spiritual famine to be humbled and saved in their appointed day of the Lord. Let’s review some key passages.
The mixed multitude that grows up with us are the tares, weeded out in the time of the harvest. As the true temple is being built, after we have come out of Spiritual Babylon, this becomes evident. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of the temple outwardly, which symbolize the commandments surrounding and protecting the city. They realized then that no Moabite or Ammonite was to be in the congregation with Israel. Moabites and Ammonites are those formed by the seed of the wicked one to keep the flesh alive. [See Genesis 19 about Lot and his daughters]. When we eat the commandments, read the law, we see this and withdraw them from us so the wall and temple can be completed.
Neh 13:1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;
Neh 13:2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
Neh 13:3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude
This mixed multitude has been with the true Israel of God all the way since we first began the journey and left Egypt, symbolizing the world. We do not realize they are with us until the commandments, the Gospel is preached.
Exo 12:38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
False prophets and teachers have all the appearances of being legit, even showing signs and wonders. Yet the discerning see the spirit of error that leads away from the Lord’s commandments. This evil is to be put out of the camp of the saints. It is for their own good, as this way the Lord uses Satan to destroy their carnal mind and remove the pride so that they can be restored in the appointed time. Do not follow them into their error.
Deu 13:1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
Deu 13:2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
Deu 13:3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deu 13:4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
Deu 13:5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
The Lord is against the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit of the carnal mind and not the Lord. Their visions and speech are lies and come to nought, and they do not prosper. They do not stand in the gap or guard the house of God or go to battle against sin as they have already arrived. They are cut off from the land of Israel, not written into the Book of Life and are to be removed from the assembly of the church.
Eze 13:3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
Eze 13:5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.
Eze 13:6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope [deceived them] that they would confirm the word.
Eze 13:9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
Deceivers claim a peace, a false peace that does not exist. Their own works and fruit reflect this, but the Lord blinds them.
Jer 23:16 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
Jer 23:17 They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
Final Exhortation
The weight of Scriptures warns us about deception and teaches us how to spiritually discern who is of God and who is not. We cannot judge by appearances anymore, especially in these latter days. We are to try the Spirit and examine the fruit and what comes from every man’s mouth.
When the Gospel is preached, the harvest is ripe, and the time has come for the separation of the wheat from the tares. Christ, the Living Word, divides the sheep from goats and the wheat from tares, through the work of His angels.
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
All in Christ shall suffer persecution from those the Lord has deceived. It only worsens the further we walk, as the flock is continually winnowed, so only the called, chosen, and faithful remain in the end.
2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
The house of God is a great house that includes both vessels of honor and of dishonour. When we purge ourselves of the latter, we can be sanctified, having done the will of God, prepared as the Bride for every good work. Then the Promise comes.
2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
We salute the brethren in Arizona and elsewhere. Peace and Love in Christ.
