True or False Prophets - 223-235

223.  Have we been warned about false leaders?

• Ezekiel 13:7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?
• Micah 3:4, 5 Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings. Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.
• Jeremiah 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
• Jeremiah 23:2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
• 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

Father, there are many false apostles, pastors and leaders out there, even in the Christian churches. They preach their own ideas that are appealing to their congregations, smooth sayings. They twist the scriptures to fit their opinions. Open my eyes and ears to be ever discerning of truth. Only by Your Spirit and deep study will I be able to discern truth from error.

224.  Do I need to be careful not to follow men's commandments and doctrines?

• Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
• Mark 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
• Colossians 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
• Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
• Revelation 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Dear Jesus, You warned us about those who teach man's traditions and man's commandments. You want Your children to stick closely to Your truth alone in their beliefs. Teach me, Lord, to examine carefully each doctrine I believe, and make sure it is founded upon Your Word.

225.  Are we warned of false prophets, and their power to deceive?

• Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
• Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
• Matthew 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.
• Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
• 2 Peter 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.
• 1 John 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.

Loving Lord, You don't want Your children to be deceived by false prophets, so You have warned us repeatedly. Even miracles are not evidence that a prophet is true, for many signs and wonders will be performed to deceive. Teach me, Lord, to be a diligent student of Your Word, to seek Your guidance continually.

226.  Can a false prophet's prophecies sometimes come to pass?

• Deuteronomy 13:1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
• Deuteronomy 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;
• Deuteronomy 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.
• Deuteronomy 18:21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the Word which the LORD hath not spoken?
• Deuteronomy 18:22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

My Lord, Keep me safe from the deceptions of false prophets. Even if their prophecies come to pass, but they don't follow Your truth, I may know that they are false. Enable me to turn away from them. And if their prophecies fail, that is a clear sign that You are not leading them. I want only Your truth, Lord. Please lead me to Your light.

227.  What religious head came to world-wide power, as the antichrist after the restraining power "he who now letteth" (Caesar) was taken out of the way?

• 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
• 2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
• 1 John 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.

Father, in these verses You were revealing to Your early church that there would be a huge false religious movement that would arise when Caesar's restraining power was removed. This man-led movement is contrary to Your holy law, and has changed the day of the worship. This mysterious religious system is very powerful, and ensnares many people who have turned from Your pure truth. Guide me, Lord, to seek safety only in Your Word of truth so that I may avoid the devil's deception.

228.  Has God revealed to us who the beast is, so that we can avoid the "Mark of beast"?

• Revelation 13:15-17 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
• Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
• Revelation 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
• Revelation 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
• Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Dearest Lord, Your Word is deep and requires diligent study. You provide valuable information for the benefit of all who are willing to study. You want Your children to have understanding. You want us to know what 666 represents. Teach me, Lord, to be a deep student of history and prophecy that I may not be pulled into the devil's delusions. While the vast majority of humanity worships the beast and his image, empower me to be strong and faithful in my commitment to You. Help me to do faithful research into history and prophecy, and to be willing to receive the truth that is revealed.

229.  What prophecies were given about the Messiah in the Old Testament, and how can they increase my faith?

• Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
• Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
• Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
• Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
• Zechariah 11:12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.

Dear Heavenly Father, as precious jewels the messianic prophecies are scattered throughout the Old Testament, gleaming with truth to all who discover them. As I read these amazing prophecies, I realize that You know every detail of the future already. I find great comfort and relief in centering my trust in You, for You are well able to manage my future as well. I thank You for these faith-building prophecies of our Lord, and praise You that they all came true just as You said!

230.  What Old Testament prophecies showed that the Messiah would suffer and pay the penalty for our sins?

• Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
• Psalm 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
• Isaiah 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
• Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
• Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Precious Savior, my Jesus, What deep agony You suffered, especially in that heart-wrenching separation from Your Father! You put up with so much from wicked humans, and You raised no complaint. You never lashed back at Your tormentors, but took it all so willingly, so patiently. And to think that You did this for me, so that I might be healed from sin-Oh, I am so incredibly grateful to You, Lord Jesus. I love You!

231.  Are the prophecies of the Bible trustworthy?

• Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
• John 14:29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
• 2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure Word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
• 2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
• Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Dear Kind Father, What a wonderful God You are! You are willing to reveal Your secrets to us poor erring humans through Your prophets, to strengthen our faith. Your prophetic Word is certain, and I can depend on it for my very life. You want me to study Your prophecies, because they are like bright lights of truth shining amidst the darkness, guiding me home. You promise to bless me as I treasure Your prophecies.

232.  What is the purpose of prophecy?

• Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
• Isaiah 46:9, 10 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure
• Daniel 2:22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
• Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
• John 16:4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

Gracious Lord, The prophecies revealed in Your Word are full of spiritual enlightenment. They open our eyes to Your excellent wisdom and unlimited knowledge. Your prophecies help to motivate us to obey Your law as we see Your perfect will for our lives unfold. Remind me to keep all the fulfilled prophecies in my heart, so my confidence of future prophecies will deepen.

233.  How can we tell if a prophet is a true prophet?

• Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
• Jeremiah 23:28 The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my Word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.
• Jeremiah 28:9 The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the Word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.
• Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
• 1 John 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

Father, You provide many tests that may be applied to those claiming to be prophets. It is vital that the prophets' message square with Your Word in every particular. They must be faithful and godly, bearing the fruit of righteousness and peace. They must uplift Jesus according to Your Word, and reveal that Jesus is their Savior from sin. Lord, give me spiritual discernment that I may not be deceived!

234.  Has God ever chosen women to be His prophetesses?

• Exodus 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
• Judges 4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
• 2 Kings 22:14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
• Luke 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
• Acts 21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

Dear Lord, You have chosen both men and women to serve as prophets and prophetesses over the ages. You are the one who chooses Your prophets. Enable me to be willing to test those who are proclaiming Your Word, man or woman, and to prayerfully consider if they are bearing a message from You. If their message rings true according to every biblical test, open my heart so that You can speak to me through their words.

235.  Does the Bible tell us that God will revive the Spirit of Prophecy in the last days?

• Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
• Joel 2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
• Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
• Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
• Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Dearest Father, You have declared that there will be a prophetic message for these last days. Your faithful church in the last days will have the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy. Help me, Lord, to treasure this gift so that You may draw me even closer to You.

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