Some imagine that false prophets would appear occasionally—a few “kooks” and “nuts” with emotional instabilities. In that case, you might just dismiss them easily. However, Christ warned that many would come. The condition of today’s Church not only verifies their presence but their prevalence. Many false teachers and leaders confuse believers and lead them astray. The Bible said, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 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.”
With their impressive manners, they will sway multitudes. They will deceive crowds that will clamor after them. Their deceits will prove so effective and winsome that the true Children of God will almost fall for their deceptions. These false prophets will enjoy great popularity. We have seen the reality of this in my lifetime.
We have watched men and women practice their deceitfulness to huge crowds. In city after city, multitudes swarm their meetings with enthusiastic responses, following them like sheep to the slaughter. Their books climb the bestseller lists. Some have even formed international denominations. Without question, the warning of Christ applies to our day as well. We must heed it.
