False Prophets -- By: Lloyd Mooney
Journal: Central Bible Quarterly
Volume: CENQ 02:1 (Spring 1959)
Article: False Prophets
Author: Lloyd Mooney
CenQ 2:1 (Spring 1959) p. 39
False Prophets
from a sermon submitted at Central Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary
To understand false prophets, especially those at the time of Jeremiah, there are three things to consider in the light of the Word of God: the testimony of the false prophets, the testimony of God in His Word to Jeremiah, and the test of genuine prophets. These three will aid us to recognize possible false witnesses, in our day and guide us to take a faithful stand.
The Testimony Of The False Prophets
The testimony of the false prophets was “The Lord hath said,” as they came to Judah claiming to be the true prophets of Jehovah. How ridiculous it would be for such prophets to state that they were representing the god of this world or “the prince of the power of the air.” It would be absolutely ridiculous for them to come to God’s people and say, “The. devil hath said,” for they would not then be very successful. Thus, by their own testimony one cannot expect to know them to be false prophets.
It is because of this that the Word of God declares in II Corinthians 11:15, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed, as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” Satan is very subtle and wise, and as Peter warns in I Peter 5:8 we need to “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
In Old Testament days, false prophets claimed to be true prophets of God. But, were they really aware that their message and their methods were satanic in origin, intention and purpose? It is certain that they were aware that what they were teaching was in contradiction to what true prophets declared. Yet, they must have come under the influence of the chief deceiver, being fully persuaded by him that what they were saying was from the Lord. Thus they were stating, “The Lord hath said,” with full assurance that they were messengers of God. They must have spoken with much confidence and ability to have persuaded the majority of the people. Thus Ezekiel says, “Her prophets have daubed her with untempered mortar, seeing vanity and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord God, when the Lord hath not spoken”(Ezek. 22:28). The messages they brought were what the people wanted, and in listening to these false prophets they came to the place that they rejected God’s prop...
Click here to subscribe