Warnings Of False Prophets Series

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

Hagerstown, MD

www.mycrossway.org

We are a culture of warning labels. Some for good reason and some for legal reasons. Some seem like they’re a bit ridiculous. When the traffic light is about to turn red, the light first turns yellow. Football games give two-minute warnings. In the midwest, tornado sirens will sound. The other week, we had a test of the emergency broadcast system. A cup of coffee has a warning that the coffee is hot.

In 1945, thousands of pamphlets were dropped all over Japan before the first Atomic bombs were dropped. On one side was a picture of bombers dropping their deadly cargo. The other side was a warning in Japanese and English. This is the translation:

“Read this carefully as it may save your life or the life of a relative or friend. In the next few days, some or all of the cities named on the reverse side will be destroyed by American bombs. These cities contain military installations and workshops or factories that produce military goods. We are determined to destroy all of the tools of the military clique that they are using to prolong this useless war. But, unfortunately, bombs have no eyes. So, in accordance with America’s humanitarian policies, the American Air Force, which does not wish to injure innocent people, now gives you a warning to evacuate the cities named and save your lives. America is not fighting the Japanese people but is fighting the military clique that has enslaved the Japanese people. The peace that America will bring will free the people from the oppression of the military clique and mean the emergence of a new and better Japan. You can restore peace by demanding new and good leaders who will end the war. We cannot promise that only these cities will be among those attacked, but some or all of them will be, so heed this warning and evacuate these cities immediately.” (Credit: David Parks, Sermon Central, Atomic Heritage Foundation, et al.)

The consequences of ignoring the warnings or minimizing the message were devastating, to say the least. People, by nature, tend to minimize the dangers around us. It is more of a survival mechanism than anything to prevent the neurosis of living life in constant fear. There are warning signs that should never be minimized, and at the top of the list are the warnings in the Bible. Today, we are going to consider the warning given by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount.

We are approaching the end of the Sermon on the Mount, but the significance of what is being taught is not dwindling; it is intensifying. Our Lord and Master are bringing to a powerful close and ending the truths he has laid out before us. And like everything that Jesus said thus far, this is intricately connected to the rest of his words. Today’s message is no different.

Today’s message also comes with a dire warning. Much of Jesus’ ministry and this sermon was a confrontation with the false teachers of his day and a warning to people. Today’s words are a warning to everyone who is growing in their faith, and it is a warning to everyone who wishes to carry on the teachings of Jesus. Make no mistake, these are grave words that we must hold onto, and Jesus repeats them over and over again. “Beware of false prophets.” Friends, if there is ever a passage we must take to heart, it is this one.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:15–20)

Jesus describes false prophets as ravenous wolves disguised in sheep’s clothing. Jesus is underscoring the deceptive nature of false teachers. In other words, false teachers can mingle with the ‘sheep’ (the saints of Christ). They look innocent on the surface, but underneath is a destructive and demonically-led spirit intent on tearing down faith, causing spiritual chaos in the church, and exalting themselves.

They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” (Jude 18)

as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. (2 Peter 3:16)