This essay continues a sequence. Read the previous one here.
Beware of false prophets,
which come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit;
but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down,
and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
— KJV, Matt 7:15-20
Falsehood requires the eye of the beholder to be true…
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The Age of False Prophets
The Word is Truth i.e. Christ spoke in a comprehensive and timeless manner (ref. “We Don’t Understand The Word“).
A prophet is one who reveals the Will of God, and/or speaks by Divine inspiration. The net effect of his guidance is lasting happiness, peace, and harmony.
But if we believe that the Will of God is the only path to lasting happiness then, logically, any person who purports to have the key to lasting happiness must be considered a prophet.
Therefore, the concept of a false prophet goes beyond the limits we normally ascribe to it:
- Religious teachers who propound doctrines of eternal life that are not in sync with The Word of Christ;
- Economic philosophers who promulgate the theory that “satisfying human material needs” is the path to lasting happiness;
- Political theorists and politicians who promote the adoption of particular political systems and arrangements as the key to enduring peace and prosperity;
- Scientists and technologists who seek to convince us that “infinite abundance” will be achieved through this or that scientific breakthrough or technological innovation;
- Etc.
The Appetite of the Ravening Wolf
But inwardly they are ravening wolves
Having the conscious intent to deceive is not a necessary precondition to qualify as a false prophet.
Whether they are conscious of the falsehood of their promises or not, whether or not they seek material gain, the common thread is that they exhibit vanity, overrate the value of their insights, and are hungry for the recognition and respect of their fellow men.
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One Kind Can Only Produce It’s Own Kind
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
That a kind can only produce its own kind implies that the end can never justify the means.
We confuse temporary, apparent (earthly) ends with the real end. The real end, which often comes much later, will always be of the same kind as the means.
An idea that purports to lead to lasting happiness but does not, at its core, contain love and alignment with the Laws of Creation, will eventually yield bitter fruit.
The kings of the earth rise up,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord, and against his anointed,
Saying: “Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us”.
— Psalm 2:2-3Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought;
Speak the word, and it shall not stand
For God is with us
— Isaiah 8:10
For example, if we believe that capitalism solves everything, we must experience a world where capital becomes more important than everything, including human happiness.
Or if we believe that democracy as traditionally practiced is the ultimate solution to societal problems, we must experience a world in which human desires are placed above the Will of God, with disastrous results.
These ideas contain valuable things (e.g. respect for human free will, advancement of human knowledge, etc.). But when we disconnect them from the Laws of Creation we become no different from those who worship carved idols.
False Prophets Everywhere
It may appear that there are now more false prophets, more “solutions”, than ever.
This, in turn, might call to mind:
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise,
and shall shew signs and wonders,
to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
— Mark 13:22
If so, we might be standing in the End Time, the time of the Son of Man1. In which case we must be increasingly careful about falling prey to false prophets and simultaneously more alert for new revelations that reveal Him.
Today’s Resolution:
- We will make a sharp distinction between man-made ideas and the Laws of Creation, the Will of God, and always seek His Will in the first place.
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- For a more detailed investigation, see Stephen Lampe, The Spirit of Truth Brings The Everlasting Testament ↩︎
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