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RUSSELL SANDERS
9-26-2022
JUDGMENT OF A FALSE PROPHET
I have mentioned in past articles of many so-called prophets of today that give out pleasant words that tickle the ears. They also bring false hope of a great revival that is contrary to the end times described in the Bible. These prophets, supposedly speaking words from visions or dreams or a “word given by God,” shall be judged for claiming God gave them this. They become very popular with the Christian community. They often benefit from much money that comes in by offerings or sale of merchandise.
Jesus warned us about them when He was telling his disciples what would occur during the end times. In Matthew 24:24 He said, “for there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs (and give great words) insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (saved).”
Shall God judge them for claiming His name for their words? Yes, they will be held accountable at some point. Let us look at one particular Old Testament example. We find it in Jeremiah 29:24-32.
Jeremiah had prophesied there would be 70 years of Babylonian captivity. He told them to make themselves at home in Babylon. He told them to build houses, raise a family there, do business as usual in their communities. For this, Jeremiah caught a lot of flak.
One that came against him claiming to be God’s prophet was Shemaiah, the Nehelamite. Early during the captivity, he came strongly against Jeremiah saying in Jeremiah 29:26 that he “maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in stocks” for falsely prophesying a long 70-year captivity.
Indeed, Jeremiah was cast into prison for giving that word, and more than once. However, Jeremiah was God’s true prophet, and eventually went into exile in Egypt because of Shemaiah’s false word.
God said that because Shemaiah had prophesied a lie that deceived the remaining leadership, he would be punished in a most embarrassing and shameful way. In 29:32 God says, “I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed. He shall not have a man to dwell among this people…” His generations would be cut off from Israel forever. Family blood lines were of utmost importance in Israel, but his would be cut off forever. That was the ultimate of all punishments for a Jewish man.
How or when today’s false prophets shall be cut off – only God knows. But we know they cannot claim that God gave them a word that contradicts God’s word written in scripture. They will pay for their false words either in this life or eternity. Do not be deceived by them.
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