7 Ways to Avoid False Prophets and Know the True Christ in the Last Days

We have already seen people claiming to be God or to have a message from heaven that elevates them in the eyes of their followers, such as Jim Jones and David Koresh. 

Thousands have died because they believed a message from a cult leader. These misinformed souls blindly followed another human being because they didn’t know the truth.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. (1 John 4:1-3 NIV)

Technology is an aid to us when used correctly, but can also be a weapon of deception. Artificial intelligence has produced robots that are so lifelike observers have been tricked into believing they were talking to a human. AI can re-write the Bible to make it more seeker-friendly with no need for repentance of sin.

Claims of alien beings, UFOs, and other strange phenomena are reported almost daily on news channels and personal videos. Could this also be a method used to blind the population to the truth? Unbelievers on some scientific channels claim humans evolved from or were created by aliens. A misinformed person will be convinced to believe these lies. 

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

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The devil can perform acts that could be viewed as "miracles." If we are not grounded in Scripture, we can be drawn into believing a false messiah is real. Miracles are given by the Spirit to glorify His name, to help the person receiving the miracle, and to further promote the kingdom. When a miraculous event occurs, our first step should be to examine the reason for the event. Is the messenger glorifying themselves? 

In Acts 8:9, a sorcerer tricked the citizens of Samaria. Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. (Acts 8:9-11, emphasis mine)

A miracle worker’s life should be examined to reveal the source of the power. We shouldn’t only rely on the miracles performed, but the fruit of their lives. 

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? (Matthew 7:15-17)

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We can’t be strong in our souls without heaven’s food (John 15:4). Jesus showed us He relied on the written Word (Luke 4:4). If Jesus needed the words of His Father, we certainly do too. 

We can’t reason with our own understanding to recognize falsehoods because our limited minds are affected by our emotions and outside influences such as opinions of others, scientific claims, and political pressure to act a certain way (Proverbs 3:5-7). 

Bankers are trained to determine by touch if currency is counterfeit because it feels different from legal money. We can do the same in the spirit. We can recognize a lie when we know the truth.

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

4. Be Familiar with God’s Character

The Father’s nature is goodness, mercy, and kindness. Differing theologies attribute some characteristics to God that are not biblical, such as blaming Him when tragedies occur. We live in a fallen world that was cursed at the fall of man. Sin’s introduction into the world brought about sickness, disease, injuries, and strife. Jesus came to give us redemption from these ailments (John 10:10), but we must exercise faith in His sacrifice. 

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)

Our faith grows stronger as we depend upon His Word (Romans 10:17). The more we know our heavenly Father, the less we will believe an impostor.

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Jude tells us to pray in the Holy Spirit. We can only gain this needed attribute through connecting with the one who knows the future and can give us guidance. 

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life. (Jude 1:20)

Jude goes on to tell us to guard against scoffers who will divide us if we listen to them (Jude 1:17-19). Ephesians 1:17 tells us to ask for wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ. When we ask for wisdom, the Spirit gives it (James 1:5).

6. Don’t Fall for Date Setters

The Word states plainly that no man knows the timing of the coming of the Lord. Jesus told us to look for signs, but not to circle a date on the calendar. If Jesus Himself doesn’t know when the Father will send Him back to set up His kingdom, why would some fallen human being think they can know? Despite this verse, we still hear people trying to figure out when the Son will return. 

A radio evangelist, Harold Camping, set dates more than once about the rapture of the church, which obviously were incorrect. When these dates passed with no Christians disappearing into the air, he came up with excuses for what his dated predictions meant. He finally admitted his mistake.

No human is going to change what the Bible has already said. 

But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:36)

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Since the 1980s, the Christian world has been flooded with preachers and ministries falling into sin and scandal more than ever before. From sexual sin to financial mismanagement and theft, these once faithful servants of God gave in to temptation, and the body of Christ suffered. The unbelieving world sees these failures, and they have another reason to scoff and refuse to accept the Lord. 

The Father calls a person to be His messenger to proclaim His Word to the world. We need to pray for those who have fallen into sin, but we shouldn’t replace our dedication to our Savior with loyalty to a misguided leader. 

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1)

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. (2 Peter 2:1-3)

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Before the second advent of the King of kings, the signs in the world will grow more prominent. Whether believers will still be here when tribulation events occur, or if we will already be in heaven, we can’t be sure. Theories abound regarding a pre, mid, and post-tribulation rapture. But no matter when the rapture or second coming of Christ happens, we will still be subjected to persecution and a testing of our faith. 

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12-13)

Jesus’ arrival will be so magnificent, He won’t have to announce Himself (Matthew 24:24-26). The glory of heaven will be on the Son and will cause the sinful people of the world to mourn (Matthew 24:30). Angelic trumpets will call the elect from one end of the earth to the other. Jesus won’t need to walk around stating, “I am Jesus.” A person claiming to be the Messiah is waving a red flag that should be heeded. 

When the Master of the universe arrives for the second time, every eye will see Him (Revelation 1:7). As recently as a few decades ago, it was difficult to understand how every eye could see the Son of God in the sky. But with the internet and satellite TV, this will be an easy feat to accomplish. 

Our assignment is to be faithful to the Lord and a witness for Him no matter how long we wait. We know these trials are temporary, and the reward awaits us.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

Come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20)!

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