In Chapter 24 of Matthew, Jesus warned us twice about false prophets. His first warning was given for the time period before the abomination of desolation, which would be for the first half of the seven years of Tribulation.
Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. (Matthew 24:11)
The second warning was given for the time period after the abomination of desolation or the second half of the seven years of Tribulation…also referred to as the Great Tribulation.
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible even the elect. (Matthew 24:24)
Then Jesus seemed to reemphasize His warning about false prophets and false christs by adding–
Listen carefully, I have told you in advance. (Matthew 24:25)
Wait a second! All of Matthew Chapter 24 is a warning. So why did Jesus add these words?
I believe the forty-two months or one thousand two hundred and sixty days between the abomination of desolation and when the angel blows the seventh trumpet will have more people prophesying than any other time in the history of the world. How can I make this statement?
And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. (Acts 2:17-18)
The testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy, will be poured out on God’s people. All Christians will be able to prophesy.
Plus God’s two witnesses will be prophesying in Jerusalem.
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. (Revelation 11:3)
But also Satan will counter all of this with his false prophet.
He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do…He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark… Revelation 13:11-17)
As we can readily see, there will be a war waged between true prophecy and false prophecy. Lives and souls will be at stake!
Most American believers will read all of this and say, “Oh Larry, I’m just going to trust God.”
Now, that’s good, but the over one hundred and fifty chapters in the Bible concerning End-Times prophecy are given to us so that we can prepare ourselves ahead of time. It’s up to each of us what we do with the resources the Lord has provided for us.
And those of the people who understand shall instruct many… (Daniel 11:33)
I want to be one of those who instruct others. What about you?
(Continued in Part 11…but if you want to read all of the parts to date, you can go here.)
Larry Who 