Photo from Ask A Christian Live
17 “For a command came to me by the word of the Lord, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water there; do not return by going the way which you came.’ 18 He said to him, ‘I also am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord…'”
As I was reading a passage from God’s Holy Word, the verses above leapt off of the page. How many say they speak “by the word of the Lord,” or say that an angel spoke something of importance to them.
Muhammad is the most followed false prophet in our day.
Mohammed Receiving Revelation from the Angel Gabriel
Photo From Wikimedia Commons
“The above pic shows Mohammed receiving his first revelation from the angel Gabriel. Miniature illustration on vellum from the book Jami’ al-Tawarikh (literally ‘Compendium of Chronicles’ but often referred to as The Universal History or History of the World), by Rashid al-Din, published in Tabriz, Persia, 1307 A.D. Now in the collection of the Edinburgh University Library, Scotland.” (Wikimedia Commons)
“When Islam’s defenders challenge Christianity and other faiths, their dialogue is based upon their assumption that Muhammad was the ‘Seal of the Prophets.’ According to them, this would give him the authority to supersede and refute the teachings in the Bible with his writings in the Koran.” (1)
I hope you get a chance to watch the video at footnote 1 below. It quotes Islāmic texts (including the Koran), and clearly identifies Muhammad as a false prophet. I love my Muslim friends, but the truth must be told.
Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, is another. Joseph Smith said . . .
(Regarding Joseph Smith’s alleged first vision where celestial personages appeared to him.) . . .) “My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right — and which I should join. I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong, and the personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in His sight: that those professors were all corrupt . . .” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol. 1, p. 5-6).
“What is it that inspires professors of Christianity generally with a hope of salvation? It is that smooth, sophisticated influence of the devil, by which he deceives the whole world,” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, p. 270.)
(In questions directed to Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism. . .) First — “Do you believe the Bible?” If we do, we are the only people under heaven that do, for there are none of the religious sects of the day that do.” Third — “Will everybody be damned, but Mormons?” Yes, and a great portion of them, unless they repent, and work righteousness.” (Teachings, page 119.) (2)
Joseph Smith’s First Vision
Photo at frommormonismtochristianity.weebly.com
In one of Joseph Smith’s stories, it was the angel moroni. (Click on the picture above to see how the story changed over time.)
In Muhammad’s story, it is the angel Gabriel:
HERE is an interesting list of modern-day false prophets and teachers.
(There are quotes for the NLT in a few of these sites. It is not my favorite translation because of its treatment of John 6:37. I find its treatment unbalanced compared to the KJV or the NASB. Check it out if you wish. The NLT is not a bad translation for a new believer who hasn’t dealt with the free will/predestination issue.
Since I’m a rabbit trail guy, I’ll quote the verses now.
John 6:37
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.
John 6:37
King James Version (KJV)
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
John 6:37
New Living Translation (NLT)
37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.
There is a subtle difference in the NLT translation.)
Let me get back on track…
Photo by skenmy
Another modern-day false prophet was L. Ron Hubbard.
He is the founder of scientology and as THIS ARTICLE states:
“The Scripture warns that ‘many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.’ L. Ron Hubbard was such a false prophet. And the Godless ‘religion’ he created truly has deceived many.”
The article linked to above also states:
“The creepy part of Scientology is its teaching that we are all, everyone, descendants of Thetans brought to Earth 75 million years ago by Xenu, the tyrant ruler of the ‘Galactic Confederacy.’”
THE ARTICLE also mentions celebrities who believe the lies, and shows Mr. Hubbard’s hand-written description of Xenu.
THIS POST lists a number of modern-day false prophets. Some would disagree with one or more of the editor’s choices, but the majority listed leave no question.
Photo at nowtheendbegins.com
HAROLD CAMPING is one of many found at this site.
BENNY HINN is another.
JIM JONES was another who is not listed anywhere I looked. He is mentioned at Manny’s blog named “Cracked Pot.” My friend’s blog may be seen by going to my BLOGROLL. Manny also shared THIS LINK about the man who ” in 1965, Jones claimed that the world would be engulfed in a nuclear war on July 15, 1967, that would then create a new socialist Eden on earth.” Manny has also put up a post with A LINK to a slide show about this false prophet.
And here’s the scripture that started this little study:
1 Kings 13: 11-30
11 Now an old prophet was living in Bethel; and his sons came and told him all the deeds which the man of God had done that day in Bethel; the words which he had spoken to the king, these also they related to their father. 12 Their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” Now his sons had seen the way which the man of God who came from Judah had gone. 13 Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it. 14 So he went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak; and he said to him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” And he said, “I am.” 15 Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.” 16 He said, “I cannot return with you, nor go with you, nor will I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. 17 For a command came to me by the word of the Lord, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water there; do not return by going the way which you came.’” 18 He said to him, “I also am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” But he lied to him. 19 So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house and drank water. 20 Now it came about, as they were sitting down at the table, that the word of the Lord came to the prophet who had brought him back; 21 and he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have disobeyed the command of the Lord, and have not observed the commandment which the Lord your God commanded you, 22 but have returned and eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which He said to you, “Eat no bread and drink no water”; your body shall not come to the grave of your fathers.’” 23 It came about after he had eaten bread and after he had drunk, that he saddled the donkey for him, for the prophet whom he had brought back. 24 Now when he had gone, a lion met him on the way and killed him, and his body was thrown on the road, with the donkey standing beside it; the lion also was standing beside the body. 25 And behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown on the road, and the lion standing beside the body; so they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived. 26 Now when the prophet who brought him back from the way heard it, he said, “It is the man of God, who disobeyed the command of the Lord; therefore the Lord has given him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke to him.” 27 Then he spoke to his sons, saying, “Saddle the donkey for me.” And they saddled it. 28 He went and found his body thrown on the road with the donkey and the lion standing beside the body; the lion had not eaten the body nor torn the donkey. 29 So the prophet took up the body of the man of God and laid it on the donkey and brought it back, and he came to the city of the old prophet to mourn and to bury him. 30 He laid his body in his own grave, and they mourned over him, saying, “Alas, my brother!”
False prophets are nothing new. As this Biblical narrative describes the deception of a “prophet” and its consequences, we must ask God for discernment regarding those who claim special revelation from God.
I found a few verses about false prophets HERE.
They are:
“Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.”
Luke 6:26 KJV
“For false Christ’s and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
Mark 13:22 KJV
“For false Christ’s and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
Matthew 24:24 KJV
“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.”
Matthew 24:11 KJV
“[ You Will Know Them by Their Fruits ] “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”
Matthew 7:15 KJV
“Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ when the LORD had not spoken.”
Ezekiel 22:28 KJV
“Your prophets have seen for you False and deceptive visions; They have not uncovered your iniquity, To bring back your captives, But have envisioned for you false prophecies and delusions.”
Lamentations 2:14 KJV
“[ False Prophets and Empty Oracles ] My heart within me is broken Because of the prophets; All my bones shake. I am like a drunken man, And like a man whom wine has overcome, Because of the LORD, And because of His holy words.”
Jeremiah 23:9 KJV
“And the LORD said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart.”
Jeremiah 14:14 KJV
“The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?”
Jeremiah 5:31 KJV
Photo by Mr Thinktank
Don’t be fooled.
Chris Reimers
(The photo above is not indicative of my view of Ford automobiles.)
(1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XGZS_GO8NI&list=PL-y7hT8aCU7BgjetGh2VE6MagVkwFLeuA&index=9&t=722s
Wings of the Wind 
Wow, quite a post. Great info on the effect that false prophets have made on civilization. In the overall larger picture the true motives of these false prophets have defined them as wolves in sheep’s clothing. Muslims are a sad bunch, mislead by horrific lies and false mysticism, which is a great playground for Satan and his malignant lordship of deceived people groups.
Mormons are not far behind, a very sad story of deception with a polite smile and exuberant moralism, and even a manifestation of a burning bosom.
I remember witnessing to an ex-brother in law about Jesus. He listened and then with the seriousness of a heart attack said: “Is that all you can offer me, salvation! Why my wife and I are going to be gods and populate the celestial heavens.”
Have you noticed the latest example of the chameleon changing its colors to fit into a respectable part of Christianity. “We believe everything you confess as what we believe.” I have noticed that educated Jewish people flock to Mormonism’s doctrines as if they have some validity (the direct line of Aaronic priesthood).
I will curtail my rant with this note quote from the Apostle of velvet and steel: For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 1 Cor. 11:19.
The Apostle (Mormons are fond of this title) Paul states that the only good that can come out of false brethren is the evident goodness of the true brethren.
It would not be right if we have not sought our Father on behalf of these deceived people so: “Father we ask you in the Name of Jesus to loose the glorious light of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ upon all who sit in darkness, and bring them out of bondage. In Jesus name Amen!
We should all be saying prayers like the one with which you concluded your comment, Manny. These people are lost. It may feel good to think “…my wife and I are going to be gods and populate the celestial heavens.” Isn’t this type of consideration a bit egotistical? It certainly appeals to the sinful nature of man.
I didn’t know that Jews were attracted to Mormonism. I know that many are still waiting for their Messiah to come, but how the cult fulfills their needs is beyond me.
So many are deceived in the day in which we live. Our Lord Jesus is coming soon.
Thanks for the compliment on your blog my friend.
May God richly bless you and your family.
Christians are a sad bunch, mislead by horrific lies and false mysticism, which is a great playground for Satan and his malignant lordship of deceived people groups.
H O S E A 13:16
“Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.”
E Z E K I E L 23:20
“There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.”
E Z E K I E L 9:6
“Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women . . . ”
I S A I A H 13:16
“Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.”
E X O D U S 32:27
“. . . Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.”
C O R I N T H I A N S 11:6
“For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short…”
and many, many more.
Hi Jim.
Someone shared the Hosea verse that you have noted to me just recently. I’ve since looked up the verse and I would like to defend God. He is speaking to His people, the Hebrews, in this verse. They had rebelled time and time again and He had forgiven them time after time. They worshipped false gods and sacrificed their own children to them (my understanding is that many were burned to death). God had finally had enough, just as He did in the days of Noah.
God doesn’t need me to defend Him. He is quite capable of handling His affairs.
I will look up the other verses you have quoted, and I will respond to each one.
I am not God. The Bible says: “Who are we to know the mind of the Lord.”
I do know one thing. Each of us has tremendous worth because of what Jesus did on the cross for us. He took your sins and my sins and the world’s sins on His shoulders. It doesn’t matter whether you believe in Him or not.
If you don’t accept his love, I would think you would be the sad one.
I have found my Christian friends to be a generally happy bunch who handle life better than unbelievers in most cases. We are sinners just like anyone else, but we know that it is God’s grace that saves us, not our wonderful works.
One question, you don’t believe in God as an atheist, but you believe in Satan. Can you explain that to me?
I wish you the best.
God’s blessings…
Jim,
I figured why reinvent the wheel. Here are commentaries on each of the verses you have shared. I hope you take the time to look them up. You may still have questions after reading the commentaries. Please feel free to share them here. I do not doubt decisions that God makes. His ways are higher than my ways. I am constantly questioning decisions that man makes, including my own. I hope these help you:
http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/23-20.htm
http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/9-6.htm
http://biblehub.com/isaiah/13-16.htm
http://biblehub.com/exodus/32-27.htm
http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/11-6.htm
God’s blessings…
I was quoting Mannyr’s comment above mine, replacing “Muslims” with “Christians”:
“Muslims are a sad bunch, mislead by horrific lies and false mysticism, which is a great playground for Satan and his malignant lordship of deceived people groups.”
I don’t think calling a group of people Satanic and declaring that they follow a false prophet would make them want to become Christian. In fact (and I know this sounds crazy), I think it actually makes them angry and annoyed. I’m no fan of Islam, or any religion for that matter, but declaring that Muslims, Mormons, etc. worship “horrific lies” isn’t exactly the best way to get them to come to your religion.
An interesting switch, Jim, and I understand your point. But I also understand Manny’s point. In the Islamic story, the angel Gabriel appears to Mohammad. As a Christian, I am familiar with the angel Gabriel. He must be very important as his name occurs in scripture numerous times.
I was recently “speaking” to a Muslim, as I have online conversations with a particular one quite often. He, I think, would like to convert me as much as I would like for him to come to know the real Jesus. In our online “discussion,” I found that one question would not be answered. It was: “Do you believe in the Jesus who rose from the dead?” Maybe a Muslim somewhere will answer that question for me. I believe I know what that answer would be.
There are several possibilities in Mohammad’s case, as there are in the case of Jesus.
Either Jesus was a liar, and lunatic, or the Lord as He claimed to be.
If Mohammed saw the real Gabriel, my question above should be easy to answer. It is also possible that Mohammad was a liar or a lunatic. It is possible that He saw something. Until the question I’ve raised is answered, a Christian is unable to really understand Islam.
At this point, I will be honest with you Jim. Because I know enough about the tenants of Islam, if Mohammad saw an angel it was not of God but of Satan. If he lied, he has misled a huge part of the world’s population. The same could be said of Jesus.
It is obvious what I believe. Allah is not Jehovah in spite of what any Muslim may say. They are two different gGods. Christians believe in a triune God; Muslims do not. In Islam there is no loving Savior who died for the world’s sins.
I agree with Manny that there are horrific lies in Islam. I also think that many Muslims are peaceful. I think there are those who claim to be religious “Christians” who also lie horrifically. Jim Jones, another whom I have named in this post, claimed that he was a Christian. It turns out that his horrific lies resulted in the deaths of over 900 people. Manny was the one who called him a false prophet and, after checking, I found Manny to be correct.
Jesus was hardest on this type. The Jewish religious leaders had all of the religious outward appearances but inside they were “vipers.” I would agree with Manny that Satan is Malignant and I would agree with Manny that Muslims are deceived.
The Muslim who wouldn’t answer my question was honest with me on one point. He told me that I am going to hell. Honestly, I didn’t take it badly because it is possible that he is really concerned for my soul. If I care about a Muslim, I will share the gospel with him/her hoping to save his/her soul.
I think that Manny would tell you that we love the sinner and hate the sin. “All men have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” This is why the love of Jesus is so important to Christians.
And I think that you have put a word in Manny’s mouth. There is a difference between the word “misled” and the word “worship.” I know I am mincing words, but Manny did not use the word worship.
At the same time, I’ll put the word worship in there. If Satan or a demon did appear to Mohammad, the Muslims worship a horrific lie. If Mohammad was lying, the Muslims worship a horrific lie. Was Mohammad a lunatic? Now that would get Mohammad off the hook a bit. However, I think most Christians believe one of the first two possibilities, just like most Muslims dismiss the idea that Jesus was a lunatic.
There you have it. Call me mean or cruel if you like. I love Muslims and I wish for them to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
And you have answered my question I think. There is no Satan in your worldview.
Thanks for setting me straight on your comment. I have probably spoken too much for Manny. I will email him and let him speak for himself.
God’s blessings…
Very nice post and great effort, Chris.
I am shocked to learn the Jones details from this post and also from Manny’s post. The primary reason why people follow these modern-day false prophets is that they do not know the Scriptures and are not grounded in solid doctrine. They may not even be born-again Christians if they follow the false prophet.
I had a Mormon classmate in school and he tried numerous times to convert me to his religion. He gave me a Book of Mormon, asked me to read it and told me I did not have to believe it. He instructed me to go before God and pray and ask God whether this book contains revealed truth or not.
I was only 23 at the time, but I could not come before God and ask HIm such a question when I knew that the Bible was the only book containing God’s Word. The Holy Spirit convinced me that it would be offensive to God to undergo such maneuver.
I also believe (as a I am surrounded by many Mormons) that many Mormons are actually trapped in their system, just like the Jehovah Witnesses. Many of these folks are part the cult because their lives depend on it. There are Mormon businesses who only deal with other Mormon businesses. Doctors who refer only to Mormon doctors… banks, lawyers, housing, etc etc… In any city they go, they are plugged in… That is why many are so well-off and successful..
So they depend on their religion even on things that have nothing to do with religion. Even if they want to leave they cannot because it means to start a brand new life from zero…
The internet is full of testimonies of JW and Mormons who lost everyting before starting new lives away from the religion…
Your statement about the reason for this problem is so true. Bibles are gathering dust and we have more study tools today than ever.
I also have had many experiences with Mormons having grown up in Southern California. There was a “Stake” close to my high school. I once went to hear Dr. Walter Martin speak on the subject of Mormonism and before the event began we were ushered out of the church because someone had called and said there was a bomb planted under the stage. Dr. Martin returned a year later and I recorded it (wish I knew where that cassette is).
Just like so many things these days, material things are the reason people do what they do. It is why many pastors are pastors. You have noted that many are in cults because their lives depend on it. Again, so true.
I always appreciate your comments.
May God bless you and your family…
For whomever reads this thread:
There are times when the Bible describes God’s wrath. My guess is that for every expression or wrath there are two of love and mercy. And there are verses like these that describe God’s greatness and puts man in his place:
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,
And marked off the heavens by the span,
And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure,
And weighed the mountains in a balance
And the hills in a pair of scales?
13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord,
Or as His counselor has informed Him?
14 With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding?
And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge
And informed Him of the way of understanding?
15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,
And are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales;
Behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust.
16 Even Lebanon is not enough to burn,
Nor its beasts enough for a burnt offering.
17 All the nations are as nothing before Him,
They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless.
18 To whom then will you liken God?
Or what likeness will you compare with Him?
19 As for the idol, a craftsman casts it,
A goldsmith plates it with gold,
And a silversmith fashions chains of silver.
20 He who is too impoverished for such an offering
Selects a tree that does not rot;
He seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman
To prepare an idol that will not totter.
21 Do you not know? Have you not heard?
Has it not been declared to you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
23 He it is who reduces rulers to nothing,
Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.
24 Scarcely have they been planted,
Scarcely have they been sown,
Scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth,
But He merely blows on them, and they wither,
And the storm carries them away like stubble.
25 “To whom then will you liken Me
That I would be his equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high
And see who has created these stars,
The One who leads forth their host by number,
He calls them all by name;
Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power,
Not one of them is missing.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
29 He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
30 Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
These verses are from Isaiah 40. They make man sound puny and, at the same time, describe God’s relationship to humankind.
To those who wait on the Lord….