SABBATH THOUGHT 2022-06-18—BEWARE FALSE PROPHETS

May God bless you on His Sabbath day!

Beginning with Donald Trump’s campaign for the presidency, the wicked of the world emerged en-masse from their dark places wherein they whispered the thoughts of their black hearts. They no longer now even bother to try to conceal their hatred. They have discarded any veils of rational speech and good works in which they cloaked their evil deeds. Over the decades, they put on false appearances of truth and national service in order to infiltrate critical levels of all governments, law enforcement, military, judicial systems, and media around the world. And they have massive funding behind them that ensnares the young and innocent into their circle of iniquity.

Everything is reversed. The wicked no longer fear public exposure because the media has become a unified global voice that buries truth and promotes lies. Those who look for truth find a few voices here and there that can barely be heard above the din of hostile deceit. Good is evil and evil is good[1], they say. Satan has literally unleashed his bitter hatred and destruction upon this world.

Those that are even remotely familiar with terms and people such as One World Order, Blackrock, World Economic Forum, the Elite, the 300, the Great Reset, George Soros, Bill Gates, Plandemic, Big Pharma, and so on are encouraged by some alternative claims that there are nameless people working against the onslaught of wickedness. In the background of all the evil are reports of a semblance of growing freedom-loving resistance movements to counter this world of evil.

The problem is that these stories have been preached for decades and none have ever come to fruition. The Bible never speaks of a “reprieve” before the Great Tribulation or the Day of the Lord. God says our times will be full of “dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and everyone who loves and devises a lie” (Revelation 22:15). Does it matter if a lie comes from someone who is evil or one who is well-intentioned? Put your trust in no man but nowadays I must caution against even trusting those who appear to fight against the evil of the world.[2]

EZEKIEL 13:16 “The prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her, when there is no peace,” says the LORD.

While this is generally against the truly wicked, does this not apply to those who promise better times? Some claim that there is a covert resistance that will rise up against the evil, but have you ever known any of their prophecies to came to pass? In fact, it is the wicked of this world who are fulfilling end-time prophetic events while those who preach of a reprieve have no end-time biblical prophecy to stand upon. If we are waiting for a time when the latter-day nations turn back to God before the return of Jesus Christ, we may find that the Tribulation is upon us and catch us unprepared. Such wishful thinking is just not indicated anywhere in the Bible and it is unlikely that wickedness will be turned to righteousness in this age. In fact, in the end-times there will be those who falsely prophesy against the evil in the world today:

JEREMIAH 14:11-14 Then the LORD said to me, “Do not pray for this people for good. 12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and a grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the plague.” 13 Then I said, “Ah, O Lord GOD! Behold, the prophets are saying to them, ‘You shall not see the sword, nor shall you have famine; but I will give you true peace in this place.’ “ 14 And the LORD said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in My name; I did not send them, nor have I commanded them, nor did I speak to them. They prophesy to you a false vision and a worthless divination, and a thing of no value, and the deceit of their heart.

One problem is that the U.S. legislated against our children praying to God and reading the Bible. All of mankind are born with knowledge of good and evil. The Bible is the only influence for a child to “know to refuse the evil and choose the good” (Isaiah 7:16). As the previous generations who were taught to respect the Bible grow older and go to their graves, their void is being continuously filled by the ungodly. So, even those who try to resist the wicked of this world cannot properly distinguish between good and evil any longer—they never learned how to worship God as a child. Instead, they speak deceitful words even if they are from a sincere heart.

Even so, God did promise that “If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chr. 7:14). However, it is not enough to only fight against evil—the people must also turn back and start obeying God.

The world is no longer even a shadow of the moral state of fifty years ago (as sad as that was even then). God’s people are playing a long end-game now. What we do at this time is important to our salvation. It is certainly prudent to prepare physically for the hard times to come. If possible, having extra food, water, fuel, etc. is not only useful in case of natural calamities, but it can be helpful when the disaster comes at the hand of men. However, whether we are physically able to endure for a week, a month, or more, our physical stores and supplies will eventually run out if they are not stolen by stealth or force. (Still, these things are sensible for those with the means.)

But what about those who are unable to provide emergency stocks for themselves either due to poverty, health, or living situations? Without electricity a diabetic cannot store insulin. Others who require live-saving medications will run out eventually. Many are bedridden and invalid due to terrible diseases and sufferings. They are completely reliant upon a spouse or caregiver. God’s people are, in most cases, scattered apart. Even if some have the means to provide for others, how would those that have the provisions help others that live hours apart from them?

While we are physical beings who are utterly dependent upon daily things for physical life, spiritual preparation is our only true hope. Seek God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength[3]. Fast often. Pray more than often. As you have opportunity, do good works for others. Grow in agape love—first toward God, then to the brethren, then to neighbors, and, finally, toward enemies. This is having, giving, living, and being filled with the love of God. Do not be anxious about physical needs even as we see the catastrophe of evil approaching. Verse 34 of Matthew 6 comes to our minds fairly often: “do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow shall take care of the things of itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil of that day.” but the entire chapter is intended to get us to focus on God rather than the physical. I encourage you to read it.

Verses 1-4 focus on giving alms, not for our own glory, but out of a humble and contrite heart. We learn from verses 5-8 that our prayers are a very personal matter and God desires to hear from us so He can provide for our needs. If our prayers are patterned after Jesus Christ (verses 9-15), God and His kingdom are first in our lives. He is also the one who supplies our “daily bread,” both physical and spiritual food. Lastly, we must always reconcile offenses where possible and seek God’s protection against evil.

Beginning in verse 16 is a reminder to fast. This is especially true for those who are not suffering major afflictions so that we stay close to God and do not become prideful. Those under heavy burdens and trials are likely already mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in a state of fasting even if they are unable to do so. The rest of the chapter warns against taking our minds away from God or letting fear and worry of physical problems distract from the eternal spiritual goal.

All of us know of the Beatitudes. They describe the perfect mind of Christ during His life on this earth. However, have you ever noticed that all of these “blessings” require suffering for the kingdom of God?

MATTHEW 5:2-11 And He [Jesus Christ] opened His mouth and taught them, saying, 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall find mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they shall reproach you, and shall persecute you, and shall falsely say every wicked thing against you, for My sake.

Every condition that is a blessing is the exact opposite of this present evil age. Because the world disregards righteousness, we will suffer accordingly. Consider how hard it is to be “poor in spirit,” to “mourn,” to be “meek,” to “hunger and thirst after righteousness,” to be “merciful,” to be “pure in heart,” and be “peacemakers.” The world mocks those who are poor in spirit, laughs at those who mourn, trample on the meek, persecute those who seek after righteousness, scorn the merciful, sneer at the pure in heart, and war against peacemakers. The world will persecute, reproach, and lie about us because they hate God and Jesus Christ and we reject their evil ways. However, though we suffer in this life and are preparing to stand against Satan himself, the promises of God are sure and eternal. Jesus Christ said:

MATTHEW 5:12 Rejoice and be filled with joy, for great is your reward in heaven; for in this same manner they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew chapters 5 and 6 were spoken consecutively by Jesus Christ. Chapter 5 tells us we must suffer to have the blessings of eternal life and chapter 6 tells us how to endure. Remember, God’s great desire is for us to be in His Family but the Great King and God Almighty is there to help in the coming time of need. Rest assured because—against Him—evil will never prevail.

May God’s grace and peace be upon you!

Steven Greene

https://sabbathreflections.org