How does Ezekiel 22:28 relate to Jesus' warnings about false prophets? Ezekiel 22:28 in Focus “Her prophets plaster them with whitewash, seeing false visions and making lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.” Echoes in Jesus’ Teaching • Matthew 7:15 – “Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” • Matthew 24:11 – “Many false prophets will arise and mislead many.” • Matthew 24:24 – “False christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.” • Mark 13:22 – “For false christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.” Shared Concerns Between Ezekiel and Jesus • Counterfeit authority – both confront people who claim, “This is what the Lord says,” when God has said nothing (Ezekiel 22:28; Matthew 24:24). • Deceptive packaging – Ezekiel pictures whitewash; Jesus pictures sheep’s clothing. Each masks corruption beneath a clean exterior. • Widespread impact – Israel’s leadership misled the nation (Ezekiel 22:25-29). Jesus warns that “many” will be misled (Matthew 24:11). • Divine judgment – God vows to pour out wrath on false prophets (Ezekiel 22:31). Jesus promises they will be “cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 7:19). • Fruit test – Ezekiel exposes empty visions; Jesus tells us to recognize them “by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16-18). Why the Connection Matters Today • God’s standard never changes: any message must line up with His revealed Word (Deuteronomy 13:1-3; Galatians 1:8). • Signs and wonders are not proof of divine origin; truth is (Mark 13:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). • Healthy discernment grows from knowing Scripture well—just as Ezekiel and Jesus relied on the written word to expose error. • The call is active vigilance: measure every prophecy, teaching, or movement against the unchanging plumb line of God’s Word. |
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