Definition and Characteristics:
False prophets are individuals who claim to speak on behalf of God but deliver messages that are not from Him. They often lead people astray with deceptive teachings and false assurances. The Bible warns against such individuals, emphasizing the importance of discernment and adherence to true doctrine.

Biblical Warnings and Examples:
The Old Testament contains numerous warnings against false prophets. In Deuteronomy 18:20-22, God provides a clear test for identifying false prophets: if their predictions do not come to pass, they are not speaking from God. Jeremiah frequently confronted false prophets in his time, as seen in Jeremiah 23:16, "This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.'"

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself warns about false prophets in Matthew 7:15, saying, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." This imagery highlights their deceptive nature and the danger they pose to the faithful.

Consequences of False Prophecy:
The Bible outlines severe consequences for those who prophesy falsely. In the Old Testament, false prophets were subject to the death penalty, as stated in Deuteronomy 18:20. This underscores the seriousness with which God views the distortion of His word.

In the New Testament, the consequences are spiritual and eternal. In 2 Peter 2:1, it is written, "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 Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves."

Discernment and Protection:
Believers are called to exercise discernment to protect themselves from false teachings. 1 John 4:1 advises, "Beloved, 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 testing involves comparing teachings with the truth of Scripture and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine in combating false prophecy. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, he warns, "For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

Role in Eschatology:
False prophets play a significant role in eschatological events, as described in the book of Revelation. Revelation 19:20 speaks of the false prophet who performs signs to deceive those who dwell on the earth, ultimately being cast into the lake of fire. This highlights the culmination of their deceptive work and the final judgment they face.

Conclusion:
The Bible consistently warns against false prophets and their teachings, urging believers to remain vigilant and grounded in the truth of God's Word. Through discernment and adherence to sound doctrine, Christians are equipped to recognize and resist the influence of false prophecy.Jeremiah 5:31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will you do in the end thereof?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Selections from the Work against Heresies by Irenaeus, Bishop of ...
... an offshoot of the knowledge which is falsely so called ... who want to be some kind
of false prophets, but deny ... and knows of men and women who prophesied in the ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/selections from the work against 2.htm

Whether a Good Life is Requisite for Prophecy?
... who had said, "Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy ... John Chrysostom, and falsely ascribed
to him] that ... it is manifest that such are false prophets, because they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a good life is.htm

1 Thessalonians v. 19-22
... many indeed who prophesied truly, but some prophesied falsely. ... demon and the Spirit
prophesied concerning the ... do not, because there are false prophets among you ...
/.../homily xi 1 thessalonians v.htm

Whether any Prophecy Comes from the Demons?
... since believers, after receiving the Spirit, prophesied." Therefore prophecy ... instance
as "false prophets," or "prophets of idols ... or possessed, or a false prophet ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether any prophecy comes from.htm

Whitefield -- the Method of Grace
... daubed with untempered mortar, that prophesied smoother things ... exemplifies how they
had dealt falsely, how they ... but it seems that the false prophets, the false ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/whitefield the method of.htm

Prophets and Prophets. (xxiii. 9-32, xxvii-xxix, Etc. )
... In Samaria's prophets I saw the unseemly, 13 By Baal they prophesied.(535) In
Jerusalem's prophets I ... Behold, I am against the prophets of false dreams who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 prophets and prophets xxiii.htm

That the King of Babylon Repented of Making Jehoiachin King, and ...
... was departed from Jerusalem, the false prophets deceived Zedekiah ... came among them,
and prophesied what contradicted ... upon him, and accused him falsely, as though ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 that the king.htm

On the Diversity of Spiritual Gifts.
... Jerusalem, and Zedekiah and Achiah the false prophets in Babylon ... how bishops and
presbyters, also falsely so called ... 3580] Now Silas and Agabus prophesied in our ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on the diversity of.htm

John Chapter i. 19-33
... falsely, nor did the Lord speak falsely; neither was ... of the herald nor of the Judge
false, if only ... prophet is here;" [82] for the prophets prophesied of Christ ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate iv john chapter i.htm

Jeremiah
... prophet strenuously combats the confidence falsely reposed in ... patience"it is the
false prophets who hope ... which""that which Jeremiah prophesied against all ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/jeremiah.htm

What does the Bible say about false prophets? | GotQuestions.org

What are the Major Prophets and Minor Prophets? | GotQuestions.org

What was the school of prophets? | GotQuestions.org

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