The False Prophet | TheLastDays

Just as the antichrist is a counterfeit messiah, so the false prophet is a pseudo John the Baptist. His nefarious role will be in preparing the world to receive the lawless one as a man of peace and the answer to the world’s problems. This he will accomplish by creating a one world religion, something that for centuries has seemed utterly impossible. Nevertheless, there are already signs that this merging of the world’s religions is in the making. Even Christians and Jews will be taken in by this deception, so it’s worth understanding in advance all that we can know of the false prophet’s ways.

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Matthew 24:24-25

All scripture citations are from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted.

Chief Characteristics

Whole books are written about most of these crucial components. These characteristics are summaries of what is grounded in scripture, not fabricated through speculation.[i] Speculation is trying to “see” more than we are being shown. What we see by Biblical revelation is real enough, but a fuller view will only come as these still distant components draw nearer.

During the time of the world’s greatest need, a new spiritual leader will arise. Always throughout history in times of crisis people have looked to God and religion for comfort, guidance and strength. Only a few looked exclusively to the God of Israel, of course, but looking for divine encouragement in dark times is something of a human reflex. The sailors on Jonah’s boat cried out to their gods in the midst of the storm, not realizing (yet) that it was Jonah’s God who was behind it.[ii] We know in advance that the enemy will take advantage of this instinctive desire to seek God’s help and turn it to serve his own cruel designs.

Satan’s answer to the world’s spiritual crisis will be none other than the False Prophet, described in Revelation. He appears only in twelve verses: nine that describe his rise and activity (Revelation 13:11-18; 16:13); three that depict his destruction (Revelation 19:19-20; 20:10). We could want more about him and less of him! Even so, there is much to know him by. The true Church should have no problem identifying this monster—he is called “another beast”—but the world will be completely taken in.

Before painting his portrait in the scripture section below, we should remind ourselves that he is not alone. There will be a lot of false prophets traversing the landscape. Some will likely be in lock-step with this beast as their exalted leader. Others will be going their own way, possibly at some variance from the official line. Nevertheless, all will be serving the Evil One is some way. Don’t identify this easy target and miss all the others! We can spot them best by the way they’ve shown themselves in the past.

Pre-Figured in Scripture

Every crucial component of the Last Days has already “appeared” in the Biblical prophetic narrative in the past, somewhat like a dress rehearsal for the final drama. These foreshadows are called “types” because they precede their ultimate expression (the “antitype”).[iii] As shadows of the future reality, however, they cast a revealing light of their own.

1. Pharaoh’s Priests of Egypt

Never let it be imagined that the practitioners of false religions don’t have power. Many do. Certainly, the priests of Egypt did. Up to a certain point they were able to match the supernatural signs Moses worked, step by step. They couldn’t keep up because the Lord had purposed to demonstrate to Pharaoh (as well as to the Israelites) that His power far surpassed the dark arts of Egypt. He wanted to make believers out of His chosen people. The children of Israel, like us, could easily have been over-awed by supernatural power coming from the dark side, especially if they hadn’t seen enough of the Lord’s own wonder-working abilities. This lack of experience and familiarity with the supernatural will set many Christians up in the Last Days for being deceived by signs and wonders that the False Prophet and others will be doing. We will need to not only recognize false prophets by their deceptive messages, we will also need to discern the source of power behind their deceptive miracles.

So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. Exodus 7:10-12

2. The False Prophets of Israel

Unlike the priests of Egypt, the prophets of Baal or the magi of Babylon, the false prophets of Israel weren’t promoting a false religion. The religious proponents of the surrounding nations made no effort to disguise their gods, rituals or sacrifices as anything other than contradictions to the God of Israel. They believed that their gods were true, and Israel’s was false. Ironically, the false prophets of Israel had been given the true religion to practice and were shown the true God to worship but failed to embrace it. In turning away from pure biblical faith, they inevitably brought in ideas and practices that caused compromise. There are only two spiritual powers in the universe. To be with the true God you have to be all in. Any step into compromise joins you to the Great Rebellion. That’s the warning we take from seeing these false prophets.

What characterized them the most, perhaps, was that they gave out false messages, “words from the Lord” that the Lord had not spoken.[iv] These were often messages of peace and safety, when what God wanted was a strong word of correction so that deep repentance of the people could avert the judgments that were coming. Their own compromise, however, kept them from seeing God’s requirement of holiness in its proper light. They seemed to have thought that compromise with sin would never lead to national disaster. Their own compromise led some to promote child sacrifice and the worship of false gods. False prophets already abound in Christian churches garbed as ministers of the gospel who promote the idea that the God of today no longer brings chastisements (punishing judgments) upon individuals or nations. Some even promote child sacrifice by championing “the woman’s right to choose.” We should all remember that the God of Jeremiah and Jesus are One.

For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,” says the LORD. Jeremiah 6:13-15

3. False Teachings of the Last Days

Paul in this passage reveals that one of the “powers” of false prophets is that they play upon something in us. Our own uncrucified passions and false hopes give believers “itching ears” so that we want to listen to someone who is deceiving us. Why? They are telling us exactly what we want to hear. This gives a veneer of justification for us then doing exactly what we want to do. After all, “the man of God said it would be ok.” The second half of this warning shows that if we are willing to be deceived about personal issues—whatever might suit our “own passions”—then the likelihood is that it won’t stop there. The deception next takes aim at our understanding of God, seeking to draw us away from even larger truths “into myths.” What is ultimately at stake here is worshipping the true God “in spirit and in truth”—not according to our own myth-making.[v]

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

What a rogues’ list we have here! All in a row, Paul lines up deceitful spirits whose message is nothing less than the “teachings of demons” and these are purveyed to the unaware by “liars whose consciences are seared.” You would think that anyone could spot something this diabolical a mile off. But that’s the problem with deception and false teachings. Spiritual evil has been around a lot longer than any of us. These beings are highly intelligent and thoroughly ruthless. They know exactly how to make wrong seem right and right seem wrong. They know how to hook believers by their “itching ears” and lead them step by step further into darkness. If you don’t think that this could ever happen to you, you are a prime candidate.[vi] By the way, please note that vegetarian and other restrictive diets—“abstinence from foods”—are prophesied here as false beliefs of the Last Days.

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:1-5

Jesus combines false christs with false prophets and warns that both groups will arise and “perform great signs and wonders.” False prophets are those who direct people towards worshipping false gods and leave them comforted and complacent in their sins. “False christs” does not mean people who say that they are “Jesus Christ.” Only a lunatic would believe a claim of such obvious lunacy. No, by “false christs” Jesus was using the word in its first century context as a description of anointed individuals sent by God to save and heal. False messiahs (Christ = messiah = anointed) direct people towards themselves as promised saviors, gurus or guides. Combined with powerful signs and wonders and the desperation of the times, this grand company of deceivers will “lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” Thankfully, for those who keep seeking the Lord there will be protection against deception, but let’s make no mistake about it: The master deceiver is all-too good at his evil game and has trained his tools well.

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Matthew 24:24-25

Revealed by Scripture

The Bible exposes the secret plans and deceptive operations of the dark kingdom, even as it unveils the glorious realities of what our God is doing. The truths of scripture are, therefore, our rock-solid building blocks for interpreting the times we are entering. Nevertheless, for biblical information to become true revelation both prayer and the Holy Spirit are needed.

1. The False Prophet Rises

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. Revelation 13:11

On the Isle of Patmos, John saw this second beast “rising out of the earth” which is significant because the first beast—the antichrist—rose from the sea. From the earth may indicate a man who seems to be marked by humility. Our word humility can also be translated as “grounded” or “of the earth” and derives from the Latin word “humus” which means earth. So, this deceiver will appear to be humble, someone who portrays himself as “one of the people” or on the side of the common man. But he will be filled with pride and ambition.

John said that this beast of a man had “two horns like a lamb” indicating that he presents himself like a lamb with a mild, Christ-like manner. Horns usually refer to authority. Even before, the beast “rises” into public view as the False Prophet, he may possibly hold two positions of religious power. John said that this lamb-like leader “spoke like a dragon.” We know that the Dragon is “that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world.”  This identifies this beast as someone who is under such complete control by the Evil One that he is essentially the Dragon’s mouthpiece. When he speaks, the devil speaks directly through him.

2. His Deceptive Work Begins

It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. Revelation 13:12

Once this beast begins speaking it really goes to work, spreading a deceptive message about the first beast. He will champion the antichrist and his “mission” so convincingly that “the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast.” Remember that the mission of the antichrist will be to bring peace by uniting the world under his leadership. With world peace established, he will go on to “solve” many of the worlds’ problems, including what to do about those Christin fanatics who refuse to go along with the program (think Hitler’s “Final Solution” of the Jewish problem).

This first beast will have received a “mortal wound” by this time. That wound will be healed, perhaps by the False Prophet as the first of his miracles, though who heals the wound is not mentioned in the text. Nevertheless, by drawing the whole world into worship of the beast, the one world religion is now in place with the False Prophet as its leader. Although we have only covered two short verses, the span of time is probably longer than such brief notice would suggest. The second beast first ascends to his position, perhaps of a dual authority. Then the antichrist is revealed and championed as the world’s savior. Eventually, after sufficient “preaching” and attention, the world begins to worship him. This cannot be referring to an overnight phenomenon.

3. Signs and Deceptive Wonders

It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. Revelation 13:13-14

The spiritual “ministry” of this new religious leader moves into high gear as he “is allowed” to perform powerful signs. Who allows him? Most likely this is referring to the providential Hand of God which acts as a restraint upon sin, unless it is lifted. Although it is fearful to imagine such a moment, the impression we are given is that God’s sovereign power still holds sway over the second beast’s activities. He can only do what God allows in God’s time.

As to this time, Paul foretold that the rise of the “lawless one”—the antichrist—would be accompanied by “all power and false signs and wonders.”[vii] Some of these are coming now (in the text) through the handiwork of the False Prophet. Upon this new wave of deceptive signs, the False Prophet launches a campaign to create “an image for the beast.” Will this be a holographic image—one that could be shown world-wide?

4. The Image of the Beast

And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Revelation 13:15

Here is one of many places where science fiction, present technology and biblical prophecy collide. With our present technology a holographic image of the beast could even be animated by artificial intelligence and seem to have a life of its own. We are being shown an image which “might even speak” and set in motion the death of those who refuse to offer it worship. Holograms and AI were unthinkable possible interpretations of this passage a mere century ago. Then came science fiction. Then came modern technology. Soon, the biblical reality will also come.

We should note the importance of image to this growing beast system. Just as God created mankind in His image, the enemy has a counterfeit image here. Additionally, Jesus is both the express Image of the invisible God and the true Son of Man.[viii] Not to be outdone, the enemy has a counterfeit: His lawless one is his ideal “son of man” and the visible image of his father the devil.[ix]

5. The Mark of the Beast

Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. Revelation 13:16-18

The image of the beast, the false prophet and the antichrist all work together in a satanic concert of oppression, a kind of unholy trinity visible on the earth. The word goes out that everyone must be marked “on the right hand or the forehead” in order to engage in commerce or purchase daily supplies. But for the grace of God this is a virtual death sentence—death by starvation—for all who will not take the mark. It is intended to be.

The evil one is out to eradicate all of God’s people. Why? Obviously, he wants to consolidate the rule of the antichrist, but it goes deeper. First, he hates God and all who stand with Him. Second, he is jealous of us. Wait, I thought he despises us. He does, but many believe that his envy of our position provoked his rebellion. God placed us a little lower than the angels, but the plan all along was to elevate us above them. This the evil one could not abide. Third, the Lord God is just. Jesus cannot return to earth if no one wants him to reign down here. Our Lord would never “steal” the earth away from Satan who legally (though dishonorably) gained his position as “god of this world” through Adam’s sin. But if the Lord has a large enough remnant on earth calling for Him to come and laying down our lives in utter devotion to Jesus as earth’s rightful Lord, then the way has been made straight for the Return. Just as the False Prophet prepares the way for the antichrist, so the Bride prepares the way for the real Christ.

6. The Ultimate Deception

The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. Revelation 16 12-14

This gruesome image shows us further diabolical cooperation between the antichrist and the false prophet, this time in conjunction with the dragon, rather than the image of the beast. From “out of the mouth” of all three evils spirits gush forth with the appearance of frogs. Not to pick on frogs, but as reptiles they are cold-blooded and “relatives” of snakes and crocodiles. All these hearken back to the Nile, Egypt and the plagues sent by God in that first mass liberation of His believing people. So now, these frog-like spirits swarm upon the earth carrying a plague of deception which will lead many to their doom. They perform signs which target the “kings of the whole world” with a brazen lie, causing them to believe that they can withstand God Almighty in the Last Battle. Again, here is the power of deception: We know God is “Almighty”; they don’t.

7. Captivity and Punishment

And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. Revelation 19:19-20

The final battle doesn’t go well for the unholy trinity. The first beast evidently leads the kings into battle but all who follow him are slain.[x] Only the first beast and the false prophet are taken captive. Did the second beast set religion aside to don the battle gear of a warrior, or was he stationed nearby in a vain attempt to “bless” the campaign? We can be reasonably certain that as the head of luciferian worship world-wide, he would be well-practiced in satanic ritual and sacrifice, though this is never specifically mentioned.

Incidentally, this is only the second time in Revelation that the second beast is called by the title he is best known for, the False Prophet. We will hear it again in the next chapter. For now, both the false prophet and the first beast are “thrown alive” into the lake of fire, there to be “tormented day and night forever and ever.”[xi] When it is considered that this dire ending was prophesied in advance, one can only wonder how this deceiver of the nations was himself deceived. Did he really think his ‘’god” was greater than ours?

8. One Final Mention

And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:7-10

A final mention is made of the false prophet in this passage describing events that occur one thousand years into the future. At the end of the millennial reign of Jesus, the devil is released from captivity in hell, and goes forth with another mad plan to stir up rebellion. Amazing, a great mass of people buys into his deception and joins up to attack the One whose kingdom ushered in the greatest time of restoration, peace and well-being that the earth has ever seen.

How is it possible that so many will want to throw off that yoke? And yet, even the angels in heaven cast off His benevolent reign eons ago at the promptings of this same master deceiver. Nevertheless, the rebellion is quickly crushed. The thoroughly disgraced and defeated foe is at long last thrown into that same lake of fire which he led millions of others to perish within. We are told that two who are still burning with him are the antichrist and the false prophet. This most unholy trinity receives its eternal reward.

Other Scriptures to Study

1. Zechariah: Speaking Lies

And on that day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, so that they shall be remembered no more. And also I will remove from the land the prophets and the spirit of uncleanness. And if anyone again prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not live, for you speak lies in the name of the LORD.’ And his father and mother who bore him shall pierce him through when he prophesies. On that day every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies. He will not put on a hairy cloak in order to deceive. Zechariah 13:2-4

2. Jesus: Recognize Them by their Fruits

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:15-23

3. Peter: They Will Be Among Us

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 2 Peter 2:1-3

4. John: Test the Spirits

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

Next Crucial Component

The Antichrist  Here’s the villain of the story. This archenemy of humanity and of the Lord Himself is going to make his way onto the world stage several years before Jesus arrives. And there is nothing we can do to stop him. Trained by the Enemy and likely possessed by him, this cruel deceiver will be deceived. He will be fully convinced he can succeed in destroying the church, enslaving humanity, and seizing the earth as his own dominion. But the Lord will overthrow him “with the breath of his mouth” and destroy him “by the splendor of his coming.” Don’t overrate his power, but don’t underrate his cruelty. Here’s what we can know about him now.

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Endnotes

[i] Cambridge Dictionary defines speculation as “the act of guessing possible answers to a question without having enough information to be certain.” It derives from the Latin word “speculari” which means “to look at, view, observe” and originally indicated “close observation and intelligent contemplation.” By the late 1500s it gained the disparaging sense it carries today of “mere conjecture.” See etymonline.com.

[ii] But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.” Jonah 1:4-6

[iii] Adam is the type; Jesus, the “second Adam” is the antitype: Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. Romans 5:14

[iv] Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. Jeremiah 23:16

[v] But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24

[vi] Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12

[vii] The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10

[viii] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Hebrews 1:3 KJV

[ix] You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

[x] And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. Revelation 19:21

[xi] And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10