23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.” (Matthew 24:23–25 (ESV)
The time period leading up to the great tribulation will feature many individuals predicting the Messiah’s return. These type of predictions have occurred within the last fifty years, and the last 2,000 years, only to be proven false. Many more predictions will follow. What is the believer in Christ to do regarding such false prophecies?
Jesus taught, in John 10:1–5 (ESV), “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
Jesus predicted there would always be false teachers and pseudo messiahs trying to persuade and influence the church. The Apostle Paul warned the Ephesian church elders of the same type of individuals (Acts 20:28-31). Within the New Testament Epistles, both Paul and Peter spoke against teachers and scoffers who either predicted Jesus Christ had already come, or ridiculed the believers because He hadn’t (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2; 2 Peter 3). So too did the Apostle John (I John 4:1-6) and Jude (Jude 3-4).
Throughout the last 2,000 years, there have been numerous predictions concerning Jesus’ physical return to earth from heaven. Estimates have been made that there has been up to 3,000 such predictions since the first century and up to the present day.
“In connection with Jerusalem’s fall but certainly also with the end of the age there will be those who claim that the Christ has already arrived, and will even point to the place where he has landed. Jesus warns his disciples not to believe these deceivers. Some of them (the pseudo-Christs) pretend to be Christ; the rest (the pseudo-prophets) say that this or that other person is the Christ,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
“See I-have-foretold you”—reminds us of Christ’s similar sayings in John 13:19; 14:29; 16:4. Lovingly the Master provides for his disciples. When the fiery trial arrives they must never be able to say, “How strange and unexpected! Why did not the Lord prepare us for this? Why did he not warn us?” Having been forewarned, the disciples will not be unduly disturbed when the prediction is fulfilled. In fact, their faith in Jesus will even be confirmed.”
One of the evidences the Bible is the Word of God is the accuracy by which it describes the past, present and future. May we continue to be sanctified by it each day (John 17:17).
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 