False Advertising

False advertising. Perhaps we have all fallen for it in one way or another. The diet drink
that did not taste like the real thing. The overhyped blockbuster movie that should have gone
straight to DVD. The top draft pick for our favorite sports team whose name is now synonymous
with bust. The fancy new car that breaks down in the first few days. We are a nation, sadly, that
chases after the next big thing. But all that glitters is not gold and that shiny object that caught
your eye and that you just had to have might just be an empty can.
False advertising also occurs with people. Wigs, weaves, and toupees (not their real hair),
high heels (shes not that tall), makeup (50 trying to look 20), and body slimming apparel (his
and hers). And those are just some of the falsehoods that we can actually see. What about the
nice man who you just met that doesnt have on a wedding band (because he just slipped it into
his pocket). Or the best friend who is so concerned about your problem and wanting to help you
(that she cant wait to tell everyone else). All of these present us with the appearance that they
want us to see while the truth lies somewhere underneath, sometimes way underneath. These
scenarios are definitely frustrating, and can lead to painful moments in our lives. Thankfully we
can overcome them.
However, there are some false people that come into our lives, or at least try to, that can
be dangerous if not downright deadly. These are the false prophets and false christs that the Word
of God repeatedly warns us about. But what are they? Who are they? What are their goals? And,
most importantly, how can we spot them?
The Apostle Peter warns that there were false prophets also among the people, even as
there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even
denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall
follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of (2
Peter 1,2). This warning is not only for us today but was also for the all believers across time.
The Apostle Paul confronted this in his epistle to the church at Galatia: I marvel that ye are so
soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. Which is not
another, but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though
we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have
preached unto you, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:6-8).
False prophets are those who preach any other gospel other than the gospel of Christ.
They may even claim to come in the name of Christ. If their message does not match the Word of
God then they are liars. Numerous cults have sprung up over the centuries led by these false
prophets. Many of them still exist today, some even quite powerful.
Perhaps even more disturbing that the false prophets are the false christs. The warning
regarding false christs is repeated over and over in the Bible: And Jesus answered and said unto
them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ,
and shall deceive you (Matthew 24:4,5 and 24; Mark 13:5 and 22; Luke 21:8). They will even
be able to perform signs and wonders but they are not the true Christ. There will be no mistake
when Christ comes again.

In regards to the coming of Christ, Jesus first tells us what the false christs will declare.
In Matthew 24:26, Jesus says, Wherefore if they say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go
not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers: believe it not. Jesus clearly tells us what not to
look for. He even goes one step further and describes his return in a way that should leave no
doubt as to who he is: For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the
west: so shall also the coming of the Son of man be (Matthew 24:27). Lightning that shines
from the east to the west or some guy standing in the desert or hiding somewhere? The choice
should be clear and easy.
Returning to the false prophets, the Bible gives further descriptions of them. Jesus warns
us to Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep clothing, but inwardly they are
ravening wolves (Matthew 7:15). They may look and sound like the genuine thing, but they are
deceptive in all their endeavors. You shall know them by their fruits (Mathew 7:16a). They
will be known by what the produce: how they act and what they say. They are described as
chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government.
Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities (2 Peter 2:10).
These false prophets have been, are, and will be centered on themselves and their secret message
from God. To them, the Bible is just a nice accessory.
The end for these false leaders is that they shall utterly perish in their own corruption (2
Peter 2:12b) and they shall receive the reward of unrighteousness (2 Peter 2:13a). They shall
all be brought to destruction. None shall be spared that have willfully led others astray.
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest: to whom the mist
of darkness is reserved forever (2 Peter 2:17). What a very fitting description of false prophets.
They are not what they appear to be. They may look nice and sound nice, nevertheless, there
really isnt anything there. Its all false advertising. However, their destination is real: to whom
the mist of darkness is reserved forever. They may pretend to know God now, but they will
definitely know him later.
Believers should know the differences between the gospel of Christ and the gospels of
Satan. It is important that we be able to tell one from the other. The Bible is your guide to that.
Know it, use it, and share it.