For more than two thousand years, everyone was trying to solve the mystery of the false prophet. Is he now living in our midst? Or is he still to come in the future? Does he possess a superhuman nature as other so called bible scholars portray him? There are many questions and many answers given. In any event, the would-be-existence of this false prophet is foretold in the bible. It gives descriptions on how to spot this false prophet. Though many of the identifying marks given therein are in figurative or symbolical in nature, the bible itself gives meaning to these symbols.
For example, Christ Himself warned, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves (Mat.7:15 KJV). Of course this is figurative, otherwise it would be impossible to recognize false prophets and false preachers, the only thing they would have to do is to avoid wearing wool or clothing made of literal sheep's coat. The description that 'inwardly they are ravening wolves', establishes the fact that the verse is figurative. This passage though is complemented by another bible verses, and that will bring us a step closer to the identity of this false prophets, and eventually to the identity of the Antichrist.
The bible refers to Christ as a lamb and sheep (Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32). No one would argue that in our Lord’s time here on earth, the dress was a long one. Even artists’ representation commissioned by any religious institutions rendered the general appearance of our Lord’s clothing was a long one. In Revelation, John described it : “clothed with a garment down to the foot “. (Rev.1:13) The expression “down to the foot” simply means long robe or garment. Christ’s warning therefore means that false prophets will imitate his clothing, or will be similar to his.
Some think, preachers donning long garment is a good sign, because Christ and the apostles wore that style of clothing during their time. We have to disagree. In fact it is one of the ways in recognizing the false prophets. One doesn’t have to search hard that Catholic priests up to the Pope wear this kind of clothing. It is a prescribed outfit to identify them as preachers or ministers of their church. Preachers from some other religious organizations also wear the same get up. The latter must have had the same feeling that having similar clothing with our Lord gives a pious and godly appearance.
Christ said: “but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.” The whole passage in fact is a warning to coming false prophets. The disciples were given identifying signs, “sheep’s clothing”, “ravenous wolves” and “by their fruits”. Since these are false preachers, the fruits being referred to must be the nature of their teachings. It must be false teachings. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians says: “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth” (9:5). So their teachings are not in line with the truth or the Word of God.
The ravenous wolves is the grievous wolves mentioned by apostle Paul, “ For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” (Acts 20:29). Paul’s departure means his death. (vv.36-38, 2 Tim.4:6,7). These wolves in sheep’s clothing will not spare the flock, which is the church (v.28) And these wolves says Paul “will come in among YOU”. The pronoun YOU refers to whom Paul was speaking to at the time, they are the "overseers" and "feeders" of the church (v.28) Douay Rheims renders “overseers” as “bishops”. Therefore, Paul was speaking to bishops at that point in time.This means the savage wolves will find its place among the ranks of the bishops in the church and “will not spare it.” And from the ranks of the bishops, Paul prophesied, “ Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, [ “you shall know by their fruit”, remember?]to draw away disciples after them.” (v.30).
After the death of the apostles, history proves that from the ranks of the bishops in the church arose the so-called “Apostolic Fathers” and then came the “Church Fathers”. Gradually, the primacy of the Bishopric of Rome over all the bishoprics, including the Bishopric of Jerusalem, was developed and proclaimed. And centuries later the Title Pope was exclusively appropriated to the Bishop of Rome.
A clothing similar to our Lord, in our own standard, if worn by a preacher, would give the appearance of godliness and piousness. But our thinking is different from the Lord. His standard should be our standard in trying to be just before Him. And that should be the TRUTH. Though it is somewhat hard to find , because of our limited capacity, and considering also our prejudice brought about by the belief inculcated in us during our youth on, an open mind from this point onwards would be of help.
As to the appearance of godliness, here is Paul’s warning, “having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2 Tim.3:5)
Here are some points of identification of the false prophet: He is also the antichrist; he is referred to in the bible as the beast; he is referred to in Revelation 13 as the man having the number 666. This is just to name a few.
This is not to advocate for nor support any specific religious organization or church. This is independent. The motive here is to share the truth, and to enlighten the world, if possible. Any similarity of my findings to the teachings of any specific religious organization is either unintentional or accepted here as biblical.
