THE BEST IS YET TO COME

The new year 2026 has arrived and with it comes those annual questions in the minds of followers of Jesus. Will this be the year that He returns for us? Will this be a year where end time events, like the Tribulation, begin to unfold? For me, will this be a year where many prayers will finally be answered? Will this be a year with unusual numbers of trials? These and other questions are very real and they are very important. At this moment, we don’t know the answers, but we do know that God’s will is perfect (complete) lacking nothing. We rightly take comfort in that truth. We also take comfort in and are strengthened by the profound truth related to our futures--- THE BEST IS YET TO COME. Unlike so many in this world, believers in Jesus have God’s oath that He will bring about things wonderful and glorious. These give great strength to us as we enter a new year.

Years ago, Mrs. Emma Slater asked us junior-age boys: “Won’t it be great to live forever in heaven with Jesus?”  Mrs. Slater labored each Sunday to try and teach us junior boys something (Undoubtedly she will be greatly rewarded for her efforts).  We boys, however, did not share her enthusiasm for eternity because we thought it would just be a lot of singing and things like that.  We envisioned heaven and eternity as a church service. The thought of experiencing an eternal church service was not particularly attractive to those of us who had a real tough time with services that went beyond an hour and ten minutes.

We were, of course, immature boys.  But it is somewhat surprising that many older Christians do not appear to have advanced much beyond that perception of Mrs. Slater’s junior boys. Perhaps a reminder is appropriate, as knowledge about the promised future is designed to impact us here and now as we now live in 2026.

The Two Phases of the Future Kingdom of God

The Scriptures are clear that when the Lord Jesus Christ returns at His Second Coming that no creature (angel or man) will ever again usurp His ruling authority.  At that time, the future kingdom of God is in place, and it is there permanently.  As Daniel expressed it in Daniel 2:44:

“And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.”

What Daniel did not know, but what later scriptures explained, was that while God’s kingdom is forever, it will have two distinct phases to it.

1. PHASE ONE – THE MESSIANIC (Millennial) KINGDOM.  This first phase is necessary in order to fulfill the Covenant that God made with Abraham.  What God promised, He has yet to fulfill.  It is required that Messiah reign in order that those many unfulfilled promises be fulfilled.  The characteristics of this Messianic kingdom are found in abundance in the O.T. prophets and it will be an amazing period. It will be a time when there is no sickness or disease; a time when physical deformities will not exist (unlike the present when these matters dominate life). The Messianic age will be characterized by JOY, PEACE with God and man, and RIGHTEOUSNESS (a blessed relief from what life is like today). It will be a time of universal prosperity (no poverty or lacking basic needs). The Devil and his forces and his philosophies (the “world”) will be totally absent (no more ‘the devil made me do it’). And best of all, Jesus Himself will be physically present, and He will reign and not allow sin to manifest itself (He rules with a “rod of iron”). And this first phase of the future kingdom of God will last for 1,000 years.  

2. PHASE TWO – THE ETERNAL KINGDOM.  Once the reign of King Jesus is completed, He will turn ruling authority over to the Father (1 Cor. 15:24) and the final resurrection and the final judgments take place. These events then prepare everyone for the final, forever phase of the kingdom.  It is this phase that is less known, but assures us that what we experience now in this world will not go on and on. 

Six Facts About the Eternal Phase of the Future Kingdom of God

The Apostle Paul’s statement is true that all our earthly knowledge and experiences do not make clear “all that God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9).  But there are some truths found in our Bibles that let us in on something of what it will be like in eternity.

1. OUR BODIES WILL BE CHANGED AND MADE MATURE.  Sickness, disease and many kinds of limitations are the common experience of people today.  These experiences are not at all what God originally designed when He created our physical bodies.  In eternity we will have bodies that have been changed.  The Apostle Paul reflects the desire of us all when he says in Romans 8:23,

     “And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.”

Our bodies will be made like the body that Jesus had at His resurrection.  He is called the “first fruits” which means that His body is the “proto type” of our bodies.  Looking at Luke 24, which recounts two resurrection appearances to the disciples, gives us some insights into what that body will be like.  Our bodies will be like His, mature and free from any deficiencies. There will be no physical illness, no mental or emotional retardation or deficiency.  This perfect body will live forever, never dying.

2. THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH WILL BE MADE NEW.  God created a beautiful, perfect, physical world for people to live in (Gen. 1, 2).  There was no sin, death, curse or imperfection of any kind until the Fall.  Revelation 21:1 declares that God is going to create a “new” heaven and a “new” earth.  This word emphasizes the fact that it is a “fresh” version of what was created before. The reason for the “new” heaven and earth is the same as the original one; that is, it is the dwelling place for people.  Eternity will apparently be spent on the new earth.  We are going back to paradise.  God’s original plan was absolutely excellent, and He is going to restore everything that was lost in the Fall.  Apparently the one thing about the new earth that John wants us to know is that “there is no longer any sea.”  What does that mean?  We are used to a world where 70% is covered by water.  Apparently, that is not what the original earth looked like.  We would understand that much of the present water is the result of God’s judgment with the flood of Noah’s day.  

3. OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WILL BE CHANGED.  We will experience a level of fellowship and relationship with the Lord God that we (even in our best moments) have never experienced.  It will be a full and uninhibited fellowship (note Rev. 22:4). Revelation 21:3 tells us that God is going to come down onto the earth and will “dwell among” His people.  While Adam and Eve were visited regularly in Eden, we will have a much richer and more permanent relationship than they had.  We possess the very righteousness of Christ (Adam did not) and this will enable us to enjoy a level of fellowship that neither we today or Adam in Eden ever experienced. There is no sin or guilt to get in the way of enjoying the Lord.

4. WE WILL HAVE PRODUCTIVE, MEANINGFUL LIVES.  We will be “serving” the Lord (Rev. 22:3) which tells us that the Lord will give us important and meaningful activities.  We spend much of our time involved in dealing with the consequences of sin (from weeding the garden to fixing machines, people or situations) and so it is hard to imagine what it is we could be doing.  Adam was given meaningful activity in tending the Garden and “ruling” over creation.  So while we cannot at this moment put together a “to do” list, we can be sure that whether it is worshipping, ruling, serving or learning, our lives will be full and satisfying.  

5. SOME REALITIES EXPERIENCED NOW ARE EXPERIENCED THEN.  Not everything will be strange and different.  There will be kings and nations in the eternal state (Rev. 21:24-26).  We will eat and drink (Rev. 22:1-2).  There will be a city there, the new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:10-27).  There will be a universe with sun, moon and stars to gaze at and investigate. (Note that Revelation does not say there is no sun, but rather that there is no “need” for the sun in the new Jerusalem).  Having a “fresh” earth means that there will be meadows and mountains, rivers and lakes, trees and flowers, making it much like what we can enjoy now. 

6. SOME REALITIES PRESENTLY EXPERIENCED WILL BE ABSENT.  Of great importance also is what will not be there (Rev. 21:4; 22:3).  There will no longer be pain, death, crying, sorrow and the curse.  It is nearly impossible for us to imagine what life will be like without these entities that we deal with daily.  No more fearing death.  No crying which comes from disappointment, failure, the ending of a relationship, the death of a friend, loneliness and a host of other negatives.  Life without these things will be amazing. We cannot really imagine what it will be like with these things gone.

“Thou will make known to me the path of life; in Thy presence is fulness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.”   Psalm 16:11

What the Lord has for us is not at all what we junior boys thought back in our class of junior

boys.  Even so, come Lord Jesus. We can face 2026 with  confidence when we remember what the

Lord has promised. Have a blessed   New Year.

 

AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME

What were the people in Judea and Galilee thinking about in the year or two before the birth of the Lord Jesus? Were they anticipating the Messiah’s coming? Did they speak regularly with one another about it? Had many of them lost hope that the prophesied One would show up? It is true that the doctrines of the Pharisees kept the messianic hope alive in Israel, but that seems to be more academic than personal. After all, it had been some 400 years since the Old Testament had been completed and for those 400 years there was no known word from God; no scripture written, no dreams and visions, and no angelic visions. The hope was there that the oppressive Roman rule would be removed when Messiah came, but that was a vague hope. Generally, the light of Messianic hope in Judea and Galilee did not seem to be burning brightly in those days right before the angel Gabriel made his visits to the old priest, Zacharias, and to the young virgin Mary.

However, Messiah was coming soon, and God was not one day late in His arrival. Years later, the Apostle Paul declared, “when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law” (Gal. 4:4). After all those years, He came. At just the right time, He came. The promises of God were fulfilled exactly as He said they would.

Were there people in Israel in those days who anticipated that the time had come for Messiah’s coming? Yes. Obviously, there was a group of family and friends that knew, as they were knowledgeable of angelic appearances to Mary and Joseph, and Zacharias and Elizabeth (Luke 1:65-66; 2:16-17). And because of certain supernatural events, others such as shepherds, wise men and others in the ruling class became aware that Israel’s Messiah/king had been born (Matt. 2:3).

 Aside from these, there were godly people who became aware that Messiah had come. Luke speaks of Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25-38). Simeon met Joseph, Mary and the newborn baby Jesus in the temple. Before God spoke to him personally, he was looking for Messiah’s coming.  He probably was aware of Daniel’s prophecy of the 70 weeks (Dan. 9:24-27) and could calculate that with the passing of over 400 years that Messiah’s coming had to be soon. And he likely was not alone in his understanding of Daniel 9. He might not have had the exact year figured out but he knew the coming had to be soon. Then, God the Spirit graciously revealed to him that the coming was indeed soon. In fact, Simeon was told that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. At that same moment in the temple, a prophetess by the name of Anna came and proclaimed, to believing people, that He had arrived. She too lived in anticipation of the coming of the Messiah into the world. After being informed of His arrival, she constantly informed believers of that fact.

    As the Christmas season is entered into, believers today face a similar question as did the people in first century Judea and Galilee. The celebration of His First Coming has always been a reminder that there is a Second Coming. Therefore, the question is when will the 2nd Coming of Messiah take place? Will it be coming soon? Or for many, when will Jesus return and take His bride, the Church, to heaven at the event called the Rapture. Is that momentous event soon?

    When will the Rapture and the 2nd Coming be arriving? Much time has gone by since God made His promises about Jesus’ return. This “delay” can dull believers into growing cynical or hopeless or forgetful. And those attitudes are very evident in the Church today. However, we can be absolutely sure that “just at the right time” God will send His Son back; first to fetch His bride, and second, to bring about the long-awaited restoration of all that was lost back in the Garden of Eden. 

We can look at our world today and see many, many things that point to an imminent coming of Jesus Christ. First and foremost, is the fact that national Israel now resides in the Land given to them by God in the Abrahamic Covenant. Israel’s physical return to the promised land was required for the events of the Tribulation period to take place. Israel is now there. Events can happen so quickly these days. The alignment of nations, the emergence of important people, and the spiritual dynamics in the world can rapidly change. The end times events detailed in the Scriptures can suddenly appear on the world stage. And the stage of end time events is set. There may be a need to rearrange some furniture on the stage before the curtain goes up, but essentially all is there. Believers are not mistaken if they are keeping one eye towards heaven during this Christmas season. How amazing it would be this Christmas if we would exchange our Christmas tree for the Tree of Life; baby Jesus for King Jesus; and Christmas presents for the presence of Christ.

      It is appropriate as we celebrate the First Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ that we look for His return and encourage others to do so. God who does not lie has declared that He will indeed return and establish His forever kingdom, and that will take place at just the right time. 

“Since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.”        Heb. 12:28

PROPHECIES THAT ARE PRECISE

One of the greatest proofs that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant and authoritative Word of God, is the detailed fulfillment of biblical prophecies. Bible prophecies are often given with many significant details. Recently, while teaching Old Testament history, a fresh reminder of this was found in Ezra 1:2 where King Cyrus of Persia issued a decree allowing the Jews to go back and rebuild the Jerusalem temple. Cyrus said that the Lord had appointed him to build the temple in Jerusalem. How did he know that? It is highly probable that Daniel (his trusted official) had shown him Isaiah’s prophecy which is found in Isaiah 44:28 and 45:1-13. That prophecy was given 250 years prior to the days of Cyrus. The prophecy stated:

“IT IS I WHO SAYS OF CYRUS, HE IS MY SHEPHERD! AND HE WILL PERFORM MY DESIRE…AND OF THE TEMPLE, YOUR FOUNDATION WILL BE LAID. THUS SAYS THE LORD TO CYRUS HIS ANOINTED WHOM I HAVE TAKEN BY THE RIGHT HAND, TO SUBDUE NATIONS BEFORE HIM…THE LORD, THE GOD OF ISRAEL, WHO CALLS YOU BY YOUR NAME FOR THE SAKE OF JACOB MY SERVANT, AND ISRAEL MY CHOSEN ONE, I HAVE ALSO CALLED YOU BY YOUR NAME; I HAVE GIVEN YOU A TITLE OF HONOR THOUGH YOU HAVE NOT KNOWN ME.”

It is beyond amazing that the name Cyrus is given twice along with what he will do at God’s direction. And this was declared 250 years before the decree of Ezra 1. Those who deny the possibility of predictive prophecy have a terrible time with such precise predictions. But the all-knowing God has no problem with giving such details.

In stark contrast to this precise prophecy are the prophecies of Nostradomus, a much-quoted 16th century French physician and supposed prophet. He wrote about one thousand prophecies but they are so vague that interpreters can make them mean most anything. Allegedly he predicted some major world events, but it is the interpreters who have taken his very unclear statements and applied them to everything from the rise of Adolph Hitler to the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11th. But his prophecies are so unclear that one might find in them next year’s Super Bowl champion or the future price of eggs.

It is only the Sovereign Lord God who is all powerful and all knowing, who can have predictions made and then can bring them to pass. The Bible is filled with such prophecies, and it is encouraging for believers to be reminded of these prophecies which foretell events related to Jesus Messiah’s two comings and many other end time events. Consider the details of the following prophecies.

• The Birthplace of Jesus Messiah.  In Micah 5:2, the exact geographic location of the birth of Jesus was given. One might expect that the Messiah would be born in Jerusalem where many kings were born. Instead, He would be born in a little, unspectacular place called Bethlehem Ephrathah. This Bethlehem was five miles south of Jerusalem and was distinguished from a town called Bethlehem in the Galilee region. And like Israel’s great king David, Messiah would be born in Bethlehem Ephrathah. What are the odds that Joseph and Mary from Nazareth in the north would venture south to this tiny village at just the right time on the calendar? This prophecy was written 750 years before the birth of Jesus.

• Messiah is Both God and Man.  Also in Micah 5:2, this One who will rule Israel would be both human and divine. His origin would be “from long ago, from the days of eternity.” These words together always speak of eternity past. So, the origin of the Messiah is not just Bethlehem, but He is from eternity past, which makes Him deity since only God is eternal (Ps. 90:2).  Isaiah 9:6-7 also teaches that the Messiah would be both human and divine. Isaiah 9:6 states that a male child will certainly be born, who will rule Israel. He is of the Davidic line and will fulfill the covenant God made with King David. This One is also said to be deity, as is seen in the titles given to Him. He is wonderful counselor, a name only used by Isaiah of the Lord God.  He is Mighty God, a term used in the next chapter (Isa. 10:21) for Jehovah. The term mighty God (el gibbor) is never used of man. (Note that the Jehovah’s Witnesses have no explanation for this name being assigned to the Child as well as to Jehovah). He is Eternal Father. Eternality is only true of God and not man. Furthermore, He will sit on the throne of David, thus fulfilling the Davidic covenant and His throne will be forever. The Rabbis have seen that the Messiah will evidence both deity and humanity but have mistakenly concluded that there are two messiahs, not just one.

• The Substitutionary Work of Jesus Messiah.  There is nothing quite like Isaiah’s prophecy of the substitutionary work of Messiah (the servant of the Lord). The details of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 are so clear that Jews today stay away from this passage because it obviously points to Jesus of Nazareth as being the Messiah. In a careful study of this passage, it becomes clear that the “servant of the Lord” is an individual and is not national Israel. Here are some of the details in these verses.

• There would be nothing unusual about Him; plain, ordinary, nothing special.

• He would be despised and rejected by His own countrymen.

• Israel would reject Him and not believe Him (looking at His 1st coming).

• He will be badly disfigured physically because of His sufferings.

• His sufferings will lead to His death.

• His sufferings will not be because of His own sins, but the sins of others.

• He would remain silent when accused, voluntarily subjecting Himself.

• His death would be substitutionary; spiritually healing others.

• At death, he would not be buried with criminals, but with a rich man.

• God planned it this way; His shed blood as the way to remove sin.

• Despite Him dying, His days will be extended, looking at His resurrection.

• He would be exalted after His sufferings.

• Many will be justified because of His substitutionary death.

The many clear details given in this scripture gives the impression that the writer was an eyewitness to the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus, yet Isaiah wrote these words some 700 years before those. 

• The Sufferings of Jesus Messiah.  Psalm 22 is perhaps the most famous of the messianic psalms. It was written by David, but the descriptions given of suffering do not fit David, but they do apply to Jesus. Here are some of those details.

• Jesus’ cry from the cross: “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

• He would be mocked and verbally abused by the evil men who surrounded Him and witnessed His sufferings.

• His hands and His feet would be pierced, looking at crucifixion.

• Many of His bones would be dislocated, which would have occurred when the cross was dropped violently into the ground.

• His body would suffer from dehydration causing thirst and other physical manifestations.

• He would be tormented with great cruelty.

• His clothing would be divided up by casting lots by those tormenting Him.

• After His sufferings and death, He would glorify God (implying resurrection).

• Jesus Messiah’s Entrance into Jerusalem.   Zechariah 9:9 is quoted by the gospel writers as they record Jesus’ “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem just days before His crucifixion. Unlike the usual displays by conquering kings, Israel’s king will come humbly on the foal of a donkey. At His first coming, Jesus officially presented Himself to Israel by fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. Israel’s leaders did understand what Jesus was claiming but rejected Him. It is worth observing that Zechariah 9:10 which speaks of His ruling the world at His 2nd coming is not mentioned.

• The Virgin Birth of Jesus Messiah.  When evil King Ahaz of Judah refused Isaiah’s offer for a sign which would assure him that the Davidic line would not be cut off (something he was worried about because of threats from other nations), Isaiah withdrew the offer. Instead, Isaiah addressed the house of David and gave it a sign. The supernatural sign would be that a virgin would conceive and bear a son. (It is hardly a sign that a girl would become pregnant!!!). This one, however, would become pregnant and yet she would still be a virgin. How can a virgin be pregnant and still be a virgin? She can’t. Only the supernatural working of the Creator God could perform such a thing. And, of course, that is what took place when Mary became pregnant apart from any human man being involved. This great supernatural sign was fulfilled exactly as Isaiah prophesied.

• Etc. Etc. Etc.  Dozens and dozens of other passages speak distinctly and forcibly about what is to come. Perhaps for another day and another article.

• WHAT LIES AHEAD.  We can be sure that biblical prophecies which have yet to be fulfilled will be just as exacting in their fulfillment. Just a few examples should encourage us and reinforce the certainty of what is to come.

• 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-17. The next event will be the Rapture of the Church. Believers will suddenly and supernaturally be “snatched” up to meet Jesus in the air (not on the earth). He will then take us to the “Father’s house”, where the marriage of the Lamb will take place. In heaven this fabulous marriage will be preceded by the church being rewarded.

• EZEKIEL 38 and 39. Six nations are identified as invading Israel to destroy and plunder God’s people after they have returned to the Land. God will intervene powerfully and eliminate this enemy which will cause Israel to begin their spiritual restoration back to the Lord their God (Ezek. 39:22).

• MATTHEW 23:39. A future generation of Israelites will finally place their faith in Jesus as Messiah (during the Tribulation). This is the one prerequisite for Jesus’ 2nd coming. The salvation of national Israel will take place.

• MATTHEW 25:31. When will Jesus reign? He answers this question by linking His rule to His 2nd coming. When He comes in all His glory accompanied by a group of mighty angels, then He will establish His throne. The sequence of events is clear. He returns and then He reigns. So His rule is yet to come and is not currently going on. We can be sure that just as the detailed biblical prophecies surrounding His 1st coming were exactly fulfilled, so will be the ones yet unfulfilled. There is much for us to look forward to.  Praise the Lord.

THE PROPHETS OF SEPTEMBER

Biblical prophecy is important for believers in their quest for holiness and it has been given to impact how we live today. It creates a two-world view by giving a focus on future events, which in turn enables a believer to prioritize this life in a godlier way. This is why prophetic matters are woven throughout the N.T. scriptures by Christ and the Apostles. Unfortunately, many people, and even pastors, in the church today wrongly see prophecy as obscure, divisive, and of a minor nature. To abandon Bible prophecy, however, is to get rid of a key ingredient for godly living.

THE PROPHETS OF SEPTEMBER.  One serious problem that the church has had to contend with has to do with those who make predictions, giving specific dates and times for the fulfillment of prophetic events. The past few months has seen an upswing in such predictions. The internet has been filled with those who have declared that the Rapture of the church would take place in September of 2025, specifically on the 23rd or 24th (which is the Jewish feast of Trumpets). There are those who claim that Jesus Himself appeared to them with information about this Rapture date. These went into some detail about their encounter with the Lord and were specific that the Rapture would take place this September. Their claims were clear. Others were not quite so bold, but their message was that the Rapture would take place in connection with this Jewish feast. Some hedged their bets by saying that we could not know the day or hour of prophetic events. But even with their disclaimers, it was obvious that they were in fact stating that the Rapture would take place in September of 2025. Some listening to their presentation came away circling those dates on their calendars. 

THE SERIOUSNESS OF MISREPRESENTING THE LORD GOD.  The Scriptures are sacred. They are “God-breathed”, without error and authoritative. One who handles God’s Word will face a stricter evaluation, according to James 3:1. And it is even more serious when a person claims that God specifically spoke to them and they are now speaking for God. But false claims and predictions put individuals in a dangerous position spiritually. Christians in America may take a casual, tolerant view of such false claims, but the Scriptures themselves are decidedly intolerant.

1. MOSES AND THE MATTER OF PROPHECY. The prophetic office started with Moses (Jer. 7:25) though God obviously spoke to others before Moses. And in his role as God’s first great prophet, Moses warned about those who would falsely claim to speak for God. To do so would bring about their death. 

“THE PROPHET WHO SHALL SPEAK A WORD PRESUMPTUOUSLY IN MY NAME WHICH I HAVE NOT COMMANDED HIM TO SPEAK…THAT PROPHET SHALL DIE.” (Deuteronomy 18:20)

 Capital punishment was the consequence for making these false claims and false prophecies. This reveals the seriousness of misrepresenting God. 

2. JEREMIAH AND THE FALSE PROPHETS OF HIS DAY. Jeremiah ministered at the time when God’s people were taken into Babylonian captivity because of their sins. Among other things, Jeremiah declared that Israel’s captivity would be long and painful. That message was not particularly popular with the man on the street. However, there were several men who had a nicer, man-pleasing message. They said that those Jews taken away into Babylonian captivity would come home in two years; and furthermore, all the Temple treasure taken by the Babylonians would be returned by them. These claimed that the Lord God had given them this message. A prophet by the name of Hananiah boldly declared: 

“THUS SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF ISRAEL, I HAVE BROKEN THE YOKE OF THE KING OF BABYLON. WITHIN TWO YEARS I AM GOING TO BRING BACK TO THIS PLACE ALL THE VESSELS OF THE LORD’S HOUSE…I AM ALSO GOING TO BRING BACK…ALL THE EXILES OF JUDAH WHO WENT TO BABYLON, DECLARES THE LORD. (Jer. 28:2-4).

What a wonderful message for the people who now had family in Babylonian captivity, and for the priests who had seen the Temple plundered. These sounded so good, but were lies. Jeremiah told Hananiah of his fate.

“LISTEN NOW, HANANIAH, THE LORD HAS NOT SENT YOU AND YOU HAVE MADE THE PEOPLE TRUST IN A LIE. THEREFORE, THUS SAYS THE LORD, BEHOLD I AM ABOUT TO REMOVE YOU FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH. THIS YEAR YOU ARE GOING TO DIE BECAUSE YOU HAVE COUNSELED REBELLION AGAINST THE LORD. SO HANANIAH THE PROPHET DIED IN THE SAME YEAR IN THE SEVENTH MONTH.” (Jer. 28:15-17)

Hananiah died two months after giving his false prophecy. Two other prophets were singled out for giving false prophecies of a quick restoration from captivity. God said that He would use Nebuchadnezzar to execute these false prophets.

“THUS SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF ISRAEL, CONCERNING AHAB…AND CONCERNING ZEDEKIAH…WHO ARE PROPHESYING TO YOU FALSELY IN MY NAME, ‘BEHOLD I WILL DELIVER THEM INTO THE HAND OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR KING OF BABYLON AND HE SHALL SLAY THEM…ROASTED IN THE FIRE.” (Jer. 29:21-22).

Another false prophet by the name of Shemaiah proclaimed lies in the name of the Lord. He too would experience God’s judgment (Jer. 29:29-32).

Earlier in his book, Jeremiah had given a revealing discussion about false prophets (Jer. 23:16-39). He observed that the source of their authority was their own dreams (23:16, 25, 28); that they claimed to speak for the Lord (23:32); that they tell people what they want to hear (23:17, 22); that their prophecies result in people being led away from the Lord (23:16, 32); that they themselves are deceived (23:26); that they are soft on sin (23:17, 22); that they are arrogant (23:32); and that they will face the judgment of God (23:20, 34). Later Ezekiel would add a point that must not be overlooked and that is the involvement of demonic beings in that which is false (Ezekiel 13:6, 7, 9, 16). The N.T. reminds believers that falsehoods are the “doctrines of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1). The points made by Jeremiah and Ezekiel are applicable to the church today.

3. FALSE CLAIMS AND TEACHINGS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. The Church does not have the authority of capital punishment, but the false representations of the Lord must be taken seriously. False teaching casts doubt on the Word of God. This was of great concern to the Apostles. They saw the compromising of God’s Word as Satan’s major strategy in resisting God’s work in the world. Much could be quoted at this point, but just one verse will have to do. Paul instructed Titus about elders.

“ …THAT HE MAY BE ABLE TO BOTH EXHORT IN SOUND DOCTRINE AND TO REFUTE THOSE WHO CONTRADICT. FOR THERE ARE MANY REBELLIOUS MEN, EMPTY TALKERS AND DECEIVERS…WHO MUST BE SILENCED BECAUSE THEY ARE UPSETTING WHOLE FAMILIES, TEACHING THEM THINGS THEY SHOULD NOT TEACH…REPROVE THEM SEVERELY…” 

Those who failed to turn away from their claims and teachings, and did not repent, were to face church discipline (1 Cor. 5; 2 Thes. 3; Matt. 18; Titus 3). And these “Prophets of September” need to repent and apologize to the church. If they do not, then any local church that they are part of should discipline them as spelled out in the N.T. scriptures. While a death sentence is not on the table, God has not changed His mind about those who falsely represent Him.

THE RESULTS OF THE FALSE CLAIMS AND FALSE PROPHECIES. Damage has been done by these “prophets of September.”  First, they have harmed believers. How many younger believers have been demoralized by Jesus not coming at this Feast of Trumpets? The faith of many immature believers has probably been shaken.  As Titus was told by Paul, these “upset whole families”. Ezekiel rebuked the false prophets of his day, saying “you disheartened the righteous with falsehood” (13:22). Second, these prophets of September have given more ammunition to those who diminish the value and purpose of biblical prophecy. As mentioned, there are many even in the church who see prophecy as meaningless and the domain of semi-crazy saints. However, biblical prophecy is very important as it helps us today in living a godly life. People do not have the authority to make specific time-related predictions. For example, how often can dates be given for the time of Rapture, and Jesus doesn’t come on those dates, without there being a deepening of cynicism and unbelief?

SOME SIGNIFICANT BIBLICAL PROPHETIC TRUTHS

Many wonderful prophetic truths give us comfort, perspective and hope as we live in this world which “lies in the power of the Evil One” (1 John 5:19)…such as:

1. THE RAPTURE. The “blessed hope” of believers is the coming of Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom, for His bride, the Church. The Rapture is a sign less, sudden and very supernatural event. We are given resurrection bodies at that moment. We meet Him in the air, and He takes us back to the Father’s house and it is there in heaven that the marriage of the Lamb takes place.

2. THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST. Immediately after the Rapture, the time for the evaluation and rewarding of church age saints takes place. Salvation is a completely free gift that God gives to those who place their trust in Jesus Christ, but the Judgment Seat is where the works of believers are examined, and rewards are given. These rewards will influence life in the future kingdom.

3.    THE FUTURE, FOREVER KINGDOM OF GOD. For the believer, our best days are ahead of us. We truly have an incredible forever to look forward to. God, who declared the original creation to be “very good”, is going to give His people an amazing new version of that. So, we live now with one eye towards heaven where our Savior is coming from. And we live well for Him on this earth.