Any good vehicle driver who wants to arrive at his or her destination safely must pay careful attention to traffic signs on the highways - especially the “caution” signs which show there is possible danger ahead. Many lives have been lost by ignoring such signs, while many lives have been spared by observing them.

The pen of Inspiration explains Christ’s warning:

“The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures.”2

Everyone living in this world will see clearly what Christ was speaking about. In the history of the earth there has never been a time when churches, ministries, prayer groups, Bible teachers and prophets have been as widespread as they are today. This is indeed the end of time. Antichrists, false pastors, false teachers, and false prophets are everywhere. Scripture alone shows how they can be identified.

Christ said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:16-23).

Verse 21 reveals that the necessary fruit is doing “the WILL of my Father which is in heaven.”

What is the WILL of God? It is obedience to His Ten Commandments.

Men and women can take any name upon themselves. They can say or write anything they like, but if they violate any of God’s commandments and teach men so, they are false prophets.

“This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3).

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).

“Christ’s sermon up on the mount was designed to enter into our everyday life. The commandments are so broad that they take hold of even our thoughts. But how few take heed to the words of our Saviour! Consequently we shall have objections to meet. Some will claim that they are wholly led by the Spirit, and consequently they have not much use for the law of God or any portion of God’s Word. Those who claim great light and are not sanctified through the truth are dangerous people, but they can be easily tested. ‘To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them’ (Isaiah 8:20).”3

“Are those who so boldly claim to be sanctified doing the works of Christ? Are they holding up before the people the law of God given on Mount Sinai? They declare that they have with them the power of God, but the Scriptures declare: ‘To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them’ (Isaiah 8:20).”4

“Our only safety is in preserving the ancient landmarks. [Isaiah 8:20 quoted.]”5

“The Spirit was not given - nor can it ever be bestowed - to supersede the Bible; for the Scriptures explicitly state that the word of God is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. Says the apostle John, ‘Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world’ (1 John 4:1). And Isaiah declares, ‘To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them’ (Isaiah 8:20).”6

“You will meet, as I have, with people who profess to be sanctified, holy. Now, there is a bewitching influence carried with this doctrine. They will state to you wonderful exercises of mind to show you that the Lord is leading them and teaching them. Then how can you tell but that the Lord is leading them? Well, there is a test: [Isaiah 8:20 quoted.]”7

By the help of the Holy Scriptures false prophets can be indentified. None need to be confused.

Jesus says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).

“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments” (1 John 5:2).

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3).

Many who now claim that Christ nailed the law to the cross shall be bitterly disappointed.

Christ said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-19).

A few months ago, I was showing a brother a very big church building which had recently been constructed close to my home. The congregation never engaged in any evangelistic campaign, but people are crowding there in such a way that there is no more room to receive them. What are these people looking for?

Inspiration has the answer:

“The desire for an easy religion that requires no striving, no self-denial, no divorce from the follies of the world, has made the doctrine of faith, and faith only, a popular doctrine; but what saith the word of God? Says the apostle James: ‘What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? . . . Wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?’ (2:14, 20).”8

Yes, people these days are looking for places where their sins will not be mentioned. They want pastors who will comfort them, who will tell them that all is well no matter what they do, no matter how they dress, no matter what they eat, no matter what they drink, no matter how they make their money. A smooth assurance is given that they will be in heaven with Jesus Christ.

“For the time will come when [the people] will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3, 4).

“The testimony of the word of God is against this ensnaring doctrine of faith without works. It is not faith that claims the favor of Heaven without complying with the conditions upon which mercy is to be granted, it is presumption; for genuine faith has its foundation in the promises and provisions of the Scriptures.

“Let none deceive themselves with the belief that they can become holy while willfully violating one of God’s requirements. The commission of a known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit and separates the soul from God. . . . ‘He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected’ (1 John 2:4, 5).”9

“The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail” (Luke 16:16, 17).

“The truth and the glory of God are inseparable; it is impossible for us, with the Bible within our reach, to honor God by erroneous opinions. Many claim that it matters not what one believes, if his life is only right. But the life is molded by the faith. If light and truth are within our reach, and we neglect to improve the privilege of hearing and seeing it, we virtually reject it; we are choosing darkness rather than light.

“ ‘There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 16:25). Ignorance is no excuse for error or sin, when there is every opportunity to know the will of God. . . .

“God has given us His word that we may become acquainted with its teachings and know for ourselves what He requires of us. When the lawyer came to Jesus with the inquiry, ‘What shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ the Saviour referred him to the Scriptures, saying, ‘What is written in the law? how readest thou?’ (Luke 10:25, 26). Ignorance will not excuse young or old, nor release them from the punishment due for the transgression of God’s law; because there is in their hands a faithful presentation of that law and of its principles and claims. It is not enough to have good intentions; it is not enough to do what a man thinks is right or what the minister tells him is right. His soul’s salvation is at stake, and he should search the Scriptures for himself. However strong may be his convictions, however confident he may be that the minister knows what is truth, this is not his foundation. He has a chart pointing out every waymark on the heavenward journey, and he ought not to guess at anything.”10