On the negative side Satan will work overtime to see that purpose thwarted (II Tim. 3:1-5)
2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
- The love of many will grow cold (Mt. 24:12).
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. - There will be a great falling away (II Th. 2:3).
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first… - Many will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (I Tim. 4:1).
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines
of demons… - Many false christs or anointed ones will arise deceiving many (II Tim. 3:13; Mt. 24:24).
But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. II Timothy 3:13 - Deception will be prevalent (Mt. 24:24).
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. - Wickedness will come to full fruit (Rom. 1:18-32; Rev. 22:11).
“And when that time comes, all doing wrong will do it more and more; the vile will become more vile; good men will be
better; those who are holy will continue on in greater holiness” Revelation 22:11, Living Bible
If this is indeed the context of the church of the last days, it is essential that believers be able to discern the true from the
false. Believers must be equipped to tell the difference between true biblical ministries and false ministries. Equally, they
must be able to know the difference between sound doctrine and doctrines of devils.
II. What is a false ministry?
The word false literally means contrary to the truth or fact.
False: Contrary to the truth or fact; deceptive; counterfeit; artificial; not real or genuine.
The word counterfeit should help us to understand this concept. In most of the currencies of the world, countries have done
everything that they can to ensure against counterfeiting. There is a standard by which those currencies are judged based on
the criteria of the creators.
Everything is taken into account. In the making of money there is special paper, special ink, particular chemicals, special
combinations and gradations of the ink, unique serial numbers and proper signatures. In addition, most modern currencies
have markers hidden within them so that even with use of modern copying equipment they are very difficult to duplicate.
God has a prescription for ministry and teaching that meet His standard as the manufacturer. Often we can be fooled by
looking only on the surface. The false looks very much like the true. The difference often has to do with what is hidden on
the inside.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15
The Bible reveals that the last days will see some very positive things happening and at the same time some very
negative things happening.
A. On the positive side the Eternal Purpose of God will come to completion (Is. 60:1-5).
Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the
earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles
shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. 4 Lift up your eyes all around, and see: they all gather
together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be nursed at your side. 5 Then you shall
see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the
wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.
This means…
- The church will be glorious and victorious (Mt. 16:18; Eph 5:27; Is. 60:13).
…that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be
holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27 - There will be days of great harvest (Mt. 13:39; Rev. 14:14-16).
…the harvest is the end of the age… Matthew 13:39b
Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown,
and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the
cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” So He who
sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. Revelation 14:14-16 - There will be a great outpouring of the Spirit of God (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:17-18).
The prophecy of Joel was not fully fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. When you read the words carefully from Joel’s prophecy
you realize that the language of Joel puts the context of this prophecy in the end times just prior to the Second Coming of
Christ.
And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 30 And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of
smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, ad the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of
the LORD. 32 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. Joel 2:28-32a - The spirit and power of Elijah will be on the church bringing restoration to relationships (Mal. 4:5-6).
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn the
hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a
curse. - The gospel will be going forth into the entire world (Mt. 24:14).
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. - The kingdom of God will come to full fruit (Jam. 5:7-8; Rev. 22:11, LB).
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,
waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of
the Lord is at hand. James 5:7-8
