By Ken Blue
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:15-20
“Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before.” Matthew 24:23-25.
One of the many signs for Israel in the Tribulation is the rise of false prophets. Wicked men are not hesitate to capitalize on world conditions to espouse their false doctrines. They must be judged by a sound understanding of God’s word, and their “fruit.” These false teacher will point to signs and wonders to draw away followers. They will be so persuasive that that they would deceive the very elect remnant, if it were possible. Why will it be impossible for the elect to be deceived? The answer is, they know the prophetic Scriptures.
Two types of trees are used to illustrate the point. One is good fruit, (doctrine), and evil fruit, (false teaching.) We should note John 15, and Hebrews 6. “1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 15:1-8.
The evidence that one is a true follower of the Messiah, is their fruit, and their abiding. In this text, the two go together. The failure to produce good fruit, and the failure to abide, are sure signs that one is false in his profession.
[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The evidence that one is a true follower of the Messiah, is their fruit, and their abiding. In this text, the two go together. The failure to produce good fruit, and the failure to abide, are sure signs that one is false in his profession.[/perfectpullquote]
Hebrews six demonstrated the fate of those Jews who witness and experience Kingdom miracles and teaching and turn back to the apostate system. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” Hebrews 6:4-8.
Those in the Tribulation must be ever vigilant, and also demonstrating the fruits of righteousness if they are to enter the kingdom. Otherwise, their fate is to be burned. The following adds additional light on this subject. One can see that the context is about the end time and the Kingdom of Heaven. “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.. Matthew 13:30.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.