prophets Archives - Bible Authenticity

False Prophet Predicts His Death To Be At Age 120

December 25, 2024 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." href="https://biblepic.com/53/23332.jpg">

Jesus predicted that “many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Matthew 24:11 NIV. News headlines frequently highlight the accuracy of Jesus’ prediction. One recent example of a false prophet doing this was made publicly on December 23, 2024.

“I have made and entered [into a] covenant with God and on December 6, 2056, I’ll see you all later. I’m out of here, 120 years old,” televangelist Kennth Copeland claimed on December 23, 2024, predicting the date of his death. This false prophet, like all false prophets, contradicts the Bible with his predictions. read more

Do the Twelve Minor Prophets Support Trinity Doctrine?

March 6, 2020 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

It is often stated by those in authority in churches that God is a Trinity, and evidence of this is found throughout the entire Bible. There are twelve Bible books that aren’t used as much as other Bible books, called the Minor Prophets. Is the Trinity doctrine found in the Twelve Minor Prophets?

“The Father eternal, the Son eternal, the Holy Spirit eternal. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. And yet, there are not three Gods, but one God”—Athanasian Creed

The statement quoted above is said to be the primary belief of most Christian groups. If this is true, then we should find some evidence of it throughout the Bible.

The 12 relatively short Bible Books called “the minor prophets”, from Hosea to Malachi, make many references to Almighty God “Yahweh”, but no references to Jesus Christ by name, and some references to God’s spirit, or the holy Spirit. Do the twelve Minor Prophets support the Trinity doctrine?

Hosea 8:5-6 – “I reject this calf . . . you worship . . . was created by your own hands. It is not God” (NLT). While the verse doesn’t directly mention the Christian Trinity, of course, because it wasn’t even “created” until the 4th and 5th centuries CE, it warns against any form of worship that isn’t directed solely to Yahweh, thus highlighting the folly and divine anger provoked by worshipping created things over the Creator. Trinitarian worship is like calf worship”Jesus said . . . ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP YAHWEH YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY’ (Matthew 4:10 LSB margin). “The true worshippers will worship the Father” (John 4:24), and “pray” to “our Father” (Matthew 6:9). In contrast, Trinitarians mostly worship, and pray to, Jesus in actual practice. There are pictures of Jesus all over the place, similar to calf worshippers with their visible idol. In contrast, “no one has ever seen God” (1 John 4:12 NIV), “no one has seen the Father” (John 6:46 NIV), because he’s “invisible” (1 Timothy 1:17 NIV), so no picture can be made of him. The Trinity doctrine miserably fails the scriptural “test” (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1).

Hosea 10:12; 11:1 – “It is time to seek Yahweh . . . When Israel was a youth I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My Son” (LSB). Trinitarianism claims ‘the Son is Yahweh God’. But, what do the scriptures say? Hosea 11:1 is quoted in Matthew and applied to Jesus being called out of Egypt: “So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was night, and departed for Egypt. And he remained there until the death of Herod, in order that what had been spoken by Yahweh through the prophet would be fulfilled, saying ‘OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON'” (Matthew 2:15 LSB margin). Thus, the scriptures plainly indicate that Jesus is Yahweh’s Son, which means Jesus can’t be Yahweh. Without the Son being Yahweh God, the Trinity doctrine collapses.

Hosea 11:9 – “I am God and not a man” (NIV). Trinitarianism claims that Jesus was a “God-man, fully man and fully God”. However, the scriptures contradict Trinitarian concepts. How can we be absolutely sure that God cannot be a man? Jesus said: “God is a spirit” (John 4:23 GWT). In contrast, on earth, prior to his death, Jesus was “fully human in every way” (Hebrews 2:17 NIV). He was “put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18 LSB).

Hosea 12:5 “Even Yahweh, the God of hosts, Yahweh is His name of =&0=&This verse and the following commentary highlight the uniqueness and importance of Yahweh and his name (reputation).
=&1=&This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and supreme authority of God over all heavenly armies and earthly powers. The term “LORD” is the English representation of the Hebrew name Yahweh, which signifies God’s eternal and self-existent nature. “God of Hosts” (Hebrew: “Yahweh Sabaoth”) is a title that underscores God’s command over the angelic armies, reflecting His omnipotence and ability to execute His will throughout creation. This title is frequently used in the Old Testament, especially in prophetic literature, to remind Israel of God’s power and His ability to protect and deliver His people. It also serves as a warning to those who oppose Him, as seen in passages like Isaiah 1:24 and Jeremiah 11:20. =&2=&This phrase highlights the fame and reputation of God’s name, which is revered and respected throughout the earth. The repetition of “LORD” (Yahweh) emphasizes the importance of His covenant name, which was revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14-15 as “I AM WHO I AM.” This name signifies God’s unchanging nature and His faithfulness to His promises. The concept of God’s name being renowned is echoed in passages like Psalm 8:1 and Malachi 1:11, where His glory and majesty are recognized by all nations. In the New Testament, the name of Jesus is also exalted, as seen in Philippians 2:9-11, where every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This connection underscores the continuity of God’s revelation and the fulfillment of His promises through Christ.” (Bible Hub Study Bible).
While Yahweh God the Father operates through his Son, Jesus Christ, only “Yahweh” is referred to as “the God of hosts”. “Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11). Trinitarians gloss right over the latter part of the phrase. Yahweh reigns supreme over all, including Jesus.

Joel 2:27,28 – “Thus you will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Yahweh your God, and there is no other . . . And it will be afterwards That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind” (LSB). These scriptures show that ‘Yahweh is God and no other’, that is, he is incomparable, unique. The holy Spirit, which is also featured in this prophecy is obviously not Yahweh God, as Trinitarianism claims. In fact, the wording is contrary to the Trinitarian idea that the holy Spirit is a person. Even more so, when this scripture is quoted by the apostle Peter on the day the holy Spirit is poured out, notice the wording: “This is what was spoken through through the prophet Joel: ‘It will come to pass in the last days,’ God says, ‘that I will pour out a portion of my spirit upon all flesh'” (Acts 2:16,17 NAB). Yahweh speaks, and refers to the holy Spirit as being “my spirit”, which provides very strong evidence that the holy Spirit is not a person. Even more so, the language, “a portion of my spirit” gives additional evidence the holy Spirit cannot be a person, because a portion of a person cannot be ‘poured out.’ ‘Pouring out a portion of’ a person’ doesn’t make good sense. Understanding that the holy Spirit is God’s “power” (Luke 1:17; Acts 1:8), and not a person, does make sense. Without the holy Spirit being a person, the doctrine of the Trinity falls apart.

Amos 4:13; 5:16,18, 27 – “Yahweh God of hosts is His name” (LSB). “Yahweh, God of hosts, the Lord”, ” . . . the day of Yahweh . . . the day of Yahweh”. Yahweh, whose name is the God of hosts” (LSB). Most translations substitute the generic “the LORD” for the Hebrew “YHWH” in the ancient manuscripts, and even admit it in their prefaces. “Yahweh appears in the OT over 6,800 . . . The translation Yahweh is substantiated by scholarly reconstructions” (LSB preface). The generic “the LORD” is preferred by Trinitarians because it hides the fact that “God” is uniquely “Yahweh” the “Father” (Malachi 2:10,12 LSB; NASB). However, the Bible emphasizes the importance of his “name” “Yahweh” (Isaiah 52:5-6 LSB).

Amos 8:11 – “‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares Lord Yahweh, ‘When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of Yahweh'” (LSB). “The title ‘Lord GOD’ underscores the authority and sovereignty of God, reminding the audience of His ultimate control over history and events” (Bible Hub Study Bible). “The Lord God” is identified in the scriptures as “the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8; 4:8). Therefore, “Yahweh” is “the Lord God”, “the Almighty”. There is only one “Almighty”, “Yahweh”. He is not “the Lamb” Jesus Christ” (Revelation 21:22). Jesus indicated that he is not Yahweh (Matthew 22:41-46). “Yahweh” “God” is identified as the “Father” (Malachi 2:10,12 LSB; NASB). In contrast with the scriptures, Trinitarianism claims, “the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Spirit Almighty” (Athanasian Creed). Thus, in Trinityland churches, there is an extreme spiritual famine for hearing Biblical truth about Yahweh. “Yahweh declares, ‘ . . . My name is continually blasphemed all day long” (Isaiah 52:5 LSB), by the generic substitution of “the LORD” for Yahweh in their Bibles, and being called a Trinity.

Obadiah 21 – “And the saviors will ascend Mount Zion To judge the mountain of Esau, And the kingdom will belong to Yahweh” (LSB). Trinitarians sometimes claim that Jesus being called “Savior” means that he’s God. It is true that both Christ and Yahweh God the Father share the title of “savior”. But Trinitarians overlook the fact that some humans are also “saviors” in the Bible. This verse is one of several in the Bible that proves the Trinitarian claim false. “This phrase refers to the leaders or saviors who will rise to bring about God’s justice and restoration . . . The ascent of deliverers to Zion signifies a divine appointment and empowerment to execute God’s will. This imagery connects to the idea of God’s chosen people being restored and elevated to a place of prominence and authority” (Bible Hub Study Bible). While God’s holy people, the Christian “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16 NIV) will be elevated to “prominence and authority”, as “saviors”, they are obviously not God. Just as human “saviors” aren’t God, neither is the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Almighty God. Shared titles do not equate to the same “being”.

Jonah 1:9 – “Jonah . . . said to them, ‘I am a Hebrew, and I fear Yahweh, the God of heaven, who made the sea and dry land” (LSB). God’s prophet Jonah thus identifies “Yahweh” as being “Yahweh GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO . . . created all things” (Revelation 4:8,11 LSB).

Jonah 1:17 – “Yahweh appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights” (LSB). Jesus used this historical account of Jonah to picture his upcoming death. “Just as JOANH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40 LSB). “They will kill him, and He will be raised on the third day” (Matthew 17:23 LSB). This debunks the Trinity dogma, because “Christ died” and “was dead” (1 Corinthians 15:3; Revelation 1:18), whereas “Yahweh . . . God . . . never dies” (Habakkuk 1:12 NJB). Therefore, Jesus cannot be God.

Nahum 1:2,7,9 read more

False Prophets and Prophecies – How to Identify Them

February 22, 2017 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

False Doctrines — “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ” (1 John 4:1) Biblical ‘testing’ will help us to identify false prophets and prophecies.

The Bible tells us to discern the origin of prophecies. “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 NIV). According to the scriptures, we should ‘test all prophets and prophecies.’ The Bible gives us all the information we need to identify false prophets and prophecies.

Real prophecy strengthens the church. “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.” (1 Corinthians 14:1-4 NLT). Genuine prophesy strengthens the entire church, but false prophets and prophecies do not.

Let the others evaluate what is said to access whether it is indeed a word from God. “Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said.” (1 Corinthians 14:29 NLT) Listening what others, especially mature Christians, think can be beneficial.

Don’t be easily excited or alarmed by purported prophecy. “Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.” (2 Thessalonians 2:2)

Test prophecies against Bible teachings. “Do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.” (1 John 4:1-3)

Gauge the character of “prophets.” “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” (Matthew 7:15-20 NLT)

Christian discipleship is not confirmed by prophecy. “On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.'” (Matthew 7:22-23) Rather, Christian discipleship is confirmed by obedience. “Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” (Matthew 7:21b)

Reject those who say the day of the Lord has already begun. “Let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2) “And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.” (Matthew 24:6) “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming . . . ‘The end is near.’ Do not follow them” (Luke 21:8 NIV).

Remember Jesus’ warnings of deceit and false prophecy. “Jesus told them, ‘Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many.'” (Matthew 24:4,5 NLT) “And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.” (Mt 24:11) “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time. ‘So if someone tells you, ‘Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,’ don’t bother to go and look. Or, ‘Look, he is hiding here,’ don’t believe it!” (Mt 24:23-26)

Any prophet whose prediction fails must be branded as false, even if he claims to speak for God. “But any prophet who falsely claims to speak in my name or who speaks in the name of another god must die. But you may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the Lord?’ If the prophet speaks in the Lord’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared.” (Deuteronomy 18:20-22) The mere claim is false if it goes unfulfilled. Check any prophecy against the Bible. “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” (1 John 4:1) God never contradicts Himself. “Suppose there are prophets among you or those who dream dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles, and the predicted signs or miracles occur. If they then say, ‘Come, let us worship other gods’—gods you have not known before—do not listen to them. The Lord your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul. Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him. The false prophets or visionaries who try to lead you astray must be put to death, for they encourage rebellion against the Lord your God, who redeemed you from slavery and brought you out of the land of Egypt. Since they try to lead you astray from the way the Lord your God commanded you to live, you must put them to death. In this way you will purge the evil from among you. Suppose someone secretly entices you—even your brother, your son or daughter, your beloved wife, or your closest friend—and says, ‘Let us go worship other gods’—gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known. They might suggest that you worship the gods of peoples who live nearby or who come from the ends of the earth. But do not give in or listen. Have no pity, and do not spare or protect them. You must put them to death! Strike the first blow yourself, and then all the people must join in. Stone the guilty ones to death because they have tried to draw you away from the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 13:1-10) False prophets discovered among the God’s people of the Old Covenant were to be executed. Under the New Covenant, Christians are to reject false prophets and their prophecies. “Watch out that you are not deceived, for many will come in my name, claiming . . . ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them'” (Luke 21:8 NIV).

False prophets will try to hide who they really are. They disclaim the responsibility for the accuracy that goes with the office. “On that day people will be ashamed to claim the prophetic gift. No one will pretend to be a prophet by wearing prophet’s clothes. He will say, ‘I’m no prophet; I’m a farmer. I began working for a farmer as a boy.’ And if someone asks, ‘Then what about those wounds on your chest?’ he will say, ‘I was wounded at my friends’ house!'” (Zechariah 13:4-6)

God’s holy Spirit could never be the source of error. “The Helper, the Holy Spirit which the Father will send in my place, will teach you everything and remind you of everything that I have taught you” (John 14:26 AAT). “I write you these things about those who would deceive you. As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false, just as it taught you, remain in him” (1 John 2:26,27 NAB).

False prophets invent their own prophesies from their own imaginations. “Then this message came to me from the Lord: ‘Son of man, prophesy against the false prophets of Israel who are inventing their own prophecies. Say to them, ‘Listen to the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: What sorrow awaits the false prophets who are following their own imaginations and have seen nothing at all!'” (Ezekiel 13:1-3 NLT) “Now, son of man, speak out against the women who prophesy from their own imaginations.” (Ezekiel 13:17 NLT) False prophets utter false prophecies!

The Bible predicts that there will be false prophets and what will happen to them. “But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.” (2 Peter 2:1) In fact, it speaks of “many false prophets.” (1 John 4:1)

False prophets are like straw, but God’s word is like grain. God’s word is like a hammer that pulverizes rock. (Jeremiah 23:25-32) False prophets and their prophecies are worthless. The Bible helps to identify and expose false prophets and their prophecies.

Bible Authenticity

Is the Bible reliable?

Browsed by
Tag: prophets