There is something ugly about the prophesies of the cults. I don’t mean the fact that they raise people’s hopes only to dash them. We have seen this all too often. I mean the way these prophesies detract people from what really matters, so what really matters catches us napping.
We have all seen the lists of failed and altered Watchtower prophesies. The Mormon Church has its own problems in the failed and altered prophesies of Joseph Smith. It is an ugly business.
The Christian Church has form when it comes to false prophecy, from the Montanists, through the Anabaptists, to some of today’s Charismatic/Restorationist leaders. Charismatic Christians have recently had to deal with an abundance of false prophesies, with some self-styled prophets issuing apologies and taking flak for doing it.
A whole industry has grown around the apocalyptic, From Hal Lindsey’s much revised The Late Great Planet Earth, to the Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins’ Left Behind books. It is miraculous that these seem still to be able to keep people on the edge of their seats with anticipation. We are not short of prophets warning us about the end. It is notable, however, that false prophets never warn us about false prophets.
In Matthew 24, a favourite text when it comes to the prophetic, we are warned specifically about false prophets. Jesus himself warns:
‘See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ, and they will lead you astray...and many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.’ (Mt.24:4-10)
Perhaps those preoccupied with the prophetic should not say, ‘Any day now, for a prophet has spoken,’ but, ‘Any day now, false prophets abound.’
Jesus goes on to warn, ‘For false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. ‘If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.’ (vv 223-25)
‘See, I have told you beforehand.’ Is anyone paying attention to what Jesus has told us beforehand? To those who are still enticed by remote deserts, inner chambers, secret knowledge, temples, esoteric rituals, unapologetic prophets, Jesus has this to say: ‘For as the lightening comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.’ (v27)
Well, that seems clear enough. So, how are we to prepare for the unpredictable yet inevitable? Jesus doesn’t leave us guessing but, in the very next chapter, he gives us our preparation orders.
Here Jesus talks about five wise virgins prepared for the bridegroom day and night, their lamps filled with oil, their wicks trimmed, their vigil faithful. There are, of course, five foolish virgins, lamps empty. Perhaps they were busy reading a book about prophesies.
Jesus also tells of the man who, going on a journey, entrusts his business affairs to three servants according to their abilities. The message is clear, he is coming, meanwhile we are entrusted with his business. Are we ready for whenever he comes, and what are we doing with the talents he has entrusted to us while we wait?
I suspect that if we paid greater attention to these things we would suffer less disappointment and confusion and be ready for that great day, even as others have rushed out to buy oil.
Hamlet said:
‘There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ’tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come – the readiness is all.’
Are we standing ready wherever God has put us? The readiness is all.
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