That They Should Believe A Lie!

All scripture is taken from the ASV unless otherwise noted.

It is with the utmost respect to the great host of people in the world, that believe Biblical miracles are given today, that I share this article. I do have a sense of Christian consideration for those among us that claim to harbor some, or all of the supernatural gifts that we can read of in the word of God. However, I must be blunt and upfront. I remain very skeptical of such assertions for a number of reasons.

Joseph Smith, as most people know, claimed divine spiritual contact with God, Jesus and angels in dreams or visions. He claimed to have conversed with all of them. In fact, he claimed to be a most important, “prophet,” of God. In short, Smith claimed he was told by God, that there were no religions on earth that were true to His word. Smith said that he was told by God to plant a new church that would have the earmarks, and also the blessings of God.

Anyone familiar with the word of God, the Bible, should know this to be a false claim. Keep in mind that in Smith’s particular era, visions and the like were due in part to a great religious revivalism that was under way across the nation. Not to mention, the practices of what would be considered, “sleight of hand magic,” such as glass looking, rod divining, card reading, etc, etc.

And so, what does the Bible say? “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed,” Galatians 1:13. It is indeed ironic that the Mormons claim that their book of Mormon is, “another gospel,” of Jesus Christ. A most glaring inconsistancy with the Bible. One should be able to see through this facade and steer clear. Herein lies the problem. People are easily led because they do not possess Biblical knowledge!

Joseph Smith was not the first to employ such means to deceive good people, and it is a sure bet that he will not be the last. The Bible is not quiet relating to this subject. There were false prophets spoken of in the Old Testament, as well as in the New Testament. These false prophets in most cases were named as being such, and it is not unlikely that in most cases, these imposter’s were dealt with swiftly. Deuteronomy 18:20, backs up this statement.

Yes, in the Bible we read of the prophets of God. However, if one is to actually delve into the subject and study the motives behind God’s employment of prophets, we find a commonality. First and foremost, was God’s desire for His creation to know Him, to hear and to heed Him. And this of course was for mans own good. However, we now can know Him, hear and believe Him through the word (Bible) that He has given us, once and for all time, “Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints,” Jude 1:3.

There is a consideration that we must here deal with. There were many false prophets all claiming to have a direct line to God. In order for God’s people, the Israelites, to know if one was speaking for God, He made the answer plain and clear. It is found once again in Deuteronomy, chapter 18, verse 21. We read: “And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

I will presume to say, that this process still stands to this very day. But I will go further and say that all folks that claim to speak for God independently of the Word that He has given to each and everyone of us, unfortunately is a false prophet. Some find this a harsh condemnation. I aver that when the apostle that Jesus loved, John, died, from that time until now, we have not had one proven prophet come from God.

The Bible tells me that all of the supernatural gifts that were bestowed by God, would soon come to an end. “Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known,” 1 Corinthians 13:8-12. What is this thing called, Perfect?

The Bible most always speaks of Gods words, and will, as being, “Perfect.” Most notably, in the Old Testament. Passages such as, 2 Samuel 22:31, 1Kings 8:61; 20:3, and many others. Naturally, we have to assume that the, “Perfect,” in 1Corinthians, as being the will, or, “word,” of God as well.

It would stand to reason that once mankind had received the word, the New Testament, in it’s entirety, as God would have it, there would be no more need for these gifts that we are told were temporal. They were temporal, however, they were necessary in the beginning, in order for the establishment of Christ’s church.

What do the prophets say about the Bible, the word of God? Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” That’s a mighty powerful statement about this book that we call the Bible.

Finally, we must beg the question, why would God need prophets now at this point in time if the Bible is all sufficient, and final, and the church is fully established? The Word of God is what saves. The hearing of the Word is what troubles a person’s soul to the point of needing to obey Jesus’ gospel to be saved. Also, how is one to prove that they have the gift of miracles? We are told to, “prove the spirits, whether they be from God.” ” Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world,” 1 John 4:1.

I hear of the, “tongue speakers,” today and I am truly alarmed. What would be the purpose for speaking in tongues? These folks do not even follow Paul’s advice to make sure an interpreter is present during these supposed inspired public events. I have heard people comment that attended one of these so called worship services, that they thought the people were indeed mad! Lo and behold. This is the very thing Paul says about this practice in 1Corinthians 14:23, “If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?”

During the days of the apostles, many wonderful signs were given from God. People would behold these magnificent signs, and thousands were led to believe in Christ. However, the church has been firmly established, and there will be no more signs from God. People have the Word now, and all have the same opportunity to respond to the Holy Bible’s invitation that God has given. He is not a respecter of persons. He will not give one person a sign, and not another. This would be a contradiction on Gods part, and we know this is an impossibility.

In conclusion, I know that there are many fine folks in the world today that just have to have miracles of some sort in order to believe. I’m sorely afraid that the miracle that is searched for is right before us all. It is the Bible Itself!

Study for yourself about how the Bible has come down to us. That my friends, is a miracle of miracles in and of itself. And then, add to that the miracles recorded within its pages. If that is not enough miracles for anyone, I just don’t know what is.

True, “bend the laws of nature,” miracles do not exist today, except on a providential scale (through prayer). If people would truly study the Word of God, they would understand this fact.

“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe4100 a lie,” 2 Thessalonians 2:10,11.(KJV)

For more information concerning Biblical miracles and such, click here