False Prophets by James Stalker

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Mar 1, 1910

False Prophets

By James Stalker

SOME have doubted whether there were false prophets in the time of Jesus, or whether they belonged to a subsequent age. But there were multitudes of them long before the time of Christ, as we learn from the Old Testament; and they have never failed in any generation.

The badge of all the tribe has always been to make things easier in religion than God makes them, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace. The sheep’s clothing in which they appear may be a cultivated delivery or a polished style or an amiable disposition; and many references to them made in Scripture prove that for a time they may enjoy great popularity and exert vast influence.

Does this mean their conduct, or the moral results produced by their teaching among their disciples?—Perhaps both. At all events, time is the test. As a tree that is evil, if time be allowed, will show by its fruit what it is, and a good tree will do the same, so a good heart only requires time to exert a wholesome influence, and a character evil at the root always in the long run betrays itself. No doubt there is much seeming goodness in the world that is evil, as well as not a little seeming evil that is good; but all things are pressing forward toward revelation, and none can hide the truth except for a moment.— Prof. James Stalker, D.D.