Matthew 24:24
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
The false prophets of the Old Testament serve as a shadow of the false prophets who would arise in the New Testament era. Many of the tactics they used then are still visible today.
False prophets could mislead new believers and, at times, even unsettle mature believers. An example is Hananiah during the time of King Zedekiah. When God declared that Jerusalem would be destroyed and the people exiled to Babylon, Hananiah boldly told the king, the priests, and the people that God had promised all the confiscated items would be returned in two years. Yet Scripture makes clear that God had not sent him. Humanity often favors messages that sound good, even if they are false.
Similarly, Jeremiah experienced opposition when he proclaimed Jerusalem’s impending destruction. The king and people, not wanting to hear a message they deemed unpleasant, ordered him bound. (Jeremiah 28)
During King Ahab’s reign, there were 400 prophets who always gave favorable prophecies. But when God’s judgment was to fall upon Ahab, a prophet named Micaiah stood faithfully and spoke truth before God. God revealed, “Ahab will die in battle,” yet Ahab chose to listen to the false prophets promising him success—and, as foretold, he perished. (2 Chronicles 18:1–34)
These examples reflect the reality that even today, there are true prophets chosen by God. Likewise, the Old Testament also records groups of false prophets whose primary role was to mislead believers. (1 Kings 13)
1 Kings 13:1–32 (Summary)A man of God was sent from Judah to Bethel. He condemned the altar and proclaimed God’s word: “A descendant of David will be born, and the priests at the altar will be burned.” A miraculous sign accompanied his prophecy—the altar split and ashes scattered.
King Jeroboam invited him to eat, but God had commanded that he neither eat nor drink there and should return by a different route.
An older prophet persuaded him to disobey God’s command, leading him to eat and drink. On the way home, he was killed by a lion.
This account illustrates that even a faithful servant of God, standing firmly in faith, can be misled by false prophets who only speak words that please the listeners.
Jeremiah 14:14
“Then the Lord said to me, ‘The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them or command them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, and deceitful things from their own hearts.’”
We see clearly that we should not believe every voice promising only success and blessings. False prophets often conceal God’s call for justice, repentance, and warning. The pleasures of the world may seem attractive, but God’s truth is immutable. (Matthew 24:24; Hebrews 12:14)
If we hear prophecies promising only temporary happiness or success, we must exercise discernment. God’s Word is unchanging, no matter how appealing worldly promises may appear. We must remain steadfast in our calling and election rather than being swayed by deceptive voices.
May God bless you and grant you wisdom to stand firm in these last days.
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Marriage, according to the Bible, is a sacred and lifelong covenant established by God. The Bible provides clear guidelines on the purpose of marriage, as well as the conditions under which divorce is permitted. Below is a clear and organized explanation of what the Bible says about marriage and divorce.
In Matthew 19:3-8, Jesus gives the foundational view of marriage:
God designed marriage to be a union between one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4-5).
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh” (Matthew 19:5).
God intended marriage to be a lifelong bond: “What God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:6).
Marriage was created by God to be a union of love, companionship, and faithfulness. It is meant to be an unbreakable bond that reflects God’s love for His people.
While marriage is intended to be lifelong, the Bible acknowledges that divorce may be necessary under certain circumstances. The primary reasons for divorce outlined in the Bible are:
A) Adultery (Sexual Immorality)
In Matthew 19:9, Jesus allows divorce in the case of adultery:
“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
Adultery is a form of betrayal that breaks the covenant of marriage, and the innocent spouse is permitted to divorce and remarry.
However, forgiveness is encouraged. Just as Christ forgives us for spiritual unfaithfulness, we are encouraged to forgive our spouses and seek reconciliation if possible. Regarding forgiveness, Jesus tells us to forgive “seven times seventy” (Matthew 18:22), which emphasizes that there is no room for divorce unless absolutely necessary. It is far, far, far from God’s ideal, and divorce should be the last option after every effort of reconciliation has been exhausted.
B) Abandonment by an Unbelieving Spouse
In cases where one spouse is a believer and the other is not, the Bible allows for divorce if the unbelieving spouse chooses to leave. This situation is explained in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16:
If a believing spouse is married to an unbeliever who is willing to live with them, they should stay together.
If the unbelieving spouse chooses to leave, the believer is no longer bound in the marriage, and they are free to remarry.
However, if the unbelieving spouse is willing to stay, the believing spouse is expected to remain faithful.
Remarriage after Divorce: If divorce occurs due to sexual immorality, the innocent spouse is allowed to remarry. However, in cases where divorce happens for any other reason (e.g., disagreements, hardship, etc.), remarriage is not allowed.
1 Corinthians 7:10-11 states: “A wife must not separate from her husband… and a husband must not divorce his wife.” If separation occurs, reconciliation is encouraged.
In the case of a believer being abandoned by an unbelieving spouse, they are free to remarry, but it must be “in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39).
The Bible emphasizes that marriage should be honored and respected by everyone. In Hebrews 13:4, we read:
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
God takes marriage seriously, and His desire is for couples to remain faithful and committed to each other. Malachi 2:16 expresses God’s disapproval of divorce: “For I hate divorce, says the Lord God of Israel.”
Divorce, according to the Bible, brings spiritual consequences:
It hinders the blessings God wants to bestow on the family.
Children of divorced parents may experience emotional and spiritual consequences, feeling like they have lost the security and stability of both parents.
A broken marriage can also set the individual back spiritually, hindering growth and blessings in their relationship with God.
Therefore, it is essential to work toward healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation, as divorce should be a last resort.
Marriage should be characterized by:
Love and Faithfulness: Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:25). Wives are to respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:33).
Forgiveness: Just as Christ forgives our sins, we are called to forgive our spouses. Matthew 18:21-22 tells us to forgive “seventy-seven times,” showing that forgiveness should be abundant and ongoing.
Commitment to Reconciliation: Jesus calls couples to reconcile, and if separation occurs, they should not remarry unless there has been adultery.
Marriage is a gift from God and should be cherished. It is meant to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church. Divorce, though allowed in certain cases, is not God’s ideal, and it is only permitted in the case of sexual immorality or abandonment by an unbelieving spouse.
Married couples are encouraged to work through difficulties, seek forgiveness, and remain committed to one another. God’s grace and blessings are available to those who honor their marriage vows and maintain a relationship of love, respect, and faithfulness.
May God bless your marriage and guide you in every step.
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