And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’ – – Deuteronomy 18:21
Today is the day many are predicting the Rapture of the Church will take place. Every once in a while there is a frenzy stirred up by such predictions. When these false predictions by false prophets inevitably don’t come to pass, the aftermath proves they are not harmless.
When it comes to the Rapture of the Church, Jesus said very clearly, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36).[1] Some have tried to say that these words are idiomatic to the Feast of Trumpets. But this is a misinterpretation. [2] It would be wise for us to remember the words of Norman Geisler who when speaking of hermeneutics[3] would commonly say, when the plain sense makes common sense seek no other sense. Jesus said very plainly, very clearly, “Of that day and hour no one knows.”
Then why are such false predictions made? Is there an underlying motive involved? Well, unlike God, we cannot look into the heart of a person to see their motives; only God can do that. The word of God dissects motives, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). I imagine some are sincere and genuinely seeking to hear from the Lord and pass on a word to others from Him. But there are others in our social media crazed age who use prophetic predictions to kick up a frenzy to get more clicks on their YouTube and other social media sites. Ignorance but good intentions are part of the former reason for the predictions. Pride and carnality, even willful deception and profiteering the latter.
What’s so bad about false predictions? There are a number of reasons false predictions are harmful and to be abstained from.
False predictions undermine the credibility of the church and its true doctrine of the Rapture. The Church is supposed to be the ground and pillar of truth (1 Timothy 3:15). Jesus prayed that His followers would be sanctified or set apart by the truth of God’s word (John 17:17). So when self-proclaimed or self-anointed “prophets” make predictions that do not come to pass, it undermines the image of the Church and provides the enemies of the Church ammunition to bring accusations against the Church. “Why should you listen to a Church that speaks falsehoods?” is the claim fueled by false predictions.
False predictions undermine the faith of people. Some, in faith, quit jobs, sell possessions, and put their house in order readying themselves to depart from this world only to find themselves destitute or in a precarious position practically to continue on in life. History is filled with those who have falsely predicted the return of Jesus and the end of the world.
The Millerite followers of Baptist preacher William Miller in 1843-44 entered into a time they called “The Great Disappointment” when their leader falsely predicted the end of the world. They sold everything they owned. Many dressed in white robes and waited for Jesus’ return only to be left standing there, destitute, disappointed. Jehovah’s Witnesses historically have predicted the end of the world on numerous occasions. They used the predictions to drive up membership and then tried to explain away their false predictions with claims of a “spiritual” return of Jesus. they finally had to stop making such predictions as they were losing so much credibility. Herbert W. Armstrong, Harold Camping, Edgar Whisenhunt are others who made predictions of the end of the world and Jesus’ return that proved to be false claims. [4]
With the assassination murder of Christian Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA on Wednesday September 10th, 2025, there has been an outpouring of patriotism, but more importantly, a move of the Spirit upon the people of the world. The murder of this husband, father, political prophetic voice of truth spoken in love, has moved many hearts, even of his opponents. Watching the seven-plus hour memorial service for Charlie Kirk was more like watching a revival service than a political rally. [5] Many have been praying for revival for our natin and the world. Maybe this is God’s answer to our prayers. We are praying it is. The cost was great, the loss of a young vibrant brilliant apologist for political and Biblical truth. But as Jesus said, “unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (John 12:23-26). Martyrdom is how revivals and the spread of the gospel sometimes begins. The first martyr Stephen in Acts 7 precedes the scattering of the saints and conversion of the Church’s greatest enemy in Acts 8 and 9. Maybe that is what we are seeing here.
But such false predictions as we are seeing presently about the return of Jesus and end of the world, when they fall flat, pour water on the fires of revival. The skeptic or borderline person considering the Gospel are given an excuse to turn away and dismiss the work of the Spirit. “Why would I get involved in such irrational craziness?” they think and say. Worse yet are false “Churches” and other religions can step in and say, “Follow us, we don’t make such foolish false predictions.” Yes, false predictions, predictions that don’t come to pass, are not innocent but are harmful to the cause of Christ.
What about predictions that are partially right? The standard of a prophetic word that is actually from the Lord is 100% accuracy. Annual end-of-year predictions of grocery line magazines are thought to be good if they are 60% fulfilled. But God’s standard is 100% accuracy. GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES! If a word is from the LORD, it will be 100% true. This is what the Bible states:
Deuteronomy 18:21-22 (NKJV) – 21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’— 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
The Bible truthfully warns that in the latter days leading up to the return of Jesus some will “depart form the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). The false predictors may indeed be accurate examples of the times we are living in, but in a way they hadn’t intended.
In the Old Testament there is an account of good king Jehoshaphat of Judah entering into an alliance with bad king Ahab of Israel (1 Kings 22:1-4). The Bible says, “he who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). It says, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Jehoshaphat was discussing going out to war with Ahab. Jehoshaphat being the good king that he was, asked Ahab to inquire of the LORD about the venture (1 Kings 22:5). Jehoshaphat asks for a word from the LORD. This shows his godliness and God centeredness. But while Ahab had a number of “prophets” they were more yes-men prophets than true prophets of God (1 Kings 22:6). When this becomes apparent to Jehoshaphat, he asks,” Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of him” (1 Kings 22:7). Jehoshaphat wouldn’t settle for “prophets” who may have looked the part but were of no substance or true spirituality.
As it turned out, there was one righteous or true-to-the-truth-of-God prophet, Micaiah. Ahab hated him because apparently Micaiah would “not prophesy good concerning me, but evil” (1 Kings 22:8). Micaih was an honest prophet of God. What God told him, that he would share. Because Ahab was an evil wicked king, Micaiah’s messages regarding him conveyed his evil nature and no doubt called him to repentance for it. It’s interesting that Micaiah’s name means who is like God. Micaiah the prophet took his calling seriously and sought to represent God in a godly way.
An assembly with all the prophets were brought before the two kings. One fake yes-man prophet named Zedekiah made horns of iron an acted out his message saying,’ With these you shall gore the Syrians until they are destroyed” (1 Kings 22:9-11). All of Ahab’s yes-men prophets affirmed the desire of Ahab, “Go up to Ramoth Gilead and proposer, for the LORD will deliver it into the king’s hand” (1 Kings 22:12). Here is something to keep in mind; false prophets may use impressive theatrical means to communicate their message. Today they might have the sharpest looking websites or YouTube presentations. They might have beautiful graphics that impress. I don’t mean to say that well done ministry is a sign of falsehood, but it may be a distraction to substance and truth.
But then a messenger was sent to invite Micaiah to the assembly. The messenger tried to steer the good prophet toward a favorable word for the king’s desire to go out to war against the Syrians. “Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement.” In other words, don’t rock the boat. Don’t do as you usually do and upset the king with your contrarian prophetic words (1 Kings 22:13). What was the response of this true prophet of God? he said, “As the LORD lives, whatever the LORD says to me, that I will speak” (1 Kings 22:14).
“As the LORD lives,” tells us Micaiah had a personal relationship with the LORD. He knew God was alive and real, not just an idol or image to be manipulated and used for personal profit. “Whatever the LORD says to me, that I will speak.” Micaiah was close enough to and connected enough to the LORD to receive an actual word from the LORD. He wasn’t going to make up a message that would please kings. He wasn’t a people pleaser. He didn’t see his calling and office as a means to prosper himself, but he was SPEAKING FOR GOD. If more “prophets” today saw themselves as actually speaking for God, there would be a lot less false prophetic words and false predictions than there are today.
Micaiah may have been one of the first New Yorkers as he seems to use sarcasm in his response to King Ahab. Ahab asks him, “Shall we go to war. . .?” Micaiah says something to the effect of “Sure king, you go to war, victory is in the bag” (1 Kings 22:15). We know Micaiah is speaking sarcastically from Ahab’s reaction. Ahab says, “How many times shall I make you swear that you tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?” (1 Kings 22:16). But Ahab didn’t really want “truth,” he wanted an affirmation to do what he wanted to do. Micaiah in sarcasm was actually indeed telling Ahab the truth.
Then, as the king pressed Micaiah for the truth, Micaiah gives it to him, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd” (1 Kings 22:17). In other words, “You want the truth? I’ll tell you the truth. Defeat awaits you if you go out to war. Your entire army will be scattered.” To this “truth,” Ahab turns to Jehoshaphat and says, “See I told you so. He only gives me bad reports” (1 Kings 22:18).
Micaiah’s further response gives us insight into false prophets and their lies:
1 Kings 22:19-23 – Then Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on His right hand and on His left. 20 And the Lord said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’ 22 The Lord said to him, ‘In what way?’ So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the Lord said, ‘You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.’ 23 Therefore look! The Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the Lord has declared disaster against you.”
Micaiah speaks a word from the LORD. He says that a spirit standing before God offered to put “a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.” According ot Micaiah, the LORD allows this strategy. Micaiah then says to Ahab, “Therefore look! The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you.”
The idea of God Who is Holy and Just and Truthful, using “a lying spirit,” is troubling to us. Does God use deception? Not exactly. God is simply allowing this to be done. Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). The lies of Satan misdirect people from the truth of Jesus (John 8:45). Satan serves a purpose in that he presents the sinful alternative to obeying God. Jesus said, “He who is of God heard God’s word; there you do not hear, because you are not of God” (John 8:47). In fact the Bible says, “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). Those resisting and rebelling against God are the ones who will embrace the lies of false prophets. Ahab was a rebel against God who would rather have his “prophets” provide a false message to prop up and affirm Ahab’s own desires than hear the truth of God and obey it. People to the same today when they pick and choose what to believe in order to excuse themselves from true commitment and affirm their comfortable Christianity.
But what about that lying spirit? Satan and his minions are under the rule of God. Satan must get permission from God to work his evil plans. We see this in the first two chapters of the book of Job. Satan and his army of deceiving demons serve God’s purposes in that they present alternatives to God’s goodness and truth so that people are required to choose between right and wrong, truth versus falsehood. When people, like Ahab, do evil, God allows them to experience the consequences.
The Fire Study Bible states the following on this verse:
This spirit can be understood as one of Satan’s agents. God even has control over them and can use them however he chooses to accomplish his purposes. In this case, the spirit was sent to condemn Ahab and the false prophets. Their hearts were so hardened against the truth that God finally let them get caught in a fatal lie as the just penalty for their sin (cf. Ro 1:21-27). The same kind of judging will take place in the last days before Christ returns. God will send “a powerful delusion” (2Th 2:11) to all who “refused to love the truth … but have delighted in wickedness” (2Th 2:10, 12). The deception will be the “work of Satan … so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth” (2Th 2:9, 12; see 2Th 2:10-12, notes). 1 Kings 22:23
While the LORD allows a lying spirit to speak and influence through the prophets, He also empowers Micaiah to speak the truth to Ahab. Ahab has to choose between truth and falsehood. Ultimately he shows some signs of repentance but not entirely, so the LORD takes him out. God is sovereign to enforce the consequences of our actions (cf. Galatians 6:7-9). If people reject Him and His truth, He allows them to be swamped by their own delusions and lies (2 Thessalonians 2: 8-12). False predictions such as we are seeing today and periodically, challenge us to adhere to the word of God or allow ourselves to be drawn away from it by “prophets” who are really no prophets at all.
Finally, false prophets don’t like to be called out as false prophets. They get offended. After all false prophets have an image to maintain. They want to be known as a “PROPHET.” They want the title and notoriety, the fame and glory of being a “PROPHET.” And so they will strike out against any true prophetic voice that exposes their false claims. That is exactly what the false prophet Zedekiah did, he slapped Micaiah across the face (1 Kings 22:24). Then Micaiah was thrown into prison, but not before Micaiah speaks a prophecy to Zedekiah, “Indeed, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide” (1 Kings 22:25-27). And Micaiah said the Ahab, “If you ever return in peace, the LORD has not spoke by me. . . Take heed, all you people1” (1 Kings 22:26-28). Micaiah doesn’t change his message even though he is brutally treated and thrown in prison. A TRUE PROPHET DOES NOT CHANGE THEIR MESSAGE TO AVOID PERSECUTION.
So what happened? Sure enough the armies of Israel and Judah went up and were defeated. But Ahab must have been a little worried about Micaiah’s message because he disguised himself when he went to battle (1 Kings 22:29-30). Jehoshaphat narrowly escaped. But “a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor” and king Ahab died of his wounds and the army was defeated, just as Micaiah predicted (1 Kings 22:31-40). When a true prophet of God speaks, what they say will come to pass. A true prophet speaks what God tells them to speak, even when opposed or persecuted, because it is a word from the LORD and they can do or say nothing different.
Because of Jehoshaphat’s alliance with evil Ahab, he almost lost his life. In the last words of 1 Kings we see that God graciously blessed his reign. Jehoshaphat didn’t deserve God’s blessing, but God gave it. That is grace.
1 Kings 22:41-44 – Jehoshaphat the son of Asa had become king over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. 42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 43 And he walked in all the ways of his father Asa. He did not turn aside from them, doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Nevertheless the high places were not taken away, for the people offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. 44 Also Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.
Nevertheless. The testimony of Jehoshaphat was that he “walked in all the ways of his father Asa. He did not turn aside from them, doing what was right in the eyes of the LORD. Nevertheless. . .” It is the “nevertheless” and “but” on the end of a life that tarnishes the legacy of kings and all people. When we allow ourselves to be duped and influenced by those who disregard the clear teachings of scripture, we put ourselves in a precarious position spiritually. When we disregard God’s word and follow the pied pipers of false predictions, we risk being led over a cliff. Following false prophets reflects poorly on the Church, discourages people in their faith, and risks quenching the fire and spirit of the work God desires to do.
Therefore, I would suggest that this time, when the false predictions of Christ’s return inevitably don’t come to pass, that we hold the false predictors accountable. Don’t follow them or listen to them on social media. Demand they repent, publically. They made their prediction to the public; they should make their retractions to the public. And, since Jesus said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but the Father only,” if the Father chooses to send Jesus to remove His Church today, then I will be happy to apologize to those who predicted His coming (even if their fulfillment was more like a random shot of an arrow into the air). I pray Jesus does return today, not to fulfill the predictions of social media “prophets,” but because I long to be with Jesus. Father, please make us what we need to be, to do what you call us to do, for Your glory, until Jesus returns. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
[1] Matthew 24:36; mark 13:32-37; Luke 17:26, 27, 34, 35; 21:34-36
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaU-hjqsdr0
[3] Hermeneutics is the field of study about how to study the word of God properly