What the Bible says about Worship the Beast
(From Forerunner Commentary)
The first factor added here is that God recognizes that false prophets, through the power of Satan, can accomplish signs and wonders. The magicians of Egypt imitate Moses' staff-into-a-serpent miracle before Pharaoh (Exodus 7:8-12). The end-time False Prophet will do similar signs as the Two Witnesses, causing most of the world's population to worship the Beast (Revelation 13:11-15). Paul warns in II Corinthians 11:13-15 that Satan's servants are clever counterfeits of Christ's. Signs, wonders, and miracles, then, are not conclusive proof that a prophet is from God.
The second factor Deuteronomy 13 adds is our need to recognize the spiritual message accompanying the prophet's signs and predictions. This is the essence of the apostle John's admonition, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). No matter how impressive or accurate a prophet's miracles or prophecies, his credibility hangs on whether he leads people toward or away from God.
The following questions, then, must all be answered before we judge a person as a true or false prophet:
1. Does he claim to prophesy in God's name or in a false god's name?
2. Do his prophecies come to pass?
3. Does he do signs and wonders?
4. Does he teach the truth based on God's Word?Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Was Herbert Armstrong a False Prophet?Related Topics: Discerning the Spirits | Discernment | Discernment, Growing in | Discernment, Spiritual | False Doctrine | False Ministers/Prophets | False Miracles | False Prophet | False Religion | Satan as Source of False Doctrine | Satan's Deception | Satan's Heresies | Satan's Ministers | Satan's Power | Satan's Religion | Signs and Wonders | Signs, False | Test the Spirits | Testing the Spirits | Two Witnesses | Worship the Beast | Worship, False
Jesus says in Matthew 24:24 that many false prophets and false christs will arise, and they will do signs and wonders so that it will be possible for them to deceive even the elect. The Bible, then, is clear that in the church era, spiritual power to do miracles is present in false ministers, but that it is evil and misdirected.
The spirit that power comes from is revealed in the teaching, the doctrine, of the prophet. Jesus says, "Depart from Me you who work lawlessness." Moses says that if they say anything about worshipping another god, they are not of God. Revelation 13 says that the miracles of the False Prophet will deceive people into worshipping the beast, a false god. His miracles will not witness to the truth, which always directs people to worship the true God. Thus, though we may see a miracle, we can tell its source through the doctrine, through what the miracle-worker is teaching. We have to ask, what is the doctrine of the prophet? The answer will reveal the source of his power.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Is God a Magician?Related Topics: False Miracles | False Prophet | False Religion | Lawlessness | Lawlessness, Mystery of | Miracles | Miracles, False | Test all Things | Test the Spirits | Testing All Things | Testing the Spirits | Worship the Beast | Worship, False | Worshipping in Vain
The mark of the Beast identifies those who are devoted to the Beast. They have given their lives in worship and obedience to him, and have received his mark. Ironically—tragically—members of God's church are now being led back to that world and away from keeping His commandments.
Our responsibility remains clear, however. God's Word identifies the distinctive difference between those who worship Him and those who worship the Beast. Those who worship God keep His commandments. We must do everything in our power to keep from sinking into the same spiritual vortex that has already swallowed so many. Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good! Keep God's Ten Commandments—all of them!
John W. Ritenbaugh
Damnable HeresiesRelated Topics: God's Law | Holding Fast | Law Keeping | Lawkeeping | Mark of the Beast | Proving All Things | Worship | Worship the Beast