Just like our last discussion, let’s start this one with a basic understanding – Jesus Christ is the only Savior (Messiah) of the world and there won’t be another savior/messiah ever.
That is important to know since Jesus said there would be many people in the future claiming to be the messiah. He warned us about them because they will deceive many and He doesn’t want you to be one of the deceived:
5 Then Jesus began by telling them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and they will deceive many.” (Mk 13:5-6)
The Bible references some false messiahs around the time of Christ (Ac 5:34-39) but you don’t have to go back that far in history to find one. In the 1990’s a famous false messiah named David Koresh established a cult in Waco Texas. He claimed to be the final prophet, ‘the Son of God, the Lamb’ and had many followers who died in a violent standoff with the government.
It is a sure thing that more false messiahs will come. Be on guard against them. They are dangerous and will lead non-believers away from the truth but sadly, they can mislead believers too. Don’t be led astray by somebody claiming to be the messiah. Jesus made it clear that His second coming will be unmistakable:
23 “If anyone tells you then, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Over here!’ do not believe it! 24 False messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 Take note: I have told you in advance. 26 So if they tell you, ‘Look, He’s in the wilderness!’ don’t go out; ‘Look, He’s in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Mt 24:23-27)
If somebody claims to be the Messiah but you didn’t see them come with a flash in the sky, they are not the true Messiah, Jesus. When Jesus Christ, the only true Messiah of the world, comes back, He will do it gloriously across the sky and everybody will see him. He is not coming back in secret.
Take this seriously since Jesus told us they will come and do amazing things to deceive people:
False messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (Mt 24:24)
Know Scripture and test the spirits so you can identify false prophets and false messiahs.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. 3 But every spirit who does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist; you have heard that he is coming, and he is already in the world now. (1 Jn 4:1-3)
Think about it:
What makes a false messiah dangerous?
Do believers in Jesus have to be on guard against false messiahs? Why?
How can you identify false messiahs?
BIBLE DEVOTIONS FOR LIVING 