False Shepards

HOW may we distinguish between the true and the false?

"For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: ye have caused many to stumble at the law." (Malachi 2:7, 8)

"To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

Isaiah 8:20

2. What does the Lord call these false shepherds?

"Let them alone, they be blind leaders of the blind." (Matthew 15:14)

3. Will many follow them?

"And many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."

2 Peter 2:2

4. Do they warn the flock of coming danger?

"His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber."

Isaiah 56:10

"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them." (1 Thessalonians 5:3)

5. Will a "call" elsewhere often cause them to abandon their own fold and flock?

"Yea, they are greedy dogs, which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter."

Isaiah 56:11

6. Are these false shepherds able to interpret the meaning of the prophecies relating to "the time of the end (Daniel 12:4)"?

"And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed."

Isaiah 29:11

7. Will these prophecies ever be understood?

"And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness."

Isaiah 29:18

8. Was there to come a time when people would not listen to Bible truths?

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine ; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

2 Timothy 4:3, 4

9. What will they say?

"Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits." (Isaiah 30:10)

10. Is such worship acceptable to the Lord?

"Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

Mark 7:7

Matthew 55:9.

11. Can they expect the Lord to hear and answer their prayers?

"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."

Proverbs 28:9

12. What is said of those who know the way, yet do not walk therein?

"For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."

2 Peter 2:21

13. What does the Lord say concerning false shepherds?

"My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray; they have turned them away on the mountains; they have gone from mountain, to hill; they have forgotten their resting place."

Jeremiah 50:6

"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus. saith the Lord God unto the shepherds: Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool; ye kill them that are fed, but ye feed not the flock."

Ezekiel 34:2, 3

"As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock, therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I am, against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves. any more, for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not he meat for them. For thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they had been scattered in the cloudy and dark day."

Ezekiel 34:8-12

14. What is to be the future of those who "add unto" or "take away from" the words of prophecy?

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

Revelation 22:18, 19

"Howl, ye shepherds, and cry: and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock ; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersion are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel, and the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and a howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard; for the Lord hath spoiled their pasture, and the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the Lord."

Jeremiah 25:34-37

ASK for the Guide Book, the Bible from heaven; For our salvation its pages were given; If of a truth you are seeking the way, Ask for the Guide Book, believe, and obey.

Heed not the voices that bid you remain, Heed not the false guides who seek only gain; Ask for the Guide Book,—its teachings are true,— Heeding it daily will carry you through.

Thousands are traveling in death's downward way; Few walk the path that is narrow to-day: One ends in darkness, and one ends in light,— One is the wrong way, and one is the right.

Though you may teach that the Saviour has died, Claim to be just and appear sanctified,— Still, if the law of the Lord you deny, "Vain your profession," the Lord will reply.