Just a few days ago (if you are reading this in the first few days of June, 2011) many people had their worldview turned upside down. They had followed a false prophet by the name of Harold Camping who said Jesus would rapture “true believers” (Camping doesn’t like the word “church”) out of the world at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time on May 21st. He also said that event would usher in five months of catastrophes unparalleled in history. Of course, if you are reading this you don’t need any further proof that he was a false prophet.
Such people really “burn my toast.” I know that hardly sounds pastoral, but in the days leading up to his foolish prediction, unbelievers of all kinds were planning parties, opening websites, making videos for YouTube, and all sorts of other actions to express their derision. Yes, the false prophets deserve to be derided on one hand, but the sad part (here we go with the “burned toast” again) is that the truth of God’s Word, the fact that Jesus is indeed coming back, gets lumped in with the spectacularly stupid, and it hurts the genuine Church.
I know it is not the first time such foolishness has taken place. In fact, Camping himself did this once before in 1994 (and he still had lots of followers!). But, in my flesh, I always want to scream “Why Lord, do you let these people live?” Now, that may sound harsh to your ears, but remember that God expressed His righteous judgement about such people in the beginning books of the Bible: the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die (Deuteronomy 18:20). Such individuals really ought to be grateful for grace.
On a morning just a few mornings before the “prophesied” date, a true brother in the Lord who often ministers to my heart and mind posted a list of ways in which the aforementioned false prophet (I really don’t want to use his name that much) may be seen to glorify God. Oh sure, some of it was a type of tongue-in-cheek writing, but his points were Scriptural and made me think hard. Why, exactly, does God let such false teachers live? He is plain that all He does He does for His glory, so how does this fit? I think the brother was on to something, and I secured his permission to rewrite some of his good work for you.
First, a false teacher allowed to live glorifies God because all things are God’s servants (Psalm 119:91). Such fools can’t not glorify God. You can’t not glorify God. (I know, bad English but good theology.) You will either glorify Him as His servant, or as His unwitting instrument; but you will glorify Him (cf. Isaiah 10:5-16).
Second, a false teacher allowed to live glorifies God because, by his refusal to repent for past false teachings and putting all his weight on yet more foolishness, he illustrates God’s wisdom in warning us: Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly (Proverbs 26:11).
Third, a false teacher allowed to live glorifies God, because his arrogant false claim to possess knowledge serves to put the spotlight on the humble truthfulness of Jesus, who confessed that “concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father,” and then admonished us “Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come” (Mark 13:32-22).
Fourth, a false teacher allowed to live glorifies God because, by his repeated persistence in falsity despite humiliation and exposure, he bears out God’s wisdom in warning that you can Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him (Proverbs 27:22).
Fifth, a false teacher allowed to live glorifies God because he makes very plain the critical importance of the God-breathed warning in the epistle of James, Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness (James 3:1).
Sixth, a false teacher allowed to live glorifies God because he spotlights God’s wisdom in structuring the local church as an organization led by men who first had to show and prove themselves as being capable of humbly receiving instruction from other men (2 Timothy 1:13; 2:1-2; 3:10-17; Titus 1:9).
Seventh, a false teacher allowed to live glorifies God because he highlights the wisdom of God in warning church leaders to be on the lookout for self-absorbed people who seek to divide churches, and to kick them out if they won’t accept correction (Romans 16:17-18; Titus 3:10-11).
Eighth, a false teacher allowed to live glorifies God by providing a living illustration of the horrendous result of ignoring God’s warnings against being wise in one’s own eyes (Proverbs 12:15; 26:12).
Ninth, a false teacher allowed to live glorifies God by providing a living illustration of the horrible and stupid result of forsaking the preaching of Christ and His Word for something else (1 Corinthians 2:2; 15:1-11; Colossians 1:27:29).
Tenth, a false teacher allowed to live glorifies God by showcasing the wisdom of God in directing local churches to shut down schismatics who obsessively major on minors and promote speculation rather than the biblical edification of God’s people (1 Timothy 1:3-4).
Actually, there were several other reasons given, but you get the idea. In short, I suppose, we might understand that the Lord allows a false teacher to continue living so that the truth might have a clear opposite with which to be identified. They prove the warnings of His Word, and will ultimately prove the righteousness of His wrath!
Unintentionally, unconsciously, and in spite of himself, a false teacher allowed to live does glorify God. And, I think, we should keep this in mind with regards to people such as atheists, polytheists, and other heretics for they also clearly manifest the truths laid out in Scripture as well. And such thinking will bring us back to the Word of God and the power of His glory!
Posted on June 2nd, 2011 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen