9. False Prophets are a Sign the End is Near
The very first thing Jesus warned His followers to expect after His ascension was deception.
Matt. 24:3-6 (NKJV) 3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”
Before even addressing the disciples’ question about the signs of His coming, Jesus warned them that deception was coming. Given the context, the primary topic of deception concerned eschatology, the end of the age and Jesus’ return. This is precisely what began to occur quickly as evidenced by Paul’s correction of the Corinthian heresy addressed in 1 Corinthians 15. This early error denied the bodily resurrection at Christ’s return and substituted the Platonic hope of the ascent of the ghost into heaven upon death. Paul also had to deal with another eschatological heresy which was a very ancient version of preterism. This heresy taught that the resurrection and second coming was past, thus not literal and bodily but “spiritual.”[1] A third early eschatological heresy which Paul addressed was taught in the Thessalonian assembly. This heresy claimed that Jesus’ return to earth was imminent, and even involved someone forging a false epistle in Paul’s name to that effect.[2] In responding to this erroneous eschatology, Paul even alluded to Jesus’ words above, “Take heed that no one deceives you,” by saying, “Let no one deceive you by any means …”[3] After John’s death, the last of the Apostles of Jesus Christ, the ancient and apostolic eschatology (Chiliasm) was eventually replaced by amillennialism (which denied the future reign of Christ on earth and thus the Abrahamic inheritance). Eventually several other false eschatological schemes were introduced, including post-millennialism and dispensationalism.
Some might object to this interpretation of Jesus’ warning by claiming that the deceivers were false-christs, and that none of the eschatological heresies or systems mentioned above were introduced by men claiming to be the Messiah. Jesus indicated that these deceivers would come “in My name saying ‘I am the Christ'” and deceive His followers. However, in the above translation the words “I am the Christ” are misleading because the translators put quotation marks around them as though the deceivers are speaking about themselves, claiming to be the Christ (Messiah). Yet that is not likely Jesus’ meaning, but rather that the deceivers would acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ. These words should not be in quotes. The deception is not that people believe these deceivers are actually the Christ. Rather, they deceive Christians concerning the end-times by first acknowledging that Jesus is the Christ while they then introduce their errors and heresies concerning the end-times.
This meaning is supported by the clause “in My name.” The Greek reads: πολλοὶ γὰρ ἐλεύσονται ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου, literally, “For many will come upon [the basis of] My name.” The preposition ἐπὶ (on/upon) with a dative case object means “on the basis of.” The use of ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί (“on [the basis of] the name”) is found in several passages such as the following:
Matthew 18:5 (NKJV) “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”
Mark 9:39 (NKJV) But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.”
Luke 9:48-49 (NKJV) 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.” 49 Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”
Luke 24:47 (NKJV) “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Acts 2:38 (NKJV) Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
These passages are sufficient to show that the clause ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί, (upon the name) means “on the basis of the name.” It does not refer to someone claiming to be the Messiah (using His name or title as one’s own). Rather, they claim to act on His behalf as in all of the examples provided above. Consequently, saying that “I am the Christ” or “I am He” means that they publicly acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. This makes their deceiving Christians much more insidious since the vast majority of Christians would not be deceived by someone else claiming to be the Messiah. Jesus’ warning concerns any false teachers who acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ but introduce errors and heresies concerning eschatology, His coming and the end of the age.
The above warning of Jesus was meant to include the entire time of His absence and was not specifically a sign of His coming. Jesus included the coming of these deceivers among the things that must occur “but the end is not yet.”
However, in verse 11 Jesus returned to the topic of the specific signs of His coming and the end of the age. One significant sign of Jesus’ coming is given in verse 11. “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.” The deceivers mentioned in verse 5 are not called either “false prophets” or “false christs,” terms which appear only later in relation to the events just before Christ returns. The false prophets mentioned in vs. 11 are in part the cause of the great apostasy which precedes the arrival of Antichrist. So they must be distinguished from the deceivers in verse 5.
Matt. 24:10-15 (NKJV) 10 “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. 15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand),”
The apostasy of Jesus’ followers mentioned here is indeed a significant sign that Jesus’ coming is very close because Paul called this “the falling away” and used this as well as the revealing of the Man of Sin (the abomination of desolation) as the two things that must come before Jesus’ coming becomes imminent.[4]
It is therefore clear that the “false prophets” who arise and deceive many of Christ’s followers, causing a mass apostasy from the Faith, arrive very close to the end of the age, but before the arrival of the Man of Sin. Once the “abomination of desolation” occurs, the time of “great tribulation” will commence. During that final 42-month period,[5] there will be both “false prophets” and “false christs.”
Matt. 24:23-27 (NKJV) 23 “Then if anyone says to you, `Look, here is the Christ!’ or `There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
Consequently, we have three time periods described by Jesus during which mass deception would take place. The first concerns false teachers who acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ yet teach false eschatological systems which misrepresent the true Christian Hope and the signs which precede Jesus’ coming. The second concerns “false prophets” just prior to the “abomination of desolation” who are in part responsible for the great apostasy from the true Faith prior to the arrival of Antichrist. The third period involves “false prophets” and “false christs” who are able to perform great signs and wonders by the forces of darkness rather than the true power of God. Paul also indicated that when the Man of Sin arrives, this will be accompanied by “lying signs and wonders,” something he borrowed from Jesus’ words.
2 Thess. 2:9-12 (NKJV) 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
During the time of great tribulation (following the abomination of desolation), God will permit Satan to use his agents to perform great miracles just as He did with Pharaoh’s magicians who were able to duplicate some of the signs Moses performed before Pharoah.[6] The intent is the same, to harden the hearts of those who are not truly following Christ with all their hearts, those who are not counted among the “overcomers” mentioned in Revelation[7] who are the ones that “endure to the end.”
However, there is no indication that the “false prophets” who deceive many Christians prior to the abomination of desolation, who are in part responsible for the great “falling away,” are actually able to perform genuine miracles. That seems to occur only when the “Restrainer,” who is Michael and his angels,[8] releases the “mystery of iniquity” which John called the “spirit of antichrist.”[9] The “Restrainer” will be taken out of the way so that the Man of Sin may be revealed.[10]
The “false prophets” who in part are the cause of the great apostasy which precedes Antichrist are already here. They pretend to speak for God, but God has not spoken to them. They are like the false prophets who rose up just before God’s judgment fell upon Israel when He sent Nebuchadnezzar to destroy Jerusalem and the Temple.
Ezekiel 13:1-9 (NKJV) 1 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, ‘Hear the word of the LORD!’” 3 Thus says the Lord GOD: “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! 4 O Israel, your prophets are like foxes in the deserts. 5 You have not gone up into the gaps to build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the LORD. 6 They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD!’ But the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed. 7 Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, ‘The LORD says,’ but I have not spoken.” 8 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you,” says the Lord GOD. 9 “My hand will be against the prophets who envision futility and who divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of My people, nor be written in the record of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord GOD.”
Thanks to the gross errors of the Charismatic movement which has always flirted with Rome, their dabbling in the Occult, and especially the so-called “New Apostolic Reformation” which it has birthed, these false prophets are everywhere. They are allied with and included in the title “Evangelical Christians,” and they are openly in league with and support Rome, Mystery Babylon. One of them (Paula White, who claims to be a prophet and apostle) was President Trump’s personal pastor. Others were on his Evangelical advisory committee.[11]
Here are some samples of their “Evangelical Christian” tom-foolery.
The false prophets double down …
These false prophets, false apostles, and rebellious pastors have also openly defied the Covid social distancing orders by state governors, and openly promoted conspiracy theories concerning Covid and vaccines.
The Evangelical false prophets and the loyal Evangelical Trump supporters are converging to paint a horrific picture of Jesus Christ and Christianity for all the world to see.
Matt. 5:13 (NKJV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”
It is partly because of the foolishness and disobedience of Christians, because they are “salt” that has lost its distinct Christ-like flavor, that “the nations rage and plot a vain thing …”
Psalm 2 (NKJV) 1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. 5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: 6 “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” 7 “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.'” 10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
[1] 2 Tim. 2:16-18
[2] 2 Thess. 2:1-3
[3] 2 Thess. 2:3
[4] 2 Thess. 2:1-8
[5] Rev. 11:2; Rev. 13:5
[6] Exod. 7:8-23
[7] Rev. 12:11
[8] Dan. 10:12-13,20-21; Dan. 11:1; Dan. 12:1; Rev. 12:7-9
[9] 1 John 4:1-3
[10] 2 Thess. 2:7-8
[11] https://archive.thinkprogress.org/meet-donald-trumps-new-evangelical-advisory-board-6a5bfc5460d7/
14 thoughts on “9. False Prophets are a Sign the End is Near”
It’s no wonder that many non believers think that Christians are nutters. I wonder how these false prophets reconcile these scriptures.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
(1Ti 2:1-2)
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
(Tit 3:1-2)
2 Pet. 2:1-19 (LGV) 1 Yet there also came false-prophets among the people, just as also there will be false-teachers among you, who will smuggle in destructive heresies, even disowning the One who purchased them, bringing to themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow in their destructiveness, through whom the Way of Truth will be slandered. 3 And with greed, with crafted words, they will peddle you, unto whom the ancient judgment is not idle, and their destruction does not sleep. 4 For if God did not spare the sinning messengers, but gave them up, incarcerating to bondage of doom, having been reserved for judgment, 5 and [if God] did not spare the first world, but preserved Noah – the eighth, a proclaimer of justice, having brought the flood to the world of the ungodly, 6 and [if God] condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, incinerating them with a catastrophe, having made them a demonstration for those intending to be ungodly, 7 and [if God] rescued the just [man] Lot, being harassed under the licentious behavior of the wicked 8 (for that just one living among them, in watching and hearing from day to day, was tormenting his just soul with [their] lawless acts); 9 then the Master has observed how to rescue the godly ones out of trials, but to preserve the unjust ones for the day of judgment, being punished, 10 specifically those after the flesh, going in lust of defilement and scorning authority, audacious, arrogant, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries. 11 Wherever Messengers, being greater in strength and power, do not bring an accosting judgment against them beside the Master. 12 But these [men] – like irrational animals having been born for capture and destruction – speaking evil of what they know nothing about, shall be annihilated in their own destruction, 13 receiving the wages of unjustness. [They] consider gratification [to be] luxurious living by day, [yet are] blemishes and flaws reveling in their delusions, while feasting together with you, 14 having eyes filled with adultery and unrestrained from sin, seducing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, children of the curse, 15 having abandoned the straight path, they were led astray, following the path of Balaam [son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of injustice. 16 Yet, he was rebuked for his own opposition, a mute donkey speaking with a human voice opposed the insanity of the prophet. 17 These are dried up springs, clouds driven by a storm, for whom the doom of age-enduring darkness has been preserved. 18 For by speaking inflated words of vanity, they seduce (through the desires of the flesh, through immorality) those who had just fled from the ones living in deception, 19 promising them freedom, they are by nature slaves of destruction (since by whom anyone is overcome, to him he has been enslaved).
Very nice Tim!
Sounds like you are advocating separation from those that “introduce errors and heresies concerning eschatology,” basically propagating a false gospel and another Jesus, unless they repent.
Another side note is that Jesus was also possibly warning them against their own teaching at the time, that the Messiah would come and deliver them from the Roman Gentile’s authority and establish his kingdom.
I’ve been posting on my blog similarly, trying to reeducate the “Christian” masses that are led away by deceivers in sheep’s clothing. I recently posted on what I refer to as the dominionist Christian nationalists who are trying to physically conquer the seven mountains of secular influence in the nation, which the NAR you mentioned is a leading propagator of. Their postmillennial ideology has permeated Christendom in the US. To take dominion. To “occupy until I come.” The proof-texting of this ideology is commonly taught among the big names in Evangelicalism.
Thank you for your eagerness to be faithful in searching all things that your labor is not in vain, doing and teaching what is true and pleasing in the sight of God.
Joe
Thanks, Joe,
I am not advocating separating from other Christians who may hold to erroneous eschatologies, such as amillennialists or dispensationalists. I am, however, advocating separation from all associations with the Charismatic movement, and especially the “third wave” (New Apostolic Reformation) which is led by a cabal of “false prophets.” I also advocate separation from any form of Christian “dominionism” whether that is the “New Apostolic Reformation” version or the Jerry Fallwell political activism version. Both have the same goal and both use carnal weapons to fight a spiritual battle that is not ours to fight. Both are also “scorning authority, audacious, arrogant, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries” and because of both “the Way of Truth will be slandered.” Neither of these portray Christ and His message accurately; both groups greatly hinder the effectiveness of the Gospel message; and both groups will be tools in bringing about the great apostasy from the Faith and will be the cause of persecution of the faithful who are lumped in with them. When Scripture says “Come out of her My people,” and “Come out from among them and be separate, touch no unclean thing and I will receive you,” it definitely requires separation from other “Christians.” Those Christians who are truly “salt and light” must be separate from the “salt that has lost its flavor and is good for nothing but to be trampled underfoot.” Christian “Dominionism” in any form is under the heading of “Mystery Babylon,” of which Rome (the western branch) and Constantinople (Istanbul the eastern branch) are headquarters. (There are two “legs of iron” on Nebuchadnezzar’s image).
There’s another form of “Christian “dominionism”” that is more subtle I think. It’s when Christians think that it’s their duty to convict non believers of sin and evangelize them with the message that they’re going to burn in hell unless they repent and accept the Gospel. This doesn’t seem to have any success in my experience.
You’re welcome Tim,
I didn’t think you were advocating separating from other Christians who may hold to erroneous eschatologies. That would have been a new position for you, so I thought I’d seek clarification.
Yes, this “Christian “dominionism” has seeped into all religious institutions regardless of their affiliation. It seems that David Baton of Wallbuiders has had a big hand in doing this. Most Christian homeschoolers use his postmil dominionist material to teach his perverted “biblical worldview” according to the Seven Mountain Mandate that was birthed in ’75 by three men who received revelation from God that has taken new life through NAR. This is certainly dangerous.
I agree that they are causing others to speak evil of the truth, which these false teachers who have perverted it are bring disdain and hatred towards anything perceived as “Christian”. Even those who are keeping their hands clean from this movement, as you said, will be lumped in and persecuted with these false teachers and their followers, which include many politicians.
Hi Dave,
That falls in line with the postmillennial doctrine of dominion, which over the centuries has shown it’s faultiness, yet remains popular today in the NAR, Christian nationalism, etc. It almost amazes me all the premil believers who believe this ideology not realizing where it came from. Though I understand because most only parrot what their favorite teachers tell them and haven’t honestly searched out all things for themselves for various reasons.
Joe
Dave,
I agree. Scaring people into adopting some form of Christianity is not effective. That has been Rome’s MO for controlling the masses for centuries, but it does not work anymore, especially since “science” has allegedly proven that the biblical creation account in Genesis is a “myth.” The Roman Catholic doctrine of “eternal torment” is not biblical but comes from Greek mythology. It stems from the basic Greek philosophical idea that all people are inherently “immortal” and consequently they must spend “eternity” somewhere, which necessitates the “heaven/hell” dichotomy. This became Roman Catholic dogma around the same time the Trinity became codified in the ecumenical creeds, both of which are part of the “Mystery Babylon” harlot system.
The true “Gospel of the Kingdom” begins by acknowledging we are mortal, that “death” is our enemy, and that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life” (immortality). This message is indeed “good news” and presents God as benevolent rather than a tyrant. Much of the world which rejects the one true God does so because those called by His name represent Him as a hideous caricature of who He actually is.
Joe,
Yes, “Dominionism” comes in many forms. For a large segment on the Christian “Right,” it is driven by a nostalgic affinity for the founding of the US, and the principles and beliefs of the founding fathers. Conservative Christians are being told that they can unite (with Rome and other dominionists) and seize control of government in order to return the nation to a bygone era when all was allegedly roses and butterflies (never mind all the bloodshed of the civil war). What they forget is John Adam’s warning that the Constitution is adequate only for a moral and religious people (who can govern their own behavior by conscience). That situation does not exist anymore, so the Constitution can never return this nation to the idealistic principles of the past. It can only bring about a new kind of civil war. I have known Christians who were duped by non-Christian conspiracy theory peddlers (like that buffoon Alex Jones) and who became “apostles” of his conspiracy theories at the expense of their own Christian testimony, all allegedly as “patriots.”
The New Apostolic Reformation takes a somewhat opposite approach, by “prophesying” of a future for the US that goes far beyond merely restoring the alleged glory days of the founding of this nation based on the Constitution. The NAR envisions a time when the self-appointed “Apostles and Prophets” not only run the US, but eventually the whole world. What they envision for America is not a return to the basic ideals of the Constitution, the Bill of rights, or even the Bible, but to a government that writes its own rules based on the imaginations of these false “Apostles and Prophets.”
It seems to me that most of Christianity in the US at least has adopted some form of Christian dominionism. What they do not realize is that they are funding and bringing about their own destruction. The woman can only ride on the back of the seven-headed beast for so long. Once the tipping point is reached, the beast (and ten kings allied with him) will turn on her and utterly destroy her. The best option for perceptive Christians (who want to inherit the REAL Kingdom of God instead of the pseudo-kingdom being sold to Christians) is to “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. (Rev. 18:4 NKJ)”
Joe,
I am not familiar with Wallbuilders’ home-school curriculum or their eschatology. You seem to imply that they are connected to NAR in some way. Can you explain please?
Tim,
There is so much I could share on David Barton. I’ll try to keep it brief. It’s really quite sad.
It started in 1987, when God told David Barton, a one-time science teacher at a fundamentalist Christian school that grew out of a church started by his own parents, that he was “to search the library and find the date that prayer had been prohibited in public schools and obtain a record of national SAT scores … spanning several decades.” This is what got David started down the path he is on today as a historian and activist for Right-Wing politics. Both Barton and his backers are undermining the understanding of, and respect for, vital American values and constitutional principles like separation of church and state and equal treatment under the law.
Barton asserted that the Bible “absolutely” condemns the estate tax as “most immoral,” and said Jesus taught against the capital gains tax and opposed the minimum wage. Barton went even further, declaring that taxation is theft and in particular that the Bible condemns progressive taxation, which he insists is “inherently un-biblical and unfair.” That…“Money does not belong to the government, it belongs to individuals, and to steal money from individuals through whatever government spending program is taking private property and you’re not supposed to do that.”
In 2005, Barton was named by Time Magazine as one of the “25 most influential evangelicals in America.” Despite credible historians (both on the Left and conservative Christian professors), writers, and even religious groups have denounced Barton’s shoddy, misleading, and politically-motivated “scholarship,” which misquotes and misleadingly portrays historical figures and documents. Yet Barton insists that he is revealing to Americans the inspiring truth about their country that has been “hidden” by academic and media elites, who have conspired to keep Americans in the dark about the religious intentions of the nation’s founders. Alas, his work has been promoted among Evangelical homeschoolers that learn his distorted American history and biblical worldview. In 2011, Mike Huckabee called him America’s greatest historian, saying he should be writing the curriculum for American students, and in fact suggested that all Americans should be “forced at gunpoint”.
The whole “us vs. them” mentality of the Christian nationalists has been vibrant in Barton’s work. Check out his old 2006 DVD “Setting the Record Straight: American History in Black & White” as an example for this.
Also Barton, like other Religious Right leaders, has embraced the Seven Mountains Dominionism theology. Barton has acknowledged he propagates the 7M Mandate. As Barton has said on a Wallbuiders program in 2011:
Christians got to get involved. And there’s a Scripture they used that came out of Isaiah 2:2 and it says “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains,” so this is now called the Seven Mountain Prophecy, there’s a book out by that name.
It says the Lord’s house is going to be established on top of the mountains and these are the seven mountains. If you’re going to establish God’s kingdom, you’ve got to have these seven mountains and again that’s family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business and government. Now that’s what we believed all along is you got to get involved in this stuff. Jesus said “you occupy ’til I come.” We don’t care when he comes, that’s up to him. What we’re supposed to do is take the culture in the meantime and you got to get involved in these seven areas.
Barton is affiliated with most Right-Wing Evangelical institutions and numerous false teachers including those of NAR. He is presented as the go to Christian historian. His buddy, Glenn Beck calls him “the most important man in America.” So yes, I do believe that David Barton has heavily influenced Evangelical Christians with his work. He tickles the ears of his audience telling them what they want to hear. Believe it or not, I know those in the homeschool community that idolize him and his work. Some to their shame down the road.
I hope this is helpful in getting your feet wet and seeing the connections and influences. I think I provided enough information to get you started on Barton’s home-school curriculum and eschatology.
Joe
Joe,
This reminds me of a certain Young-Earth Creationist, Kent Hovind, who was touted among Fundamentalist Baptist churches as an expert. He talked really fast and used a lot of subjective reasoning and was quite popular among a lot of churches. He eventually went to prison on tax evasion and his ministry property was seized because he believed and practiced in his ministry the kind of philosophy you mentioned above regarding taxes. He gave all Young-Earth creationists a bad name.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_Hovind
Yes, I remember Kent Hovind. Again, very popular with the Evangelical homeschoolers. I once seen him when I lived in Tampa. A lot has changed for the both of us since those days.
Yes, and a lot has changed in the world.
Indeed it has!