False Prophet

There is not a great deal written in Scripture about the False Prophet. However, there is sufficient information that we will be able to identify him and be prepared for the deception that he will perpetrate on the unbelieving world.

These two passages in Revelation are the only scriptural references which specifically mention the False Prophet by title.

The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet (Revelation 16:12-13).

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh (Revelation 19:19-21).

In Revelation chapter 13 we are told about the relationship between Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet.

And the dragon [Satan] stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast [Antichrist] coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon [Satan] gave the beast [Antichrist] his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?" The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months [3½ years]. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. He who has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints (Revelation 13:1-10).

After the first beast is identified we are told of another beast - the False Prophet.  The False Prophet has supernatural power to deceive the world.

Then I saw another beast [False Prophet], coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast [Antichrist] on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And he [False Prophet] performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed (Revelation 13:11-15).

The Antichrist will be revealed before we can identify the False Prophet.

There are a couple of passages that help identify the role of the False Prophet. When Jesus was admonishing the religious leaders for not recognizing Him as the Messiah, He said they would, however, accept someone else. This may indicate that at some time in the future Israel will accept someone else as their Messiah and King.

I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him (John 5:43).

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek Yahweh, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors, the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be devastated-- as Shalman devastated Beth Arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to the ground with their children. Thus will it happen to you, O Bethel, because your wickedness is great. When that day dawns, the king of Israel will be completely destroyed (Hosea 10:12-15).

In Hosea we read that when Christ returns and the Day of the Lord dawns the King of Israel will be completely destroyed.  We already know from Scripture that the False Prophet and the Antichrist will both be destroyed Christ returns. This may mean that the king who is destroyed is either the Antichrist or the False Prophet.

Scripture may be indicating that the King of Israel is the False Prophet.

Since, the Antichrist guarantees Israel's safety as a foreign leader.  The ally of the Antichrist, the False Prophet could be from Israel itself and even be it's leader or king.

Therefore, stay alert, study Scripture and keep watch!

Richard H Perry