Anna in the Temple 4: False messiahs and False prophets

Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, evenas many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

In this passage of Acts 5 we see it covers the period of Anna’s praying. It is immediately before Jesus’ birth. It gives an insight into the spiritual landscape in Anna’s time in the temple. Beyond political upheavals there were spiritual ones too. It seems that God had been moving in families, seeking God together and receiving the conviction that a “Messiah” was coming. As it is with all movements and expectations, there is always the bandwagon mentalities.

We know that the Zealot movement began as resisting the Roman occupation. The expectation with a coming “Messiah” found a place in this resistance movement. They believed that if the “Messiah” would follow the same pattern as David then He would overthrow the Romans. So many “false messiahs” came and went, and Gamaliel makes a wise speech in the Sanhedrin. He puts it all into perspective.

Humans have not changed, not then and not now. When there are movements of God, or some kind of supposed divine manifestation many run with it, and things somehow get exaggerated. The “bandwagon” mentality comes to the fore. Right now we have a fever of rapture prophecies. Many are predicting that even today as I write Jesus will return. I heard this statement many years ago “We must work as though He will arrive at any moment, pray like He will come tomorrow”. There is an essence of common sense there. Especially after many groups sold everything they had, went off into the wilderness, being lost in their own delusions. I wrote these things in my book “Things that must take place” about a new approach to Eschatology (study of end times). Jesus’ return is in the knowledge of the Father.

When we see Scripture speak of Jesus’ first coming, and then His return, we see a contrast. In the Gospels, Jesus’ birth is set in Kronos times, whilst His return is set in Kairos. This means whilst Jesus’ birth was set in dates, His return is conditional, on the Kairos, conditions right for His return. The discernment of both these events however, are the same. Those who walk with God will sense a change, and discern what they had been seeking God for, was about to manifest. Sometimes men can interpret these personally and we get the rise of false messiahs and false prophets. Even these, we need not fear, because they indicate that whilst an “Ishmael” manifests, we get a “Isaac” shortly after. The work of the flesh never lasts long. As Gamaliel says , they came and disappeared.

Anna is not content to follow these whims, she is secure in the knowledge that when the Messiah truly comes, she will know it. She has learned in prayer that she must wait. Her daily walk taught her this, and the Spirit would speak, instruct her, patience. We need to learn the depths of prayer. We must learn that prayer is our tabernacle, with elements that correspond with spiritual principles, like the altar of incense, the sacrifice in prayer, of time, and of will. The Table of Shewbread, the Word of God. How the Word prepares us for the Lampstand of revelation and anointing.

Anna would have walked in those elements. She would be trained in discernment. She would not be deceived by these “messiahs” because she would have known how to discern Him. How are we discerning those who speak for God today? Have we acquainted ourselves with the Messianic DNA?

There is a necessity to discern these false movements, because they denote that there is a moving of God happening, and the challenge is not to settle for the “Ishmael” born of flesh, and wait however long it takes for receiving our “Isaac” conceived by God’s power. If we settle for the “Ishmael” we shall be carried along by hype and emotion, into blind alleys, where we will be lost and broken forever. How many churches and places closed, people scattered because of people’s hope and reason for living dashed? If we learn patience, particularly in prayer, we may see years pass, but in the end, we shall receive “Isaac” and all shall know whatever movement happens God would be its origin.

Right now the level of ignorance is frightening. Some content with nourishing themselves simply on Sunday messages, but the Sunday pulpit is not the ultimate place of Jesus revealing Himself. Personal prayer and study is fundamental. There are vast numbers who know not what the evil one is planning. That moves to construct the platform of the Antichrist is afoot, and his mark will be imposed. How many who say they are believers will fall for this? Many I am sure.

The key is not the pulpit, but prayer. The pulpit will not bring you into maturity of itself. Prayer will.

So if we desire a model of prayer besides our Lord, take Anna. She will teach us patience, teach us discernment, so that when “Ishmael” appears we will not be deceived, and when “Isaac” appears we shall embrace him.

Maranatha!!!!