What Does the Bible Say About False Christs?

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 19 helpful votes

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

1 John 2:22 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.

Matthew 24:23-27 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

2 Corinthians 11:4 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.

1 John 4:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 Peter 2:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

1 Timothy 4:1-3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Luke 21:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them.

Matthew 24:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

Matthew 24:1-51 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 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?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. ...

Matthew 7:21-23 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Revelation 12:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

2 John 1:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.

1 John 4:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

1 John 2:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.

Mark 13:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.

Mark 13:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.

Matthew 24:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

Matthew 24:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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?”

Matthew 7:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Matthew 7:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Revelation 17:4-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.” And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly.

Revelation 13:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. ...

1 John 4:1-3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

2 Corinthians 11:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:12-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Acts 15:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

Acts 2:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Luke 12:40 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Mark 13:21-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.

Matthew 28:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 24:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.

Matthew 24:24-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.

Matthew 24:23-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.

Matthew 24:4-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

Matthew 7:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Matthew 7:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

Matthew 7:15-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ...

Micah 3:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry “Peace” when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths.

Hosea 4:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

Daniel 7:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions.

Jeremiah 5:30-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?

Isaiah 8:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?

Deuteronomy 18:20-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But 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.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you.

Exodus 20:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Genesis 2:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

56 Bible Verses about False Christs

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 19 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 2:22 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:23-27 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 11:4 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 2:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 4:1-3 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 21:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:1-51 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:21-23 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 12:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 John 1:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 2:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 13:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 13:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 17:4-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 13:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:1-3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Thessalonians 2:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 11:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 11:12-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 15:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 12:40 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 13:21-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 28:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:24-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:23-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:4-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:15-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Micah 3:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hosea 4:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Daniel 7:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 5:30-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 8:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 18:20-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 20:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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