So in reference to false prophets, Jude says, "Woe unto them!"

Jude 1: 12-13 "These (people) are spots in yours feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear:  Clouds without water, carried about of winds, trees whose fruit withers, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.  Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever."

Isn't Jude expressive.  He uses every comparison he can think of to describe  a teacher who 'deforms' the gospel and confuses God's people.  I want to discuss the words "Twice dead" tomorrow, but first I want to give you seven marks, or signs of a false prophet.

1.  They deny the inerrancy of the Bible.  They will say things such as: "Well, parts of the Bible may be true, but many parts are not."  Or: "I don't believe the Bible is true.  God didn't inspire it, men wrote it."

2.  They deny the Deity of Christ and the virgin birth.  They say Jesus was a good man, but not God.

3.  They deny the sinless nature of Christ.  They will say untruths about Jesus life and make up stories about what he did.  For instance, that he married, had children, etc. for which there is no foundation whatsoever.  They prefer to speculate rather than accept God's word.

4.  They do not accept the substitutionary death of Christ for their sins, nor the covering of their sins by his blood.  They prefer to say things like: "I've lived a good life.  I've done more good than bad."  They are  trusting in their own works.

5.  They do not accept the bodily resurrection.  They prefer to believe that someone stole his body.  (More about that tomorrow.  Also, points 6, and 7))






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