4    The Bible and the Future of the World 

    Here Jesus warns us that some false prophets will have power, even to 

prophesy and cast out demons and perform apparent miracles. You cannot 

tell if someone is a true disciple by their eloquence or their power. You can 

tell by their deeds. Look for meekness, humility, prayerfulness, faith, love, 

and self denial. True disciples carry the Cross. 

    Some Christians do works which appear to be for God, yet they are not 

seeking to serve God. They seek to serve and exalt themselves. Even 

someone who calls on Jesus, saying,  Lord, Lord,  may not be sincere. No 

matter what deeds or works a person accomplishes, God is not impressed by 

accomplishments or by mighty works, but by sincerity in doing God's will. 

    Jesus' warning applies to the Forty Years (2000 to 2039/2040), when 

some false prophets will arise. But it refers more so to the time of the 

Church's great suffering in the 25th century, when for a time, evildoers will 

have much power. False miracles and the power to work deceitful signs will 

be given to the wicked during those dark days of the Church's worst 

sufferings and trials, the time of Antichrist's reign. 

The House Built on the Rock (Mt 7:24 27) 

     Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be 

like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell and the 

floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not 

fall, because it had been founded on the rock.  (Mt 7:24 25). 

    These words apply to Christians in every age. They also apply in a special 

way to the years of the Church's great suffering (as described in the book of 

Revelation), when great will be the assault of evil against Christians and 

humanity. In that time, there will be a great flood and other sufferings and 

also persecutions. The Church will be like that house founded on the 

Rock Christ Jesus and His teachings. Those Christians who leave Christ 

and His teachings behind them will be like the house built upon sand. Great 

will be their fall! But true Christians will stand firm until the end. 

    In pleasant times, when people are prosperous and happy, it is difficult to 

tell who is truly devoted to Christ and who is not. When doing good brings 

prosperity and the approval of others, many will do good. When doing good 

brings hardship, loss, and suffering, and when doing evil brings prosperity 

and the approval of others, then it will be seen who is truly devoted to 

following Christ's Way, the Way of the Cross. 

    In the parable, two men each have a house. Who can tell which is built 

well? But when the storm comes, it is clear to all. It will be the same after the 

period of trials and sufferings which the Church must endure. Then the 

Church will  be seen to have chosen well in building upon the Rock, Jesus 

Christ.