False Prophets: These are Christians

[worldwideweary]

Anyone have any information as to why the Vatican’s version of the English Bible (NABRE)
describes Matthew’s reference to false prophets (Chapter 7) (Update: Chapter 24) as Christians? The footnote (http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PVX.HTM#$38G) is describing the phrase:

“Many false prophets will arise and deceive many; and because of the increase of evildoing,
the love of many will grow cold.”

Specifically, the referred footnote reads as, “False prophets: these are Christians.”

 

[bobperk]

These are the footnotes from the New American Bible on the USCCB website:

• [7:15–20] Christian disciples who claimed to speak in the name of God are called prophets (Mt 7:15) in Mt 10:41; Mt 23:34. They were presumably an important group within the church of Matthew. As in the case of the Old Testament prophets, there were both true and false ones, and for Matthew the difference could be recognized by the quality of their deeds, the fruits (Mt 7:16). The mention of fruits leads to the comparison with trees, some producing good fruit, others bad.
• [7:21–23] The attack on the false prophets is continued, but is broadened to include those disciples who perform works of healing and exorcism in the name of Jesus (Lord) but live evil lives. Entrance into the kingdom is only for those who do the will of the Father. On the day of judgment (on that day) the morally corrupt prophets and miracle workers will be rejected by Jesus.

I would also try to consult the notes from an RSV-CE or even ESV or NIV Bible for comparison.

 

[mrsdizzyd]

In other words, within the group of Christians who call themselves prophets, some are true prophets and some are false prophets. Beware of the false prophets.

 

[worldwideweary]

Thanks for the other footnotes,
yet one need not call themself a prophet in order to falsely prophesy,
though it would seem one would need to congregate with or claim to be
Christian to actually be a false Christian.

 

[mrsdizzyd]

That is true, but in this case, I think he was referring to people who were claiming to be his followers. Verses 21-23 bear that out.

 

[worldwideweary]

For the record, to any viewers of this thread: I performed an error in typing Chapter 7, when indeed it is Chapter 24 with footnote #7 being referred in the first post (though the link was correct). This is why there are references further to Chapter 7 by the other posters, and something strange in mrsdizzy’s relation to the claiming of being followers, if anyone noticed the discrepancy. My apologies for possible confusion if anyone paid attention to the details.

Strangely enough, the chapter discrepancy linked-in with the topic slightly without being noticed.
Perhaps it ought to be recognized as a funny providence? The following is a hardcoded quote of the initial passage

Matthew 24:11-14

And then many will be led into sin; they will betray and hate one another.
Many false prophets will arise and deceive many;
and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold.
But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come.

 

[mrsdizzyd]

Interesting!

Well, same arguments apply. There is continuity in the gospel here. In Mt 24:9 the stage is set. Again, Christ is talking about things that will happen within the Christian community… Brother will betray brother and false prophets will deceive many.

 

[tweedlealice]

All the Bible’s have the verse that says,”IN THE LAST DAYS THETE WILL HE FALSE PROPHETS!” Like WICCAN. Satanists. Some strange religions.
In fact, the UFO channel has some interesting developments. As interesting and somewhat believable it is, it could be false prophets. So, keep that in mind, if watching extraterrestrial shows. We could be cloned by another civilization but our God had to create the very first one…
In Christ’s Love
Tweedlealice