When a "Messiah" Dies

This past week, self-proclaimed “messiah” Sun Myung Moon died of pneumonia at age 92. He was the founder of the Unification Church. The “church” cult was most famous for mass weddings performed between people who may not even have known each other or have spoken the same language. Moon amassed a huge fortune. His organization owns properties and businesses all over the world. He divorced his first wife and had ten children with his second wife, his “co-messiah.” Shocking is his claim that Jesus Christ appeared to him personally and called Moon to complete His work! (The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus’ work was finished on the cross. Remember His words, “It is finished.” See John 17:4 and 19:30.)

My husband and I were acquainted with a man who said he was “the Son of God” and claimed he would never die. He died several years ago, all alone. How sad!

What happens when a “messiah” dies?

One hopes that people would begin to analyze his claims, his teachings. They could check if they line up with Scripture (which they won’t) and with prophecy (which they don’t). One hopes that this false prophet’s death would be a wake-up call so that people begin to search for real Truth.

The Bible warns us that we’ll see more and more false prophets and antichrists. Many people will claim to be the Christ, even though He has already come.

            And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect (Matthew 24:11, 24. The same prophecy is expressed in Mark 13:22).

            But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction (2 Peter 2:1).

            Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time (1 John 2:18).

            Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world (1 John 4:1-3).

The good news is that we who know the Lord are on the winning side.

            Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. (1 John 4:4-5, 9)

I am very thankful to know the Truth. I’m thankful I have my Bible. I am also thankful for God’s grace in my life. But for God’s grace, I could be in a cult, fooled by some charismatic person, believing in someone I can see instead of trusting in Jesus.

            Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:7b-9).

Praise the Lord for His Truth, the precious gospel of Jesus Christ!