Matthew 7 warns against false prophets, so apparently the audience in Jesus day were to be aware of them. The need to be wary of such things does not start in the distant future. It started at least by the time Jesus preached the sermon on the mount and continues through to this day.
Jesus warned against false prophets, telling of how even those who said they'd prophesied, cast out demons in Jesus' name, and did many wonderful works would be sent away because they were workers of iniquity. But Jesus also said, "Behold I send unto you, prophets, wise men, and scribes..." Jesus spoke of the importance of receiving a prophet in the name of a prophet. Ephesians 4 shows that Jesus gave gifts unto men. Among the gifts are prophets.
So there are true prophets and false prophets in this age. Christians should be wary. We should 'Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good." If we despise prophesyings-- dismiss prophesyings out of hand, considering them all to be false, that is disobedience. But if we don't prove all things, that is also disobedience.
Jesus warned against false prophets, telling of how even those who said they'd prophesied, cast out demons in Jesus' name, and did many wonderful works would be sent away because they were workers of iniquity. But Jesus also said, "Behold I send unto you, prophets, wise men, and scribes..." Jesus spoke of the importance of receiving a prophet in the name of a prophet. Ephesians 4 shows that Jesus gave gifts unto men. Among the gifts are prophets.
So there are true prophets and false prophets in this age. Christians should be wary. We should 'Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good." If we despise prophesyings-- dismiss prophesyings out of hand, considering them all to be false, that is disobedience. But if we don't prove all things, that is also disobedience.