PARABLE of IDENTITY THEFT
February 9th - National Pizza Day
Celebrating National Pizza Day, four Pastors meet monthly to discuss topics.
Pastor Dave opens saying, "Someone posted an AI video of me putting words in my mouth of things I never said. As soon as I had it taken down, someone posted another fake video."
Pastor Frank comments, "Identity Theft is a huge issue in our world today. I caught someone trying to steal my phone number. I called my carrier and had my number locked."
Pastor Manuel adds, "Someone tried to steal my credit card, but I got a phone alert and froze my account immediately."
Pastor Jun De remarks, "If they can still your identity, they can steal you bank account, title to your car, house and ruin your credit score."
Pastor Dave speaks, "Did you know Jesus predicted that one day men would try to steal His identity?"
Pastor Frank reacts, "You got to be kidding?"
Pastor Jun De reads: "And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many." (Matthew 24:4-5 NKJV - New King James Version)
Pastor Manuel says, "I have relatives named Jesus and there are other people named Jesus in the Bible. But there is only one Jesus Christ, God the Son."
Pastor Dave adds, "Throughout history there are a lot of people calling themselves Jesus Christ. These people are mortal men, pretending to be God."
Pastor Jun De, "Jesus ascended to heaven on the Mount of Olives and at His second coming He will return to the Mount of Olives."
Pastor Frank adds, "Didn't Jesus appear face to face with Saul?"
Pastor Manuel reads: "And as he was traveling, it happened that when he was approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting," (ACTS 9:3-5 LSB - Legacy Standard Bible)
Pastor Dave adds, "Jesus talked from above, just like the conversation Jesus had talking to the God the Father at His transfiguration. Jesus will return to earth at His second coming on the Mount of Olives, not America.
Pastor Frank smiles, "What about all the False Prophets? Aren't they trying to steal the true identity of God?"
Pastor Jun De reads, "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many."
Pastor Dave adds, "Old Testament Prophets were God's spokesmen, communicating laws, judgements, blessings, and prophecies...including the coming of the Messiah. What was the test of the false prophet in the Old Testament?"
Pastor Manuel reads: "When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him." (Deuteronomy 18:22 ESV - English Standard Version)
Pastor Jun De reads: "Prophets or those who tell the future with dreams might come to you and say they will show you a miracle or a sign. The miracle or sign might even happen, and then they might say, “Let’s serve other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let’s worship them.” But you must not listen to those prophets or dreamers. The Lord your God is testing you, to find out if you love him with your whole being. Serve only the Lord your God. Respect him, keep his commands, and obey him. Serve him and be loyal to him. The prophets or dreamers must be killed, because they said you should turn against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and saved you from the land where you were slaves. They tried to turn you from doing what the Lord your God commanded you to do. You must get rid of the evil among you." (Deuteronomy 13:1-5 NCV - New Century Version)
Pastor Manuel adds, "False prophets want you to serve other gods."
Pastor Dave says, "The apostle Paul states: "For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, this you tolerate very well!"
(2 Corinthians 11:4 NASB - New American Standard Bible)
Pastor Manuel adds, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8-9 ESV - English Standard Version)
Pastor Frank blurts out, "Everyone interprets scripture differently. Some literal and some as allegories. Who is right?"
Pastor Jun De replies, "We understand the author and interpret His word according to the context of what was spoken and written."
Pastor Dave concludes, "Jesus had prophesized he would have Identity Theft. As we draw near to the end times, there will be many people calling themselves Jesus Christ or God. And many false prophets are distorting words of Jesus, Bible, and the Gospel of Grace through Faith."
Pastor Manual adds, "My kid's memory verse: "Be careful of false prophets. They come to you and look gentle like sheep. But they are really dangerous like wolves." (Matthew 7:15 ERV - Easy To Read Version)
Pastor Jun De adds, "We all agree we need to protect each other's Identity. Let's protect God's identity and tell people the truth found in God's word the Bible."
Pastor Frank gets up, "I better check my computer for viruses and trojans."
