Lying in the Name of the Lord: Exposing False Prophets

Posted on July 23, 2025 • Category: Apologetics

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What is a False Prophet

📜 Biblical Standard

William Miller (1782–1849)

Miller was a Baptist preacher and founder of the Millerite movement, a major 19th-century American religious movement that predicted the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

A former Deist turned Christian after his experiences in the War of 1812

Self-taught Bible student who focused heavily on Daniel 8:14

Concluded through his calculations that Christ would return between 1843 and 1844

• William Miller (preacher) - Wikipedia
• Great Disappointment - Wikipedia
• Millerism - Wikipedia

❌ William Miller's False Prophecies

Jesus Will Return Between March 21, 1843 – March 21, 1844

• Claim: Based on his interpretation of Daniel 8:14 (“2,300 days”), Miller said these symbolized 2,300 years, ending around 1843.
• Result: Christ did not return.
• Miller’s Response: Claimed he misunderstood the calendar but still expected Christ’s return “soon.”

Jesus Will Return on October 22, 1844

• Claim: After the first failure, Millerites reinterpreted the end date using the Jewish Day of Atonement (10th day of the 7th month, 1844) → Oct. 22, 1844.
• Promoted by: Samuel S. Snow (but Miller endorsed it).
• Result: No return of Christ. This triggered the “Great Disappointment.”

The World Would Be Cleansed by Fire in 1844

• Claim: Miller taught that the “cleansing of the sanctuary” in Daniel 8:14 referred to the cleansing of the Earth by fire—i.e., Christ's return to destroy the wicked.
• Result: The Earth was not burned, and no divine judgment came in 1844.

All Who Reject the 1844 Message Are Lost

• Claim: Some within the movement, including Miller’s close associates, believed (and implied Miller agreed) that rejecting the 1844 message = spiritual ruin.
• Result: Many devout Christians rejected the date but remained faithful to Christ.

Affirmed God’s Hand Was in the Specific Date

• Quote: “I believe the time, I have preached, that Christ will come… is correct.”
• Result: He later admitted he was wrong, but never fully retracted the prophetic claim itself—he only regretted the outcome.

Charles T. Russell (1852–1916)

An American religious leader and founder of the Bible Student movement, which later evolved into the Jehovah’s Witnesses under Joseph Rutherford.

Denied the Trinity, the bodily resurrection of Christ, and the existence of Hell as eternal punishment.

Claimed Christ returned invisibly in 1874 and that Armageddon would occur in 1914.

Claimed reading his books was more important than reading the Bible alone.

❌ List of Failed Prophecies by Charles T. Russell

Christ’s Invisible Return in 1874

• Claim: Jesus Christ returned invisibly in 1874 and began ruling spiritually.
• Source: Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 2, The Time is at Hand (1889)
• Reality: No biblical or historical evidence of Christ's return in 1874.
• Later Action: The Watchtower shifted the date to 1914 under Rutherford.

The Resurrection of the Saints in 1878

• Claim: The “faithful dead” (including apostles) were resurrected in 1878.
• Source: Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 3
• Reality: No such event occurred. Totally unverifiable.
• Result: Quietly dropped by later JW leadership.

Armageddon and End of the “Gentile Times” in 1914

• Claim: The world would end in 1914, human governments would be destroyed, and Christ's kingdom would fully take over.
• Source: Zion’s Watch Tower, July 15, 1894

  “...the battle of the great day of God Almighty... will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership.”

• Reality: 1914 came and went. World War I began, but human governments remained. No millennial reign. No resurrection.

Complete Destruction of Churches and Kingdoms by 1918

• Claim: By 1918, God would destroy all false churches and political institutions.
• Source: The Finished Mystery (published posthumously, 1917)

  “In the year 1918, when God destroys the churches wholesale... many will perish.”

• Reality: No such destruction happened. Churches remained. The world moved on.

Final End in 1925 (Carried by His Followers)

• Though Russell died in 1916, his successor, Joseph Rutherford, continued Russell's prophetic structure and predicted:

  Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would return physically in 1925.

• Reality: Obviously false. No patriarchs returned.
• Shows that the movement Russell built continued propagating false timelines.

Ellen G. White (1827–1915)

Co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

Claimed to receive over 2,000 visions and dreams from God

Considered by SDA members to be a messenger of the Lord

Wrote more than 100,000 pages across books, letters, and articles

For more info check out answeringadventism.com

❌ False Prophecies and Errors of Ellen G. White

Christ’s Return Was Imminent for Her Generation

• Claim: Some present at a church conference would live to see Jesus return.

  “Some are food for worms, some are subjects of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus.” — Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 131

• Result: Everyone she addressed is dead. Christ did not return.

Old Jerusalem Would Never Be Rebuilt

• Claim:

  “Old Jerusalem never would be built up.” — Early Writings, p. 75

• Reality: Modern Jerusalem is rebuilt, thriving, and globally significant.

England Would Declare War on the U.S.

• Claim:

  “When England does declare war, all nations will have an interest of their own to serve, and there will be general war...” — Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 259

• Reality: England never declared war on the United States. No such “general war” occurred as described.

The Atonement Was Not Completed at the Cross

• Claim: Jesus only began the atonement in 1844.

  “Now while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us...” — The Great Controversy, p. 480

• Contradiction:

  “It is finished.” — Jesus (John 19:30)

  “By one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” — Hebrews 10:14

Satan Bears the Sins of Believers

• Claim: Satan is the final sin-bearer (scapegoat).

  “Satan... bears the final penalty of sin.” — The Great Controversy, p. 422

• Biblical Error: Only Christ bears sin (Isaiah 53:5–6; 1 Peter 2:24)

Meat-Eaters Can’t Be Saved

• Claim:

  “Those who use flesh meats freely... will not be translated.” — Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 380

• Biblical Refutation: Jesus ate fish (Luke 24:42), Paul allows all food with thanksgiving (1 Tim. 4:1–5)

Enoch Lives on Saturn (or a Planet with Seven Moons)

• Claim: Vision of a planet with large beings and Enoch residing there. — Early Writings, pp. 39–40
• Problem: Pure speculation. No scriptural or scientific basis.

Direct Divine Inspiration — Yet Heavy Plagiarism

• Claim: Her visions and books were from God.
• Reality: 30–90% of her works were copied from earlier authors, including Protestant writers and health reformers.

  Exposed by SDA scholar Walter Rea in The White Lie.

Affirmed the Failed 1844 Prophecy

• Claim: The 1844 date (Miller's Great Disappointment) was still divinely guided.
• Reality: Christ did not return or begin any visible prophetic work in 1844. She just redefined it as the “start of the investigative judgment.”

Joseph Smith (1805–1844)

Born in Vermont, claimed his first vision at age 14

Founded the Mormon movement in 1830 with the publication of the Book of Mormon

Claimed to be God’s modern prophet restoring the true church

Taught that true Christianity was lost after the apostles, and only restored through him

❌ False Prophecies and Errors of Joseph Smith

Christ’s Return by 1891

• Prophecy: Jesus would return within 56 years (i.e., by 1891).
• Quote:

  “...the coming of the Lord, which is nigh—even fifty-six years should wind up the scene.” — History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 182 (Feb. 14, 1835)

• Result: Christ did not return.

Temple in Independence, Missouri, in His Generation

• Prophecy: A temple would be built in Missouri during the lifetime of those alive in 1832.
• Quote:

  “...a house shall be built... in the generation of that people.” — Doctrine & Covenants 84:2–5 (Sept. 1832)

• Result: No temple was built. That generation died.

U.S. Government Overthrown Shortly

• Prophecy: The U.S. would be “utterly overthrown and wasted” in a few years.
• Quote:

  “...the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be so much as a potsherd left.” — History of the Church, Vol. 5, p. 394 (Dec. 25, 1832)

• Result: The U.S. still stands nearly 200 years later.

Civil War Would Spread Globally

• Prophecy: The American Civil War would expand into a global war.
• Quote:

  “...war will be poured out upon all nations...” — D&C 87 (Dec. 1832)

• Result: Civil War was national, not global. World War I came over 50 years later and was unrelated.

New York Will Be Destroyed If They Reject the Book of Mormon

• Prophecy: Cities including New York would be destroyed.
• Quote:

  “...if they reject it, the judgments of God will rest upon them... and the city shall be left desolate.” — D&C 84:114–115

• Result: New York rejected it. Still thriving.

David W. Patten Will Go on a Mission in Spring 1839

• Prophecy: Apostle David Patten would go on a mission “next spring.”
• Quote:

  “...my servant David W. Patten may perform a mission... next spring.” — D&C 114:1 (April 1838)

• Result: Patten was killed later that year (October 1838). Never made it to spring.

The Coming of the Son of Man in a Temple in Zion

• Prophecy: Jesus would appear in Zion, Missouri temple.
• Quote:

  “Zion shall be redeemed, although she is chastened for a little season... and the Son of Man shall come to her.” — D&C 100:13–17

• Result: Zion was not redeemed, and no temple was ever built.

All Nations Would Bow to LDS Theocracy

• Prophecy: The Kingdom of God (through the LDS church) would consume all other nations.
• Quote:

  “...the kingdom of God shall roll forth... and break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms.” — D&C 65:5–6

Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910)

Born in New Hampshire in 1821

Claimed to be divinely inspired after recovering from an injury in 1866

Founded Christian Science in 1879, claiming to restore “primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing”

Wrote Science and Health, treated as Scripture by her followers

❌ False Prophecies & Failed Predictions of Mary Baker Eddy

Death Will Be Overcome Through Christian Science

• Claim: Death is “not real,” just a belief, and will be overcome by right understanding of Christian Science.
• Quote:

  “The relinquishment of all faith in death and also of the fear of its sting would raise the standard of health and morals... and destroy this last enemy.” — Science and Health, p. 426

Reality:

• Eddy died in 1910 at age 89.
• Every Christian Scientist since has also died.
• 1 Corinthians 15:26 says death is the “last enemy” to be destroyed by Christ’s return, not by metaphysical thought.

Her Church Would Fill the Earth

• Claim: Christian Science would become globally dominant, reforming the world’s spiritual and physical condition.
• Quote:

  “This [Christian Science] will establish the kingdom of heaven on the earth.” — Miscellaneous Writings, p. 174

Reality:

• Christian Science peaked in the 1930s, with ~1,200 churches in the U.S.
• Now in rapid decline — fewer than 400 congregations remain.
• It's considered a fringe sect with dwindling influence.

Christian Science Would Make Medicine Obsolete

• Claim: Spiritual healing would replace medicine, surgery, and doctors.
• Quote:

  “The time for thinkers has come... and the present demand is for metaphysics...” — Science and Health, Preface

  “You must abandon all trust in matter and employ Mind alone.” — Science and Health, p. 144

Reality:

• Countless followers suffered or died avoiding medical care.
• Christian Scientists eventually began seeking medical treatment quietly, contradicting the original claim.

Sin Is Not Real — and Will Disappear

• Claim: Sin is an illusion of mortal mind and will be eliminated through understanding.
• Quote:

  “Man is incapable of sin... sin is unreal and does not belong to the spiritual man.” — Science and Health, pp. 475–482

Reality:

• Romans 3:23 – “All have sinned.”
• The daily reality of sin, evil, and brokenness clearly contradict her claim.

Matter Is an Illusion

• Claim: Disease, death, sin, and even the physical world are not truly real.
• Quote:

  “There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter.” — Science and Health, p. 468

Reality:

• This is philosophical denialism—not biblical Christianity.
• Matter is affirmed in Scripture (Genesis 1; Christ’s bodily resurrection in Luke 24).

Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772)

Founder of the theology behind the New Church (also called Swedenborgianism).

Claimed to visit Heaven and Hell regularly

He conversed with angels, demons, and spirits — often daily

Taught that the Last Judgment occurred in 1757 — invisibly, in the spiritual world

Swedenborg’s False Prophecies & Failed Predictions

The Last Judgment Happened in 1757 (Spiritually)

• Claim: Swedenborg taught that the Last Judgment, spoken of in Revelation, already occurred — in the spiritual realm, not visibly on Earth.
• Source: The Last Judgment (1758)
• Details: He said the spiritual world was cleansed of corrupt “Christian” spirits, making room for a new heavenly era on Earth.

Reality:

• No such event happened in 1757 in either the physical or spiritual sense (according to Scripture or history).
• The true Last Judgment is still a future, global, physical event (Rev. 20:11–15).
• Biblical Conflict: Revelation’s judgment includes resurrection, casting into the lake of fire, and the visible return of Christ.

A New Church Would Replace Historic Christianity

• Claim: Swedenborg predicted the complete rejection and collapse of traditional Christianity, to be replaced by his “New Church” — a spiritual movement aligned with his revelations.
• Source: True Christian Religion, §179, §753
• Details: He said the former church had spiritually died and the New Church would gradually emerge and triumph worldwide.

Reality:

• 250+ years later, Swedenborgianism is a fringe sect, with fewer than 20,000 members globally.
• Traditional Christianity continues to thrive in billions across denominations.

No Future Bodily Resurrection

• Claim: He rejected the idea of a future resurrection of the body.

  “Man rises again only as to his spirit... the body is cast off and never resumed.” — Heaven and Hell, §445–451

Reality:

• This denies the future, physical resurrection taught in 1 Corinthians 15, Daniel 12:2, and John 5:28–29.
• It also contradicts the bodily resurrection of Christ, which is the model for ours.

The Church Had Been Dead Since 1757

• Claim: He declared that the institutional Christian Church died spiritually in 1757, and that God ceased working through it.

Problem:

• Since then, hundreds of millions have come to Christ, Scripture has been translated into almost every language, and countless churches have been planted.
• His “New Church” has remained tiny, obscure, and internally divided.

William S. Crowdy (1847–1908)

Founder of the Church of God and Saints of Christ

Born into slavery in Maryland in 1847

Became a Baptist preacher and later claimed to receive divine visions

❌ False Prophecies & Failed Predictions of William S. Crowdy

Claimed to Be the Last Prophet of God

• Claim: Crowdy declared he was the final prophet sent to restore true Israel and reveal God’s last message.
• Problem: No fulfilled, testable prophecies. His movement fragmented after his death and contradicted Scripture, which says:

  “In these last days [God] has spoken to us by His Son.” — Hebrews 1:1–2

African Americans = Ethnic Israelites

• Claim: Crowdy taught that African Americans are the physical descendants of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Problem:

• Genetic studies refute this.
• Historical, linguistic, and migratory records show African Americans descended from West African peoples, not Hebrews.
• The New Covenant abolishes tribal distinctions (Gal. 3:28).

The Restoration of the Twelve Tribes

• Claim: Crowdy said he was gathering the lost tribes of Israel, beginning with Black Americans.

Problem:

• No worldwide tribal restoration occurred.
• His organization splintered and lacks unity in doctrine and mission.
• The true regathering of Israel is fulfilled in Christ, not race (Isaiah 11:12; Eph. 2:14–16).

Old Covenant Practices Restored

• Claim: Taught a return to Old Testament laws — Sabbaths, feast days, dietary restrictions, ritual purity.

Problem:

• The book of Galatians condemns going back to the Law as a requirement for salvation (Gal. 5:4).
• Hebrews makes clear: Christ is the fulfillment of the Law (Heb. 10:1–10).

Jesus Was Not the Final Word

• Claim: Though Crowdy acknowledged Jesus, he claimed additional revelation was needed — namely, his own.

Problem:

• This contradicts Hebrews 1:2, Revelation 22:18, and Jude 3 (the faith was “once for all delivered”).