False Apostles

2Corinthians 11:12-15 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 

‘For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.’ Sixteen marks of false ministers in 2 Corinthians: They hold secret things of shame (4:2). They walk in craftiness (4:2). They handle Word deceitfully (4:2). They walk and war after the flesh (10:3). They look on outward appearance (10:7; cp. 1Sam. 16:7; Matt. 23:27-28). They commend selves (10:12). They compare selves to others (10:12). They prey on the works of others (10:15-16). They are greedy of income (11:7-12). They are false; they seek the highest offices (11:13). They are deceitful workers (11:13). They try to counterfeit apostleship (11:13). They pose as righteous ministers (11:15). They seek occasion to glory (11:12). They are boastful and self-exalting (11:18). They are destitute of apostolic signs (12:12).

Thirty-four other marks of false ministers: They lead people away from God (Deut. 13:1-5). They speak presumptuously (Deut. 18:20). They propagate errors (Pro. 19:27; Isa. 3:12; Jer. 23:32). They have no sense of righteousness (Isa. 5:20; Jer. 11:1-23; 14:1-22; 32:1-44). They are destitute of light (Isa. 8:19-20). They teach lies (Isa. 9:14-16). They live like sinners (Isa. 28:7). They are ignorant of spiritual things (Isa. 29:10-11; 56:10-12; Jer. 2:8; Hos. 4:6). They compromise truth (Isa. 30:10). They are greedy and lazy (Isa. 56:10-12). They deal falsely (Jer. 6:13; Ezek. 22:27). They do not pray (Jer. 10:21). They destroy and scatter (Jer. 12:10; 23:1). They preach lies (Jer. 14:13-16). They commit adultery (Jer. 23:14). They encourage sin (Jer. 23:14; Ezek. 13:22). They are deceitful (Jer. 48:10; Ezek. 13:10; Rom. 16:18; Eph. 4:14; Col. 2:4-8; 2Tim. 3:6-13). They are sinful (Ezek. 22:25-28). They are liars (Jer. 23:14; Ezek. 13:19-22). They are selfish (Ezek. 34:2-3). They are unfaithful (Ezek. 34:4-10). They are covetous (Mic. 3:11). They teach doctrines of man (Matt. 15:9). They work iniquity (Matt. 7:15-23). They are blind (Matt. 15:14). They cause divisions (Rom. 16:17; 1Cor. 11:18; Php. 1:15-16). They corrupt truth (2Cor. 2:17). They teach doctrines of devils (1Tim. 4:1-16). They have a seared conscience (1Tim. 4:2). They are proud and perverse (1Tim. 6:3-21; 2Tim. 2:14-18; Tit. 1:10-14). They teach damnable heresies (2Pet. 2:1; 2Jn. 1:7-11). They deny Christ (2Pet. 2:1; 1Jn. 4:1-6). They are consecrated to destroy the Christian faith (2Pet. 2:1-19; Jude 1:4-11). They are hypocrites (Matt. 7:15; 23:1-33; Luke 11:35).

‘For satan himself is transformed’ – satan inspires his ministers to imitate Christianity and even to do miracles (Matt. 24:24; 2Thess. 2:8-12; Rev. 13:1-18; 16:13-16; 19:20). Where are his ministers who are transformed as ministers of righteousness? Wouldn’t they be amongst Christians?

‘An angel of light’ ten symbols of satan: A serpent (11:3; Gen. 3:15; Luke 10:19; Rev. 12:9, 15; 20:3); a crocodile (Job 41:1-34; Isa. 27:1); great red dragon (Rev. 12:1-17; 13:4; 16:13; 20:2); an angel of light (2Cor. 11:14); a roaring lion (1Pet. 5:8; Ps. 91:13); fowls (Matt. 13:4, 19); scorpions (Luke 10:19); wolf (John 10:12); fowler (Ps. 91:3); adder (Ps. 91:13).