Much confusion has entered into the current prophetic movement. That confusion is driven by false and inaccurate prophecies being given by immature prophets. We have many "wannabe prophets" who lack any direct connection to the office of the prophet. Rather, "wannabe prophets" are driven by prospective fortune that lays behind the fame of giving an accurate prophetic word.
Selfish ambition is the driving force behind the current trends in the prophetic movement. Prophets who went but were not sent. The Lord, through His prophet Jeremiah, spoke to the "wannabe prophets" in his day: "These prophets are telling lies in my name. I did not send them or tell them to speak. I did not give them any messages. They prophesy of visions and revelations they have never seen or heard. They speak foolishness made up in their own lying hearts."
Many YouTube prophets have arisen and gained a significant following by issuing bold declarations in hopes that their "coin flip" prophecies will come to pass. The same thing has happened on Facebook and Twitter. A myriad of voices claiming to be the true voice of the Lord. But something is lacking. What is lacking in the current prophetic movement? Conviction.
When prophets speak, the conviction of sin should be evident. Yes, true prophets bring conviction of sin through their prophetic words. True prophecies prepare us to be one of the elect. "Wannabe prophets" can easily confuse the true purpose of prophecy with psychic phenomena. Hence, the focus within the current prophetic movement on words of knowledge that disclose unknown facts: dates, names, addresses, and a host of other incidental information.
I believe in the word of knowledge. I also believe in the word of fore-knowledge (e.g. prophetic predictions of future events). Both operate from the spiritual gift of the word of knowledge. Both are essential to the church. When true words of knowledge are given, healing is often the result. When true predictions of future events happen, confidence in God's providential hand grows. Yes, we need both. But we need more.
"Wannabe prophets" fail to understand the prophetic purpose behind words of knowledge; they also lack discernment over greater utterances. Yes, there is more to genuine prophecy than giving accurate information. Power must be present. Prophetic utterances shape future events. Prophetic words carry in them seeds of self-fulfillment. When a true prophet speaks, their words are being driven to completion by the omniscient and omni-powerful hand of Almighty God.
Bob Jones, a man considered by many to be a true prophet, had supernatural signs follow his prophetic utterances (often years in advance of their fulfillment). Mike Bickle, in recounting his story of meeting Bob Jones, showcases the supernatural signs following Bob Jones's prophetic utterances: According to Bickle, several prophetic utterances were confirmed by significant signs in the heavens and earth. The signs pointed to the accuracy of the words given and fueled faith in others regarding their fulfillment.
Today, we have it in reverse. "Wannabe prophets" expect their faith to fuel the fulfillment of their own prophetic predictions. But that is not how it works. Faith doesn't fuel prophetic predictions. Rather faith arises through accurate prophetic predictions being given with associated signs. Yes, according to Bob Jones, signs were an essential element to prophetic predictions.
I have found that to be the case in my own life. I have given accurate prophetic words of major events over the course of many years that carried with them corresponding signs. In 1991, I wrote my first book, Decade of Destiny, which was a prophetic word for the decade of the 1990s and 2000s. I prophesied that a major revival was coming to America and that a period of war would follow that major revival and that war would take place after 2000. In 1999, I prophesied that a major terrorist attack would happen after 2000 that would cause the loss of many lives. In 2002, I prophesied of a major tsunami that would occur. In 2003, I prophesied that there would be significant hurricanes. In 2011, I prophetically exposed the secret corruption in America. In 2013, I prophesied of the rise of Russia and China and their attacks on America. Each was a sign that pointed to a spiritual purpose behind God's providential hand.
I am a prophet. I was called into the prophetic office as an infant. I was prophesied over by a Catholic priest as a baby. I did not learn of that prophetic word until after I had received numerous supernatural visitations regarding my calling into the prophetic office. I have written several books on prophecy or that contain specific prophetic utterances. I am respected by leaders within the prophetic movement. I was mentored by other prophets for years prior to walking in the fullness of my own prophetic calling. Today, I am a senior prophet.
"Wannabe prophets" lack that kind of depth of supernatural confirmation, experience, and training. To walk as a true prophet in this world means more than gaining a following. Rather, it requires sacrifice, tremendous sacrifice. To be a true prophet, one must be willing to be offered on the Lord's altar. There, choices vanish. There is only one choice on the Lord's altar - fire. Without that, any prophetic ministry is tainted by selfish pride and personal ambition.
That is where the prophetic ministry stands today: it is tainted by selfish pride and selfish ambition. Prophetic words are given to puff up ignorant and foolish people for the personal gain of the prophet and prophetic ministry. Sales of books, tapes, cd's and subscriptions promising access to the latest heavenly visitation abound. Balaam, like a pig in slop, would love this kind of prophetic ministry. Prophets hate getting into the mud and muck and mire of the world; they prefer the altar.
Prophets and psychics operate from different realms. Prophets operate in the realm of the Holy Spirit. Psychics operate through demon spirits. "Wannabe prophets" lack discernment between the two realms. That is why they are so dangerous to the prophetic movement. That is why clarification is needed. That is why prophetic mentorship under the leadership of the Holy Spirit is necessary. Yet, that is what we lack.
Yes, prophets are called to train other prophets. Not pastors. Not apostles. Not evangelists. And, not teachers. Prophets pass the prophetic mantle. The prophetic spirit is passed from one generation to the next. And, it is caught by the next generation from the last. That is what "wannabe prophets" lack: the mantle of the prophet that has been passed to them by the prior generation. If "wannabe prophets" truly want the mantle, then going through that process is required. Yes, God calls prophets. But ordained prophets train called prophets. And, it has been that way since the days of Moses.
I think "wannabe prophets" need training. I think "wannabe prophets" need mentoring. I think the watchful eye of established senior prophets is required to remove the scourge of false and inaccurate prophecy that has infiltrated the prophetic movement. Yes, prophetic words must be tested and tried; they must be proven. Yes, prophets are must be held accountable for inaccurate prophetic words. I believe integrity in prophecy is required. "Wannabe prophets" lack that integrity. And that is what makes them so dangerous.
Post a Comment