Post details: Must Prophecies From God Be 100% Accurate?

06/28/09

Permalink 11:58:10 pm, Categories: GraceHead teaching, By Trent
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Must Prophecies From God Be 100% Accurate?

Here is a question that I got from a friend on Facebook.

If the letters to your friend Timothy ARE in fact from God, then that means that the prophecies in those letters MUST happen.....right? Since prophecy from our God is 100% accurate...

The reason I ask is because I have known sooooo many people who claim to have been given a message or revelation from God....and they boldly predict events to come....but they end up being wrong. (Which means either the one who gave them the message is a lier, or they faked the whole thing.)

Lets always discern what we hear and read. A huge event of the end times is people falling away.

Here is a reply, that I punched out on my crusty old laptop ...


Hi there.

There is always tension when a prophet issues something from God. On the one hand, one should not despise prophecies. On the other hand, one should pay attention to cry false and to shun a corrupt source if and when their words show to be untrue. So, the tension is in looking at both the current word and all the words as a whole.

It gets easier once you find a fault, because you no longer have to deal with the source. One fault or error in what a prophet states and they are no longer to ever be viewed as God's messenger again.

It is difficult when someone has yet to be seen as false, because even though confidence is gained by the certainty and accuracy of their prophecies, one cannot use that confidence to rubber-stamp approval on any future prophecies or to turn a blind eye to what was said even from the beginning. All of it as a whole and every detain therein should be constantly re-examined and shown to be true. It should be always shown to be spotless in any examination or it should be treated as no better than the book of mormon or other demonstrably erroneous so-called prophecies.

I believe Timothy is true and is receiving from God. Nevertheless, I am always looking for new ways to nail down what is said and keep track of it with the rigor that it deserves. Does this mean that I am still skeptical? Well, I must admit that I certainly do believe it is authentic, but that does not give me the escape to treat the Words lightly or to quit testing them.

God speaks to me, not like Timothy, but in the Voice within. And even though it is from Him, I don't always hear it right and want Him to reaffirm His words over and over until I understand clearly. This going over and over would apply even more to any voice from God outside of my heart claiming to be from God.

I have spreadsheets, with predictions in the Letters, and links back to when (the date of origin) they were issued and the latest possible fulfillment thereof. When Timothy saw what I was doing, and making with the spreadsheets, he offered to help and has added to the list ... even from among his private letters (as opposed to the published letters on the site and pdf.)

I wish there were more people that took this approach to the integrity of what Timothy is delivering, but I don't know of anyone else that is doing it. Just what I am doing with Timothy's help as far as I am aware.

Anyway, you are right to say that one falsehood demolishes the ministry of any prophet. When I first set out to read the Letters, I was looking for that one falsehood. Now, several years later, I still am on the lookout, even though I stand convinced of them.

So, my advice to you would be to never take my word for it or anyone else's. Examine and test things for yourself with much prayer and much going over and over in prayer to see if you are really hearing right and really giving the situation the due gravity that it deserves.

This is not a time for herd mentality and just going along with the crowd, letting them decide things for you. The crowd is notoriously led astray, and prone to error. This is a time for study and prayer and to live with integrity before the Lord ... for when we are called to account for this life, the crowd will not be standing next to us as a defense if we get things wrong. We each will stand before Him and He is able to make us stand. Therefore, with stamina and longsuffering, let us be diligent with what is before us, so that on that day we will have no regrets.

Ripening for the harvest,
Trent

Comments:

Comment from: David Noble [Visitor]
I can sympathize with you. I agree with you that a prophecy in order to be a real prophecy will need to be 100% true; otherwise, it is 100% false. Some churches today want this cafeteria Christianity or alacarte Christianity where they can take a little here and a little there . We need to judge prophecies just like it was given to us to judge them in Deuteronomy 13. Let me just get to the point: Nearly all prophecies today are merely words of exhortations or words of encouragements. These are still good, but let's call them what they really are.

Another thing which is happening right now is the apostate church, mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2, is being revealed right now. Yes, this is no longer a future event. The lawless one mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2: 3 is being revealed all over the world right now. Lawless one is defined just like it says as those who are not following Torah. Read this verse from the Complete Jewish Bible, and you might be astonished. The picture of those in Revelation 14: 12 are those following Torah and of the faith of Yeshua.

That being said about the lawless one (or those who refuse to follow G-d's instructions), we can better understand or identify false prophets. Everytime they open their mouth and give a false word, they reveal themselves. The picture of real prophets in the Tanach are those who call the people back to Torah. Yeshua did this. Nothing was ever done away with, but was properly executed (or fulfilled). Anyway, I hope some of this helps on your quest for truth. Have a good day!
Permalink 06/29/09 @ 03:07
Comment from: Trent [Member] · http://www.GraceHead.com
David,
That helps quite a bit. The Lord removed a great veil that was over my head, keeping me from the understanding that you so eloquently spelled out.
What a relief it has been to "put on Christ" these last few years and begin finding the grace for Him to live out His life through me in complete obedience to the Laws of God found in the Torah.
Indeed the ordinances that were issued for the atonement of sins are complete replaced by Christ. But what was wrong remains wrong and what is right remains right. The moral aspects of the Law that condemned us when we were apart from Christ are the same moral Laws that are fulfilled in us who walk according to the Spirit.
The Sabbath was certainly a landmark decision in my life, and it has been a tremendous blessing. I am irked that I could be a part of so many churches in my life and been told so many lies about this blessing.

Let those who love God be shown as such ... for they are those that obey His commands.

Ripening still,
Trent
Permalink 06/29/09 @ 03:27
Comment from: Timothy [Member] · http://www.TrumpetCallofGodOnline.com
Amen brothers...

As to the blog post: I also say test, test, test... only a fool would discount a matter when it pertains to God without looking into it themselves.

(Note: Indeed all true prophecy should be 100% accurate, BUT not all prophecy comes to pass.--> i.e. God did not do many things He warned He would do, when the people repented and turned back to God and again strove to walk in His ways and obey His commands.)

So be sure and test The Word God has spoken me according to the Truth and His undefiled Word in the Scriptures and not according to man's doctrines or you will surely stumble. You will also need to use Hebrew Bibles and concordances etc. as the English translations of the Bible have many translation errors. If this were not true why don't all Bibles match? So....

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.


And those who cry "FALSE": PLEASE consider also what if all I have written down by the Lord's voice and command is true... shall you blaspheme and fight against God?! I say this so you consider both sides and do not lazily cast off this Word in ignorance. This would be a grave error. For it would not be me you are casting off but the Lord... it is not me you are insulting but the Lord Your God and Your Savior. So be diligent and do not just go with the flow as Trent asserted.

Allow me to help with the following testing tools:

DISCERNMENT OF TRUE AND FALSE PROPHETS/TEACHERS/PREACHERS

IMPORTANT NOTE:
This study also applys to true and false teachers, and *organizations. (*A church/ministry can also be a true or false prophet/teacher depending on what their doctrine says and how they go about preaching that doctrine.)

A. A true prophet leads people to the Bible and to Jesus.
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:37
Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. ~ Acts 26:19-20
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, every man’s work shall be made manifest. For the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire. ~ 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

A false prophet speaks lies, leading people away from the Bible and Jesus.
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of Truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make mechandise of you, whose judgement now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. ~ 2 Peter 2:1-3
And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. ~ Acts 13:6, 8
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. ~ 2 Timothy 4:3-4
One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. ~ Titus 10-14

B. A true prophet confesses that Jesus Christ came in the flesh.
Hereby ye know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. ~ 1 John 4:2

A false prophet brings in damnable heresies, denying the Lord who bought them, and does not proclaim that Jesus Christ came in the flesh.
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ~ 2 Peter 2:1
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God. And this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world. ~ 1 John 4:3

C. A true prophet seeks to glorify God.
He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory. But he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. ~ John 7:18

A false prophet seeks glory for himself.
For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. ~ Philippians 2:21
He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory... ~ John 7:18

D. A true prophet speaks with God’s wisdom given him by the power of God’s spirit.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. ~ 2 Peter 1:21
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but He revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. ~ Amos 3:7

A false prophet prophesies by his own wisdom or interpretation of Scripture.
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. ~ 2 Peter 1:20-21

E. A true prophet gives warning, edification1, exhortation2, comfort and correction, as directed by God.
So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me. ~ Ezekiel 33:7
Wherefore will ye plead with Me? Ye all have transgressed against Me, saith the Lord. In vain have I smitten your children, they received no correction. Your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion. ~ Jeremiah 2: 29-30
Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day, I have even sent unto you all My servants, the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them...But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction. Truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth. ~ Jeremiah 7:25, 28
The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence. ~ Jeremiah 28:8
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself, but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied. For greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpet, that the church may receive edifying. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:3-5

1 edify: to instruct and improve especially by good example; benefit morally or spiritually
2 exhortation: earnesty spoken words of urgent advice or warning


A false prophet speaks ONLY of peace and prosperity.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you. They make you vain. They speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. They say still unto them that despise Me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. ~ Jeremiah 23:16-17

F. A true prophet will show good fruit and will exhibit the fruit of the Spirit.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. ~ Matthew 7:16-20
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Against such there is no law. ~ Galatians 5:22-23

False prophets will show evil fruit and will exhibit the corrupt fruit of the devil.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. ~ Matthew 7:16-20
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. ~ Titus 10-14

G. A true prophet rightly divides the Word of God.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness. ~ 2 Timothy 2:15-16

A false prophet shares opinions and distorts Scripture.
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest1, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. ~ 2 Peter 3:16

1 wrest - to distort; to divert to an improper or unnatural use

H. A true prophet puts his trust in God.
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. ~ Jeremiah 17:7
Trust ye in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. ~ Isaiah 26:4
For the king trusteth in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved. ~ Psalm 21:7

A false prophet puts his trust in men.
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. ~ Jeremiah 17:5

I. A true prophet speaks the true prophecies.
And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come), then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them. ~ Ezekiel 33:33

A false prophet speaks lies and gives false prophecies.
Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the [prophet1], Hear now, Hananiah, the Lord hath not sent thee, but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. ~ Jeremiah 28:15
Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the Lord concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie...~ Jeremiah 29:31

Note: 1prophet - In the Bible, both false and true prophets are called “prophets”. One must read the context of the chapter to understand whether the “prophet” is true or false, such as in Hananiah’s case. Hananiah was a false prophet, but Jeremiah was a true prophet, yet both were called “prophets”.


J. A true prophet does not accept money for God’s words.
Throughout the entire Bible, none of God’s prophets ever required money to deliver God’s messages. The entire Bible is a testament of this.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. ~ 1 Timothy 6:6
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. ~ 1 Timothy 6:8

A false prophet charges, or expects payment, for his words.
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil-surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the Truth, supposing that gain is godliness. From such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.~ 1 Timothy 6:3-10
No servant can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon1. ~ Luke 16:13
And [through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you2], whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. ~ 2 Peter 2:3
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, a prophet of their own... ~ Titus 10-12

1 mammon: an often personified devotion to material possessions; also wealth
2 [in their greed, these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up] - NIV
3 lucre: monetary gain; profit; also money


K. A true prophet is socially unacceptable to the proud and does not conform to people’s expectations.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are, that no flesh should glory in his presence. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

A false prophet is socially acceptable and conforms to people’s expectations.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. ~ 2 Timothy 4:3-4

L. True prophets are generally disliked.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. ~ Matthew 5:12
Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. ~ James 5:10

False prophets are generally liked.
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets. ~ Luke 6:26

M. There are few true prophets.
Then said Elijah to the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are found four hundred and fifty men. ~ 1 Kings 18:22

Note: We are able to discern from 1 Kings 18:22 that while there were many false prophets of Baal and other gods, there was only one prophet, Elijah, of the True God. In the New Testament, we are shown that there will be more prophets as compared to the Old Testament...”To another, faith by the same Spirit; to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, discerning of spirits; to another, diverse kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues” [1 Corinthians 12:9-10]. Even though there are more true prophets spoken of in the New Testament, the number will be less than the number of false prophets (see the verses below - the word “many”).

There are many false prophets.
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table. ~ 1 Kings 18:19
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. ~ Matthew 24:11
Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you. Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity. ~ Matthew 7:22-23
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world. ~ 1 John 4:1

N. The prophecies of a true prophet will come to pass.
And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come), then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them. ~ Ezekiel 33:33

The predictions of a false prophet will not come to pass.
When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously. Thou shalt not be afraid of him. ~ Deuteronomy 18:22

Beloved, believe not every spirit,
but try the spirits whether they are of God,
because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
~ 1 John 4:1


Jesus warns us that in these last times, there would be “wolves” in “sheep’s” clothing (Matthew 7:15). Please remember, when testing the prophets or anyone who claims to be a servant of the Most High God, to use all Scripture, but especially the verses we’ve just noted. We cannot take only one verse of the Bible and judge whether or not someone is true or false. We must look at all the evidence and then decide for ourselves...Scripture is the rod by which we shall measure everything, including the validity of those who claim to be God’s servants.



[* All noted definitions from Encyclopedia Britannica CD-Rom 2003]


Permalink 06/30/09 @ 11:06

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