Watch Out for Prophetic Movement Sensationalism

(and how to spot a false prophet)
I recently visited a certain church for the first time, and  I was disappointed to find that they are preaching the same type of prophetic sensationalism that I have heard over the last ten years in the charismatic movement. I firmly believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit (since they are in the Bible) and practice them, so this will not be a charismatic-bashing statement. Nevertheless, it pains me to see the misguided focus of so many believers in the prophetic / apostolic movement - a focus which I used to share with them.

This focus is almost always the next big thing that "God is doing". If you listen to many of the well-known prophets today, you will hear a common note - that God is preparing you for the next level or what He is doing "in the spirit". No matter what city or country you are in, no matter what state of obedience you may be in, it is said that you and your church must "align yourselves" with what God is preparing in the heavenlies. The message is almost always that your city (whichever one it may be) is central to God's plan for your state or country, and that your church is vitally important in this master plan. Perhaps He is even moving the armies of heaven above your city now to do warfare for it now. Your city is the key! So it is said.

This type of message appeals to us on at least two levels: First, it touches our desire for importance, because we want to be central to God's plan. It is very nice to hear that our church and our own city are really where God is basing all his plans for our country, state, etc. We like feeling essential to the cause.

Second, the "next big thing" message attracts us because we want to know what this great, new and wonderful thing is that God is going to do for us. We want to know, for instance, that signs and wonders will be done on a level surpassing the apostles, right here in our town. We, of course, want to hear that multitudes will be saved and that these approaching times of revival are unlike any seen before in the history of the world. (You can actually hear these sorts of predictions these days.) Those who receive these messages begin to let their hearts drift away from our salvation stored in heaven and lean them instead on movements here on the earth.

This "new big thing" type of message has been preached for many decades, and each generation expects these wonderful times to come to them in their lifetime. Like great, new Montanists, many modern prophets have elaborated on this theme. But these are unfounded promises, which are repeated and circulated to attract more followers. They essentially seem to promise the full kingdom of God to manifest before the return of Christ. As it is written, "...they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh..." (2 Peter 2:18). We know from the Scriptures, however, that the kingdom of God in its fullness will come only when the Lord Jesus returns.

In fact, these types of modern prophecies are quite different from the word of God in Scripture. I invite you to compare them with the Bible - not only with what the Bible teaches, but also with how the prophets in the Bible spoke. You will find that a true prophet of God does not only encourage God's people, but endeavors to turn people from their sin. Read slowly Jeremiah chapter 23, Jude, and 2 Peter 2. You will, hopefully, tremble at the word of God, which promises stern judgment on prophets who lead His people astray and who treat sin lightly. He says about some of them, "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings." (Jeremiah 23:21-22) A true prophet of God will proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ: that Jesus died for our sins and rose on the third day. All who trust Him will be freely saved from condemnation.

The written word of God cannot be broken, and it will judge what we have spoken and done. Another, very important mark of a true prophet is the obedient, wholesome fruit of his life. Jesus says, "By their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:20) Examine their lives. Are they obedient to God's word? Are they good and moral? Do they teach according to the truth of Scripture? You must check things out before you accept everything that a prophet says. Many well-known prophets today have fallen into great sin and produced bad fruit.

Also look at the prophet's track record. Does what he say will happen actually happen? Or is his prediction so vague and nebulous that he can say at any time, "Look, God fulfilled it!" and no one can deny it? You can easily search the Internet for a prophet's name with the words "false prophet". You will find that many Christians with discerning hearts have already examined what that prophet says. Many in the prophetic and apostolic movement have been shown to be charlatans or teachers of occult practices. This is true of some of the biggest names in charismatic circles today.

Be wary of prophets that mostly predict good things to come. As a true prophet once said, "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. The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him." (Jeremiah 28:8-9) This is true in the Old Testament and the New Testament, and also applies today.

Finally, brothers, take your stand on God's holy, written word, which endures forever, and which He commands us to obey.

"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isaiah 8:20)

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