2020 was a really bad year for self-proclaimed 'Prophets' of God. There was not one 'prophet' who prophesied a legitimate warning nor predicted that a worldwide pandemic was coming. However, there were numerous 'prophets' who prophesied/predicted when the Pandemic would end after it started, and that Donald Trump would win the presidential election and serve a simultaneous second term in a "'red wave"' “landslide.” What actually happened was quite the opposite.
"Misinterpreted" dreams or "insufficient prayer" didn't cause them to be 100% wrong. Witches or the devil did not steal or thwart it, and to imply such a thing is to make them greater than God. It seems more probable, just as God has done in the past, that He gave the people the leader they wanted because they chose to believe what they were told by others rather than turn to Him (see 1 Sam 12:12-13; Ps 106:13-15; 2 Thess 2:11 11 – also 2 Chron 28:19).
The consistently inaccurate heterodox "prophetic" movement found within the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements have brought ridicule and scorn upon the Bride of Christ. It has provided legitimate fuel to the fire of cessationism, as well as confusing and angering multitudes of Born-Again Christians.
The Bible clearly defines how to expose a false Prophet/Teacher and that they must be called out and rebuked, which we will cover shortly (see 1 Tim 5:19-20). Following the biblical command, here is a short list of some who falsely prophesied about the winner of the USA presidential election in 2020 and, per the Bible, should never be trusted again to bring a true word from God - even if they offer apologies and "humble" themselves or try to obfuscate the facts with high sounding religious double-speak.
Robin Bullock, Kim Clement, Tracey Cooke, Kenneth Copeland, Tracy Eckhert, Johnny Enlow, John Hemans, Robert Henderson, Jeff Jansen, Jeremiah Johnson, Kat Kerr, Hank Kunneman, Jennifer LeClaire, Greg Locke, Mario Murilla, Francis Myles, Chuck Pierce, Pat Robertson, Sid Roth, R. Loren Sandford, Stephen Strang, Mark Taylor, Kris Vallotton, Lance Wallnau, and Paula White.
When did the church come to the point of giving 'mulligans' to those who consistently give false prophecies and are allowed to continue teaching and preaching in the church when the Bible clearly states that we are to have nothing to do with them? (Rom 16:17)
During the second half of the 20th century, teaching emerged that it was acceptable if a modern ‘prophet’ gave a word that was not 100% accurate because Old Testament Prophets/Seers only ‘received’ the word of the Lord and were His voice. It is said that this was a result of the Holy Spirit not living within them, however, prophetic people in the New Testament ‘perceive’ the word of the Lord because the Spirit of God lives in them, which leaves open the possibility of acceptable errors.
This teaching promotes the idea that the sensory ‘perception’ of what God is trying to say can confuse prophetic people as they interact daily with the ‘spirit world’ because they are a ‘spirit trying to have a temporary, human experience.’ This can result in a real Prophet of God making a mistake while prophesying and they should be given a ‘mulligan’ – a second chance - when they make a mistake.
But, what about Agabus?
The biblical example most often presented to justify that prophetic mistakes can be made is the New Testament story of Agabus, the Prophet.
“While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles'" (Acts 21:10-12 ESV)
It is suggested that Agabus was correct about the heart of what God was saying, but he got the details mixed up because later in the chapter it seems that Gentiles actually “rescued” Paul from the Jews
“Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.” (Acts 21:30 ESV)
However, upon a closer look at Acts 21:10-11, using the laws of biblical interpretation, it is discovered that the word “bind” means to prohibit, forbid, hold up, stop, or keep from happening. Also, the Greek word for “shall deliver” is “paradidomi” and means to surrender, i.e., yield up, transmit. It is translated as: betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver (up), give (over, up), hazard, put in prison, recommend. The word “into” is the Greek word “eis” and is very important in the sentence to understand the contextual meaning. It is a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.)
Luke’s description of what happened to Paul in Jerusalem implies that the Jews “bound” (Gk ‘deo’) which means to “bind,” and can also be interpreted to mean “to take captive,” in some way when they “laid hands on” him (21:27), “seized” him (v. 30), “dragged” him out of the temple (v. 30), “sought to kill” him (v. 31), and “were beating” him when the Roman soldiers finally arrived (v. 32).
Paul even said that the Jews “seized” him in the temple and “tried to kill” him and said that he was later delivered to the Romans (Acts 26:21). It would be illogical to say that Paul was never bound by the Jews and gave himself voluntarily over to them but was bound only by the Romans while in their custody [v. 33]
Reading this verse in the Greek context reveals that the actual outcome of the Jew's action when grabbing Paul was that they did deliver him to the Gentiles. There was clearly no 'prophetic' mistake made. Nothing in the text states that Agabus’ prophecy was incorrect. Nowhere in Scripture is the accuracy of his prophecy criticized, or was it said that it was half true.
The Bible reveals what the proof of a true Prophet of God is:
“when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.” (Deut 18:22 ESV)
“As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet." (Jer 28:9 ESV)
“For I am the Lord; I will speak the word that I will speak, and it will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it, declares the Lord God." (Ezek 12:23 ESV)
“When this comes—and come it will! - then they will know that a prophet has been among them." (Ezek 33:33 ESV)
“...I am the Lord, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself, who foils the signs of false prophets ... who carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messengers” (Isa 44:24-26 KJV)
There are absolutely no legitimate examples in the Bible of a true Prophet of God making any prophetic “mistakes” or near misses. A Prophet was the direct voice of God to the people, who alone is omniscient and can look into the future. The Bible makes it clear that when the Prophets of both the Old and New Testament received a “word” from God, it was perfect and free from any error. The supernatural gifts are available today from Jesus, the giver of the gifts, just as they were in the first century because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His word does not change.
There was no changing of the rules when Jesus came along. There are no mulligans in ministry when speaking an omniscient prophetic word as a direct oracle of God. If the words of a Prophet are not perfect and free from error, God has some rather harsh words for them:
"Therefore," declares the LORD, "I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me.… "When these people, or a prophet or a priest, ask you, 'What is the oracle of the LORD?' say to them, 'What oracle? I will forsake you, declares the LORD.' If a prophet or a priest or anyone else claims, 'This is the oracle of the LORD,' I will punish that man and his household.… Therefore, I will surely forget you and cast you out of my presence along with the city I gave to you and your fathers. I will bring upon you everlasting disgrace — everlasting shame that will not be forgotten." (Jer 23:30-40 NIV)
“But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.” (Deut. 18:20 KJV)
Fore-telling comes through the divine attribute of omniscience, which God alone has. A direct fore-telling prophetic word, along with those given by the supernatural gift of prophecy (forth-telling), or a word of knowledge, is not a best-guess. It is not something that can be practiced until a person gets it right. A prophetic word that is not accurate 100% of the time is not from God.
But, but, what about Jonah?
Another example given to justify a ministry mulligan is the story of Jonah. God told Jonah that He was going to destroy the city because of the city’s great “wickedness” (Jonah 1:2). However, when Nineveh was confronted with their sin, they repented, clothed themselves in sackcloth, and started a fast after Jonah pronounced God’s judgment on them. God tells us that if He pronounces judgment on a city and the people repent, He will show mercy (cf. Jer 18-7-10). This is called a conditional prophecy.
There is sometimes a dual fulfillment element to OT prophecy. First, prophecy addresses current short term events, and there is also a possible future long term element to prophesy. Some prophecies are only in the short term, while others can be interpreted as including both short and long-term elements. As an example, a majority of scholars would agree that Exodus 38 has about 30% future elements to it, but the majority was fulfilled within a few short years of when it was given.
The Supernatural Gift of Prophecy
There is a significant difference between holding the office of ‘Prophet' and making use of the spiritual manifestation gift of Prophecy, which refers primarily to forth-telling, and is accessible to every Born-Again Christian (Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 13:2, 14:5).
Through prophecy, a Christian speaks for God. It is not proof that the person is an official 'Prophet,' nor is it ever to be used to bring a so-called ‘fresh revelation’ that has no basis in God’s Word. The gift is used to illuminate the revelation of Scripture when proclaiming (forth-telling) the great news of Jesus Christ.
The supernatural spiritual gift of Prophecy is speaking confidently, without any error or inaccuracy, to strengthen and comfort others. It is speaking a message of divine encouragement from the heart of God that touches a person’s innermost being.
“But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.” (1 Cor 14:3 NIV)
Prophecy is for the edification (Gk: ‘oikodome’) of the Christian. It is to build them up and promote spiritual growth. Exhortation (Gk: ‘paraklesis’) means “encouragement, a calling near or for, to stir up.” The word “comfort” (Gk: ‘paramuthia’) means “a consolation; a solace ministered with tenderness.” The word consolation means “to alleviate grief or disappointment.” The word ‘solace’ means “comfort in distress or disappointment, to find relief, to cheer up.”
There is also the supernatural spiritual gift of the Word of Knowledge, often mistaken as prophecy, which is a supernatural revelation by the Holy Spirit of certain facts in the mind of God. It is not natural learning or ability, nor is it a special or intensified knowledge of the Bible (1 Cor 12:8). The word ‘knowledge’ comes from the Greek word ‘gnosis,’ which means to know something and have complete insight and full understanding.
The Word of Knowledge is received from the Holy Spirit giving special awareness of God when He desires to enable a Christian to effectively minister to the needs of another at a moment’s notice by supernaturally giving them knowledge and understanding in a specific situation or circumstance, and to have insight in overcoming the strategies of the enemy (Acts 21:11-13). It will never contradict or add to the Bible. The Greek word for prophecy is ‘propheteia’ and means to speak under divine inspiration a declaration, warning, or exhortation as directed by the Holy Spirit.
Does God Speak in Mysteries and Riddles?
Jesus lives within the spirit, mind, and body of the Born-Again Christian. As a result of the Cross, they have a direct and intimate face-to-face personal relationship with God, their Abba Father. Just as the “Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” so does God with His Bride (Rom 8:15; Ex 33:11; see also John 15:15).
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has SPOKEN to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” (Heb 1:1-2)
The Born-Again Christian doesn’t need a middleman to translate when God speaks. Jesus said, “My sheep LISTEN to my voice. I call each one by name. I lead them out and they follow me because they KNOW my voice… I give them safe pasture and they go out with me in the path of righteousness. I give them life – my life, real-life from God that is abundant and eternal… I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep KNOW me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father” (John 10:3, 9-10, 14-15 - emphasis mine).
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16-17 NIV)
Jesus said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you…” As the Father has loved me so I have loved you. Abide in my love”… “My sheep listen to my voice. I call each one by name. I lead them out and they follow me because they know my voice… I give them safe pasture and they go out with me in the path of righteousness. I give them life – my life, real-life from God that is abundant and eternal… I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father”… “You are my friends. We share in the Father’s business.”(John 15:7,9 NIV; 10:3, 9-10, 14-15; 15:14)
“Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matt 18:20 NIV).
When the Born-Again Christian calls upon the Lord for help He will “answer”… and “will say: Here am I… The Lord will guide you always” (Isa 58:9, 11).
“Whoever HEARS my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life” (John 5:24 NIV).
“faith comes from HEARING, and hearing THROUGH the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17 NIV).
“You have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth… The anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.” (1 John 2:20, 27, NIV)
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take [the thorn in my flesh] away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” (2 Cor. 12:8-9 NIV)
“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev 2:7 NIV)
There are no more mysteries about God that need to be known, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you… Consider carefully what you hear… Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him” (Mark 4:11, 24, 25)
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Gal 5:25 NIV)
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thess 5:16-18 NIV)
Recognizing a False Prophet
The absolute truth is that God is the creator and sustainer of all things. It is essential to understand that an intentional false Prophet primarily seeks to turn people away from Him; “Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them” (Deut 13:2 KJV). However, the Bible warns there will be false Prophets who will bring about “great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect,” which is THE sign of His eminent return (Matt 24:24 KJV -emphasis mine).
There are actually three ultimate tests to determine if a Prophet’s words are from God. The first is whether it lines up with the Bible (Isa 8:19-20). Second, if it comes “to pass” (Deut. 18:22; Ezek 12:25, Jer 28:9). Third, if it does not cause “divisions” or upsets “people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what” sound biblical doctrine they “have been taught (Rom 16:17 NIV). If the answer is “no” to any of those three questions, Christians are commanded to “Stay away from them” (Rom 16:17 NIV). Nowhere in the Bible does God say he will "curse" the person who opposes a false prophet.
The spiritual gifts of Prophecy, Knowledge, and Tongues all go together and are not permanent gifts (1 Cor 13:8-13). They will ultimately cease, but love, which is the focus of the verses that mention the gifts, will endure forever because "God is love" (1 John 4:8,16 NIV). We are not fully completed, and in this life, we see things as through a glass darkly until Jesus returns, so the gifts are partially (not fully) known.
The only absolutely reliable source to know and hear God’s voice is His written Word to us, the Bible, which is why the Born-Again Christian is implored to diligently to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15 KJV).
