And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19 ESV

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 ESV

With the coming of the New Year, there typically comes an abundance of prophetic words that are seemingly foretelling in nature. I have noticed a pattern in which I once participated with regards to modern prophecy. Now, this may seem like I have a bone to pick, and in the most loving way, I do. There is great concern when masses are flocking to vague generalities in words that are nondescript and nonspecific, making it difficult if not impossible to test them in accordance with Scripture or to refute them because they are bound to apply to many.

This conclusion may irritate some, but it would seem that prophecy is poorly understood in some movements.  When a “prophetic word” sounds eerily similar to New Age or psychic verbiage, there is a serious problem. In searching through predictive and prophetic words for this year, I came across an article from a group of psychics, mystics, and Reiki healers, and when removing the discussion of the alignment of planets and such from the article, the word sounded eerily like words read from gatherings of a council of prophetic elders and other professing Christians believing to be prophets. Some prophetic words emphasize the value of numerology in the way of the Hebrew calendar and the repetition of numbers with two being significant for this year. In addition, chapters and verses in the Bible containing twos are also utilized for prophetic significance.

Experiences, dreams, visions, angelic visitations, and the like are elevated and said to be from God while being restricted from testing by the individual who presented it because it is deemed from the Lord. Testing is at times viewed as unbelief, legalistic, religious, and void of the Spirit. If someone says it is from God and calls it into question, then the one asking the questions is at times seen as coming against God.

How do we reconcile a man centered over a Christ centered word? With all sincerity, some of the messages given for 2022 literally contain a few minutes of Scripture but exponential minutes surrounding the life of the speaker delivering the message. The spotlight is placed upon his/her prophetic dreams, authored books of extrabiblical revelation, accurate prophecies, and personal achievements. When a congregation is directed toward an individual’s dreams for illumination rather than to the Word of God, the wrong light, if you will, is serving to guide the sheep.

When listening to a recent prophecy given over a well-known social media preacher, Scripture ascribed to the Lord and to His power was used in describing this man and his abilities. The name of Jesus was invoked, blessings were commanded, and for almost fifteen minutes, he was elevated by words spoken affirming his greatness. Sadly, Jesus Christ was not glorified in this.

Food for Thought

As someone now looking in on these practices, some thoughts come to mind. It appears that chapters and verses are viewed as divinely inspired and are being used essentially as omen reading. True prophecy testifies of Christ. It edifies, exhorts, and comforts the church. It is not self-centered. It is Christ centered. It seems prophecy has been and continues to be grossly misunderstood, and the craving for secrets and hidden knowledge is overshadowing the meaning of revealed truth plainly found in the Scripture. The necessity for Biblical literacy and the gospel of Jesus Christ cannot be overstated. In fact, I would argue the most neglected prophecy is Scripture. Forthtelling, the proclamation of the Word and of the gospel, is prophetic. I cannot help but to think about the angel’s response to John when he fell down to worship him after announcing the blessing for those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. After correcting him in his worship to the angel, he says to John, “Worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10) The message or testimony given by Jesus is the essence of true prophecy. Jesus is the Word, and no prophecy comes to us except through Him, ultimately pointing to God as the source of all true prophecy. (Got Questions)

We are instructed and commanded in Scripture to test everything and to test the spirits (1 Thessalonians 5:19, 1 John 4:1). We are also given a warning of judgment in 2 John 1:8-11, “Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”

There will be those who argue accuracy is present in vague generalized words but is that the only test for prophecy? Biblically, there are 3 tests for determining a genuine prophet: fulfillment test, orthodoxy test, and lifestyle test. Accuracy alone does not a true prophet make. (Deuteronomy 13:1-5) When the Word of God is ministered, prophecy is going forth. Prophecy is not just foretelling. Prophecy is forthtelling. Prophecy is communication from God to mankind, and there is no doubt for the believer in Christ that Scripture is communication from God to mankind. (2 Peter 1:19-21)

Here is my encouragement as a lay person and a sheep in God’s flock. We are to know the written Word of God and to have proper understanding of it. Stay Biblical, my friend. How do we avoid despising prophecy? We begin by loving His written Word that shall not pass away, which is prophecy. We test what is being stated as fresh revelation, and we follow the commands of Scripture over the dictates of man and thought stopping devices. Let’s be loving but clear: when an individual professing to be within the church rejects testing of prophecy and teaching and attempts to stop others from testing them, that individual is essentially perpetuating disobedience to the commands of Scripture in testing.

Vague words of encouragement that could apply to masses of people are not prophecies. Calling out general personal information is not prophecy. Stating the obvious in a predictable societal climate or political situation is not prophecy. Angels delivering messages contradicting Scripture is not prophecy. Ask yourself, does this word glorify and testify of Christ? And if an individual cannot present the most important prophetic word clearly and correctly, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ, then you are to follow what God has truly said in His Word in listening to that person.

Listen to the latest episode of The Lovesick Scribe Podcast here: A Few Choice Words – The Lovesick Scribe Podcast | Podcast on Spotify