“The bullets were fired at 6:11pm. Ephesians 6:11.” This is one of several social media posts circulating online after the recent events on July 13th, 2024. The assassination attempt on President Trump has caused quite a stir in various arenas of society, and this is most certainly true within the modern prophetic movement. Whether it is ascribing numerological meaning to the events surrounding Trump, such as Ephesians 6:11 or passages in Leviticus where blood was applied to the right ear of the priest, or claiming accurate prophecies regarding an assassination attempt, professing prophets are coming out of the woodwork to testify of their accuracy and prophetic insight regarding this event.

One prophetic word released four months ago is going viral, claiming that the Lord told an alleged prophet that an attempt would be made on Trump’s life, and a bullet would travel by Trump’s ear and rupture his eardrum. Another professing prophet is claiming that God told him to watch for Malchus’ ear this year, which is in reference to the account in the gospels of Peter cutting off the ear of a man noted as Malchus in the gospel of John (John 18:10-11). That prophet believes that this event is what he has been looking for in 2024. Another professing prophet has laid claim to his accuracy of this event, pointing to his recent declaration of the “shot heard around the world” and a “Paul Revere anointing” rising up in America from that shot. This same individual also previously “prophesied” that the “shepherd would be struck and the sheep would scatter.” This was in reference to Trump (shepherd) and his followers (sheep), and that in this striking, it would cause a rise among the people to where they would carry on his mantle, whereby giving way to life through the uprising.

If any of this sounds concerning, it should. One would think that many individuals learned their lesson in 2020, but that would be a mistake in and of itself. Not only have many of these individuals continued in propagating their prophecies, but they continue to call upon the people to listen and pray in conjunction with their prophetic words, instructing their followers of the importance in partnering with the prophetic word in prayer so that God can do what He desires to do. This is a common instruction among those in the prophetic movement, informing the masses of the importance in believing the prophets today and praying things that aren’t as though they were. According to these prophets, if the people do not pray, then this will affect what God can do in having His will fulfilled. It is equally concerning so many people listen to what these people have to say, ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands, depending on the popularity of the individual.

I believe it goes without saying that there are concerns both in those who would place their confidence in such things as these failed prophecies, and the twisting and misrepresentation of Scripture. Regarding the failed prophecies, many of these individuals have been noted as having failed prophecies outside of this event, especially when discussing the outcome of the 2020 election. This is no exception. The prophecy claiming to be accurate regarding Trump’s ear failed in making physical contact with his ear while his eardrum remained intact. God does not speak errantly or in partial accuracy. Vague generalities said about a famous individual is also not prophecy. Many of the prophetic words claimed today are no different than nailing Jello to a wall; some semblance of truth is bound to stick, but when tested with the precision of Scripture, the whole thing falls apart. While some may point to 1 Corinthians 13 in saying that they “know in part and prophesy in part”, this would be a misrepresentation of that verse. Furthermore, this verse says nothing about prophesying falsely in part. It is rather concerning that the standard of prophecy today is substandard and, in all actuality, unbiblical.

The same could be said for taking Scriptures out of context and appropriating them and their chapter and verse numbers to political leaders and events surrounding one’s life. This is more akin to pagan practices, but this is prevalent in the modern prophetic movement. Additionally, it is troubling that those who claim to be prophets of God are ascribing Messianic passages to Trump. Respectfully, a professing prophet of God should know better. The example I shared earlier of the shepherd being struck and the sheep scattering can be found in Matthew 26:31, and this was said by Jesus Christ when speaking to His disciples at the Passover meal before His crucifixion. Here, Jesus quoted Zechariah 13:7, testifying of Himself as the Shepherd God would strike and His disciples who would scatter. To ascribe that passage to a fallible human being, let alone a political leader, is serious error.

Though we can have strong opinions and affinities for specific people and things, as Christians, our devotion is to be focused on God above all things. There is no need for modern prophets today, and frankly, the standard of these alleged prophets falls drastically short of a true prophet modeled in Scripture. Since their actions and prophecies do not match the standard and actions in God’s Word for a prophet of God, it would seem that these are not true prophets of God. That is not despising prophecy; that is testing what is said and loving God with reverence and in obedience to His instruction. We should contend for the truth of His gospel and His written Word in its proper context. It is not acceptable to ascribe Messianic passages to anyone but the risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is not acceptable to claim an accurate prophecy because of a technicality in mentioning a correct body part while getting the rest of the details blatantly incorrect. This is not prophecy. It is blasphemy in the name of God.

Pray for our leaders and for this nation. Thank the Lord for His sovereign grace and mercy extended to individuals such as Trump. Prayer is important, and so is proper Biblical understanding. Do not be led astray by the sleight of hand in the modern prophetic movement. Go back to Scripture. Remain in awe of God’s detailed accuracy and sovereign will in speaking through true prophets of God hundreds of years before sending His Son to die on a cross and to rise from the dead. Be reminded of the more sure word of prophecy, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Meditate on His glorious gospel and pray for those who would claim to be prophets of God today puffed up with visions and political talk that is more centered on a man than on Jesus Christ. Pray that people would return to the Word of God. This is a revival most assuredly needed in our time.

Listen to this episode discussing some of the current prophetic words and actions surrounding the 2024 election: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/DSVpsHcwjLb