This Is What Victory Looks Like
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5 ESV
We are a week past the midterm elections in the United States, and for some, the words of the self-professing prophets were claiming for months and days up to the election, victory. There was talk of a “red wave” taking place in the election, some stating this prophetically stood for the blood of Jesus, while others attributed it to a specific political party’s dominance. There was talk of a blood moon on election day and the significance of it. There were prophetic acts performed, ranging from waving a wooden staff in a circular motion onstage and decreeing a midturn on God’s terms based on Exodus 14 to a popular worship leader instructing people at a conservative gathering to strike the ground with their fists and their invisible arrows, claiming victory for the Republican party. In the end, the results were not as anticipated or prophesied, and the red wave did not break. But the sovereignty of God remains intact, and in this, we rejoice.
What struck me was the talk of victory being displayed in desired results in the political arena. What also struck me was the observation online of some expressing frustration post-election with professing prophets. To me, I viewed it as a glimmer of hope that people would return to the more sure Word of prophecy and stop listening to these individuals. Meanwhile, questioning the prophets results in contention and deflection from those questioned, stating that God is teaching them to trust in Him. Victory in the prophetic is stated to rest in trusting and listening to the words of the prophets (2 Chronicles 20:20). Victory may be viewed as in getting what we want to transpire, our desires and hopes. To some, victory is domination of society. Regardless, this is not victory for the born-again believer.
What does victory look like? Is it found in election results? Is it found in laws and preferred political figures? Is it in conquering the seven mountains of society? Though I am not opposed to electing Godly leaders and seeing political and societal change, I also understand that the church is not instructed in Scripture to claim dominion in the political arena or in society. We are to proclaim the gospel and to make disciples. We are to pray for our leaders, even when they do wicked things. We are to speak the truth in love. Though we rejoice when rulings overturn such atrocities as abortion, we also recognize that laws and court decisions do not change the hearts of men and women. Sin and evil still exist. Thank God for the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which cannot be voted out by any man or woman. It is this gospel which sets the captive free and transforms hearts of stone to hearts of flesh.
There is a definite and far greater assured victory, and that victory is found in Christ. God is already victorious, and He is not dependent upon us to conquer Satan or this world. Jesus Christ has already conquered and brought victory on our behalf. Colossians 2:13-15 tells us, “When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses, having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross! And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” The payment for our sins was sufficient through Christ’s propitiation, and the forces of spiritual darkness have been defeated by Christ. His victory is in essence our victory, and we glorify Him and rejoice in this good news. There is not greater victory.
We live in a now and not yet as believers in Christ, and we take great comfort and joy in knowing that we have been transferred out of darkness and into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). When Christ returns, we will see the “not yet”, and the fullness of His victory will be realized. While we are in the “now” as believers in Christ, we rest in His victory, regardless of what this world looks like politically, culturally, and societally. Our hope is not in a Christianized world. Our hope is not in self-professing prophets laying claim to 2 Chronicles 20:20 in listening to them and trusting their words for success in the midst of false prophecy. Our hope is in Christ. We are encouraged by the words of Jesus in John 16:33, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Be encouraged to take refuge in His victory and to shine brighter for the glory of God in the midst of darkness in this world.
Listen to this episode from The Lovesick Scribe podcast discussing the midterm prophecies and the true victory for Christians: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: This Is What Victory Looks Like on Apple Podcasts
11 thoughts on “This Is What Victory Looks Like”
It seems in all the madness of “desired outcome” many have forgotten these very words. So appreciate you saying them.
I would like to ask a question. Who did you listen to, prophetically speaking, that declared a red wave prophetically? Of your readership is there anyone that would speak to this? I’d like to know the names of those prophets. Every prophet that I listen to downplayed the red wave In a “red flag” way.
Hey, Sheri. Thanks for the question, and the input. If you don’t mind, I would actually like to know the names of the prophets who were saying red flag rather than a red wave. One example I can give is Charlie Shamp. He spoke about this red wave in 2018, and he reiterated it 9 months ago during an interview with a man from the UK. There were other individuals testifying of this generally on Flashpoint. Hank Kunnemann stated God did not tell him about a red wave, in all fairness. However, he stated that God was going to bring a turnaround or a midturn on God’s terms. He then ministered or cited Exodus 14 regarding the account of the Red Sea. Please feel free to listen to the episode I did on my podcast this week. The link is at the bottom of this blog post.
The main concern and point of this post are to point to those who are in Christ and the victory we have because of Christ. I have concerns that many are continuing to listen to these people professing to be prophets, and they have proven to be false based on failed prophecies and the definition of a false prophet according to Scripture.
Again, I appreciate your question. Have a blessed weekend!
Dawn
The phrase I used was “in a red flag way.”Meaning those I listen to are and were encouraging people not to put their faith in what is called “the red wave” but in God. I listen to Robin D. Bullock, Johnny Enlow, Kat Kerr, and Amanda Grace to name some. Also I believe that it has been proven that our elections have been corrupted in many many ways. At some point I do believe that God will bring the truth.
Regarding Hank Kunneman, I don’t necessarily listen to him regularly, but occasionally. I did know that he was one of the ones that was warning against putting faith in midterms. Here is one of his applicable words:
Excerpt from Pastor Hank Kunneman Prophecy – Oct. 30, 2022
“There are too many. There are too many in the earth that are afraid, anxious, on edge, wondering and waiting. What shall happen, what shall take place in the coming days and weeks? And yet, men look too much at their politics. Men look too much at the things that they see and hear upon the media. Men are looking too much at what was, what took place in 2020. And yet because they look at these things, they are as Lot’s wife who only could see a perspective of that which was of her flesh. For in the coming days and weeks, there will be things that will be undisputed. There will be things that will be disputed, and there will be things that will be refuted. There will be theft and stealing and fraud, and there will be delays, but there shall be victories as well,” says the living God.
“Yet some will say, ‘Here we go again. We’re going backwards. This will never change;” and others will hang their head in disappointment because they expected a different outcome. But listen to me. This is about my time. This is about my hands,” says the Lord.
Do not look to a day. Do not look to a midterm event for if you do, you will not fully understand that there is a moment where it shall be as though, ‘What is happening?’ Do not let this fool you, for Israel thought the same thing in the middle of the sea. The Egyptians are prevailing. We are but lost. Our freedom is but lost. And they looked to the left, they looked to the right of the walls, but they did not see that in the Spirit, My hand, My wind was blowing to consume that which the enemy did and was trying to do. And yet there was a great victory and there is victory for I have declared that there is an unraveling that shall continue to take place and there will be reversals that will reset this earth again.”
“…Do you think that I can inject goodness at this time that will overcome evil? Do you not see that I can inject truth that shall outweigh the lies? Therefore, I say, Do not put your hopes in just a day. For I am not limited to man’s time or to man’s day, I have said, and I say it to you so you will not be moved, this is my terms. This is my turning and believe me,” says the Lord, “you will see that darkness will not prevail. You will see my light will overcome and my truth will have its way and its voice in this day,” says the Lord.
Thank you for responding and for the clarification, Sheri. I have another question. Do you consider the words of these individuals authoritative and to be obeyed or heeded?
If someone’s prophetic word bears witness in my spirit and with the Holy Spirit, then yes. Then, coupled with prayer and supplication in order to not be led astray. Once it’s understood that it is indeed a word from the Lord, the word should be faithfully prayed over for manifestation. We do not have jurisdiction in the area of when a prophecy might come to pass. That is God’s business. He decides when and how. (Something can be time stamped by God through a prophetic word, but it is rare.)
Paul also instructs as to service orderliness that the prophet’s words are to be judged by other close by prophet/s. In other words, coming to a place of bearing witness (or not) with one another. There are many prophets seeing eye to eye on these issues and bearing witness with one another.
1Co 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
1Co 14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
1Co 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
1Co 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
And now let me ask you a question. Is there room today for apostles and prophets? The New Testament clearly speaks to these things. It is sad to me that the church at large will not allow the prophets a place to come in and speak according to service orderliness set forth in the New Testament. Indeed, prophets can be unknown quantities but that is no reason for exclusion from the body. By and large, they have been forced out and must make a place for their own voices to be heard in other ways. But not in the majority of church gathering places. It is not unlike the treatment that John the Baptist received. The people had to go to the wilderness to hear him. The religious leaders of that day were against him and would tolerate none of his prophecies/admonitions and warnings as they deemed his words threatening to the status quo of their day. That did not bode well for them.
On the other hand and to bring balance, it is well advised to be prayerfully careful about what people speak to us. But to the exclusion of those people completely? That is called division. The only division God advocates in his word is from evil. These people/believers/prophets are born-again Spirit filled brothers. And though we may not always agree with everything someone says, we must find a different solution than dividing and isolating.
I would have to respectfully disagree with you on the matter of the current prophets, Sheri. I do appreciate your willingness to talk with me about it. I believe that the apostles and prophets are still ministering to us today through the Word of God. Ephesians 2:20 tells us that the apostles and prophets laid the foundation with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. This has already been done. Houses only have one foundation, and a house cannot be built on an unfinished foundation. To say that there are modern apostles and prophets today with governing authority is to say that the church has not had the ability to be built for the past two thousand years. I do not believe there are apostles and prophets today. I also think the case could be made that to claim one speaks for the Lord places one’s words on par with Scripture because we are to obey God’s Word. God does not speak unauthoritative.
I also do not believe that the people you mentioned are prophets. Their prophecies did not come to pass, case in point, the previous Presidential election, the pandemic, among other examples. Scripture tells us how to identify a false prophet. I would refer you to Deuteronomy 13:1-5 and Deuteronomy 18:9-15, as well as Ezekiel 13 and Jeremiah 23. I would also refer you to the fact that 26 of the 27 books of the New Testament warn of false prophets or false teachers at some point. Jesus said in Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” He goes on to talk about this even in families. Romans 16:17-18 says, “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” I would also say individuals such as Robin Bullock have taught things contrary to Scripture, and I have heard it with my own ears. Doing such things warrants division and separation from them, as well as warning others.
As for prophecy, we are not instructed in the Word to see if someone’s word bears witness with our spirit. This is man-made teaching, which I am familiar with having been in this movement for years. We test prophecy according to Scripture. That is the standard. True prophecy comes straight from God, and He is sovereign. His words do not fall to the ground and do not fail. When we look at Scripture, we do not see God’s true prophets missing it, miscommunicating a word from God, or having trouble hearing God speak what He wants to say. Not one of these people can claim to have 100% accuracy. When someone claims to speak for God and what they say does not come to pass, no matter the circumstances, including election results, that person is a false prophet. We are not to listen to them nor fear them. They have spoken presumptuously. I would strongly encourage you to stop listening to these people. The written Word of God is sufficient in telling you all you need to know for faith in Christ and how to walk in this world. Blessings to you, Sheri. I hope you understand these words are spoken with much love and concern. I do not want to see others led astray by these practices.
Dawn
Then how do you explain the Scriptures I quoted previously, 1Cor 14:29-32?
Thank you for the question! We have to consider who Paul was writing to and the context of what he wrote. He was writing to the Corinthians believers, and chapter 14 is setting order in the church, particularly with the action of the spiritual gifts of tongues and prophecy. Spiritual gifts are for building up the church, not self. Prophecy was for building up the church. Tongues were a sign to the unbeliever. The verses you referenced deal with the order of the church service and the application of self control in using the gifts. I understand we will likely differ in our understanding of what prophecy means here, but I hold to the Reformers’ view, which was prophecy was teaching the Word of God and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. The “others” referenced in verse 29 some say refer to the church congregation judging while others say it is the prophets.
If it is only the prophets that are allowed to judge and to test the words being released today, why do you and others weigh what is said and see if it bears witness with your spirit? This is judging the word, is it not? Or do you consider yourself a prophet? I am only asking so I can understand your standpoint and where you are coming from on this.
I would also ask the same of you regarding the Scriptures I shared with you and the standard for a prophet of God and the warning against false prophets and false teachers. How do you reconcile them with the belief that we are not to divide? Thank you for your time, Sheri.
And there inlies the disagreement. That take on Paul’s letter to the Corinthians only applying to the Corinthians is not new. So yes, we disagree on that. It very clearly says that there are prophets in the church. It’s there in black-and-white and is not a point of argument.
Because of the differences in our beliefs about scripture, my answer to your last question would be that I have no need to divide from people that I believe are speaking on behalf of God. And I agree with you that all things should be weighed in light of scripture. That should ALWAYS be a given.
Our different scriptural interpretations are now obvious. Thank you for your time. God bless you going forward.
Blessings to you, Sheri. I hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving!
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