Today’s ever-increasing number of failed “prophetic” words have led many to the conclusion that anyone claiming to be a prophet is a grifter and a fake.
Given the current mess in charismatic circles, I can see why people might throw up their hands and walk away from prophecy altogether.
However, since Scripture commands us not to despise prophecy but rather test it, (1 Thess. 5:19-22), I suggest a different approach.
What if we zoom out and ask the question,
“What is prophecy for?”
Prophecy has always been a means for us to get to know God better. He speaks to humans through humans because he wants relationship with us.
Keep that framework in mind.
In the OT, most prophecy contained warnings for God’s people to return to covenant faithfulness. The Spirit came upon select individuals to deliver these warnings.
In the NT, the Spirit indwells every believer and distributes the gift of prophecy according to his will for the strengthening, encouragement and comfort of believers (1 Cor. 14:1, 3). Jesus gives the gift of prophets to the church to equip, unify, and mature the saints (Eph. 4:11).
Prophecy makes a big shift from the OT (consequences for disobedience to God) to the NT (the building up of individuals and churches).
While there was room for predictive prophecy in the OT (largely concerning the nation of Israel), this foretelling element is mostly missing in NT prophecy.
(Two exceptions are the apocalyptic book of Revelation, which I won’t address here, and Agabus’ prophesy of a coming famine in Acts 11:27-29, prompting the church to meet a practical need.)
Hmm.
Judging by what many big-name prophets have said over the last several years, you’d think prophecy is all about forecasting the future, especially political outcomes.
This is where the trouble begins, because prediction is not the main point of prophecy. Remember, the purpose of hearing God’s voice is to grow in relationship with him.
Here’s the tension: human beings are prone to wanting control. Knowledge feels like control, especially foreknowledge of events.
We feel powerful when we know what’s coming. We like feeling in charge. And prophetic people can feel important when others depend on them to gaze into the crystal ball and deliver “the word of the Lord.”
So platforms are built, videos of words for the day are recorded, books on prophecy are written, and followers flock after their favorite prophets.
We like their assurance that things will go our way if we pay attention to their predictions concerning national events.
We relish the thought of gaining power. We’re comfortable with the familiar, spiritual-sounding verbiage surrounding that promise.
Do you see the drift?
God speaks through humans to humans—yet when misused, prophecy becomes an idol which misplaces him.
The Bible forbids fortune-telling, divination, and sorcery for the same reason.
Human efforts to figure out the future run counter to listening to God’s voice and trusting him implicitly, no matter what he does or does not tell us in advance.
Predicting events is not the main point of prophecy—nor is political posturing the story of the early church.
When NT church leaders did engage with kings, governors, and officials, it wasn’t to garner their favor. Rather, they risked their lives to bear witness to the gospel, preach repentance, and warn of the coming judgment.
It seems many modern “prophets” and their followers have lost the plot. Prophecy has become a means to success, status, and wealth instead of a way to draw closer to God.
Yet despite the egregious misuse of this incredible gift, the command not to stifle the Spirit or despise prophecy still stands.
God still wants relationship. He has not stopped speaking.
May we not stop listening.
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Photo by Kristina Flour on Unsplash
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