Written by Gloria
Isaiah 46:9-11
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:11 calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
Amos 3:7
Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets
Prophecy is important in our lives as believers, from Old Testament saints like Joseph who learned about the famine before it happened, to Abram who God gave a new name Abraham meaning the father of many nations before Isaac or Ishmael was born. Prophet Isaiah wrote about Jesus and one of David’s Psalm foreshadowed the born again experience when he wrote ‘create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me’. There are many other examples that show that our God is a God of prophecy
The Enemy & Counterfeit Prophecies
Many Christians go through experiences where pastors give them a prophetic word about their finances, current or potential spouses, children, etc. These prophecies are mainly about God prospering the believer with worldly possessions. The problem with these prophecies is that they are fleshly and appeal to our human desires. Prophecies like this make us the center and shows as if God is in servitude to humans. God is not at our beck and call and any teaching that says God is out to fulfill our desires is a false teaching.
There are those interpreting end time prophecies on various social media platforms but then tell viewers to make a choice for God. In doing so, they mix a truth with a lie and lead people to more bondage. Most of them probably don’t even know they are wrong. I personally was led into accepting Jesus through the sinner’s prayer after watching a “prophetic” end-time movie. The sinner’s prayer gave demons legal right in my life which led to a decade of deception and torment until I was delivered by learning the truth.
Confusion surrounding prophecies – have they occurred or not? The preterist view states that certain scriptures were fulfilled a long time ago, and futurism interprets the same scripture stating that it will happen in the future. Both views were created with the intention to throw off believers in the middle ages from interpreting scripture surrounding the anti-Christ.
There is also a practice many do called bibliomancy – where one take scriptures or reads a bible character’s story and prophecy the same for themselves. Scriptures need to be read in context meaning you have to determine who the audience is and whether the topic addressed relates to you. A bible character’s story is not to be used to justify personal mistakes, a good example is many who are caught in adultery, are always quick to mention David and speak on how he was still God’s chosen. David’s adultery doesn’t give anyone else the license to engage in promiscuity or adultery. The same people who want to use David’s story show how they cherry pick verses to their liking because the same David suffered for the sin he committed. Just because God said he was a man after his own heart did not make him immune from the consequences of his sin.
THE RESULTS
End time prophecies have been used to create fear; people don’t like to touch the subject as they find it too complex. This leaves many vulnerable to false prophecies which they are unable to test and discern its source and motive.
Many are confused as to what they should be looking for due to so many views and mostly importantly many are being led to deception by saying the sinner’s prayer which opens them up to be demonized.
Distraction – if a prophecy can have you looking in the wrong direction you are pretty much a sitting duck for the enemy e.g. if you get a prophecy that you will be married in a year or so, chances are you will marry someone who shows up in that time-frame who is completely wrong for you.
Apathy – people have grown increasingly weary of hearing that Jesus is coming back as they have heard many prophecies giving the specific date of his return only for it not to happen. What’s even more tragic is that because of this alot of people are mocking what is actually going to happen to their own demise.
The purpose of prophecy is for God to reveal his plans before they unfold. Another reason is stated clearly in 1 Corinthians 14:3
“But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.”
Prophecy is important in a believer’s life and should not be used to promote fear but to forewarn, strengthen, encourage and comfort.
Believers should handle prophecy by testing all things, if it contradicts the scripture then don’t follow it.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.
For more information about endtime preparation email getreadyforthelord@gmail.com or give us a call at 1-888-818-1117.
Recommended books: The Church of the End-Time Zombies: A Guide to Religious Detox
Paperback
http://www.lulu.com/content/16262055
e-book
http://www.lulu.com/content/16464312
pamsheppardpublishing 