Regarding Prophecy
Much is written on this website about prophecy. Primarily, the focus centers around false prophets in the world today such as Dutch Sheets, Lou Engle, Damon Thompson, or Todd Bentley. These men, and their ilk claim to contain prophetic powers or receive special words from God regarding the future. At the end of the day, these claims should serve as evidence to the faithful Christian that these men do not hold scripture in it’s proper place as the final and authoritative word of God. Sadly though, I know many smart people who fall victim to such men and even when these men and their messages are shown to be less than prophetic, their followers remain faithful to them. I don’t get it.
One of the best short summaries of accurate Biblical prophecy comes in a book I have been reading by Dr. Brad Harrub of Focus Press.
In his book Convicted (see bottom of this post for purchasing info.), which will be reviewed properly on this website in the near future, Harrub tackles the evidences for Christianity from the point of view of a scientist.
As Harrub points out, one of the most explosive weapons that a Christian has to support their Christian worldview is the fulfillment of prophecy throughout the Bible. These prophecies contained within the Holy Bible are essential to the Christian attempting to verify to a non-believer that the Bible is indeed “God breathed.” Along with the unity of scripture, the miracles of the Bible, the factual accuracy of the Bible, and the scientific accuracy of the Bible, the prophecy of the Bible is a staple that Christians can rely on to support their beliefs and ultimately to help in bringing others to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Convicted, Harrub gives the reader five criteria that prophecy in scripture matched. I believe that these criteria when laid out in this format should assist Christians today to properly discern what false prophets claim to be truth. As you read the passage from Harrub’s book below, think about what many of these men and women of the New Apostolic Reformation claim and observe how they stand in direct contrast with these criteria that all Biblical prophecy met. Harrub (2009) writes:
Have you ever considered the statistical odds of one man – Jesus Christ – fulfilling every single Messianic prophecy? To be born in the right city is one thing. But to be born of the right family lineage, under the right conditions, and fulfilling every single prophecy is another. In order for a prophecy to be valid, it must meet certain criteria. First, it must be a specific, detailed statement – not something that is vague or general in nature. Second, there must be enough time between the prophetic statement and its fulfillment so that there is no chance whatsoever of the prophet having the ability to influence the outcome. Third, the prophecy must be stated in clear, understandable terms. Fourth, the prophecy must not have historical overtones. In other words, true prophecy should not be based on past (or current) societal or economic conditions. Fifth, a clear, understandable, exact prophecy must have a clear, understandable, exact fulfillment. It is not enough to suggest that a certain event came true with a “high degree of probability.” The fulfillment must be unmistakable nd must match the prophecy in every detail. (p. 81)
The next time you hear or read some of the so called modern day prophets spewing their “words from God” that lie outside of scripture, think about the above criteria. Is what they are saying in opposition with the criteria that all fulfilled Biblical criteria met. If the answer is no, then why do you toil with such troubled individuals who serve to cause doubt and skepticism in both believers and non-believers alike. These men take away
from one of the most powerful tools the Christian has in their desire to fulfill the great commission. They are dulling your sword, the Holy Bible. Perhaps though, that is their purpose here on this Earth presently. Now ask yourself if that purpose serves God or satan. The answer should be obvious.
References:
Harrub, B. (2009). Convicted: A Scientist Examines the Evidence for
Christianity. Brentwood, TN: Focus Press, INC.
To purchase Convicted from Barnes & Noble click the book image.
Or purchase from Amazon.com
Tags: Convicted, Damon Thompson, Dr. Brad Harrub, Dutch Sheets, false prophecy, Focus Press, Lou Engle, prophecy, Todd Bentley
Bible, Discernment, New Testament Christianity | dvdbrumley August 2, 2010
7 Comments to “Regarding Prophecy”
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By walter, August 11, 2010 @ 7:24 pm
when a person says that God told them something, how can we question it. is this not judging the person.only God can judge them we are no ones judge.
By dvdbrumley, August 12, 2010 @ 6:32 am
Walter, God has told us all the same thing and it’s contained in His final and perfect revelation to mankind. IT’s called the Bible.
By walter, August 13, 2010 @ 7:20 pm
i know that sir.You dont believe that God is talking to people today?Because i know he talks to me everyday.im sure he talks to you as well.the same goes for Dutch Sheets,Damon Thompson,Lou Engle. I’ve met Loe engle and he is a great man of God.He is doing a lot to stop abortion.,example: Bound 4 life. Mr. Engle said that God told him to start this movement to stop abortion.
I’ve heard Damon Thompson say that God reveals these things about himself then he shares it with the church
Please answer my question from before.Isn’t what you’re doing is judging the hearts of these men.God is the one and only judge?And why are we so critical of other christians? We should examine ourselves first before we are critical of others.
By dvdbrumley, August 17, 2010 @ 2:02 pm
Walter my friend. It is not a matter of what I believe. The New Testament is our covenant and that is our guide for judgment of others teaching. I am sorry, if being pro-life and having negative things to say about abortion is your measure of someone being a “great man of God,” as you designate Lou Engle, then outspoken atheist and enemy of Christians Christopher Hitchens is also a “great man of God.” That is why we measure someone’s teaching by their words and their adherence to the gospel. Social advocacy is not Christianity Walter. Your teachers that you have gathered up for yourselves claim to receive special revelations from God as you are doing in your last reply. While I cannot speak for you, when someone broadcasts those “revelations” to others to accept as truth and there is no mention of the Biblical gospel and its truth, then you can count that as false. Christ said that the Holy Spirit will ONLY testify of Him twice in the New Testament. I hope that answers your question. Finally, it is not a matter of judging the heart of anyone, it a matter of measuring the words another speaks against that official revelation of God to man, the Holy Scripture. I know that many of your kind don’t value the word in that same sense but I hope that will change. That is the real purpose of these blog postings Walter. Am I judging their hearts, no, only God can judge, and I have echoed again and again on this blog that I am not the authority on this matter. I am simply a lowly sinner as my wife and children, those who know me best, will attest to. I judge myself by that standard and I see all of mankind in the same light, as the Bible reveals us.
By Alex, August 20, 2010 @ 6:55 am
I think you’re taking Walter’s reply out of context. He is not saying that Lou Engle is a great man of God JUST because he is pro-life, against abortion, and began BOUND 4 LIFE. And I do value your attempt at identifying those false prophets out there today. I will say that I do agree w/ you as far as Todd Bentley goes, however, we just have to agree to disagree pertaining to Dutch Sheets, Damon Thompson, and Lou Engle. Granted, I have met all three and not met Todd, I will attest to the fact that that may have something to do with it. But again, as I have said, I do believe in discernment just as you do but I simply discern something different than you. I’m not saying that’s your fault or my fault, but one thing I know is that it’s not God’s fault. If I’m wrong pertaining to these three men, I’m willing to be open to that should the Lord make it completely evident that that’s the case.
By dvdbrumley, August 21, 2010 @ 7:57 am
Alex, if that is the evidence you need to put these teachers aside all you have to do is open your eyes.
By Alex, August 22, 2010 @ 6:41 am
My eyes are open. My mind is open. My heart is open. I think you need a new approach in replying to posts because all I’m getting is sarcastic rebuke which only sews seeds of hatred and bitterness, which I do not receive.