Is Today's Prophetic Movement Fake News?
No matter what ultimately happens with the election, we need reformation in today's prophetic streams.
By John Burton Published on December 9, 2020
Is Today’s Prophetic Movement Fake News? | The Stream
I've hesitated writing this article for several weeks. The reason? I'm placing myself right in the crossfire of the prophetic zealots (of which, ironically, I am one) and those who are fed up with the mystical, self-serving foolishness that's rampant today. I'm in that group too.
Truly, it's a no-win situation. However, ministry isn't about winning. Ministry is about communicating truth so the Kingdom of God can most powerfully advance. So, onward.
It's important for you to understand that I have been embracing the prophetic for years. My entire life has been marked by strange and glorious supernatural occurrences. God's leading has been nothing short of remarkable and miraculous. I'm humbled and in awe.
I believe that God speaks, moves and interacts with every Christian who has an ear to hear. The wonders that so many experience on a consistent basis are not only dramatic, but they are required if we are to move in the direction the Spirit of God is leading us.
Without hesitation I admit to endorsing the often bizarre, sometimes confounding and always stunning biblically based prophetic ministry. Honestly, it would be impossible for me not to. I've written about my personal, humanly impossible, logically indescribable prophetic happenings in several of my books. I can't doubt.
False Prophets!
With that, I'm also disturbed by the butchering of prophetic ministry today.
Before you attempt to offer me a high-five in celebration of finding another who is bent on exposing today's false prophets, you need to hear me.
Let's deal with the elephant in this article. Several high profile prophetic leaders have boldly predicted another four years for President Trump. You need to understand that I personally know some of these people, and I've been following the ministry of several others. To call them false prophets based on the current state of our nation's affairs alone would be ridiculous.
These men and women of God are so pure, so passionate about Jesus and radically locked in to God's heart. They are also imperfect.
Let's settle something right now. Missing a prophecy does not deem one a false prophet. As I stated above, that is ridiculous. There's a difference between false prophecy and poor prophecy. False prophecy is demonic while poor prophecy flows out of imperfect children of God at times (just as poor teaching, poor pastoring and poor evangelizing does).
Of course, at the writing of this article, the election isn't settled. President Trump could very well be re-elected, even at this late stage in early December, 2020. This would, I suppose, vindicate the prophets. But do they need vindication?
New Testament Prophecy
Old Testament prophecy and New Testament prophecy are markedly different.
In the Old Covenant, a small handful of prophets received occasional, clear, precise messages from God.
In the New Covenant, every Believer in Christ, including those who hold the office of Prophet, can hear God's voice. However, while Old Testaments prophets received messages, today we perceive God's messages. Today, prophecy is intuitive, often abstract and, in most cases, it must be learned.
Quite often, prophetic signs, dreams, visions, impressions and other spiritual data must be interpreted. It also must be weighed, analyzed and prayed through. The Holy Spirit brings the understanding to the precise parts of the divine message entrusted to us.
That process can result in accidental errors.
Prophecy is tricky. We need to exhibit both faith and humility. Admitting there is a chance we might be wrong either partially or completely isn't exhibiting a lack of faith. I don't believe we should ever give a "thus sayeth the Lord" when prophesying. We should say, "I sense the Lord saying," or "I have a strong impression that..." Why? We can miss it.
Prophecies in Scripture are absolute. Prophecies today are not. Further, prophecies not found in the Bible are conditional. We have a role to play in the outcome.
All of this is why I believe declaring a prophecy that is not found in Scripture to be one hundred percent certain to come to pass is inappropriate and irresponsible.
Fake News Prophecy
This brings us to the necessary reformation.
Are there foolish, self-satisfying people growing a pseudo-prophetic ministry that's fueled by the enemy? Absolutely there are.
Are there others who are immature in their understanding of the prophetic, and as a result are out of step with true biblical prophecy? Yes.
Has the prophetic become way too dominant in some people's lives, to the exclusion of basic, orthodox, historical Bible truths? Most definitely. (Though I'd suggest there are way more who have excluded a true, biblical, prophetic lifestyle in favor of dry, dead religion.)
Simply, is much of today's prophetic ministry that's flourishing all over social media fake news? It is.
I'll introduce some sub-points that should at least get us thinking:
Purpose
Predictive prophecy (foretelling) often leaves me asking a question: why was it necessary to share that message? What is the purpose? ...
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Strategy ...
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Forthtelling vs. Foretelling...
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Thus Sayeth the Lord...
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Prophecy is Conditional...
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The Enemy...
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Final Thoughts...
John Burton is a sought out teacher, prophetic messenger and revivalist. He has authored ten books, is a regular contributor to Charisma Magazine, and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. He has planted two churches and has initiated two city prayer movements and a school of ministry.