False Prophets Everywhere

The prevalence of false prophecies in the Body of Christ is astronomical in scope.

I am not a Charismatic (not meaning rizz) Christian, yet I believe in the gift of prophecy. The gift of prophecy is not what I am questioning.

I question those self-appointed prophets that do the same trick some (not all) tarot readers do in their divination. Cold reading and being vague. Now, I will admit some diviners (not all divination is biblically restricted) are hyper-specific in their messages, and props to them for having the stones (or lack thereof) to be that specific.

But when you’re just combining a Bible verse that an actual prophet said with some vague prediction about finances, then you’ll have my eyebrow raised.

“The LORD will restore what the locusts have eaten, and you shall be financially prosperous. The years of the locust are over.”

 In the Book of Joel, this was a specific event that happened to Israel during the time of the prophet Joel.

What the hell does that have to do with right now?

Similarly, people use Jeremiah 29:11 to forecast prosperous plans for people. And you know what? God has a plan for your life if you’d trust Him to guide you. You could even use this verse this way if you are grafted into the recipient of the prophecy, Israel. Christians are grafted into the natural olive tree, being wild, Gentile branches. But just like real-world grafting nourishes the new graft, Israel ultimately upholds the faith delivered since the days of the ancient forefathers.

If you don’t identify with either the House of Israel or the House of Judah (while maintaining your distinct Gentile identity), then this prophecy has nothing to do with you.

It is in the same vein as the prophecy of Jeremiah 31, where the New Covenant is only made with both houses of Israel, not the third entity known as the Church. Not that the Church is unimportant, but rather I keep things in their proper context. Of course, the Body of Christ fears the real New Covenant. It says the Torah will be written on our hearts, and they can’t have that in their theology that says Jesus does everything and we do nothing.

If you don’t identify with the grafted notion of the doubled olive tree, then you don’t get to claim the promises in a lawless state. Everyone wants the blessings of the covenant, but few want to keep the covenant.

Back to the main topic, though.

“The LORD says your Boaz is waiting.”

Wow. That’s specific. Also, Ruth and Boaz is far more explicit a story than these people realize, and I wonder if they knew that if they would continue to spout these things.

I agree God has an intended match from heaven for us all (those of us who are not called to be single, anyway), yet I don’t think using a kinsman redeemer example meant for a specific context is the way to go.

Also, that is not specific. If they were to say, “You will meet your soulmate in this specific city, in this specific way, and you will do this for a living when it happens,” then I would perk up and pay attention, especially after some time passed and it happened exactly as stated.

That is accurate prophecy. If someone does not give a specific prophecy, even using some coded language that might be deconstructed with logical consistency, they are a false prophet.

We are to despise false prophets, and they were killed in ancient Israel. To claim to speak for Yahweh when you do not is a grievous sin.

There are also good magicians and diviners in the Bible, believe it or not. The astrologers from the East are an example of those who were there to honor the King of Kings. They used a mixture of astrology and astronomy to find Jesus Christ, and they are not condemned for doing so. Joseph used a silver cup for divination, and the High Priest of Israel used the Urim and Thummim. The apostles cast lots as well. Shuffling a deck would not be out of place there.

If a cartomancy practitioner is also specific and accurate, then so be it.

I’d trust that over a generic, “The LORD will shower some blessing on yo’ m’f’n ass,” as one false prophetess put it (paraphrasing a bit for palatability).

Again, I’m not saying prophecy isn’t a real thing. There are some prophecies and prophetic words that are true, but it usually takes a long time if it’s a genuine prophecy. If you received something in 2013, it might not come to pass until 2034. God usually takes His time, as He is right on time, never late.

And don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with prosperity on this Earth, if your heart posture is correct. A prophetic utterance that you will one day have massive influence or wealth is not necessarily false or ear-tickling language, as long as your heart can handle such things in humility.

It is when you can’t come up with something original and take lines from the prophet Isaiah instead of seeking Yahweh on your own that the issues arise.

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” He said that. But he didn’t put it as a preceding line in every prophecy ever on some random YouTube channel.

Yes. Prophetic events might happen in your own life.

But it doesn’t take a cold-reading, vague person to tell you.

I’d sooner trust an atheist Satanist than a false prophet (hyperbole, in case you don’t detect the sarcastic tone).

Blessings and shalom.