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Prophecy, Prophecies, cf. Forecasting
Resource
J. L. Meredith, Meredith’s Big Book of Bible Lists, (Inspirational Press, NY; 1980), pp. 124-127
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Tests for Prophecy
What are the tests for prophecy, or for any other spiritual gift that purports to bring the Word of God? These questions should be asked:
1. Does it glorify Christ? The prophecy may not mention Christ by name, but does the whole message honor and glorify him? This is always the Spirit’s primary work (John 16:14; 1 Cor. 12:1-4).
2. Does it edify the body of Christ? Seven times in 1 Corinthians 14 Paul emphasizes this point when discussing spiritual gifts, especially tongues and prophecy.
3. Is it in accordance with the Scriptures? If we twist the Scriptures, we do so to our own destruction (2 Pet. 3:16).
4. Is the prophecy given in the spirit of love? This is the hallmark of the Spirit’s presence, even in correction or rebuke.
5. Is Jesus lord of the speaker’s life? A false prophet will be known by the fruits of his or her life, said Jesus (Matt. 7:15:15-20).
6. Does the speaker submit to the church leaders? Strong personalities with independent spirits caused splits and divisions in the New Testament church, and do so today. Paul warned the Ephesian elders about those “from among your own selves” who would draw away disciples after them, and so divide the church of God (Acts 20:29-30).
7. Does the speaker allow others to judge the prophecy? Such weighing should be the rule, not the exception (1 Cor. 14:29).
8. Is the speaker in control of himself when speaking? The speaker may be “taken over” by an evil spirit, but that is never the mark of the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 12:2ff, contrast the passive “moved” and the active “speaking”; see also 14:32).
9. Is the prophecy fulfilled, if it speaks about some future event? Most prophecy is forth-telling, not foretelling. A Christian prophesying will normally “tell forth” God’s word as an encouragement or exhortation for the whole congregation. Only on rare occasions will prophecy predict some future event When it does, the biblical test is in the prophecy: fulfillment, or lack of it (Deut. 18:22).
David Watson, Called & Committed: World-Changing Discipleship, (Harold Shaw Publishers, Wheaton, IL; 1982), pp. 109-110
Resources
- Bibliotheca Sacra, 137:547:212, J. Walvoord
- Interpretation of prophecy, Bibliotheca Sacra, 139:553:3
- Evidence that Demands a Verdict, p. 267
- Example of human prophecy, The Rest of the Story, p. 43
- Charismatic Chaos, J. MacArthur, Jr., Zondervan, 1992, pp. 66ff
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Fiedler’s Forecasting Rules
1. It is very difficult to forecast, especially about the future.
2. He who lives by the crystal ball soon learns to eat ground glass.
3. The moment you forecast, you know you’re going to be wrong—you just don’t know when and in which direction.
4. If you’re ever right, never let them forget it.
Edgar R. Fiedler, economist, quoted in The Official Rules, Paul Dickson
Predictions in the Past Tense
Scientists at the Goddard Space Flight Center report that one of the largest stars in our galaxy is about to self-destruct.
Eta Carinae, which has a mass 100 times greater than that of our sun, is giving signs that its life is about over. Researchers say that it could become a supernova—a blazing, exploding star—within the next 10,000 years. What was especially interesting about the Science 81 report was the statement that since light from the star takes 9,000 years to reach the earth, the actual explosion could have already taken place.
This striking fact reminds me of the nature of biblical prophecy. For example, the predictions found in Revelation 8 are often written in the past tense. This is done because even though the prophet is writing of a future event, he has already “seen” it. Also, in the mind of God it’s as if the events have already happened.
Even though Christians differ on the interpretation of today’s Scripture, we can definitely say that God’s judgement those who continually resist Him is so sure that it has been written about in the past tense. This should cause us to reflect with the apostle Peter, who wrote so appropriately, “Seeing, then, that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11). As Christians, we know what’s ahead for this world, and that knowledge should keep us living close to God.
Our Daily Bread, June 26
Prophetic Goofs
The book, The World’s Worst Predictions lists some of history’s all-time prophetic goofs.
- King George II said in 1773 that the American colonies had little stomach for revolution.
- An official of the White Star Line, speaking of the firm’s newly built flagship, the Titanic, launched in 1912, declared that the ship was unsinkable.
- In 1939 The New York Times said the problem of TV was that people had to glue their eyes to a screen, and that the average American wouldn’t have time for it.
- An English astronomy professor said in the early 19th century that air travel at high speed would be impossible because passengers would suffocate.
The World’s Worst Predictions
Why Keep it Up?
Years ago a hydroelectric dam was to be built across a valley in Maine. The people in the town were to be relocated and the town itself submerged.
During the time between the initial decision and the completion of the dam, the town, which had once been well-kept, fell into disrepair. Why keep it up now?
Explained one resident: “Where there is no faith in the future, there is no work in the present.”
Source unknown
Predictive Prophecy
Dr. George Sweeting once estimated that “more than a fourth of the Bible is predictive prophecy…Both the Old and New Testaments are full of promises about the return of Jesus Christ. Over 1800 references appear in the O.T., and seventeen O.T. books give prominence to this theme. Of the 260 chapters in the N.T., there are more than 300 references to the Lord’s return—one out of every 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 N.T. books refer to this great event…For every prophecy on the first coming of Christ, there are 8 on Christ’s second coming.”
Today in the Word, MBI, December, 1989, p. 40
Quote
- D. L. Moody once said, “I never preach a sermon without thinking that possibly the Lord may come before I preach another.” - D. L. Moody
- The rule on staying alive as a financial forecaster is to give them a number or give them a date, but never give them both at once. - Jane Bryant Quinn
- I am fond of a line from Niels Bohr, the physicist, and have quoted it before. “Prediction is a very difficult art,” he says, “especially when it involves the future.
Sources unknown
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