No Sign-in/All Your Information Anonymous > TESTING PROPHECY HOW?
Isn't it interesting how the path of religious history is cluttered with the wreckage of failed predictions and disappointed followers of men,
who sought to prove Christ a liar by foretelling the time of His return in power and glory, only to be found liars themselves in the process,
and worse still, doing injury to faith in God among the sheep of His flock.
More often than not, those running ahead of God, and seeking to represent Him without being commissioned for the job,
fail to mend their ways upon exposure, but try to find some justification for their 'getting it wrong,' instead of unreservedly repenting of their presumptuousness.
While we are admonished not to treat prophesyings with contempt, we do well to keep in mind that at best we still only prophesy partially at present,
and therefore ought to stick closely to the things that are written in the inerrant Word of God in our expounding and interpretation of the things which are coming.
There is no doubt that, as time goes on, the Spirit of Truth is going to reveal more details to the already considerable insight granted to the Body of Christ,
just as promised for the end times, which are fast approaching now, as many of those having insight will rove about to make true knowledge abound.
As with all things spiritual, just because some - or should I say, a lot of - people misapply and use the Word of God for selfish gain and sectarian purposes,
does not mean that there are not also those using it with a good heart and to comfort one another with the joyful anticipation of the return of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the end of our faith to the revealing of His glory in us.
In prophecy, just as in doctrine, there are correct interpretations and then there are wrong interpretations.
Those led by the Spirit are able to discern which is which, precisely because their salvation has been wrought in Christ, which, in turn, moves them to speak up for the Truth within them.
Even those in Christ can get things wrong at times, technically at least, but since their motivation is always love out of a clean conscience and without hypocrisy,
they are easily persuaded upon being given Scriptural reasons for adjustment, because truth in all things is their constant desire and goal in life.
Since the Body is not one member, it follows that each individual in Christ has been given specific gifts by the one Spirit performing all functions for the purpose of mutual assistance and encouragement in the Body.
Some have the gift of prophecy, while others are good at explaining the sacred secret of Christ, or encouraging and comforting those in spiritual need.
There is no pride or jealousy in those recognizing the voice and wisdom of Christ in the ministering of a fellow member of the Body towards them, for their need.
Even the best and most powerful gift of the Spirit, or the most brilliant spiritual insight, is useless to its owner if it cannot be shared with someone in need of its benefit.
Such is the nature of spiritual abilities, that their exercise bestows more blessings upon the giver than even the receiver.
But therein seems to also lie the most common frustration experienced by those in Christ, just as Jesus Himself could only lay His hands on a few sickly ones, because no one had the faith to benefit themselves by means of God's Servant among them.
It is the same today, where people rather struggle alone with their spiritual perplexity than accept the blessing of Christ offered to them in one of His members here on earth today.
Many are preaching and converting to institutions of spiritual pride in their search for salvation, but if someone offers them Christ for free, no one is interested to receive Him.
Such is the way of the world, and, ironically, even more so of those who imagine themselves already escaped from its spirit.
epidox
Is being a Christian exciting enough? Let me qualify this statement, Christianity is about the fruitage of YHWH Holy Spirit, which most of us can repeat verbatim:
Gal.5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,{or, faithfulness}
We can unequivocally say the fruits of God Holy Spirit does not excite the flesh, and the works our flesh in us, correct?
However, prophecy, and dependency upon prophecy does excite the flesh of most Christian's. Prophecy creates within us speculation, anticipation, and often times it is found to be antagonist to the fruits of Holy Spirit.
2 Thessalonians 2:2 not to be quickly shaken in your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, saying that the day of Christ had come.
Subsequently, for those deeply involved in prophecy, and its out come they find the fundamentals of Christianity boring! Truth to them is only prophecy, and nothing but prophecy. This seem to be the only thing of value in the truth to fleshly Christian's. Have you noticed that prophecy denies resting in faith, which to a mature Christian's is the final step; in perfection of trust in God's supreme love as never denying us.
Prophecy on the hand, and its many failed interpretations depends upon a legal approach, self-preservation, lacking trust in YHWH salvation in Jesus Christ. Where it forces a person into a group for salvation by their complex interpretation of history, and biblical terminology, held by only the elite in the group, that is, the teachers whom started the group!
Yes, prophecy is a big part of the God's word, but none of it should deny faith, or weaken our trust in YHWH simple words of salvation to us, now should it?
John 6:47 Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life.
Unfortunately, most modern day prophecy fail into the works of the flesh, how do we know that? Simply put, look at its fruitage; it's that simple, has it produced the fruits of the “Holy Spirit” in those claiming the prophesy as truth? In other words, when the prophecy fails what happens to faith in YHWH?
Does the prophecy produce a lack of love, causing fights from within and outside it members? Are peoples spiritual lives destroyed by those promoting the prophecies? We must consider the whole fruit tree as Christ told us to. Christ Jesus did not say blind yourself to the real fruits because of a prophecy on the tree, no! He said that a false prophet would be known by their fruits.
Matt.7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 7:16 By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? 7:17 Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. 7:18 A good tree can't produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. 7:19 Every tree that doesn't grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.
Moreover, he said a “good tree” cannot bear bad fruit, what fruit? Conversely, he said; “a bad tree cannot produce good fruit, what type of fruit? (Holy Spirit fruit)
There is no dwelling between light and darkness, or good, and bad fruit two types on the same tree does not exist according to Christ Jesus that is the lie and we have deceived ourselves into believing lies and truth exist together.
What excite you as a Christian's the fruits of Holy Spirit founded in God's own personality of peace in freedom or contention, and wrangling over bible verses. Do we delight in drama in stirring up the flesh to keep us going in our faith?
2 Thessalonians 2:2 not to be quickly shaken in your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, saying that the day of Christ had come.
Prophecy is happening all the time, and it is wonderful our deliverance is getting near, did you know that the end was always near for the first century Christian's as well? But this statement is not nearly as exciting to those living every inch of their existence for the end of our world according to some groups prediction, nonetheless it is true.
God is patience, which is, one of the fruits of His personality, you might note its also a fruit of Holy Spirit. God says; “All of man's loving kindness is a mist”, how many mist have disappeared off our earth since YHWH Holy Spirit spoke these words? You see, Christ is always at the door, he is not coming to the door, why? Because our lives are so short as mist of boiling water being removed from the stove, here today and gone tomorrow Christ is always at the door!
James 5:9 Don't grumble, brothers, against one another, so that you won't be judged. Behold, the judge stands at the door.
With an existence that short wouldn't it be better to be found in patience in the works of the Holy Spirit, than being one more mist lacking faith in God's love and salvation towards us in Jesus Christ? We cannot lose or be mislead in YHWH love, but we were warned, we will be mislead by false prophets if we cannot discern between good and bad fruit.