Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

1Thess.5:20 Don't despise prophesies.

We must understand two things here that Paul address under Holy Spirit, 1.) human nature, and 2.) prophesies. Human nature is to label something good or evil compiling information against or for something. In this chapter and in others place Paul lets these brothers and sister know not to be quickly shaken over some prophesy.

Psalms 46:2 Therefore we won't be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can't be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,

It easy to run to the point that “all” prophecy is evil and wrong, but that simply not true. Moreover, Christian's should not despise prophecy, because there are many false prophet in the world. First and foremost each Christian must understand basic truth those promoting false prophecy mainly with end days prediction, they forget that Christ is now, and will be God one true prophet he speaks though for mankind.

Heb.1:1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 1:2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. 1:3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

In other words, prophesy towards us will come from the head of the congregation if we are actually in Christ, not through a legal corporation or a group calling itself Christian's. Christ can use a body member to speak prophesy, but something many Christian's fail to understand prophesy is not “just” about end times prediction. It can be direction in our lives something very simple. It can be counsel regarding forgiveness at the right time lead by a Spirit directed brother or sister.

Ephesians 4:8 Therefore he says, "When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men."{Psalm 68:18}

1 Corinthians 12:28 God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.

In other words, if you had lived at Paul's time there were not bibles being past around, and literature handed out by the billions, there was brothers and sisters belonging to one body the Christ, and Christ working in them, and through them giving direction and support to his congregation. Most all communication was not reference through bible verses it was spoken to you by those placed as gifts within the congregation of God, Christ Jesus the truth.

1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

Romans 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, isn't it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn't it a sharing of the body of Christ?

1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.

Now in this context we find why Paul said not to despise prophesies, he not saying: “You must believe end time prophecy being promoted to day by people calling themselves Christian's, or you are evil or that you will not be saved.

Matthew 24:24 For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.

This context is important because those constantly promoting end time prophecy use it to make people feel guilty and evil for testing and not being quickly shaken by their prophecy. We must be reasonable and fair, few Christian's today are even directed by Holy Spirit, they are taught by a group, or research bible chronology, finding the last conspiracy theory and wrap bible teachings around them calling those God's prophecy.

2 Peter 1:20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.

In other words, the Holy Spirit did not direct the prophecy through the head of the congregation and give it to the members of Christ body. Furthermore, a truth none of us can get around is if we seek truth and not fiction. The restraint that was taken away at the apostles times, so the field of weed took over God's planting of wheat has not been restored by mankind and their religion. If this is true than what we should find in the history of Christianity since the restraint was removed false prophecy and no new prophecy by Christ through his body members.

2Thess.2:1 Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him, we ask you
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.
2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the departure comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction, 2:4 he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God. 2:5 Don't you remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these things?
2:6 Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way.

Matt.13:37 He answered them, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 13:38 the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the children of the Kingdom; and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one. 13:39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.
13:40 As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age. 13:41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity,
13:42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and the gnashing of teeth. 13:43 Then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Some two thousand's years have past now, not one prophesy regarding the end of our world and the Lords coming has been utter correctly, all have failed and proven false since Christ apostles died off the earth and the restraint removed. But do we have what we need for salvation? Yes! Do you understand as a Christian's that every word written in your bible was not done by personal will, or a person originality, but by God's will and Holy Spirit? Do you understand that each word spoken came through a prophet of God, chosen to speak it and write it down for us?

2 Peter 1:21 For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

Yes! You hold in your hand a book written by prophets all of them, they did not compile the latest theory of mankind creating a prophecy they were instead given the words and thoughts as a prophet from God first than Christ Jesus once resurrected, not the other way around. The bible is not mundane or should the lesser teaching be despised, they are prophesies of great prophets within their words are life and death.

Revelation 22:18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book.

Revelation 22:19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.

God has put his stamp of approval upon each word of those used to write our bibles none of them have failed or proven false a perfect track record can any today or for two thousand's years claim that about their predictions?

Deuteronomy 18:20 But the prophet, who shall speak a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.

See also: www.nu-truth.com