The Christian Broadcasting Network

The 700 Club with Pat Robertson


Scott Ross
COMMENTARY

Prophets, Prophecy, and the End of the Age

By Scott Ross
The 700 Club

CBN.comOn a recent broadcast of The 700 Club Pat Robertson made statements that stirred people up in regard to certain things he felt may be forthcoming in the U.S.A. and world. His words received some press. It’s not my job to defend Pat, but I am personally being asked how one should respond?

Pat usually couches his remarks cautiously, in that after a season of prayer his comments are what he "thinks" God is saying. I guess we'll just have to wait and find out.

The attached gives a framework as to what Scripture says in regard to prognostications especially if they purport to be from God. We have a responsibility to judge all “so called” prophecy.

It will take a couple of minutes to read through this and a bit longer if you are going to “study to show yourself approved.”

I hope this helps.

The Purpose of Prophecy

Note some characteristics of Anna:

Remember Jesus was just an infant at that time, so Anna was speaking prophetically about who this child was, saying He was the promised Messiah.

Sources of Prophecy

Some Functions of Prophecy

Prophecy can include other related gifts:

In other words stand on the Word that you believe the Lord has given you and pray and endure until you see the Lord bring it to pass.

1 Thessalonians 5.19-21 – All good instructions of what to do and not to do!

  1. “Don’t quench, do not put out the Spirit’s fire.”
  2. “Do not treat prophecies with contempt.”
  3. “Test everything.”
  4. “Hold on to the good.”

Other Sources of Prophecy

Human Spirit

This is area we need to be particularly sensitive. There can be a real mixture, of the Holy Spirit, evil spirits and the human spirit.

Ezekiel 22. 26-29 –God’s indictment here is an excellent standard of judgment. This is not just a measurement of the prophecy but of the character of the prophet.

  1. They don’t distinguish between the holy and unholy.
  2. They don’t teach “sound doctrine.”
  3. They are like wolves.
  4. Prophets for profit! They destroy people for money and profit.
  5. They speak false visions and messages.
  6. They say, God said, when God hasn’t spoken.
  7. They “whitewash” and cover up, and don’t get down to “root causes,” like John the Baptist who “laid the axe to the root.”
  8. “They oppress the poor, rob the needy, and deprive foreigners of justice”

The End of the Age

Wolves In Your Midst

This is not a reason for paranoia or a “spirit of suspicion,” but rather the reason we are to “judge all things,” according to the Word of the Lord as we discussed earlier.

"It is not for us to prophesy the day, but the day will come when men will be called again to utter the Word of God with such power as will change and renew the world!" (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)



CBN IS HERE FOR YOU!
Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting?
Are you facing a difficult situation?

A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.