We have to be careful as Christians and know how God communicates with prophets, what kind of messages God gives them to share with His people and if those messages harmonise with the Bible. Why do we have to be careful? Because there are false prophets out there and the Bible warns us about them.
Matthew 24:24, "For false christs and false prophets will rise and will show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."
1 John 4:1, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
False prophets claim to have dreams and to see visions, so the Bible must provide criteria whereby the authenticity of the prophets' statements may be tested.
1Thessalonians 5:20-21, "Do not despise prophecies, test all things; hold fast what is good."
The Bible lists a series of tests that can be applied to prophets to determine whether they are genuine or not. Many of these tests can be individually counterfeited, but collectively, they provide an impassable barrier to false prophets. False prophets can quote Scripture or have some of their prophecies come true, but they can still be false prophets—subtly using every opportunity to lead God's people astray.
1. A true prophet's message will be in complete harmony with the word of God and the law of God.
Isaiah 8:20, "To the law and to the testimony! If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."
Most modern-day prophets would fail this test. A prophet cannot negate what God has revealed in His Word, and all the precepts of the law are binding (
James 2:10). When the law is not observed, the gift of prophecy is withdrawn (
Lamentations 2:9).
2. Biblically God speaks to prophets in three different ways. He speaks to them in visions, dreams, or face to face.
Numbers 12:6, 8 says,
“If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. ... I speak with him face to face”
3. Prophets do not express their own private opinions in spiritual matters. Their thoughts come from Jesus, through the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:21 says,
“Prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
4. Prophecies must come to pass.
Deuteronomy 18:22, "...when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him"
Jeremiah 28:9, “As for the prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet comes to pass, the prophet will be known as one whom the LORD has truly sent.”
A word of warning: A prophet's predictions may occur, and may even be accompanied by miracles. But if they do not pass the other tests, the prophet is still false.
5. When a prophet is in vision they will exhibit physical signs.
In vision, the prophet's eyes will be open.
Numbers 24:4, "The utterance of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, who falls down, with eyes wide open."
Daniel 10 describes the physical state of the prophet Daniel while in vision.
Daniel 10:7-9, "And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face to the ground."
Daniel had
"no strength," and he must have fallen to the ground as he lay with his
"face to the ground." The prophet does not, however, remain in this helpless state on the ground, but he is lifted up by God, and while still in vision, stands up on his feet (
Daniel 10:10-11).
In vision, the prophet will have no breath in him, and no strength.
Daniel 10:16-17, "And suddenly one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, My Lord, because of the vision, my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. For how can this servant of my Lord talk with you my Lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me. Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me."
No mention is made of the restoration of breathing while in vision. The prophet is sustained by God while in vision. In summary, a prophet in vision shows these signs:
i) Falls down weak
ii) Is raised up and strengthened by God
iii) Has the eyes wide open during the vision
iv) Does not breath, even when speaking
6. A true prophet’s main purpose is to serve the church.
1 Corinthians 14:22, "Prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.”
Although a prophet’s message may sometimes edify the public, the primary purpose of prophecy is to serve the church. They will exhort the church to a higher standard, and will exemplify God's principles in their own lives. False prophets, such as 16th-century seer Nostradamus, do not live according to God's Word and do not build up the Church with their prophecies.
7. The true prophet will bear good fruit.
Matthew 7:20, "Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
This test is compelling. Does the prophet live a life in harmony with the will of God and are the lives of those touched transformed so that they too live godly lives? Once again, a word of warning: No one is without sin, and all fall short of the glory of God.
James 5:17, "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months."
Although Elijah had faults and passions just like us, he strove to live a godly life and the fruits of his labor testify that he was truly a prophet of God.
8. A true prophet will exalt Christ as the Son of God and the Saviour of humankind.
1 John 4:12,15, "No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us...Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God."
After His resurrection, Jesus expounded the Scriptures to His disciples, revealing to them the prophetic proclamations regarding Himself (
Luke 24:27).
Again a word of warning regarding this test. Many false prophets will say to Jesus in the last judgment,
"Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works" (
Matthew 7:22)?
The Lord will not recognize them as His, as they practised iniquity. They seem to pass the test, but fail in regard to the law.
9. The true prophet will speak with authority (
Matthew 7:29).
Jesus is the supreme example, and He spoke those things which He had seen and heard from the Father (
John 8:26,28,38). A prophet will likewise reveal those things with authority that have been revealed to him by God.
These signs cannot be readily counterfeited. In fact, modern so-called visionaries tend to fall down with their eyes closed, and they have breath in them, because only God can sustain life without breath.