Prophetic Ministry

This article will describe what the true prophetic ministry (gift of the prophet) is supposed to be according to the standards of Jesus Christ. We must not model our understanding of the prophetic ministry off of what is currently functioning in the church. We can only model our understanding of the prophet from the scripture, and the perfect example of Jesus operating as a prophet in the New Testament church. We will also examine the prophetic ministry of John the beloved. These two examples provide the most accurate assessment of true prophetic ministry that can be found in the New Testament. As we examine the ministries of these two people, we will find that their prophetic ministries are much different than what is considered “the prophetic” in the current church. 

There is a great danger in drifting away from the true prophetic ministry in the scriptures when we follow the ministries and teaching of individuals instead of the word of God. The Holy Spirit made sure that the New Testament church had a reliable blueprint for the prophetic gift so that we would not be in confusion. However, many in the Charismatic church have disregarded the scriptures, and therefore we find ourselves in disarray. This article will not discuss the gift of prophecy, which is primarily used by the Lord for encouragement. We will be addressing the leadership gift of the prophet which is found in Ephesians chapter four. 

Primary Function

The primary function of the prophetic ministry is to lay a foundation of Jesus Christ in the church. Also, prophets are:

“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:12-13 KJV).

The function of the prophetic ministry is to see Christ brought forth in believers until He is living through them in fullness. This is the process of inward transformation. Christ is to become our life. The job description of the prophetic ministry (along with the other ministry gifts) focuses on perfecting and maturing. Much of what is currently labeling itself prophetic ministry, is not what Ephesians 4:12-13 describes.

In order to come to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, we must be transformed into His image and likeness: “But we all, with unveiled face seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 WEB).

Therefore the main focus of the prophetic ministry should be showing people how to walk with God inwardly. Believers need to know how to go within their own hearts, to the place where Jesus sits on His throne as King; and behold His glory. As His glory is beheld, it will shine back upon us and transfigure us into His likeness. Our high calling is to become like Jesus, by seeing Him and allowing Him to live through us. Jesus preached that the Kingdom of God was an inward reality. Much of the focus of the modern church is outward. Outward things appeal to the carnal nature. The fact that so much of the church enjoys outward things more than the hidden inward life, demonstrates that the church in America is still very carnal. 

The prophetic movement should be pointing to the person of Jesus, but instead it has been pointing to itself. When a movement focuses more on an individual truth (such as the restoration of the prophet or prophecy) instead of the Truth Himself, it has got off track. The scripture gives us a definition of what prophecy should be:

“I fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, “Look! Don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.”” (Revelation 19:10 WEB).

True prophecy from the throne of God will testify about Jesus. Not simply to talk about Him, but to bring an impacting revelation of who He is; which will take us into a more intimate relationship with Him. Real prophets impart an inward revealing of Christ. Ministers who only give personal prophecy are not prophets.

John the Apostle and Prophet

It is clear from the scripture that John is not only functioning as an apostle, but he is also operating as a prophet. John does not title himself as a prophet, unlike many leaders in the current church love to do (pastors as well). John simply refers to himself as servant, brother, or by his name (Revelation chapter one). However we can tell that John is a prophet, because the encounter he has is at the same level of the Old Testament prophets such as Daniel. John’s revelation brings forth a testimony (or understanding) of Jesus Christ.

The only way we can determine the real prophetic from the false, is to examine what the Holy Spirit says the prophetic ministry is to be in the New Testament. John had an intimate relationship with Jesus combined with love of God overflowing from him, and a powerful revelation of Jesus as King and Judge. If John’s self-life had not been crucified, he would have twisted the revelation given to him. This is exactly what many in the prophetic ministry are currently doing. If our hearts are not in alignment with God and his word, we will prophecy our own will instead of God’s.

There are ministers in the church that are considered prophets in Charismatic circles. Many of these people don’t believe certain New Testament scriptures that show God is still a judge and that He Judges righteously. Because they reject the truth, they believe a lie, and the lie becomes truth. These people also ignore the things that Jesus prophesied while fulling His prophetic ministry, and the things that John prophesied while fulfilling his ministry. They make up an example of what a New Testament prophet should be based on their own will, instead of observing Jesus’ life and ministry as a prophet.

It is extremely hard to hear God accurately if we disagree with things in scripture. For example, if we do not want to believe that God releases prophetic words of disciple and judgement through the prophet (Luke 10:13-15 and Luke 19:41-44), then we cannot hear God properly. We will filter anything we hear from God through that lens, so either we won’t hear Him at all; or we will think Satan is speaking instead of God. This goes for any truth. Judgment is just being used for an example.

Jesus demonstrated how His five ministry gifts are to operate. When He ascended into Heaven, He gave the same ministry gifts He walked in to other leaders (Ephesians 4:8-11). If we are not in alignment with Jesus and the scriptures, then our revelation will not be pure, and we will drift into deception. We have to make a commitment to the Lord to want His truth, whether we like it or not.

Some current prophetic ministries only use the description of the gift of prophecy for their understanding of the prophetic ministry (when these are two different things). These ministries think they have an understanding of the love of God, when in reality it is a humanistic love. The love of God tells the truth, while humanistic love tells people what they want to hear. If the heart of the prophet is not purified, they will hear God according to their own heart and will.

This is why Balaam heard that it was okay for him to go with the men the second time they came to him. He wanted to go with them because his heart desired power and wealth, so he heard God according to his own will. That’s why the Lord was angry with Balaam, and sent an angel to him. God saw that Balaam had started to shut down the true word from the throne for a prophetic word that made him feel better. This is exactly what some people in the Charismatic church have done, and some “prophets” are happy to give it to them.

Balaam heard God tell him to go, when God had said stay (Numbers 22). The prophetic ministry in the church was prophesying revival, open doors, and double blessing; when the Lord was trying to warn His people of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the social unrest that were coming in 2020. Many of the prophets couldn’t hear it because it is negative, and their theology doesn’t allow for negative words. John was the apostle/prophet of love, but he didn’t shriek back from telling us the truth. John warned the church in Ephesus that judgment was coming unless they returned to their first love. The judgment would be God removing the entire church in that region, unless they repented (Revelation 2:4-5). The same is true with us. John is still speaking to the church. He is warning us that Christ would rather vomit us out of His mouth, than for us be lukewarm (Revelation 3:15-16). 

John, who probably had a greater revelation of God’s love than many prophetic ministers in the current church, prophesied that Jesus would open up scrolls that would release judgment and death on the earth (Revelation 6). If John’s heart was not pure, he may have not been able to receive that revelation from the Lord. Or maybe John would have understood this as Satan opening the seals to release the four horseman. Then he would have prophesied, “But the church can pray and stop these four horsemen. And then a powerful revival will come, that the world has never seen before.”

But John didn’t pervert the revelation that Jesus was giving him, because his heart was pure. He was a bond servant who had carried his cross, and died to his self-life. He had practiced the inward life, and Christ was living through him. So he gave the revelation in a pure form, as the Lord wanted it given. The real prophetic ministry will ask the Lord to restrict some of the things they are being shown prophetically, so their revelation is much more focused on Jesus than it is the things of God. This is something that the Lord will test His messengers on. Are you willing for your revelation to be restricted to only Christ’s will, intent, and purpose? Or do you only want to get self-centered prophetic words, or prophetic words of encouragement for others?

The answer to these questions will determine the path for people called to the prophetic ministry. They will either be commissioned by the Lord as a prophet, or remain as a “prophetic person” who operates in a prophetic gift, and has their articles posted on prophetic websites. The one commissioned as a prophet will serve his/her Master and see believers transfigured into the image of Christ. He will fulfill his earthly call. The person operating in the prophetic gift will be known in Charismatic circles, and that will be his reward (well he might make some money from writing books also). Real prophets (including Old Testament prophets, Jesus, and John) were persecuted and killed by the religious system because they spoke from God. Jesus gives us insight of what the true prophetic voice will face. By the following scriptures we can tell the real from the false prophetic ministries:

Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets. (Luke 6:26).

Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets. (Luke 6:22-23).

If you are called to the prophetic ministry, are you going to give pure prophetic truth from the throne of God; or are you going to be a puppet of the religious prophetic community that is currently operating in the church? If you choose the religious prophetic community then you will have the opportunity for fame and money. You will have your prophetic words on the major prophetic websites, and be a hero in the religious Charismatic church. Or you can choose to be a messenger of the Lord. This is a lonely path in which you will follow in the foot steps of Jeremiah, Elijah, Isaiah, John the Baptist, and Jesus. They were hated, persecuted, and some of them killed by God’s own people because they spoke the truth.

Jesus’ prophetic ministry would be hated in the church in America. Jesus rebuked an entire city, and prophesied they were going to Hell; when they did not repent of their sin (Luke 10:13-15). Many in the current church don’t even believe in a Jesus that would say those things because they don’t know Him. But think if Jesus told one of His prophets to rebuke a city today in America like that? If the prophet obeyed Jesus, and did only what Jesus Himself did while fulfilling His prophetic ministry; the church would crucify that prophet. The church would condemn and judge that prophet, and do everything she could to destroy his/her ministry. This is because the church is so full of self-life that she cannot hear what the Lord is saying. She cannot see the truth in the scriptures. She only wants to see and hear that which makes her feel good. 

Jesus prophesied of wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, deception, and persecution in Matthew 24. John prophesied of an anti-christ who would rule the world for three and a half years, and overcome the saints by killing them (Revelation 13). The Lord Jesus desires to release a greater understanding of these things to His end-times prophets, that they might prepare the church for what is coming. However many in the current prophetic movement are not in alignment with the scriptures, or the prophetic end-times ministries of Jesus and John. The current prophetic ministry is choosing not to hear Jesus and John, and in fact some are prophesying the exact opposite of these New Testament prophets.

Since many only hear what they want to hear, the Lord will raise up true prophetic ministers from outside of the religious prophetic system. These will be messengers who are filled with the love of God, because they have been with Jesus. They will give the church the truth, even if it costs them having a large popular ministry. They will care little about the opinions of men, for they will live for the opinion of the throne. These will be the messengers that burn with the fire of God, because Jesus will visit them and purify them in His fire (Malachi 3:1-3). He will refine them so they will not be an echo of the current prophetic ministry. 

The Lord is restoring His prophetic ministry to His original intent. They will be ministers of the cross, who love the secret place. They will speak the words of the Father, and not what they think or want. They will not be trained how to prophesy by the schools of the prophetic religious system. If the Father says judgment is coming, then they will speak. If the Father says refreshing is coming in the presence of the Lord, then they will say it. These messengers will prepare the bride for Christ’s return. 

The Old Prophet

In 1 kings 13 there is a valuable lesson that we must understand. The prophet must obey God and stick to the word and message that he was given. This lesson is a parable to the current prophetic ministry. The young man/prophet of God (the new prophetic ministry in the current church) was given a message from God. He started off doing well fulfilling his assignment, and passed the first test by giving an accurate word even when it put his life in danger (1 Kings 13:1-10). But then the second test came. The old prophetic ministry (Biblical prophetic ministry) was released again to test the quality of the new prophetic ministry (1980’s to the present time):

Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel; and his sons came and told him all that the man of God had done that day in Bethel; the words which he had spoken to the king they told also to their father. Their father asked them, Which way did he go? For his sons had seen which way the man of God who came from Judah had gone. He said to his sons, Saddle the donkey for me. So they saddled the donkey and he rode on it. And went after the man of God. And he found him sitting under an oak, and he said to him, Are you the man of God who came from Judah? And he said, I am. Then he said to him, Come home with me and eat bread. He said, I may not return with you or go in with you, neither will I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. For I was told by the word of the Lord, You shall not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way that you came. He answered, I am a prophet also, as you are. And an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied to him. So the man from Judah went back with him and ate and drank water in his house. And as they sat at the table, the word of the Lord came to the prophet who brought him back. And he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, Thus says the Lord: Because you have disobeyed the word of the Lord and have not kept the command which the Lord your God commanded you, But have come back and have eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which the Lord said to you, Eat no bread and drink no water–your corpse shall not come to the tomb of your fathers. (1 Kings 13:11-22).

The new prophetic ministry that was being raised up could not pass the final test of God in order to be approved. The new prophetic ministry disregarded the clear command of the Lord for another prophetic revelation about an angelic visitation. Such as it is with the current prophetic ministry in the church. Many have become more enamored with prophetic experiences and angelic encounters than they are with the voice from the throne of God. Some have shut down or turned off the voice from the throne, so as to hear revelation that makes their souls feel better. Just as the young prophet believed the revelation of a man over the revelation of God, so has the current prophetic ministry given itself over to created feel-good prophetic revelation.

Because young prophet needed the words of man that contradicted the words of God, he failed to be a true messenger. He yielded to pressure of men instead of standing firm for the will of the Lord. Much like the modern prophetic ministry, he had a desire to be accepted and welcomed by another in ministry. He valued the opinion of men over the opinion of God. Therefore the Lord released judgment against the young prophet (the new prophetic movement). He used the old prophet or the old prophetic ministry to release the prophetic word of judgment.

The old prophetic ministry (that obeys the Lord regardless of the cost) is being restored. It will echo the voice of the Lord, and the new wishy-washy mixture that calls itself prophetic will be swallowed up by the true apostolic ministry; which is symbolized by the lion (1 Kings 13:23-24). The Lord will cause the old prophetic (or the ministry of Moses, Elijah, Jesus and John), and the true apostolic ministry to be pushed to the frontlines of the battle, while the thing that is currently called prophetic ministry will be buried in the ground as the young prophet was. It would be wise for the young prophet to repent now for not obeying the voice of the Lord. If this occurs, the young prophet could be transfigured into the true prophetic ministry found in the scriptures, and be useful to the Lord in these last days.

Paul Warns of the Prophets

Paul was preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Acts 13:13-41. He was preaching the good news, mixed with love, grace, and mercy. But then he makes this statement: “and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.’ ” (Acts 13:39-41).

The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to preach to them that failure to secure the grace of God in Jesus Christ, will bring upon them the judgment spoken of by the Old Testament prophets. This goes against most of the teaching I have heard in the current prophetic movement. Many teach that there is no judgment in the New Testament indicating the fear of the Lord has been lost. Many in the prophetic movement teach that prophets don’t prophesy judgment, and that the Old Testament prophetic ministry is no more. The Holy Spirit and Paul say otherwise in this passage of scripture.

Paul is quoting from Habakkuk 1:5-10, in which the prophet is telling the people that God will bring war against them until they have vanished, unless they repent and turn to serve the living God. The Holy Spirit saw fit to bring this into the New Testament for our instruction. He is saying that the words of the Old Testament prophets have not passed away. They will not be gone until Jesus returns, and there is a new Heaven and a new earth (Matthew 5:17-19). However those in the prophetic who teach men that the prophetic ministry, words, and judgments released by the Old Testament prophets have passed away, will be least in the Kingdom of Heaven. These prophetic ministers will be in the lowest part of Heaven, they will not be considered an overcomer, and will not rule and reign with Christ on the earth for one thousand years (Revelations 2-3 and 20).

The question is, are we going to fight against the Holy Spirit and the word of God, or are we going to align ourselves with the will and purpose of God? Will we follow the voice of man in the current prophetic ministry, or the words of the true prophets in which the Holy Spirit bears witness according to the burning fire in our spirit-man? The scripture is our foundation, and we must return to the prophetic ministry as defined by the scripture. The modern prophetic ministry has built a movement around the gift. This movement entails conferences, events, prophetic training, prophetic schools, and countless money-making books and products. The Lord’s intent was to show people that the prophetic gift (prophet) is to be operating in the church as the scriptures communicate. He did not want a monument built to another movement, which has seemed to happen with every movement in church history.

The Lord’s desire is for the true prophets to bring back the focus on Jesus Christ. The prophetic ministry is not here to focus on prophecy or gifts of the spirit, but the Lamb of God. My prayer is that those called to the prophetic ministry will allow the Lord to prepare them without being influenced by the prophetic religious system. I hope that prophets who are trapped inside the prophetic monument (which is a monument to itself), would come out to Jesus and allow Him to be the voice through them.

Lower Case “p”

True prophetic ministry is not the gift of prophecy masquerading as the gift of the prophet. True prophetic ministry keeps the “p” lower case, and the word “prophet” behind their name as a function; instead of before their name as a title (2 Timothy 1:1). There is only One Prophet (with a capital P). True prophets have been broken in the wilderness and are under the Lord’s hand. They don’t crave public exaltation, but instead obedience and friendship with their Master. They only seek to do the will of their Father. 

The Political Ministry Hierarchy 

There are number of ministers who have built up their ministries based upon a prophetic gift. They have become elevated among the church, because their gift has made room for them. This group has formed a religious and political hierarchy much like the Pharisees had during the time of the first century church. The last century church will have to face this same religious and political apparatus as our first century brothers and sisters did. This system will become enraged by any believers who point out its hypocritical nature, just as the Pharisees did. 

The prophetic religious and political hierarchy currently has the “seat of authority” in the church. They approve of what prophetic words are mainstream. They have control of the conference circuit. They use their influence to exalt who they want exalted, and to keep down those who they do not want to rise up. Those who conform their doctrine and prophesying to the will of this religious/political church hierarchy, will be given “a seat at the table.” Fresh prophetic and apostolic puppets are always needed in order to keep the system continually functioning. 

These business men and women found out that the truth doesn’t sell. In order to make money and maintain influence, they have to tailor their prophetic message to the uncrucified desires of believers. Their ministry becomes a business, and their message becomes diluted. Their words sound really good and positive, but are absent of the Lord’s burden. Their words are like pretty “white wash,” but lack the fire of God that burns deep in ones inner man. 

The Accuracy of a True Prophet

Elisha is our example of how a real prophet gives a prophetic word of which king (president) would be granted the seat of authority. Please note that Elisha did not prophesy according to which king he liked the best, which king was more righteous, or which king the people wanted; but the one who the Lord said would be given the seat of authority:

“Then Elisha went to Damascus, and Ben-Hadad king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, “The man of God has come here.” And the king said to Hazael, “Take a present in your hand, and go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the Lord by him, saying, ‘Shall I recover from this disease?’ ” So Hazael went to meet him and took a present with him, of every good thing of Damascus, forty camel-loads; and he came and stood before him, and said, “Your son Ben-Hadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying, ‘Shall I recover from this disease?’ ” And Elisha said to him, “Go, say to him, ‘You shall certainly recover.’ However the Lord has shown me that he will really die.” Then he set his countenance in a stare until he was ashamed; and the man of God wept. And Hazael said, “Why is my Lord weeping?” He answered, “Because I know the evil that you will do to the children of Israel: Their strongholds you will set on fire, and their young men you will kill with the sword; and you will dash their children, and rip open their women with child.” So Hazael said, “But what is your servant—a dog, that he should do this gross thing?” And Elisha answered, “The Lord has shown me that you will become king over Syria.” Then he departed from Elisha, and came to his master, who said to him, “What did Elisha say to you?” And he answered, “He told me you would surely recover.” But it happened on the next day that he took a thick cloth and dipped it in water, and spread it over his face so that he died; and Hazael reigned in his place.” (II Kings 8:7-15 NKJV)

In our day, Elisha probably wouldn’t have had a very popular ministry. He prophesied an evil king into office that would rule wickedly and rip babies out of the wombs’ of women. Elisha’s prophetic word probably wouldn’t have made some of our “positive and energy” filled charismatic prophetic websites. So is the case with many of God’s true messengers. Elisha simply gave the word as the Lord said it, and was walking in obedience with the will and command of the Lord to his spiritual father Elijah:

“Then the Lord said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria.” (I Kings 19:15 NKJV)

If Elisha’s self-life wasn’t crucified, he may have thought, “I need to give this prophetic word before all of Israel (before it happens) so they will see that God speaks to me and that I’m a prophet of the Lord.” Giving the accurate prophetic word in front of the nation, on the other hand, could have elevated Elisha’s ministry and given him greater credibility among the people of God. Elisha could have used the accurate prophetic word to market his ministry and gather a greater following. The Lord is searching the hearts and minds of what refers to itself as “the prophetic movement.” The judge is bringing judgment and correction, regardless of if the word “judgment” fits into our doctrinal belief system or not. 

The Inaccuracy of those Claiming to be Prophets

Let’s say for example, that a bunch of people claiming to be prophets prophesied a certain president would win re-election in the United States in 2020.  Let’s also say for example, that none of these people prophesied correctly. Now since we have the scriptures, we see that Lord showed the true prophet Elisha exactly what would take place. There were things that would go on behind the scenes that the real prophet was shown. Elisha knew that Hazael would kill Ben-Hadad and become king. He even prophesied to Hazael the lie that he knew Hazael would tell the king (regarding that Ben-Hadad would live). 

So we can see that prophets are given information of things that will take place behind the scenes. So for example, if something like voter fraud was going to occur in an election, a real prophet would be shown that. Then they would accurately prophesy, “It’s the Lord’s will to re-elect the current president, but because of a hidden agenda and voter fraud; he will not be re-elected.” People who are “trying” or “wanting” to be prophets, will only get partial information, which puts them in a vulnerable position and opens them up to missing the prophetic word. They have just overstepped their boundaries. It’s one thing to know God’s will. It’s another to prophesy the truth of what is going to happen.

True prophets explain things clearly and accurately. They don’t have to backtrack, explain, and justify their prophetic word. “Well in God’s eyes the new president in office is really not the president because there was cheating involved, even though the new president has the seat of authority,” one prophetic person might attempt to justify. Then that prophetic person should have said that from the beginning, instead of creating confusion and division by their prophetic word. Jeremiah dealt with this same kind of confusion in his day:

“Where then are your prophets who prophesied to you, saying, ‘The king of Babylon will not come against you or against this land?’” Jeremiah 37:19 AMP

The King’s “prophets” had told the king that Babylon would not invade and attack Jerusalem. They were completely wrong as the true prophet Jeremiah pointed out. After this comment, Jeremiah was probably accused of having a judgmental and critical attitude for calling out the false prophetic word that fell to the ground. Pride always attempts self-justification instead of repentance. 

Judging the Prophetic 

The Lord is bringing judgment on the prophetic movement and exposing what it truly is by failed 2020 U.S. election prophecies. The Lord has allowed the prophetic words to fall to the ground of those who prophesied in His name presumptuously about the election. He has allowed this to show His people that He was not speaking through these prophetic people. They prophesied out of their own hearts and minds, and their words did not come to pass (even though they have developed clever excuses and explanations as to why it didn’t happen as they prophesied). Some have apologized for missing the prophetic word, but their ministry direction shows no real change (which would demonstrate the fruits of true repentance). Regardless of our justifications, the scriptures will stand:

“And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’— 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.” (Deuteronomy 18:21-22 NKJV)

Spiritual death will begin setting in for those who do not truly repent of their presumptuous prophetic words. That prophet will die, spiritually speaking. They will not be ministers of the spiritual life of Christ, but will actually oppose Him through the revealing of false prophetic revelation masquerading as the Spirit. Believers who follow theses individual ministers and give heed to their bitter prophetic flow, will be filled with the same darkened delusion as the “prophets” themselves. We are called to judge those who claim to be apostles/prophets, and we are called to test prophetic revelation:

““I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;” Revelation 2:2 NKJV

“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.” (I Corinthians 14:29 NKJV)

Some believers have chosen not to test and judge according to the scriptures. Instead they seek to preserve their own selves and justify failed prophecies along with the “prophets”. To walk in the truth, a believer would have to admit they trusted in prophetic people who were not accurate; and that they themselves had been deceived. Since it requires humility to admit this, many believers choose not to take this route. It’s easier to “preserve ones self-esteem, dignity, and honor” by digging in and justifying why they were actually right. This is how the “self-life” operates. It makes excuses for why it was right. Those who have chosen to pick up and carry their crosses will understand and know the truth of this. 

The Danger

If these “prophetic ministers” do not repent of attempting to be prophets (when not called to operate in that gift), they will drift further and further into false prophecies. Their prophetic words will become more and more defiled with each passing year. They will deceive themselves and others. Many believers will be wrapped up in their prophetic deception, and corruption will sink in to their souls. These will then be very susceptible to the falling away from the faith. Instead of anchoring themselves deeper into the mountain of truth by knowing and standing on the word of God; they drift upward into a prophetic wave of delusion. “We are going to take over the world through a massive end time revival,” they might prophesy. The setup by the antichrist spirit has now been made complete. 

In comes the false prophets performing signs, wonders, and miracles. The power is so magnificent and its flowing steadily. Those who left their anchor behind, are now floating freely in the winds of deception. “These prophets must be of God, for look at the mighty works they are performing,” these believers might reason. And they can’t discern the truth, because they already rejected a love for the truth. They were led astray, but they were willingly led astray by the religious/political charismatic prophetic movement. They made the decision to fit in and be accepted, as opposed to raise objections and be branded as a “trouble maker” within the church. These believers feared being cast out of the religious/political system (John 9:18-23). No one wants to be accused of being critical or judgmental. The political/religious leaders understand this and use the fear of this to manipulate the church into submission to its authority. They want obedience to their way of thinking and prophesying.

The leadership of this system will either try to force you to submit to their doctrine and prophetic revelation (and many believers do). Or they will force you out of the political/religious system. So why not come outside the camp? Why stay in the political system that’s filled with worldly ways of functioning. Follow Jesus and His true disciples:

“Therefore Jesus also suffered and died outside the [city] gate so that He might sanctify and set apart for God as holy the people [who believe] through [the shedding of] His own blood. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His contempt [the disgrace and shame that He had to suffer]. For here we have no lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.” (Hebrews 13:12-14 AMP)

The remnant is meeting outside of the camp (political/religious charismatic establishment). Throughout the history of the church, the former wineskin or past movement of God has persecuted to new wineskin or new movement of God. There are some in the religious/political structure who what to hold on to the glory of the charismatic/prophetic movement. Then there are those who will choose to follow the cloud of glory outside the camp. A place of suffering and denying ones self by means of the cross. A place of allowing the Holy Spirit to bring us to the “mature man” and build us into the Lord’s temple. In that place, His glory will abide until the Lord comes suddenly in to His temple. 

Sin and Judgment 

The Lord has given the Untied States over to unrighteous governmental leadership as a form of judgment. Since 2020, America has suffered one blow after another. This tells us that judgment is increasing. Things will become increasingly more difficult. Few will find the narrow path to eternal life, and many will choose the wide path to destruction. The love of many will grow cold. Lawlessness will increase. Believers will be persecuted, betrayed, and killed. 

I’m only quoting and repeating the prophesying of Jesus Christ our Master. Not many want to hear His prophetic words any more. His words didn’t “tickle the hears” very well. Jesus wouldn’t have gotten a seat in America’s “prophetic round-tables” after His sermon in Matthew 24. “We are here to prophesy life to the church, not doom and gloom,” these prophetic people may say to Jesus (not even recognizing Him). Many leaders in the political/religious system of our time, fail to recognize Jesus; just as the Pharisees failed to recognize who He was during the first century. 

Judgment will increase on the United States because we have failed to repent. God judges a nation based on the righteousness or sin of the majority of the people in that nation. There was always a remnant of righteous ones in Israel, but that righteous remnant was not enough people to keep the entire nation from being judged. The same is true with America and other nations.

The majority of the United States has not repented of abortion (murder), sexual immorality as defined in the scriptures, idolatry (spiritual adultery), violence, and mind altering drug use (witchcraft). Since we have not repented and still show no signs of it, judgment is certain. Prayer without repentance is like a car without fuel. The revivals of Toronto and Brownsville did not cause America to turn and repent, so why is it that some say revival will change things now? America is worse off now than it was before those two revivals took place.

Unfortunately, when mercy does not prevail, the Lord has to judge very harshly until repentance occurs. This is not His preferred method, but sometimes becomes necessary. The Lord made King Nebuchadnezzar go insane for seven years as a judgment (Daniel 4). What was the result? He repented of his sin and trusted in God. We will see him in Heaven one day. The Lord knows what He is doing, and what it takes to get people to choose His Heavenly Kingdom. We need to trust Him and what He allows. 

Conclusion 

I believe the Lord will restore houses of His glory across America and the nations. Those believers who choose to come outside the camp, and be built into the house of God; will experience the reality of being a dwelling place in the Spirit. There is great glory in our future if we choose the right path. The Lord is gathering His remnant and preparing a place for her. This is a great hope in the midst of the hour of trial that is coming upon the face of the earth. You can’t risk being apart of the political/religious system in these times, but you can come outside of the camp and become a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. The time for the gathering of the remnant is upon us. The nations are raging in turmoil. But there are places of peace where the Prince of Peace will manifest. In this final hour, the Wise-Master Builder Himself is constructing houses of peace. 

-Ty Unruh (2021)