The Ten Tests of a Prophet
The Ten Tests of a Prophet
Test 1: Reliable Predictions
If someone claims to be a prophet that makes predictions, their predictions must come to pass in totality. The only exception would be a conditional prophecy. But if someone says something is definitely going to happen, no conditions, then if it doesn’t happen, they are a false prophet.
Jeremiah 28:9 — The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.
Test 2: Lift up Jesus
A true prophet will lift up Jesus, and not themselves. Many false prophets are all about self with a “look at me” attitude. True prophets will be humble, seeking only to point others to the Lamb of God.
John 16:13 — Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Matthew 7:15-20 — Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Test 3: Nothing Secret
False prophets will concoct their prophecies and interpretations in secret. For example, Joseph Smith came up with the Book of Mormon in secret. True prophets will be open and clear about the fact that the doctrine they teach comes from the Bible.
2 Peter 1:19-21 — We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 — All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 2:15 — Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Test 4: No Sugar Coating
Like Elijah, true prophets point out and rebuke sin in the proper spheres (private where necessary, openly where necessaary, but never where the world can reproach the Gospel).
Micah 3:5-8 — Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God. But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
1 Kings 17-19
Test 5: Warning of Judgments
God gives messages of coming judgments to His prophets, and they, in turn, warn the church and the world of these coming judgments.
Isaiah 24:20 — The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
Test 6: Builders
A true prophet will seek to edify and build up the church, not to tear it down, be it public or private. A surgeon cuts to heal, not to destroy, and never needlessly. 1 Cor. 14:3-4.
1 Corinthians 14:3-5 — But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Test 7: Bible Based
A true prophet will not teach anything contrary to the Bible. Anyone claiming to be a prophet must be williing to be subject to scrutiny based on the Bible.
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.
1 Corinthians 14:32 — And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Test 8: Physical Proof
A true prophet going into vision falls down weak, & then is strengthened by God. They also have their eyes wide open the whole time, and they do not breath while in vision.
Numbers 24:4 — He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
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. 8 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. 9 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 toward the ground.
Daniel 10:16-17 — And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
Test 9: Christlike Fruit
A true prophets life will be morally pure. While being normal humans, they will be kind, respectful, and loving.
Matthew 7:15-20 — Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
James 5:17 — Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
Test 10: Obedient
A true prophet will often have to bear unpleasant messages. However, they will still be obedient, both to the command to share the message, and to God’s Ten Commandment Law. Deuteronomy 18:18, Isaiah 8:20, Prov. 29:18, Rev. 12:17.
Deuteronomy 18:18 — I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
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.
Proverbs 29:18 — Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Revelation 12:17 — And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
All Scriptures used are KJV unless otherwise noted
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