How can true prophets and false ones be identified?
True prophets make known their faith in Jesus, but more is required than claiming to preach in his name
1 John 4:1-3: “Test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world. You gain the knowledge of the inspired expression from God by this: Every inspired expression that confesses Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh originates with God, but every inspired expression that does not confess Jesus does not originate with God.”
True prophets speak in the name of God, but merely claiming to represent him is not enough.
Jesus said: “I do nothing of my own initiative; but just as the Father taught me I speak these things.” (John 8:28) He said: “I have come in the name of my Father.” (John 5:43) Jesus also said: “He that speaks of his own originality is seeking his own glory.”—John 7:18.
If any individuals or organizations claim to represent God but decline to use God’s personal name, and make it a practice to express their own opinions on matters, are they measuring up to this important qualification of a true prophet?
Ability to perform “great signs,” or “miracles,” is not necessarily proof of a true prophet
Matt. 24:24: “False Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs [“miracles,” TEV] and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones.”
What true prophets foretell comes to pass, but they may not understand just when or how it will be
Dan. 12:9: “Go, Daniel, because the words are made secret and sealed up until the time of the end.”
The pronouncements of a true prophet promote true worship and are in harmony with God’s revealed will
True prophets and the false can be recognized by the fruitage manifest in their lives and the lives of those who follow them
Matt. 7:15-20: “Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will recognize them. . . . Every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit . . . Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men.”
It was not necessary to wait perhaps for years or generations to determine whether the prophet was true or false by fulfillment of a prediction. If his message contradicted God’s revealed will and standards, he was false. Thus, a prophet who foretold peace for Israel or Judah, at a time when the people were engaging in disobedience to God’s Word and Law, of necessity was false.
The true prophet never foretold simply to satisfy human curiosity. Every prediction related to God’s will, purpose, standards, or judgment. (1Ki 11:29-39; Isa 7:3-9) Often the future events foretold were the consequence of existing conditions; as the people sowed, so they would reap. The false prophets lulled the people and their leaders with soothing assurances that, despite their unrighteous course, God was still with them to protect and prosper them.
2006-06-08 18:12:44
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answer #1
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answered by BJ 7
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Matthew 7: 15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheeps clothing,but inwardly they are ravening wolves.16.Ye shall know them by their fruits.Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles:17.Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.18.A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.19.Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.20.Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
2006-06-08 18:08:21
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answer #2
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answered by ? 3
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No actual prophets talk the certainty human beings would desire to pay attention it yet won't pay attention with the aid of fact they have been programmed to think of a undeniable way. faith is lots older than 2000 years human beings God Jehovah has been around b4 there even became a time. Even how we glance at time is fake.
2016-10-30 10:29:35
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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One easy way;
God would "Never" condone His Prophet to insert a 54 year old penis, {Muhammed's}, into a 9 year old Child, Aiesa!
http://www.geocities.com/AntiJihad/mo_pedo.html
2006-06-08 16:42:42
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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