Real or false prophet? How to differentiate?

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Meanwhile, numerous people are entering the public arena, claiming to be saviors and prophets. The Bible clearly states that, in addition to the spiritual “third Elijah,” there will be prophets sent by God in the very last days of the world. But false prophets are now numerous. How can one distinguish a true prophet from a false one?

Prophets – Important Men and Women of God

Prophets are anything but unimportant trivialities in the Bible. Although the entire Bible, including the so-called Law Books of Moses, are to be treated as prophetic books anyway, the Old Testament contains a total of 17 books written by prophets themselves. Numerous prophets and prophetesses (e.g. Hanna, Mirjam, Deborah, Hulda) are also mentioned in the so-called history books, but they did not leave behind any writings of their own. Moses was also considered a prophet, even though his books contained the Law (10 Commandments and ceremonial laws) (Torah). The Bible does not describe all of the prophets sent by God.

In Acts 2:17 it is explained that in the final stages of this world there will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The time around Pentecost can be taken as a model for this, when the apostles of Jesus received the Holy Spirit and then went out into the world with special gifts for the spread of the Gospel.
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:“

This makes it all the more important to be able to distinguish the true prophet from the false prophet.

In the New Testament, the last book, the Revelation, stands out as the final prophecy. The author of the entire Bible is God (2 Timothy 3:16) and that automatically includes the books of the prophets. For the revelation, Jesus Christ immediately presents himself as the author of the end-time prophecy, written down by John on the island of Patmos. Revelation 1:1-2:
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.“

The difference between the author of the prophecies of the Old Testament and the New Testament is much smaller than is generally assumed (Info).

Prophets usually brought “bad” news

All the prophets sent by God had a common task. No, it was not effusive praise and lavish eulogy of the people of Israel for their virtuous way of life, but rather admonition, rebuke, awakening, and calling them to turn away from apostasy, primarily from idolatry, and to return to obedience to God. Another important task of the prophets was to predict the future for the people of Israel, or rather, the later remaining part of Judah. ​​In prophecy, too, God’s messengers had something in common.

Very often, the prophets, with a raised index finger, explained what the fate of the people would be if they did not turn away from their misguided path and persisted in their apostasy. On the other hand, they also explained what it would be (or could be) like when the renegade, stubborn people finally came to their senses and walked again in God’s prescribed ways.

In the time of the prophets Ezekiel and Daniel (contemporaries in the period 605 to 510 BC) the final fate was sealed. In the book of Daniel, chapter 9, the people were prophetically “cut off” for 490 years, announcing the arrival of Jesus Christ (as Savior) and predicting the end of final devastation (Info).

Today, the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah, in particular, which foretold the glorious future that awaits the people of Israel, are also applied as prophecies for the end times. However, it is often overlooked that these predictions of a happy future were subject to the condition of returning to God. However, this did not happen, and in 70 AD, the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple, as historically confirmed, occurred. Just as Daniel in chapter 9 and Jesus Christ himself (Matthew 24) foretold.

Prophets were little liked and much hated

Were the prophets of the Old Testament welcomed, courted, and celebrated with open arms and jubilation by the people, by the kings of Judah and Israel? No. The opposite was the case. The prophets’ warning messages were generally met with incomprehension, anger, rage, and attacks.

Israel’s King Ahab described the prophet Elijah as someone who would bring ruin upon the people. God revealed himself to the entire people in a striking way through Elijah’s sacrifice on Mount Carmel. This was entirely to the detriment of the 450 Baal priests and 400 Asherah priests. Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, brought these into the land. She was the daughter of a Baal priest from Tyre (Phoenicia). Jezebel wanted to kill Elijah, and the prophet fled straight into the desert.

Another thing God’s prophets had in common was that they were usually hated and persecuted by the people they were meant to warn and exhort to return to God. The prophet Isaiah was even sawed in half. Jesus Christ openly accused this, Matthew 23:37:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!“

Today, when a would-be prophet, euphoric healer, or false pastor can demonstrate a huge following where the halls are filled with 10,000 cheering participants, then at least great skepticism is warranted. It stands to reason that these preachers are proclaiming exactly what the crowd wants to hear, not the admonishing and reproving Word of God.

Characteristics of true prophecy visions

Not everything and everyone who falls, rolls their eyes, fidgets and cramps has an inspiration or vision from God. A representation that is not uncommon today, especially in Pentecostal and Charismatic communities at their events (“church services”?). However, there are certainly descriptions in the Bible of the characteristics by which an actual vision given by God can be recognized. Daniel describes in chapter 10 how he behaved and what happened to him in such a situation.

Daniel talked about it

Daniel 10:8:
“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.”
Daniel 10:16:
“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.”
Daniel 10:17:
“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.”
Daniel 10:18-19:
“Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.”
Daniel 10:7:
“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.“

Moses already knew

An important statement is also in Numbers 24:4 included:
“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:“

The true prophet thus becomes weak during visions, falls with his face to the ground, his eyes remain wide open, is strengthened and straightened again and then speaks without breathing.

Modern support for false prophets

On this topic of the Gospel, too, it can be seen that even the characteristics of a true prophet are intended to be obscured in the new Bible editions. It cannot be emphasized often enough that the “modern” Bibles are a complete disaster (Info). The following are German editions of the Bible. This is what Luther wrote in 2017 in Numbers 24:4:
“Says the hearer of divine speech, who sees the revelation of the Almighty, whose eyes are opened when he kneels:”
The Good News Bible:
“Beors, started talking. He said, “I hear what the LORD declares. I see what the Mighty One shows me. I sink to the ground in a daze, but I still see clearly what God is putting before me:”
Hope for all:
“who hears God’s words. The Almighty gives him visions and he falls to the ground and sees hidden things.“

and the Menge Bible:
“Thus saith Balaam the son of Beor, and thus saith the man whose eye is closed.”

Either the important reference to open eyes is distorted, omitted, or even twisted into the opposite in the “modern Bibles”. This, of course, suits the “Oscar-ready” performances of some churches, in which would-be prophets promptly lie with their backs on the ground (instead of face to the ground), close their eyes and ramble some nonsense full of breath. These are also the false prophets that Jesus Christ warned about in Matthew 24. “Many false Christs and false prophets will appear.”

True prophet proclaims the word of God

True prophets are not only close to, but exclusively unadulterated, the Word of God. The Bible provides clear indications of what constitutes a true prophet and what characterizes a meager storyteller. When Jesus Christ in John 14:21 says, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.“, then a true prophet has no reason or authority to say otherwise. This is what Paul said in 1. Corinthians 14:3:
“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.“

Admonition to what? To obedience to God. This automatically includes paying special attention to God’s Ten Commandments. It provides comfort when the path of obedience seems too arduous due to the inevitable resistance of those around us.

True prophet leads to law and testimony

The prophet’s primary task is to admonish the community, that is, the believers. They must either be led back to the truth or strengthened in it. For the unbelievers or the general public, the true prophet has little attention, 1. Corinthians 14:22:
“Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.“

The prophet Isaiah, a man of God, also warned against false prophets and gave important tips for recognizing them, Isaiah 8:19-20:
“And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.“

Does the prophet lead people toward the law and the testimony, or does he lead them away from it? This makes it easy to distinguish a babbler from a true prophet. If the prophet’s messages deviate even slightly from the Word of God, or if contradictions arise, then this preacher can be dismissed as a “false fifty-year-old.” Paul gave a clear edge here, Galatians 1:8:
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.“

A false prophet does not necessarily have to be a self-proclaimed preacher who claims to act according to the gospel. According to Deuteronomy 18 and Revelation 21, this category also includes fortune tellers, interpreters, astrologers, conjurers, so-called mediums, channelers, self-proclaimed witches and wizards (Occultism). Practices such as interpreting zodiac signs, creating horoscopes, reading crystal balls and palm lines, pendulum and especially any kind of contact with the (supposedly) dead, be it a call or a so-called intercession, also fall into this category. Because contacting the deceased is not possible at all (Info).

Exemplary lifestyle

Actually, it is obvious that true prophets of God also lead a lifestyle that is pleasing to God. If such a proclaimer is observed “competitively drinking” at the folk festival, encountered in bar fights and seen entering a swingers club at night, then one can be sure that his messages come from an “unknown source” rather than that they could be brought into harmony with the gospel.

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.“

False prophets do not get off scot-free

The eternal law is inseparably linked to God (Info). This has been true from the beginning and has never changed. This alone shows the “final act” of the 7th trumpet in Revelation 11. The Ark of the Covenant becomes visible and contains the two tablets of the law of Moses.

Moses also pointed out the dangers of false prophets inDeuteronomy 13:4-5:
“Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.!”

Killing such a false prophet was the practice of the ancient people of Israel. Strong tobacco. Nevertheless, one can confidently assume that God will hold the false prophets and also the misleading shepherds accountable. This is what the Lord had told the prophet Ezekiel Ezekiel 34:10:
“Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.”

Summary characteristics of true prophets

• The prophets admonish and call on people to return to God. No or hardly any praise, but a lot of blame

• Prophets of God are generally unpopular and rejected

• General persecution and even killing of the prophets

• A true vision is accompanied by an attack of weakness, face (initially) to the ground, straightening through strength, eyes opened, speaking without breathing

• True prophets lead people toward the law and testimony (Jesus) and not away from them

• The prophet’s focus is admonishing the Christian community, not the unbelievers

• True prophets lead exemplary lives. The way of life is based on biblical values

A “prophet” or pastor who doesn’t even mention God’s statutes and perhaps declares them to be invalid and non-binding can safely be sent into the desert (Info). Mediated prosperity gospel, in the form of prayers for self-realization of any kind (success, career, happiness in life, increase in money, etc.) are all for the dumpster. Anyone who follows such false prophets and fails to seek the truth from the Bible will one day hear from Jesus Christ:

Bible verses from King James Version

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