The Biblical Test of a True Prophet

Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. KJV — 1 Thessalonians 5:20, 21

While it is true that there would be false prophets in the last days, there are several texts that point to the true gift of prophecy being exercised in the last days.

In Acts 2:16-21, Peter repeated a prophecy that was made by prophet Joel in the second chapter of his book affirming this. Said Peter,“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 on my servants, and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:” KJV Acts 2:17-18.

Knowing this, Christ warned us to “beware of false prophets.” Matthew 7:15. Additionally, four times in the eschatological chapter of Matthew 24, Christ bids us to take heed lest we be deceived. Twice in the same chapter, He says many false prophets shall arise. (Matthew 24;4,5,11,24). How else can we take heed if not by testing every spirit?

The devil works just like God. This is so since he (Satan) is the master counterfeiter. The only reason the Bible speaks of the true light (Jn. 1:9), the true vine (Jn. 15:1), the true bread (Jn. 6:32), true holiness (Eph. 4:24), the true God (Jn. 17:3) and the true laws (Neh. 9:13) is because in all of these, Satan produces a counterfeit, the false.

Some may suggest that it is of no need to test the spirits as long as one comes in the name of the Lord. Will we disregard prophesyings because we cannot distinguish the true from the false? Shall we believe every spirit as long as they claim to be of God? Nay. What saith the Scriptures?

While the apostle Paul admonishes us not to despise prophesyings, he bids us to “prove all things” and to “hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:20,21. It is undebatable that there can only be the true or false. There is no middle ground with God. Jesus says, “He that is not with me is against me.” Luke 11:23.

But how can we tell the true? What is the test according to God’s Word? The Gospel prophet offers us a solution.

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. KJV — Isaiah 8:20

All must be tested by the word. The word of God as well as His law is the litmus. Now, before we examine the biblical test, here is a principle that I would like us to have in mind. It is written of the law, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10.

God has the rule of all-or-none. Therefore, it is noteworthy that one MUST qualify ALL the tests that the Bible lays out. Below are some of the divinely appointed tests of one who claims the gift of prophecy.

1. Speaks According To The Word of God

It is written, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20. The scripture -the law and the prophets- must be honored as the great source of all spiritual truth. God spake these words to prophet Jeremiah, “Thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.” Jeremiah 1:7. A true prophet must speak for God, he must speak the gospel truth, the plain truth as it is in Jesus.

2. Lifts Up Christ

“Beloved, believe not every spirit,” writes the apostle John, “but try every the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” He goes on to say, “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:” 1 John 4:1, 2. The incarnation of Christ Jesus, “Christ in you the hope of glory” is the great theme of the gospel. As it is written, “And if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32. On the contrary, false prophets do not exalt Christ. They rather draw attention to themselves. See Acts 20:30.

3. Magnifies The Law

Just like Jesus came to “magnify the law, and make it honorable.” Isaiah 42:21, every true prophet must honor the law of God and even more encourage obedience to ALL the ten commandments. This is exactly what Elijah did. He called people’s attention to the commandments of God. We read that by all prophets the following message is to be given, “Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes.” 2 Kings 17:13. As we have seen, “To the law and to the testimony.” In the Bible, we see that when “the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.” Lamentations 2:9.

4. Predictions Fulfilled

It is God’s attribute alone to declare things to come. Isaiah 41:22-24. This is one of the features that distinguish the true God from all false gods and so with the prophets. Only the true prophet can predict and it come to pass. It is written, “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken,” Deuteronomy 18:21,22. Elsewhere, says the weeping prophet, “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.” Jeremiah 28:9.

5. Produces Good Fruits

The result of the influence of a true prophet as well as the spirit of their teaching must be such that produce good fruits. It is written, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:16. “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit;” Matthew 7:17. The fruits of a true prophet are to be in harmony with what the fruits of the Spirit of God are: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Galatians 5:22, 23. Let the works reveal the fruits. There is no half-way work in the matter.

6. Edifies the Church

According to 1 Corinthians 14:3, 4, “he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, he that prophesieth edifieth the church.” Through prophets, God strengthen and builds up the church, In Ephesians 4:11-13, we see that God gave some prophets, “for the perfecting of the saints, for the working 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”. In other words, a true prophet must prepare people to meet the Lord as did John the Baptist. Luke 1:17. As it is written, “Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.

7. Condition While In Vision

Prophets do receive visions. For “where there is no vision: the people perish” Proverbs 29:18. God says, “If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision and will speak unto him in a dream.” Numbers 12:6. “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7. Considering the Word of God, we see consistency in the physical manifestations of a prophet while in vision. One would “fall into a trance, but having their eyes open:” Numbers 24:4, they “retained no strength” Daniel 10:8, there would be no breath left in them Daniel 10:17 and then they would “be strengthened” Daniel 10:18,19.

Spiritual test and scriptural evidence

• Speaks according to the Word of God. Isaiah 8:20

• Magnifies and lifts up Christ. 1 John 4:2,3 John 12:32

• Magnifies the Law of God. Isaiah 8:20 2 Kings 17:13, Lam. 2:9

• The predictions come to pass. Deut. 18:22 Jer. 28:9

• Their work produces good fruits. Matt. 7:17 Gal. 5:22,23

• Edifies the church. 1 Cor. 14:3,4 Eph. 4:11-13

Physical test and scriptural evidence

• Fall into a trance. Num. 24:4

• No strength is left in them. Daniel 10:8, 16, 17

• Is supernaturally strengthened. Dan. 10:18,19

• Have their eyes open. Num. 24:3,4

• Do not breathe. Dan. 10:17

• Speaks without breathing. Dan. 10:17-20