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Prophecy vs. Prediction MP3
Over the several decades of the Work, there have been, from time to
time, people who have been confused on the definitions of a prophet and
prophecy and the practice of making predictions regarding upcoming news
events. Some have even gone so far as to label Herbert W. and
Garner Ted Armstrong as being false prophets claiming that they have
predicted events which proved to have never taken place.
Let us clear up the confusion by looking at both the definitions of and
the differences regarding prophecy and prediction.
Definition from Encyclopedia for "Prophet"
First from an encyclopedia: Someone who brings a message from God to
people. The best-known prophets are those of the Old Testament. Their
most frequent themes were true worship of God, upright living, and the
coming of the Messiah. They often met with bitter resistance when they
spoke against the idol worship and immorality of their people. Among the
prophets of the Old Testament were Daniel, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah,
Jonah, and Moses.
Prophets also appear in the New Testament. Jesus called John the Baptist
a prophet.
In general usage, a “prophet” is someone who can foretell the future.
(end quote)
Definition from Bible Dictionary for "Prophet"
Now here are some excerpts from a Bible dictionary:
PROPHET
A prophet received his call or appointment directly from God. Their
authority came from God alone whose message they bore (Exodus 7:1).
Many scholars deny that prophecy includes the prediction of future
events, but fulfillment was, in fact, the test of a prophet's
genuineness (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). Whether a prophet's words were fulfilled
within his lifetime or centuries later, they were fulfilled to the
letter (1 Kings 13:3; 2 Kings 23:15-16). (end
quote)
Test of a Prophet
This definition makes a clear distinction between prophecy and
prediction and states that the test of a prophet is that the prophecy he
proclaims must come to pass. Notice two key scriptures on the test
of a prophet.
Deuteronomy 18:22
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,
but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid
of him.
1 John 4:1-3
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they
are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the
flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye
have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
So, a true prophet is one who gets his mission and specific prophecy
directly from God. This generally comes in the form of a vision,
dream or voice utterance from on High. Most prophecies are pointed
at a specific peoples or a nation and they come to pass as stated by the
prophet.
Definition of "Prediction"
One dictionary I referenced gave this: the act of predicting (as
by reasoning about the future). This is a good definition and
shows a clear distinction between it and uttering a prophecy from God.
In the spreading of the gospel we deal with both Biblical prophecy [already
recorded prophecy] and breaking news events. The
purpose of the gospel is to herald the return of Jesus Christ. In
Matthew 24 and 25, Jesus enumerates a number of prophetic events that
will take place and increase just before His return. Clearly these
events will be covered by our modern-day news media. It is logical
that any true church spreading the gospel is going to discuss news
events in light of Bible prophecy.
Just recently I completed Lesson 22 of the ICG Bible Correspondence
Course on Prophecy. The lessons of the course are based on church
doctrine. I compose the questions from the text of the doctrine
itself. Notice question 33:
33] The best approach in analyzing
prophecy is to...
a) let prophecy guide you to understanding of current events
b) let current events guide you to understanding of prophecy
The answer is b). Prophetic events do not happen overnight.
They are a process. So are news events. As a prophetic
event, such as the formation of a union of nations into a beast power
begins its genesis, it will be recorded in a long series of news events.
The gospel-spreader takes note of these stories and can logically make
predictions about where events are going to lead. There will be
times when he is deadly accurate and other times when he will miss the
mark. The prophecy, however, remains and he continues to watch the
news and make predictions. The goal is to fully recognize the
fulfillment of that prophecy and know that the beginning of the Great
Tribulation is nigh.
Were a true prophet of God to come on the scene, he would not make
predictions based on unfolding news events. He would state clearly
what was about to happen. Then it would happen.
Prophets foretell future events. Gospel-spreaders make predictions
about where news events are leading, based on knowledge of known Biblical
prophecy. The difference is vast.
Contributing to the Confusion
Often, the confusion comes from an interchangeability and/or misuse of
terms. Some dictionaries will state that a prediction is a
prophecy and vice versa. Garner Ted Armstrong used the term "watchman"
to describe his work. Sometimes you will see Bible dictionaries
stating that prophets are sometimes referred to as "watchmen."
Another confusion stems from the fact that several traits of a prophet
match those of a minister. Notice this fact from another excerpt
from a Bible dictionary on "prophet":
PROPHET
The main role of the prophet was to bear God's word for the purpose of
teaching, reproving, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy
3:16). Whether warning of impending danger or disclosing God's will to
the people, they were similar in function to the modern preacher in the
church. Prophets were referred to as messengers of the Lord (Isaiah
44:26; Haggai 1:13), servants of God (Amos 3:7), shepherds (Zechariah
11:4,7; Jeremiah 17:16), and watchmen (Isaiah 62:6)
~from Nelson's
Illustrated Bible Dictionary.
In another place in the Bible where the term "watchman" is used, a
description is given that closely matches one who watches for prophecy
to unfold...a gospel-spreader:
Ezekiel 33:2-6
2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them,
When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man
of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet,
and warn the people;
4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not
warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon
his own head.
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood
shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and
the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from
among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I
require at the watchman's hand.
It is important to not confuse or mix-up the use of a term that has more
than one meaning. Clearly the church acts as the watchman of
Ezekiel 33. Scripture shows a number of scriptures commanding us
to "watch."
Matthew 24:42
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Matthew 25:13
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the
Son of man cometh.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Thessalonians 5:6
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Those doing the Work today are not prophets, but clearly we are carrying
out these commands and doing the work of the Ezekiel watchman.
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