Biblical Keys for Discerning True and False Prophets/Tests/Prophecy

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Evidences provided

Prophecy

Of True

Of False

Jeremiah 28꞉9 ...when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him. (Ezekiel 33꞉32-33, Isaiah 55꞉8-12) 2 Peter 1꞉20-21 Knowing first that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation. For prophecy came not in old time by will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost.

Deuteronomy 18꞉22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing happen not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. Note: A presumptuously spoken word is simply a word which the LORD hath not spoken: NOT utter refutation of otherwise prophetic performance. See the examples following. We will discuss this in connection with the humanity of prophets and the warnings against seeking to “make a man an offender for a word.”

• Note: In practice, this is the most qualified test, the most subject to abuse, even within the Bible.
• Prophets can be misunderstood (for example, John 3꞉18-22)
• Prophecy may have its fulfillment contested, either through misinformation, or cunningly devised fables. (Matthew 28꞉12-13)
• Prophecy may be distant fulfillment. (For example, 2 Peter 3꞉9)
• Prophecy may be of conditional fulfillment (Jeremiah 18꞉8-10)
• Prophets may speak their own opinion. (2 Corinthians 8꞉8)
• Prophets may even speak presumptuously on occasion. (2 Samuel 7꞉14)
• Prophets may disagree among themselves on some matters. (Acts 15꞉39)
• A prophet's words may be recorded imperfectly. (Compare Acts 9꞉7 and Acts 22꞉9)
• Finally, even prophets may misinterpret prophecy. (It is clear that much of the New Testament presumes an immanent return in glory, necessitating eventual warnings not to expect such.)
• (Overall, see Isaiah 55꞉11)