- Reggie O'Campo   http://www.cffan.de/

(posted 2 an online forum, & re-published w./authors permission -v.c.)

I call for a balanced approach and educated response regarding the prophetic.
It is a sad fact that there are some abuses and seemingly “unfulfilled” prophecies in the name of the “prophetic”. Isn’t excess also true to all restorational movements?
I am alarmed to see the tendency of some (not a lot…at least not yet) to disdain and reject the prophetic in part or even as a whole. Are we now going to throw the baby with the bath water?

We might be jumping the gun too soon. Let’s examine

some examples in the Bible.
Prophet Samuel gave the judgment to King Saul for making an unlawful offering. The prophet said “But now your kingdom will not endure…” (I Sam.13:14). It was not until 38 years later that Saul lost the kingdom.

On another occasion, king Saul spared Agag and disobeyed God’s instruction after the Israelites won over the Amalekites. The prophet Samuel rebuked him saying “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbors.” (1 Sam.15:28)
Well, the fulfilment of the word “today” in Samuel’s prophecy was not 24 hours rather 24 years.

For many modern day believers, when they hear the word “now”, they think in terms of minutes or at the most hours but not 38 years. It is the same thing with the word “today”. Many understand the word as twenty-four hours.
Perhaps good old Samuel would also be branded as a false prophet today.

Take the word “suddenly”. People today think that they won’t do anything and expect something to fall on their lap from heaven. Anyway, the prophecy said “suddenly”. Well, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit in the upper room “suddenly” only after they obeyed the instruction to wait for the Promise. “Suddenly” was the blessing that came after a process (i.e. waiting, obeying, hungering, and being in unity).

There are numerous examples in the Bible of the prophetic terms that concerns time. If we do not properly discern them, we might end up like Abraham “helping” God fulfil His promise by sleeping with Hagar. Much worse, are we going to be one of the murmuring Israelites in the wilderness who were so impatient?

If the prophecy clearly stated specific dates, persons, etc., then if they do not come to pass (maybe) it can be considered as an “inaccurate” prophecy. In some cases (not all), maybe a “false prophecy”. However, if there is no such thing, let us examine our own hearing. Many times we have already "filtered" the word by our own biases.

Before we utter the words "false prophet &/or prophecy", let us remember that many times we are not privy to the succeeding events. Take for example the "prophecy" that Hezekiah would die and that he should set his house in order. Well, the guy lived on. Of course, you and I today know that he pleaded to God and was granted an extension. What about those who didn't know the "inside story"? They would easily brand Isaiah as a false prophet and the word to be a false prophecy.

It is the same thing today, do we know the "inside story"? Before releasing judgment, let us make sure we know and have straightened the facts.

Again, let us not forget that personal prophecies are always conditional. Even genuine personal prophecies are not guaranteed to come to pass. Take for example those who died in the wilderness not entering the promise land (except Joshua and Caleb). Their unbelief and disobedience cancelled their prophecy. Not only that, they got the opposite of it.

Prophecy does not wrestle man's free will away from him. When did we ever assume that prophecy was a guaranteed one way ticket without regards to such things as faith, patience, and obedience?

I do not reject the call for greater accountability on the prophetic. Let my voice make the call louder. Let it first reverberate in my being before to others. Why not apply this to other movements, streams, etc. as well? Let this call also be sounded forth to all, not just the prophetic. I wonder, how many are "accountable" to the postings [online] (prophecies, teachings, etc.).

Is there a “witch hunt” for those who step in faith prophesying what they don’t know? Most of the times, a teacher teaches what he knows but a prophet prophesies what he doesn’t know. It takes a lot of faith to step out and prophesy to a complete stranger. Let’s cut the prophets some slack. Let us be careful not to intimidate those who are still being called into the prophetic ministry. Do we spank a child for learning to walk? Naturally, those who are already matured are judged on a higher level for "to whom much is given, much is required."

Yes, the bar must be set on a high righteous standard especially for those who say “thus saith the Lord”. At the same time, let us not despise prophecy.

Sometimes I wonder where people really stand. There are those who talk negatively about “covering” and at the same time call for “accountability”. ???

I am not head over heels over the prophetic for my loyality is unto the Lord Jesus Christ and not in a movement. Yet, we should learn from Gamaliel’s advice.

Lest I be misunderstood, I do not endorse the reckless behaviour of some “prophetic” people (you’ve heard it before – actually “pathetic”).

At any rate, let us make sure that our judgment is righteous and not religious.

In spite of the many errors and discouraging developments ...

"See to it that you do not refuse HIM who speaks..." (Hebrews 12:25)

- Reggie Ocampo, on 02/02/2008    http://www.cffan.de/