| PROPHET for PROFIT ? |
| Prevaricating spirits may enter a church and take the form and function of God-given spiritual entities, often operating unnoticed even by those in leadership. A rent must exist in the spiritual covering of a church in order for counterfeit spirits to masquerade and imitate the authentic.� Two such illegitimate spirits, which most often operate in tandem, are a self-seeking spirit of prophecy and a self-aggrandizing spirit of prosperity. In such a paradigm we have a prophetic-type prompting and a profit-driven motive working hand-in-hand, often under the rubric of� "for the purpose of spiritual-edification".� Let it be quickly added here that the Gift of Prophecy [1 Cor. 12:10] and the Office of the Prophet [Eph. 4:11] are both operating in the Church in this era, with the latter being much less prevalent now compared to what is to come in the events of the very last hours of the Church Age. |
| When counterfeit religious practices are permitted, if not even encouraged, to operate in the church proper the pursuit of prophecy and prosperity oft-times supplants the quest for holiness and humility, as well as repentance and righteousness. The proliferation of glossy 'Prophecy Conferences', 'Prosperity Seminars' and Prophetic/Prosperity-centered TV ministrations bears witness to the alarming increase in these 'self-seeking' ministry-type promotions. Certain church affiliations and religious enclaves seem to be more receptive than others to entertaining these 'sidebar ministries'.� Of recent concern is the number of 'self-seeking' type ministries being conducted outside of any church auspices or even any real 'spiritual accountability' oversight authority. Freelance prophetic ministries are abounding everywhere, are promoted in a variety of contemporary Christian publications and sponsored by some independent christian internet sites.�"Parlor Prophecy" is just what the name implies: entertainment-centered religious shenanigans meant to amuse, and if possible, cause wonderment and awe.� It makes no difference if the place is a home-based cell group, invitational 'prophetic' meeting, or in a convention center auditorium - the Parlor Prophecy stratagem is the same.� Two earmarks of such charades are "we will have a word for everyone" and the heavy handed 'love offerings' for the 'prophet' (or is that 'profit'?). |
| Scripture does not support individual en masse prophetic utterances nor does it justify 'Prophets' soliciting or being paid for the release of their God-given gift.� Does and can the Holy Spirit bring a clarifying Word during a church service through one sanctioned with the gift of prophecy?� Does He give a Word of encouragement to the body-at-large and does He issue directive proclamations regarding this Age (era)? ... the evidence is overwhelming that He surely does.� Can those with the gift of prophecy bring an edifying word to those inside as well as outside of the church proper? ... again a qualified yes.� It is the 'commercialization' and 'entertainment-centered' aspects of the recent Prophetic Movement, so many trumpet and even establish churches around, which is of great concern.� Will the Office of the Prophet be reestablished in the final hours of the end-time days?� We believe again an unequivocal yes, and we may even be witnessing the beginning of this corporate blessing today in selected quarters. The frequent justification for giving offerings (and tithes) to a 'prophetic ministry/er' is 1 Timothy 5:18: "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages".�� This scripture is most often considered to embrace the five-fold ministry Offices as opposed to those operating in one or more of the Gifts [1 Cor. 12:10] for personal gain (i.e., profit).� The 1 Timothy verse ostensibly addressed 'apostolic' ministry of that day - and there are regrettably precious few true apostolic ministries operating today. Calling oneself apostolic or even ordaining an apostolic label onto a ministry is no assurance such operate in this calling or Office. |
| There certainly can be Pigs in the Parlor [viz. Hammond, ICB] with spiritual forces attempting to counterfeit the Holy Spirit's ministry to and in the Church.� So often these 'happenings' include deceiving manifestations which are offered up as evidence of a particular ministry's anointing and spiritual authenticity.� We truly have entered those days of "wolves in sheep's clothing" [Matt. 7:15] and at times it requires a spiritually-discerning eye to tell the difference.� The deceptions, witchcraft and sorceries which will be loosed by the forces of darkness in the last days will be the most sophisticated and honed deceptions man has ever witnessed ... they have had 6,000 years to develop such deceit and treachery.� God is beginning to uncover long-standing deceptive practices in the business arena, political bastions, various denominations as well as in the lives of individuals steeped in unrighteous and abominable human behaviors.� Man has believed in his craftiness to hide much of his sin from the eyes of his fellowman, yet "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account".[Heb. 4:13]� Ashamedly, this scriptural admonition is either discounted or ignored by so many forged ministry offerings and churches which embrace unwise practices in an effort to keep 'the mystical' before the 'faithful' and offer something more spectacular than those across the street or down the block.� On the other hand, Churches which shy away from manifestation of the 'spiritual gifts' so often go overboard in the direction of holiday Pageant extravagances, grandiose illustrated sermons and contemporary pop-theatrical productions to fill the pews. |
| The Church in America needs a spiritual shaking to bring a cleansing which can not be orchestrated by man or any of his religious contrivances. Nothing less than the Spirit's shaking intervention can dislodge a Laodicean complacency and Nineveh-esque self-satisfied contentment rampant in so many present-day houses of worship. The 'twin spirits' of self-seeking prophecy and self-aggrandizing prosperity, if not confronted by the corporate church leadership, will (are) make way for echelons of dark-sided spiritual forces to inundate the Body-of-Christ and her end-time purpose (Eph. 1:10).� The Merry Church Melody of� "We are All Ok, bringing in the harvest and doing God's work ... He surely is pleased with His Saints this day" ... is a misnomer promulgated to instill a sense of spiritual well-being and allay any possible angst of coming judgment. The Book of Revelation describes near-coming days like none other since the beginning of time.� Unless the pre-tribulation eschatologists are correct, the Church will soon be drawn into a time of great 'spiritual' examination and critical assay as the Father prepares the Bride-in-waiting for His Son, Christ Jesus.� This is an hour for each believer to get his house in order with The Lord, and believe that "... all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose".� There are 'things', however. which attempt to not work for 'the good' (God determined 'good') and are practiced by 'those' not ordered according to His purposes (Eph. 1:10, Eph. 2:15-17). If 'prophetic utterances' and 'mammon' are our 'things working together' for 'the good' (our individual good, only), then we have a very tenuous grasp on the promises of God and the outworking of His end-time Plan of Salvation.��� |
| Don't be victimized by self-seeking and aggrandizing spirits running rampant across the 'pastureland of the church' ... "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect". [Matt. 24:24].� This is not a prophecy for the morrow, but one that is being fulfilled this very day.� Pray for spiritual discernment and stand confidently "... I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him ..."[2 Tim. 1:12].� "Now is the day of salvation".[2 Cor. 6:2] and the day for spiritual discernment, watchfulness and a time to "Avoid every kind of evil".present in your life. [1 Thes. 5:22]� |
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