Something exacting from a prophet is missing. As much as the assumption might be that this is all so easily dismissed.... In this short time of walking, comparatively, have heard nothing from the ones making bold pronouncements like this that has any true significance in reality. That they can be made in a vague sort of way is always telling, because for one they have a built in delay mechanism. This is also the same sort of thing that the prosperity and other fringe groups have tendencies in. Before the leap to accusations, please hear this in the sense of in general.On the other hand the ones that have any true words of 'prophecy' and that word has come to mean different definitions and maybe in this is my sense of it's intention in this day, now that Christ is risen. That it is, after the fact. That someone who is prophetic is one practically without his or her awareness, that has no concern for him or herself, but is abandoned to God wholeheartedly at the core of their being. That if this 'title' must be used, it is generally applied by others, as they recognize it. Their seems to be a sharp distinction between one and the other. In other words if you must keep having to prove and defend, explain and clarify, clear ones self and bemoan the 'abuse' they are getting in their eyes, something is truly and seriously amiss.All that may be hard to stomach, but to make such strong announcement, pronouncement without any serious consideration that brings accounting to and from the one speaking, let alone the hearers, cannot be left to brush away as no big deal, not when others are supposed to be taking words attributed to the God of the universe who's Holiness is impossible to look at, who is the Judge of all the earth, who is one we ought to tremble before if His wrath is about to be poured out. Why are you not on your face pleading for mercy and pleading with us all to do the same? Beating this into the ground in repetition for a reason. That the ones who feel they have been called to this re-think the whole thing soberly, deeply and honestly. And for the hearers, all us sheep, to be aware and cautious, it is prudent that we do so and scripture has told us time and again to test, to be on guard, to watch.That these brethren here are not insincere is worth consideration and none of this is a personal attack on them or their character. We must judge with righteous judgment, not from opinion or speculation but by the very scriptures themselves, this is the final court of approval and why the adamancy of holding to Gods word in it's fullness in all areas of this walk. Just a glance out into the landscape of Christianity in our day and even it's past history shows time and again what can happen by mis-appropriating Gods word, the Crusades, Popery, Cult's, Jim Jones and David Koresh, the Benny Hinn's and the vast array of TV frauds hacking their wares, making promises by twisting scripture, false prophecies, false doctrine, name it, claim it, happiness, prosperity, wisdom...Is this all over the top? Too much, too extreme? If this had been a "I believe the Lord is telling me..." "My sense is and feel the Lord is impressing on me...." This whole thing would have taken a different light. And if it was accompanied with a pleading and deep concern for these promptings, an anguish over such a terrible, horrific outpouring upon the earth of such magnitude... Those of us who would believe such a word with all their heart would cease everything and bemoan what is about to come to the earth, surely there would be some true repentance then.But this all comes to easily, it lacks any authority whatsoever, it is backed up with defense after defense and explanation and far too much concern for the 'prophet' and next to nothing to the message in it's weightiness. It is one thing to discuss the things we think the Lord is telling us and to share those with one another and be good Bereans, comparing it all with scripture, remember it is a noble thing to do! But we can be our own worse enemies in these things, carried away with imaginations even in our sincerity, have a bit of experience in these things.So the reason for all this is manifold. It is to throw up a challenge to consider, to nip this in the bud before the seriousness is lost or pushed to the back burner.The reason for bringing up past statements was to provoke another consideration. If it was all to be re-read while keeping a couple of words in mind, the thrust would be "Danger", "Caution", "Carefulness". That was the intent throughout, is it scriptural? Can these things be proven and tested in light of that? The whole issue with Angels was not in worship, but to bring up the one making these comments to see his own words and consider again just what was said and just how dangerous all this is. One of those brought forth was about the dangers of teachers and how they ought to be careful, this by the same one who would now have us believe he is speaking in Gods stead. There is too much contradiction and too many questions that have not seriously been taken to heart by those who have gone on in this walk and know a thing or two, it is almost always quickly brushed aside, given a nod and then back on to the track of more and more explanation.The whole reason for bringing up Mr. Strom was to show that even a man who has preached such a strong and even scriptural message of repentance, whose theology for the most part would be difficult to question, we even had a couple of live events here in the past with him can get caught up in these things. Just in recent months he has distanced himself from the prophetic movement as it is construed. More on this here https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?viewmode=flat&order=0&topic_id=3596&forum=35&post_id=&refresh=GoAndrew Strom Renounces the Prophetic Movement & the Recent Whitedove Conference in Kansas City ...https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?viewmode=flat&order=0&topic_id=3659&forum=35&post_id=&refresh=Go Leaving the Prophetic Movement Pt.2 (A. Strom)https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=3671&forum=35#24456 Report of Open Heaven Conference in Kansas City (Including Response to Stroms Article) A further search on him will bring up many past discussions to get a fuller picture , not only of him but this entire movement. Again, am not trying to fit this into that mold per se, but for the good of the people peering into this site, for the brethren and for the sakes of those bringing forth such a profound statement, please consider the ramifications, the weight and responsibility, the possibility that you may not have an understanding of what you are hearing and speaking. We can be deceived and it ought not cause us to be ashamed when we are confronted with that.One of the best things that ever happened here was to be rebuked early on by Greg our webmaster, even somewhat indirectly. Had been postulating about something on higher Christian learning that I had no business talking about, was careless in my words and just opinionating. But it caused an apology, a bit of embarrassment and yet also a freeing sense of realization not only that there was much to learn and consider, but the wonderful fact that someone cared enough to confront, that we were not in the midst of a shallow group of believers, it made this sentiment of this verse come to life:Pro 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Do not want to leave this without emphasizing something very key here as well. All of this being said, the dangers, the cautions, the considerations. That we ought to be a repentant people, quick to recognize it and admit it, deal with it, in our hearts to the Lord and to those that get caught in it's wake. Quick to forgive and to accept the Lords forgiveness, which can often be the hardest of all because it seems we can go off in the wrong directions with it, either making it cheap or pining away at ourselves instead of dying to ourselves and accepting the Lords dealing with us.I fear only that there is a preoccupation with this whole prophetic realm that is unhealthy to some and is dangerous because of that. That it is such a misunderstood area of gifting seems apparent enough and have no true grasp on the whole thing. If this is mere opinion, it is held loosely and if it is genuine, time will tell all things. My hope is only that the truth be exposed and expressed in this walk, it is the mighty wrestling that many of us come here seeking, sharing and teaching one another. That there is such souls after such is to be applauded and welcomed, it is building up the saints in such a profound way. There is much to be considered from each other and by no means is this to be construed in a throwing the baby out with the bathwater. None of this meant to be a slight on anyone personally and if it has breached into that area, I ask for your forgiveness, I know my own tendencies because of the harm I have seen in watching others get carried away in so much unnecessary things, it is very grievous to the spirit and the emotions can come into play.Sorry for the length of this, it has been difficult to express at this juncture of life, much heaviness of heart in particular circumstances personally, have attempted to try and deal with this as it stands, as to what has been said and what led up to it all, my own perception thereby may be skewered. But do want to leave with something that does reflect out of this realm. Right now there is a member here, from a far away land, that has some uncanny discernment that can only be attributed to the Lord's leading in what is being shared and it is in private, (something else that might be a consideration for us all). But what is striking goes back to an earlier mention of 'after the fact'. I believe the Lord speaks through us to each other in ways that could be construed as 'prophetic' but the necessity of couching it in those terms may be unnecessary and where this whole thing can get us off track. That some things have been said so exacting and bluntly in this private way is frankly impossible nor could it be stitched together from past correspondence. Some of them have just taken the wind out of me and launched me unto my face in sheer wonder, often times terror of the reality of it all, other times in praise and adoration that the Lord is more real than I could have ever imagined. But these are not in bombastic statements, 'miracles' of the sort that would get the 'headlines' as it were but in the seemingly 'small' things, that are really the most profound of all. The drawing of a loved one to the Lord and the possibilities that prayer had been a culprit in the mix of it all. Something being stated so exacting to my present situation that I have absolutely no words to describe it or to ascribe it to other than, "My God, there is no way this could be known, lest it be revealed from above" and for all intents and purposes it is but a 'little' thing... Will let it eek out a little bit here.It is just a bit odd that an illustration I was discussing yesterday with a dear elderly lady who loves the Lord, came out of a Buddhist background and is still working through the implanted thoughts of her upbringing, was brought up again just this morning. It was of the 'injustices' of the sons of Jacob in their dealings with Joseph. This dear lady's son has many difficulties and some striking parallels to my own present situation. He also loves the Lord and is carrying much of the burden in his home life with a job that bears a lot of responsibility, his wife suffers from a condition I believe that reference it as extreme fatigue syndrome, something to that effect. It requires that he must do practically everything, including taking care of his children, shopping, cooking, all the daily exercises as his wife is mostly bedridden. That this carries with it some suspicion as to whether there is psychological factors involved or not, part of the difficulty. My own having some similarities albeit different, with other factors the cause or problem, an addiction, financial extremities, much fatigue and anguish of soul, constant prayer and just work, work, work, I have little choice but to do so and then to come home and work some more...very much along the same lines as her son.To hear someone speak directly to the condition, use the same illustration and then state exactly what is already happening in such an exacting way... This isn't speculation or something thought out, it just comes out bluntly and isn't even really a confirmation, it would be more akin to this person living in my own house. This isn't a "Word of knowledge" or This is what the Lord is telling me to to tell you". With some hesitation... This is what floored me this morning:"...your faith is being tested-Like gold you are being refined from every angle, there’s no rest for you! "A different set of four words, those last four, wish I felt more inclined to bring forth the remainder, but it just goes on and this same saint keeps pegging the situation in exacting detail without effort. The conversations are infrequent at best... prophetic? It matters not what it is called, it is 'creepy', terrifying, wonderful, makes the hair on my arms stand up and tears come to eyes, that the Lord truly is in the midst of all this. It is a an awe experiencing thing to me for just the slightest nod in my direction, when it's real, when it's authentic. I have a hard time understanding these things, I am not trying to be overly humble, but it just washes over me in complete... amazement, feel so unworthy of any of it.Must stop now, have no idea what may be gleaned from all of this. I love you IRONMAN, Jimm, Rahman, I do not think you guys are wacky, we all are! We are a peculiar people, the willingness to be made fools in the worlds eyes, the foolishness of God! This is the best I could do by long way of explanation, someday perhaps, will be able to get this down to a less quantitative amount of words.That the Lord may heal and open our understanding in all things my brethren.
