Envision an otherworldly scene where a massive Tree is loaded with an abundance of fruit, and each individual fruit represents a real-life Christian on the planet today. Every single Christian alive today is represented by the fruit. Well-known Christian leaders, singers, musicians, teachers, prophets, evangelists, pastors, apostles, laymen, children, workplace Christians, every day Christians–each and every Christian is on the tree and recognized by name. Then imagine God sending His mightiest hosts to violently shake the tree, much like machines shake trees today to harvest fruit. As you observe this scene, you see tremendous numbers of fruit falling from the tree to a massive tarp-like ground covering intended to gather all that falls from the tree. Naturally, only those ripe fall to the ground.
I suspect you think all that is harvested through the shaking are fruit that is desirable and will be used for Kingdom good. But what if the fruit that could not be shaken–the fruit that remained on the tree is the better fruit because it’s still securely attached to the source of life the Tree offers? I believe this is a perfect illustration of what Christians around the world are experiencing today, and have been since early 2020.
I asked you to imagine this as an illustration of how we have been far too quick to claim understanding of what God is doing, and as a result we get it wrong.
Specific to the U.S. 2020 elections many prophesied Donald Trump would be reelected. The fall out with public debates concerning the prophesies and the men and women who gave them has grieved me deeply. It seems to me Christians have prematurely concluded, and we’ve lost our credibility in the world as a result. Not only have several previously trusted prophets recanted and made public apologies, the secular media has mocked the prophets, Christians in general, and as a result, our God.
When I heard about Dr. Michael Brown’s efforts to draft a statement for prophetic standards, and read some of his comments in articles and interviews, I was again grieved. While I understood the motive behind the effort, I saw it as defensive posture–an effort to mold public opinion to the detriment of our Christian influence. Don’t misunderstand, I believe there must be standards and accountability for each and every Christian. I’ve read the Prophetic Standards Statement published April 29, 2021 and I have absolutely no objection to the content. It is well thought out and biblically based. I do object to the perception generated by many promoters of the statement, those who have recanted, and the secular media’s negative portrayals of Christians, and resultingly our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
The Prophetics Standard Statement reads in part, “…if a prophetic word is delivered containing specific details and dates in which the stated prophetic word will come to pass and that prophecy contains no conditions to be met in order to be fulfilled, and that word does not come to pass as prophesied, then the one who delivered the word must be willing to take full responsibility, demonstrating genuine contrition before God and people.”
The November 2020 election outcome has been under scrutiny since before the election. Many publicly declared concern for voter fraud long before the election. Even today, six months later, the outcome of the election remains suspect with key counties undergoing forensic audits, lawsuits flying, pervasive potential coverups and continued conflicting reports about realities. This occurring at the same time there massive media censorship making discovery of truth difficult, sheds even more suspicion about the integrity of the election.
Specific to prophecy, it’s curious that Kim Clement prophesied about Donald Trump and about a time when there would be two presidents.
In reality, at this point in time, we don’t know that the prophets who said Donald Trump would be re-elected were wrong. Even so, the shaking has revealed a great deal. I am inclined to believe the prophets who have not recanted, who were not shaken and caused to fall–the prophets who remain attached to the tree and have not retracted a single prophetic word. Time will tell, what should have been the public posture of Christian leaders all along. The damage that has been done by concluding too soon is severe. But I take heart knowing the shaking God has done is intended to separate the good from the bad, allowing what has become bad an opportunity to repent and be restored. We Christians around the world are clearly in time of transition and shaking, where God is exposing corruption in all the seven mountains of society, to enact His justice which always begins with the House of the Lord (1 Pe 4:17).
Genuine prophets never need to be defensive. They are spokesmen and women for God who is never on defense.
This blog article was created to extend content from my podcast “Faith to Live By” where each week I seek to help us discern the times and know how God would have us respond so His Kingdom will is done on earth as it is in heaven. It is my desire that we learn how to gain spiritual victory over life’s issues. Faith to Live By is the name of my podcast and my multi award-winning book series. I welcome your comments and hope to connect with you on a regular bases with my podcasts, blog, books, social media and other ministry work.
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