Jehovah's Witnesses: How do you determine a false prophet?

The word prophet in the ancient times means one that speaks for another.





Bible prophets spoke the word of God and wrote it down because they were inspired.





A false prophet is one that says they speak for God and tells something that God id not tell.





If we use the modern meaning of the word prophet a false prophet is someone that fortells a future event that is something completely new to what was said before.





JWs have NEVER done that. The various ';dates'; that some mention are not prophecies that are interpretation of prophecies already written, not something new.





There is a difference between interpreting a prophecy and coming up with something that no one has ever recorded before.





All the dates that JWs used are based on an understanding of various prophecies at different times.





God has always given warnings of any thing he was going to do. Prophecy is how those warnings were given.





Some prophecies are very easy to determine an out come. Some were not.





Our understanding of the fulfilment of prophecy was wrong. the prophecy was notJehovah's Witnesses: How do you determine a false prophet?
Distinguishing the True From the False. In some cases, such as that of Moses, Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus, God’s prophets performed miraculous works that attested to the genuineness of their message and office. Not all, however, are recorded as performing such powerful works. The three essentials for establishing the credentials of a true prophet, as given through Moses, were: The true prophet would speak in Jehovah’s name; the things foretold would come to pass (De 18:20-22); and his prophesying must promote true worship, being in harmony with God’s revealed word and commandments (De 13:1-4). The last requirement was probably the most vital and decisive, for an individual might hypocritically use God’s name, and by coincidence, his prediction might see fulfillment. But the true prophet was not solely or even primarily a prognosticator, as has been shown. Rather, he was an advocate of righteousness, and his message dealt primarily with moral standards and their application. He expressed God’s mind on matters. (Isa 1:10-20; Mic 6:1-12) Hence, it was not necessary to wait perhaps for years or generations to determine whether the prophet was true or false by fulfillment of a prediction. If his message contradicted God’s revealed will and standards, he was false. Thus, a prophet who foretold peace for Israel or Judah, at a time when the people were engaging in disobedience to God’s Word and Law, of necessity was false.—Jer 6:13, 14; 14:11-16.


Jesus’ later warning concerning false prophets paralleled that of Moses. Though using his name, and giving “signs and wonders to lead astray,” their fruits would prove them “workers of lawlessness.”—Mt 7:15-23; Mr 13:21-23; compare 2Pe 2:1-3; 1Jo 4:1-3.


The true prophet never foretold simply to satisfy human curiosity. Every prediction related to God’s will, purpose, standards, or judgment. (1Ki 11:29-39; Isa 7:3-9) Often the future events foretold were the consequence of existing conditions; as the people sowed, so they would reap. The false prophets lulled the people and their leaders with soothing assurances that, despite their unrighteous course, God was still with them to protect and prosper them. (Jer 23:16-20; 28:1-14; Eze 13:1-16; compare Lu 6:26.) They imitated the true prophets, employing symbolic language and actions. (1Ki 22:11; Jer 28:10-14) While some were outright frauds, many were evidently prophets who became delinquent or apostate. (Compare 1Ki 18:19; 22:5-7; Isa 28:7; Jer 23:11-15.) Some were women, false prophetesses. (Eze 13:17-23; compare Re 2:20.) A “spirit of uncleanness” replaced God’s spirit. All such false prophets were to be put to death.—Zec 13:2, 3; De 13:5.


As to those measuring up to the divine standards, the fulfillment of certain “short-range” prophecies, some being accomplished in just a day or a year, gave basis for confidence that their prophecies relating to a more distant future would also see fulfillment.—1Ki 13:1-5; 14:12, 17; 2Ki 4:16, 17; 7:1, 2, 16-20.Jehovah's Witnesses: How do you determine a false prophet?
For me the first tip off is they go around telling everyone they are a prophet. I've even seen one who had the title plastered on business cards!





A true prophet won't brag about being a prophet.





Then of course, listen to the words and see if they align with to the of God, and if what they say comes true.





Prophets also offer good and encouraging words. Rarely words of woe and destruction. Yes, they do, but it's not all they talk about.





Last but very important, they never, ever, ever, ask for money to ';fortune tell';.
The ones that say ';You can do whatever sins you want because Jesus is your Savior and he forgives all sins.'; The ones that misleads others to say forgiveness of sins comes very easily. To lead one to sin thinking its O.K. because Jesus died for your sins are the *False Prophets*. Jesus died for our inherited sins, he did not die for us to continue sinning so easily and taking his death so cheaply. Jehovah's Witnesses knows this and that's the reason why it is not an easy step to be a Jehovah Witness. You have to leave the worldly pleasures that people today likes to indulge in.
Thank you for this interesting question.





';We may have another year, maybe two years to work for Jesus Christ, and [then], ladies and gentlemen, I believe it is all going to be over . . . Two years, and it's all going to be over.'; Two years later he said, ';Unless this nation turns to Christ within the next few months . . .';





Jehovah's Witnesses identify a false prophet by means of the criteria outlined in God's word the Bible. Many people, of course, rely heavily upon Deuteronomy 18:22, but they do so to the exclusion of Deuteronomy 13:1-5 and Matthew 7:15-23 wherein we find definitions which dovetail quite nicely; providing us with a complete identity kit, if you will, for determining. Notice please that Jesus said we can identify a false prophet BY HIS FRUITS. Not by whether some statement materialized. And it must be remembered that a statement or a speculation is NOT synonymous with a prophecy.





Critics, however, tend to have a standard technique which unfailingly includes a list of alleged “false prophecies.'; Numerous ones can be found on the Internet. These take the form of quotations from the Watchtower and from other publications.





Most of the quotes are accurate, but curiously, the context in which they are presented – (right there in the article) and the historical context - are omitted. Critics are quite selective in their use of quotations to such an extent that what seems to be written in prophetic stone is included, but cautionary statements (of which there are many) are deliberately omitted.





The years 1874, 1914, 1925 and 1975 come quickly to mind and vocal critics shout them from the rooftop.





Having said that, the term prophecy, prophetic and prophesy are not limited to predicting future events. The term also encompasses revealing the express will of God. Thus, God clearly calls Moses a prophet – yet Moses did not go about foretelling future events. The religious leaders in the first century instructed Jesus to ';Prophesy! Who was it that struck you?'; Luke 22:64. Clearly these hypocrites were not asking Jesus to foretell some future event. They were insisting that he reveal to them this bit of information by divine means.





Nathan was a prophet who plainly told David to go ahead and do what was in his heart because God was with him. Was that true? No. God himself not only corrected Nathan but told Nathan to go clear up that misstatement with David. 2 Samuel 7:1-13.





Having said all that, the Bible makes it clear that giving a sign or prophecy that comes true does NOT mark one as a true prophet. Even Jesus said that false prophets would give miraculous signs to mislead, if possible, even the chose ones. Deuteronomy 13:1-5 makes it perfectly clear that a prophet can give a sign or prophecy, it can come true, and the prophet still be marked as false. Why? Read the account and notice what is involved.





A false prophet can be right. A true prophet can be wrong.





By the way, that quote at the outset – who said those words? Jehovah's Witnesses? No. Billy Graham said it in 1950. Do you think he is a false prophet? I don't.








Hannah J Paul





EDIT: Do I think there is a dramatic difference? I think your definition, as you understand it, is shifting. As long as one doesn't claim to be God's mouthpiece, then whatever false prophecies one speaks does not mark one as a false prophet. Do I have that right?





Angelo, below, gave the criteria for a true prophet: The true prophet would speak in Jehovah’s name; the things foretold would come to pass (De 18:20-22); and his prophesying must promote true worship, being in harmony with God’s revealed word and commandments (De 13:1-4). So then, you don't think Mr. Graham speaks in the name of God? In whose name then does he speak?





Hannah J Paul
JWs will point to the bible to find what is true and false prophet.





You will get double-speak from them with regard to their being a prophet.





When they are confronted with the claim of being false prophets, the first response is denial and or deflection (they answer the question by avoiding the question directly).
Like I said before, I have Gold Seal number 101244. The first thing you check is to see if they a valid gold seal. You have to send to headquarters so that they can check in the Master Book. %26amp; of course, they get the boot if their # isn't found there.
By there actions. Some people out here live a double life. Say one thing and live another. Some of my family are witnesses. Some of them divorced 2-3 times, lesbians, swear a lot, disfellowshiped. If I was a unbeliever I wouldn't want nobody like that showing up on my door step to preach the good word. If you have something to talk about try one of the elders. They are pretty good.
I would assume through wisdom from the Holy Spirit!