Lessons in the Prophetic: Judging Prophecy
Lessons in the Prophetic: Judging Prophecy
The other day I read an article of an interview with a nationally recognized Christian leader. This leader is called an apostle, a pastor, a prophet, and an intercessor all in the same article. In the interview, as this leader was talking about prayer, they said prophetically that the bowls in heaven are about to be poured out.
If the bowls are ready to be poured out, if what he said is true, this is a huge statement. Though I will with certainty say this apostolic pastor prophet intercessor’s statement it is not accurate. If the bowls in
heaven are about to be poured out that means we are in the tribulation, and rapidly approaching the 16th chapter of Revelation. Chapters 1-15 are in the past.
heaven are about to be poured out that means we are in the tribulation, and rapidly approaching the 16th chapter of Revelation. Chapters 1-15 are in the past.
Here is why his prophecy cannot be accurate:
1. The bowls which contain the prayers of the saints are found Revelation 5:8. There are at least 28 golden bowls filled with prayers (4 living creatures + 24 elders = 28 bowls) and they are never said to be poured out:
Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Revelation 5:8
2. The bowls that are poured out are in the midst of the days of the 7th (and last) trumpet blast. The Greeks means the last of the last trumpets. Within the 7th trumpet blast the mystery of God will also be finished:
… but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets. Revelation 10:7
3. These bowls are described as bowls of wrath:
Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever… Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.” Revelation 15:7 and 16:1Following this statement 7 bowls are poured out, all occurring in Revelation 16.
This is why it is so essential to know the Bible and not fall for everything you hear. Don’t be afraid to make judgments about seemingly high-level prophetic people’s prophecies. In fact, we are commanded to make judgments:
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
1 Corinthians 14:29
1 Corinthians 14:29
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 1 Corinthians 2:15
These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 1 John 2:26-27
