Prophetic Or Pathetic? Men Of God Reduce Prophecy To Luck And Logic

First and foremost, I do not seek to blindly condemn or unnecessarily criticise any men of God with the opinions expressed in this article. I rather seek to remove the negative connotation attached to the terms 'prophet' and 'prophecy' as a result of their misuse among many of our renowned and respected pastors in Nigeria today.

Sadly, prophecy has been reduced to plain luck and logic with general and non-specific proclamations more akin to the astrology found in a newspaper column. Using the simple principle of sowing and reaping, pastors make declarations of divine blessing and uncommon favour for the saints amid destruction and devastation for their enemies, and then confuse fact and fate with predictions of obvious eventualities such as natural disasters, scientific breakthroughs and various tragedies in leadership - all wrapped up under the sacred term 'prophecy'.

Prophecy is not the product of reasoning faculties or merely stating the obvious with a touch of common sense. It is foreknowledge of presently hidden things which cannot be known by the natural light of reason, the foretelling of the future through a direct revelation from God, an inspired declaration of divine will and purpose.

Today, reading of prophetic declarations at the start of each year leaves more questions asked than answers given. Why does God seem only to send these messages to His servants at such strategic yearly timing? Why is He revealing what everybody already knows? Why does He let out vague and general warnings that could be misinterpreted, misjudged and easily related to multiple situations?

I would like to use Pastor Enoch Adeboye of RCCG as an example. As much as I appreciate Baba Adeboye's ministry and respect his large network of churches, his yearly 'prophecy' tends to frustrate me.

In 2004, he stated in a prophecy for individuals, 'For the wise it is to be a year of hard work; hard study; hard praying; hard sowing and tremendous harvest. For the wise, the year will end far more glorious than it started. It will be a year of visions, revelations and opportunities, but the lazy will miss most of them…' In 2007, he said: 'The Year will be a pleasant year for heaven seekers. It will not be a very pleasant year for the Lukewarm and Backsliders…'He further stated for Nigeria, 'Major Anti-Christians will suffer private and personal mishaps…' and spoke to the international community, 'An Evil Organization will suffer yet another terrible blow.' Can these be classified as prophetic declarations or simply the outworking of the biblical principle: 'Whatsoever a man sows, that he shall reap'?

He continued in 2007, 'For some there will be unexpected dramatic promotions both physically and especially spiritually. Some will experience a complete change in direction and destiny. For some, there will be incidence of great joy and celebrations.' 2008 carried on in the same vein, “For some people, there will be accelerated promotion this year. There will be deeper knowledge of the word of God for some people this year…” These vague and general statements relating to 'some' contradict the very purpose of prophecy. Of course, everyone will at 'some' time in their life experience good times of promotion and joy, just as there will be hard times. To re-affirm this and package it in the guise of 'prophecy' is misleading.

Some of his 2004 declarations could well be confused as comical, with Adeboye proclaiming, 'Many new projects will succeed this year. There will be many marriages. There will be a flood of many babies…' In 2006, his prophecies seemed to incorporate a subtle call to financially support the ministry: “The generous shall have many causes to smile. Sacrifices shall be rewarded in more ways than one. Breakthroughs are coming, but note that they are for the building of the kingdom of God. Beware of wasteful spending.”

The most recent pronouncements of 2009 included: “Intensify your prayers for the president… Those who have made money their gods will discover it has strong wings. Problems will drive many back to God; with the end result of heavenly joy. Concentrated prayers are needed to reduce the frequency and intensity of natural disaster. Floods, hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes are coming, but God says if you pray concentrated prayers their frequency and intensity will be reduced… Pray against assassination attempt against world leaders.”

These are statements and truths that anybody can declare, irrespective of their race, religion or education – be it a businessman, lawyer, footballer, journalist, student or okada driver. What then makes it prophetic? What then makes it divine? Today, pastors declare simple biblical principles and realities of life and package them with the title 'prophecy'. But who among our pastors today can stand up in public and give a specific and direct prophetic word, mentioning places, dates and details?

However, there is someone who seems to fit the bill of 'prophet' in today's materialistic age. His mystique and enigma have undoubtedly been the source of much confusion and commotion, as varied rumours run awry about who he is, where he comes from and the source of his power – but Pastor TB Joshua is someone with quite a remarkable prophetic pedigree.

Recently in January 2009, Joshua prophesied: “Fast on Friday. I see a nation, 'NY'. Open your lips and pray for a nation 'NY'. 'NY' is part of that country. Pray for God's protection… On February 13, we should pray for the whole world. The Lord showed me the country.” On February 13th 2009, Continental Airlines plane crashed into a home near Buffalo, New York, killing all 49 passengers on board and one person on the ground. It was a Friday.

In June 2008, he said, “I'm seeing a hero, famous and popular – a person that is at the centre of their own world, being saved – suddenly was saved. That salvation saved them from death. Let us pray on Tuesday and Thursday – let's capture Wednesday…” Three days later on Wednesday, the former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt was rescued after 6 years of captivity in the Colombian jungle.

In January 2002, Joshua said, “We should pray against explosions: Industrial, fuel, fire or bomb explosions this January 15th to 25th and 29th. We will continue to pray for God's intervention… Those of you that are going to Ikeja by the grace of God, be in Spirit. There is a mark in your life. Don't be afraid! The Lord is with you…” We all know Sunday, January 27th 2002 was the day of the Ikeja bomb catastrophe.

These prophecies are not isolated incidents, as he regularly prophesies during most of his Sunday services in front of a live audience watching globally via his television channel, Emmanuel TV. This is the same Joshua who President Atta Mills of Ghana publically testified to, saying he had accurately predicted specific details of his three round election victory.

In conclusion, our ministers of God should continue to re-affirm and encourage people with biblical truths, but be careful not to present them as prophetic messages. Misquoting God is dangerous.

Ihechukwu Njoku - Lagos, Nigeria
http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/guest-articles/prophetic-or-pathetic-men-of-god-reduce-prophecy-to-luck-and.html