Prophet: Difference between revisions

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:''"For there shall arise false Christs, and '''false prophets''', and shall shew '''great signs and wonders'''; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  Behold, I have told you before.<ref>Matthew 24:24-25</ref>
:''"For there shall arise false Christs, and '''false prophets''', and shall shew '''great signs and wonders'''; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  Behold, I have told you before.<ref>Matthew 24:24-25</ref>
Followers of [[The Message|William Branham's message]] point to only one thing - the miracles.  They state that his "''gift of discernment came from God for the purpose of vindicating him as a true servant of God''".


==The "One Mistake" rule==
==The "One Mistake" rule==
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==A prophet does not point to himself==
The Bible also indicates that a prophet cannot validate himself. In other words, no person becomes a prophet because he decides to be a prophet and neither can man appoint a prophet. God Himself decides who will speak for Him – and that person may prophesy once during his entire lifetime or he may prophesy many times. (1 Samuel 19) Paul wrote, “All these [gifts, including the gift of prophecy] are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he [the Spirit] gives them to each one, just as he determines.”
(1 Corinthians 12:11, insertions and emphasis mine) Jesus said, “If I testify about myself about myself [claiming that I am the Messiah], my testimony is not valid. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid. You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth [that I am the Messiah].” (John 5:31-33, insertions mine) If a person is “gifted” with visions of God, this gift will become evident over time. Spiritually mature people will test and validate the gift and of course, time will prove whether the prophet spoke of God or out of his own imagination. True prophets are not popular during their lifetime because Almighty God does not trifle with man nor does God send trivial messages through His prophets. When God sends a message, His words cut like a double-edged sword. God condemns sin and exposes error. So, the message of a true prophet is usually hated, and historically, the life span of a true prophet is short and painful. Jesus acknowledged Israel’s customary treatment of the prophets saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” (Matthew 23:37)
Followers of [[The Message|William Branham's message]] state that William Branham never said he had the spirit of Elijah — but that he did point out many of the scriptures that the "end-time Elijah would fulfill.  Unfortunately, this statement is the product of [[Cognitive Dissonance|cognitive dissonance]].
William Branham pointed to himself repeatedly and often.  Examples include:




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William Branham’s gift of discernment came from God for the purpose of vindicating him as a true servant of God.
 
My response:  This is the only theory that matches all the facts: physical, spiritual and biblical. That’s why I believe it this way. Brother Branham never said he had the spirit of Elijah—but he did point out many of the scriptures this end time Elijah would fulfill—and guess what, Brother Branham’s life matched all those scriptures.