Gift Prophesy
Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:59:31 +0000
These are always interesting. After reading about the ACPE council meeting, (APCE, as in “The Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders”) I was pretty sure they would be issuing a combined ‘word’ for 2010. Can you imagine what these meetings are like? All those self-proclaimed prophets (and overinflated egos) in one room.
From the desk of Steve Shultz:
By October of 2009, this word was compiled by the prophetic members of ACPE, “THE APOSTOLIC COUNCIL OF PROPHETIC ELDERS” as their new word of the Lord for 2010. I’ve been at the ACPE meetings a number of times and I can vouch for the intensity of the work this group puts into these meetings. Their desire is to hear God correctly, clearly and accurately.
The main conveners are C. Peter Wagner and Cindy Jacobs, but you will see many other notable elders listed below with a photo of some of those present this year for the 2010 word. This conference was the first week of January, and we had incredible words by Chuck Pierce, Dutch Sheets, Kimberly Daniels and Denny Cline
C. Peter Wagner, Cindy Jacobs, Harry Jackson, Bishop Bill Hamon, Will Ford, Sharon Stone, and many more:
Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders (ACPE): Word of the Lord for 2010
This is the word given through a compilation of the prophetic releases and consensus of the ACPE. Some of the members include: Bishop Bill Hamon, Sam Brassfield, Harry Jackson, Rick Ridings, Greg Black, Will Ford, Mike Jacobs, Peter Wagner, Mary Glazier, Sharon Stone, Cindy Jacobs, John Sanford, Beth Alves, Gwen Shaw, and Doris Wagner.
(Mary Glazier..I remember reading about her)
2010 is the year in which we will win. This is a year to triumph in Christ and diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
2010 is the year to wake up. It is time to wake up and see both what the enemy is trying to do and what God wants to do through us. This is a year when God will help us “see” in a supernatural way those things that we have felt like we could not understand.
The Year of the Wind
2010 will be a year of the wind. There is a new Pentecost about to be poured out upon His people who are hungering for more of Him. The wind of the Holy Spirit is going to blow us in the right direction and into the place that God wants us to be. We will see glorious manifestations of His divine power with signs and wonders.
Many nations will feel the impact of this mighty wind. Indonesia will once again be swept over by the Holy Spirit, along with Thailand, Poland, North Korea, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Alaska will see a move of the Holy Spirit among the Native Alaskans.
New wells of revival will break out and many will drink from the wells of salvation.
Many will teach on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are going to need to see them all function in the Church in this day to fulfill our mission.
We will see a special increase of the word of wisdom. The word of wisdom is supernatural insight into what to do that will secure our future. The manifestation of this gift will be such that from one moment to the next we will have the plan or “road-map” on what we are to do for our future.
Third Great Awakening
We believe that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that came on November 11, 2009, in Kansas City signaled the beginning of a Third Great Awakening that we prophesied would come to America and the world.
November 11th was the day that the Pilgrims made covenant with God in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Many intercessors across the nation are crying out to God for the nation to once again become “a city set on a hill.” If we continue to pray and call out to God, the nation will shift.
Evangelism
Many churches will wake up and evangelize the lost in their cities and nations. Thousands will be swept into the Kingdom through new “power evangelism” movements where people are supernaturally shown that God is real.
Churches who haven’t baptized in years will begin to see many people come to Christ. Dead churches will become resurrected under the fire and power of the Holy Spirit’s working and many lost will be swept into the Kingdom of God.
Breaking Debt Cycles
We felt that the Lord had given us an “eye of the storm” time period to get out of debt. In fact, as we discussed the many prophetic warnings about a second economic shaking, we felt that the Lord in His mercy had extended a period of grace to His people because many were not ready for another shaking.
Supernatural ability to get out of debt is being released. If you will start paying your debts, even in very small amounts, God will supernaturally get behind your efforts and help you get out of debt.
Eradication of Systemic Poverty
It is time to fulfill the first message that Jesus preached and bring justice to the poor. God spoke to us about social justice missionaries who are called to help eliminate systemic poverty. There is a marriage of righteousness and justice, and God will raise up those who are called to fight such issues as human trafficking as well as poverty.
The call will marry its mandate to win the lost to its justice mandate. Churches will begin to model taking care of the poor in their midst, as well as putting systems into place to help teach their people how to get out of debt.
Clash of Kingdoms
Just as the year before, the Lord spoke to us about the great “clash of kingdoms” taking place around the world—the Kingdom of God and the empire-building spirit of Islam. Satan is on the march to build empires.
Be aware and watch and see what is around you. Home-grown terrorism will be on the rise. There is a move toward “civilization Jihad” around the globe in countries that have democratic rule.
Judgment and Testing
Daniel and his friends were tested for 10 days, and then they had favor with the King. They were found to be 10 times better than the others. This will happen for those who are faithful to stand in times of testing. In the end, you will rise above all the others and advance.
Worship Activism
We will win through worship. It is the key to triumph! There is a marriage of worship and activism taking place where, just as in the days of Martin Luther King, Jr., the Church will march and sing.
New battle hymns will be written along the lines of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” His Truth is Marching On, and there is a call for biblical truth through worship.
Worship will break open the heavens, and young people will heed the call to be “musicianaries” and go to the ends of the earth to start 24/7 houses of worship.
Great joy will break out in the midst of worship as God “laughs” at His enemies through His people (Psalm 2, Psalm 149).
Great Conflict
For each Kingdom advance this year we will see the enemy “pushing back” and stirring up conflict around us. Do not be afraid of confrontation and conflict. Fight intimidation. Run toward the Goliaths in your life and remember that you are called to triumph in this year.
Activism will manifest as new armies of the Lord are being raised up. Find your place and let your voice be heard.
Over the next years in the United States there will be a new third political party that will arise. The Lord is preparing His leadership for this party that will come out of the citizens of the United States groaning under the corruption of the old guard. Many leaders are being tested and tried in the fire right now who will take leadership in due time, for it will begin not so much as a political party but a movement. The movement will become a party in time.
Season of Transition
This is a season of transition for the Body of Christ. For the United States, it will be a time of transition for either good or evil. The nation is on the “cusp” of it remaining a civilization as we know it. It is up to this generation to see it go back to the original vision of our founders. A woman has to dilate to ten centimeters to give birth. The years 2010 and beyond will be a time of intense pressure, but will result in the birthing of many new things.
God is also going to rearrange His people for the coming days’ work. There are some who will make sudden geographic moves. Others will transition in their jobs and careers. There will be special grace poured out upon those who are obedient to allow God to reposition His troops. For those who are not making a move but are seeing people that you love make changes, God will also help you transition into this new season and send new help for you.
Transition into the new season, get your vision and house in order. Make sure that you are properly aligned for the new battles ahead.
Submitted by Cindy Jacobs on behalf of the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders
Cindy Jacobs
Generals International
After reading this I ran a search and found the yearly ‘word’ this same group, the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders, issued in 2003, 2007, 2008, and 2009. I think you’ll find them interesting (and eerily similar in content).
When a “prophet” proclaims “God said it”, there is rarely any room left for discernment and testing. Such words are usually accepted uncritically by all and rapidly emailed round the world. The prophet gets affirmation, and even acclamation, from the crowds and few people seem willing to ask the hard questions. And those who do are put down with responses such as “If God has said it, isn’t that enough?”
Unfortunately it’s not enough, for there are many verses in Scripture warning about the dangers of false prophecy. And they are there for a reason. The vessel through which all prophecy is given is fallible and both he and his words need to be tested.
In Deuteronomy 13 a prophet may give an accurate word, but he may still be leading people away from the real truth about God. Amazingly, Scripture does not always commend prophetic accuracy! Psychic powers can parade as prophetic words of knowledge – they may even be right, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are from God. I have seen accurate words being given by a so-called “prophet” while he was inviting donations to his offering. The words were not from God.
Similarly, accurate words of knowledge, about someone’s healing need, can be used to encourage someone to submit to receiving a false anointing.
Ezekiel 13 warns that when prophets say “Hear the Word of the Lord”, they may be prophesying out of their own imagination. Such words are described as lying divinations. Jeremiah 23:16 even tells the people not to listen to what the prophets are saying! For those prophets were filling the people with false hopes, speaking visions out of their own minds.
God said “I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message.” (Jer.23:21). In all these cases the severest judgment of God is spoken out on those who lead the people astray through false prophetic words.
I passionately believe in prophecy – but because I do so, I also want to test a prophetic word and its source very carefully, so as not to run the risk of being deceived. This is not doubting God, and it is being obedient to Scripture. It is in the context of prophecy that Paul commands his readers to “Test all things and only hold on to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Testing is not a sin. There is a dearth of real understanding about both Old and New Testament prophecy in the Body of Christ.
In the church today it is being taught that if you are a prophet you can prophesy to anyone you want at will because you are a prophet. This doctrine violates the Word of God. The Word of God says in 1 Corinthians 12:11 the gifts of the Spirit operate as God wills, not as we will. 2 Peter 1:21 says that prophecy never comes by the will of man. When a person operates the gifts of the Spirit by his own will he opens the door to familiar spirits that are demonic to give him information. That person now becomes a Christian medium for demonic power. Even Jesus could not operate the gifts of the Spirit as He willed because He was operating as the son of man on the earth.
“Beware of false prophets” (Matthew 7:15, KJV). These well-known words of Jesus immediately imply two things: there are false prophets – and they are dangerous.
The existence of true and false and the danger of deception in the Christian life were not limited to the life and times of Jesus Christ. Moses, before Him, also warned the people of Israel against false prophets (Deuteronomy 13 and 18).
Though a great many who are familiar with the Old and New Testaments are aware that there are false prophets, not as many realize that there are two major kinds of false prophets.
• The first, the lying false prophet, announces events or says things that do not come true. He is obviously a false prophet (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). The penalty in Old Testament times was death for false prophets (18:20). This kind of false prophet is the most easily recognized and least dangerous of the two.
• The second kind of false prophet is more deceptive (Deuteronomy 13:1-3). He is impeccable in his words at first. An exhortation comes to pass. No fault can be found with his speech. Nevertheless, over time he draws the hearts of the people away from the Lord God Almighty. Finally, he leads them off to serve other gods. This kind of person is very dangerous, indeed the more dangerous of the two.
Four Kinds of False Prophecy
Most of us are inclined to forget that there are false prophets. However, the frightening facts are these: there are at least two kinds of false prophets and four kinds of false prophecies. The details of these false prophecies are listed in Jeremiah 14:14.
• False Visions. These may come from the evil heart of the false prophet, or they may come from an evil spirit that controls him. The false visions are truly “seen” by the false prophet, but their source is devilish.
• Divinations. This is another form of false prophecy. Diviners may examine the entrails of animals or how rice floats in water. Or they may use a thousand other ways to divine. But their information is finally false even though some things may appear to be true, and entrapment of the simple is made easy. True prophets of God do not read palms or witch water.
• Idolatries. This breaking of the first of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3) is the third form of false prophecy. Idols in themselves are nothing, nothing at all (Jeremiah 10:1-5). However, if they are seized by demons, then the idols reflect the power of the demons involved. The Ten Commandments explicitly forbid idols or graven images of any kind. When demons empower the idols, it is not long before prophecies emerge from the demons. We dare not have anything with such demons (1 Corinthians 10:21). Their prophecies are false.
• Delusions. These are the final kind of false prophecy – delusions of the mind. They are not necessarily from the devil; they may simply be fabricated by the persons themselves. They are still false, however, and very dangerous. And we recall again that false prophets were under severe judgment in the Old Testament. Jeremiah reminds us that even though false prophets prophesy and say all kinds of fascinating things, the Almighty is saying, “I did not send them” (Jeremiah 14:15).
2 Corinthians 11:1-15
Paul and the False Apostles
1I hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness; but you are already doing that. 2I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. 5But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.” 6I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.
7Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. 9And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. 10As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. 11Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! 12And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
Matthew 7:15-23
15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Four Characteristics of False Prophets
False ministers exhibit a number of peculiar characteristics. Though not every false prophet necessarily displays all of the traits mentioned here, these are common.
• The Love of Preeminence. They like to be important and to have others believe and follow them. Diotrephes is a case in point. He loved to have the preeminence, but his heart was wholly evil (3 John 9). If someone has an inordinate desire to be a leader, if he thrusts himself forward to gain ascendancy, ask yourself a very important question: Is that person a false prophet?
• The Love of Money. We know from Scripture that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). The early Christians wrote that if a man asked for money, he was surely a false prophet.2 Those writings did not get into the New Testament, and certainly godly pastors and evangelists should encourage God’s people to give their tithes and offerings. However, if someone is always pressing for money and seems likely to benefit personally from that gift or offering – beware!
• The Love of Immorality. Adultery and fornication are never too far removed from the doors of most false prophets (Jude 4; Revelation 2:20). Some may appear to be holy, even sanctimonious, but their apparent “purity” does not negate the rule (2 Corinthians 11:15). If you have doubts about someone, watch that person’s interpersonal behavior.
• The Love of Miracles and Spectacles. The God of the Bible is certainly a God of miracles. No one can read the New Testament and come to any other conclusion. Faithful preaching of the Word of God even today will be followed by miracles and deliverances (Hebrews 13:8). At the same time, Jesus clearly warned that the presence of miracles and the casting out of demons are not necessarily authentications of true prophets. Rather, some who do those things, according to Scripture, may be the ones who will hear Christ’s words: “I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME” (7:23). He will say this even to those who have been using His name in the doing (Matthew 7:15-23, NASB).
As the return of Jesus Christ nears, we may expect an abundance of false prophets and ultimately the appearance of the Antichrist. He will be a man of lying signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9). We are not to be deceived.
The Fourfold Message of the False Prophet
False prophets never speak all lies. Rather, they speak mostly truth, but woven in and through the many true statements is a lie – probably a major lie. Paul was amazed that the Corinthian church had been taken in by pseudo-apostles (2 Corinthians 11:1-15).
The message of the false apostle may demonstrate and/or be characterized by a number of things.
• He has his own gospel. Are you surprised at that? Don’t be. If the prophet is false, and inspired by the devil, he will have a special message. It will make sense. It will have its own reasons and rationale. It is also likely to be accompanied by its own miracles, and providences. This was exactly the case among the Corinthians. But do not be deceived – it is a different gospel, a different message. Even though the Corinthians knew the Apostle Paul and had been taught by him, they loved the new gospel, and it went down smoothly (2 Corinthians 11:4; see also Galatians 1:6).
• He has his own Jesus. If a false prophet comes to a Christian, he will need a Jesus of some kind. He will never deceive any Christian unless he has a Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:4). There are many beings called Jesus in the world, just as there are many antichrists (1 John 2:18) and many false Christs (Matthew 24:24). I learned many years ago that when someone comes to me talking about Jesus, I must wait. I wait for the verbal use of His full title. I want to discover which Jesus is being talked about. Is he the Jesus of the New Testament, of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? Is He the Jesus Christ described by the Apostle Paul? Did He come in the flesh (1 John 4:1-3), and is he Lord of all (1 Corinthians 12:3)?
• He has his own spirit (2 Corinthians 11:4). There is a reason why Christians must never invite false prophets into their homes (2 John 10). It has to do with doctrine, yes, but it has much more to do with spirits and contagion. Evil power is contagious. Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses have another gospel, true. And they preach an alternate Jesus, true. But they are most dangerous because they have another spirit, an evil spirit which can do great damage in the life of a Christian. “So behind every prophet is a spirit, and behind each spirit either God or the devil.”3 The apostle did not bother to say, “Do not believe every prophet.” Rather he went straight to the point: “Do not believe every spirit. There is an urgent need for discernment among Christians. We are often too gullible, and exhibit a naive readiness to credit messages and teachings which purport to come from the spirit-world. There is such a thing, however, as a misguided charity and tolerance toward false doctrine. Unbelief (believe not every spirit) can be as much a mark of spiritual maturity as belief.
If Christians are discerning, they will have learned the habit of disbelieving all spirits. That, in fact, is what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he said, “Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21, KJV).
• He has his own anointing. False prophets are sometimes very exciting and colorful. They speak with power. They may be interesting and dramatic. There is a reason for that; being false does not mean being without an anointing. He just has another kind of anointing, an alternate anointing (1 John 2:18-27). Antichrists in the New Testament are those who have substitute anointings. It is not just that they are against Jesus Christ – they are sometimes powerfully, dramatically and excitingly so. They have an alternate anointing that gives them power. The true prophet is supposed to have an anointing from the Holy Spirit of Almighty God. The false prophet has another kind of unction.
False teachers appear to know the mind of God and they appear to be fighting on the right side. They have the ability to have others marvel at their personal accomplishments but Christ calls it iniquity. It is am amazing thing. It is self focus. I appeal to you as a church and to the church in America to examine these words in Matthew 7. Jesus Christ calls self focus iniquity. Every message no matter where it comes from where the whole purpose of the cross is just about me, it’s just about how I can better myself, it’s about how I can build six more steps to a more powerful destiny The false teachers cover it all up by prophesying, they cover it all up by seemingly having power and authority over evil, cover it all up by doing marvelous works that cause unthinking men to stand back and marvel. Jesus looks and say No it’s iniquity. The definition of iniquity in the Greek is lawless, it’s presumptuous, it’s wicked, it’s full of self assertion. It in absolute contempt to the will of God. Taking the people and focusing them inward when Christ says that the treasure of heaven is for those who focus outward. As we seek first the kingdom of God, as we seek the kingdom of God to advance as men and women find Christ as Lord and Savior he says I will add to you all the things that you need. He knows what we need before we even ask him. That why he said don’t worry about where shall we live and what shall we eat all these things. So why do these teachers focus us inward? Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteous and all these things shall be added to you.
24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
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