Scriptural tests of a Prophet

The Scriptural Tests of a true Prophet… and how to Identify the False!

In light of our Torah focus on Moshe and our great prophets of our Haftarah’s, in contrast with all of the modern day “self-proclaimed” prophets and people with “messages from God” in different movements and on the internet, it is important for God’s people to use scriptural discernment and not be deceived.  The following eight tests of a true prophet we hope will help you not be swayed by every passing wind of false doctrine and misleading teachings based in speculation, originating in false “spirit” filled individuals and coming from various man-made religions.

Test Number One – Predictions must come to pass:  Deuteronomy 18:21-22:     

“And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?  When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

In other words, if a prediction a prophet makes does not come to pass, he is a false prophet.  That’s pretty straightforward, isn’t it?  Not some predictions, but every prediction must come just as prophesied.   Jeremiah 28:9 says, “The prophet which prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him.”      A true prophet absolutely does not lie.  His predictions will be one hundred percent fulfilled.  Jeremiah 23:16 further admonishes us not to listen to someone whose words do not come to pass as they fill you with false hope!

Do not listen to what the false prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.

Test Number Two – God speaks in visions and dreams : Numbers 12:6     

“And he said, hear now my words:  if there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.”

According to the Bible, a true prophet of God receives his communications from God by two distinct methods:  dreams and visions.  That’s what the Bible says and no further comment should really be necessary.

Test Number Three – Everything they says must agree with already established truth from the Word:  2 Peter 1:20

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”

A true prophet does not give his own interpretation of scripture.  Every prophecy he or she proclaims will agree with already established truth.  If they receive new light, it must agree with the old light God has already given in the Tanach (Old Testiment).  God says through the prophet Isaiah in chapter 8:20 “To the Torah and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

Test Number Four – They will be holy men revealing the fruits of the Spirit in their lives:  2 Peter 1:21     

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:  but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

So, a true prophet prophesies in the name of the Lord, not in his own name and a true prophet will manifest the fruits of that same spirit because he or she speaks through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Test Number Five – What they say must edify, exhort and comfort:  1 Corinthians 14:3     

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”

In other words, a true prophet gives direction to God’s people.  And a true prophet’s messages will cover all of these three areas:  Edification — to instruct morally; Exhortation — this means to strongly advise; and Comfort — to soothe in distress or sorrow, to console.  All of these three things will be exemplified by a true prophet.     

Test Number Six – Torah observance and Sabbath keeping:  Isaiah 8:19-20

To the Torah and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

God gives a clear distinction between false prophets and true prophets here — between the works of darkness, and the works of light.  How could it be any plainer?  God says, “To the Torah and the testimony…”  That means a true messenger of God will keep all of God’s Ten Commandments and observe His Torah instructions which include keeping His Sabbath’s and Appointed Feasts in Leviticus 23 holy… In other words, a true prophet of God is going to be a Sabbath-keeper.

Test Number Seven – Belief in Yeshua as the Messiah:  1 John 4:1-3    

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they, are of God:  because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:  Every spirit that confesses that Yeshua The Messiah is come in the flesh is of God:  And every spirit that confesses not that Yeshua the Messiah is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is in the world.”

A true prophet believes in the Word made flesh and the Bible says any person, or church, or religious system claiming that Yeshua the Messiah came to this earth in any other way, than in the flesh that you and I have, is the spirit of antichrist.      In other words, it’s imperative to understand correctly the Messiah is a human being, not Divinity that he should be worshipped, as we all have the Spirit of Divinity in us.  Yeshua was born in our same nature, but in spite of that, He never yielded to temptation; He was sinless, and you and I can be victorious over all sin in our life through the power, and the blood, and the strength of our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah, our perfect Example.  Hebrews 4:15: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities [not Adam’s – the infirmities before he fell – he didn’t have any – our infirmities];  but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”     Yeshua’ perfect life of Torah observance on this earth was an example for us to follow.  1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called:  because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye [we] should follow his steps.”      There is not one sin in our life that Yeshua cannot give us victory over, if we will just let Him do so.

Test Number Eight – False prophets are self-focused and live extravagantly:  Matthew 7:15-16 

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  Ye shall know them by their fruits. . .” 

Look at the fruits of a ministry, look at the fruits of a messenger.  Are they preaching the truth, or the traditions of men? Are they living extravagantly or as a humble servant… Very important!  If Yeshua was the prophesied prophet… then He fulfilled the above tests of a prophet and is our example of how to live a life of self-denial as messengers of God filled with the Spirit of Truth!

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Study by Rabbi Isaac. © Assembly of Called-Out Believers. Use by Permission.

4 Comments

  1. Thank you so much! I just read this verse in chapter 12 of Numbers not even 1 hour ago. And so right. I my self have wondered about whether what I see or feel is from God. It is true that not all of the things I think, see or feel are really from the Lord. In reading the last few Torah portions I see that I have a deep root of fear. I believe I let this spirit corrupt my views too often. But I didn’t until now have the tools for testing all laid out in a row so well. Yah has been making the errors in my walk intensely clear for the past few months or so, as I have been desiring to apply Torah in my life. This post is very confirming in my life. It is easy to misunderstand this concept. I have misunderstood too much to just sit back, a simpleton any longer. If understanding is the fear of the Lord, then I should desire to understand Gods word as in Prov 2. If God says that we all perish for lack of knowledge of God then (Prov 2:5) then understanding His word is the key to the knowledge of God, which is the beginning of knowing the fear of God. And the fear of God will keep us from rebellion and division when the “cloud” evidence of His Glory is manifest there (Num 12:8). Those of us who are called by God and answer to Yeshua are also called to be priests and kings and must begin to take the Words in the Bible seriously, because God is very real and if we are willing to look closely, we will be able to see the evidence of His Glory in our lives and in that of others. May we all desire to prophesy as Moses said in Numbers 11:29. I see that he was likening it to all of being filled with the Holy Spirit, that we would all walk in the righteous ways of Yah, observing these things that would let us be prophets. And then would the burdens of leadership no longer be there. So grateful for this post. Yah bless you!

  2. Truly appreciate your words in re this very timely concern, as it has been for ages; but even more so now — blessings in Messiah Yeshua!!!

    Nancy
    Walla Walla WA

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