Psychics and Prophets

Intro

From Nostradamus to Jeane Dixon, psychics have claimed to be able to predict the future. Are there some that really do have the ability to foretell the future? I’ll be back in a moment with the prophetic perspective on “Psychics & Prophets.”

Message

Hello, this is Cody Francis with Prophetic Perspectives. Throughout the years there have arisen those that suppose they can foretell the future and today television and the movies have greatly popularized this phenomenon. From movie stars to politicians to the common man, millions are flocking to receive a message from “beyond.” While upon the light of Bible evidence, we can squarely reject this myriad of spiritists, has God given the gift to foretell the future to some? Prophets spoke for hundreds of years throughout Biblical times, can God send a true prophet today with a message for today? Let us turn to the Lord in prayer as we look at this subject of “Psychics and Prophets.”

Outline

I. God has promised the gift of prophecy in His last day people

A. God does communicate – Amos 3:7

B. God has promised a messenger – Mal. 4:5

C. Subject prophecies Revelation – Rev. 12:17; 19:10

D. Great many physics – how tell messenger from God?

II. The Bible gives tests for a prophetic messenger.

A. Jesus as our guide gives gifts – Eph. 4:8

1. Prophetic messenger one gifts – Eph. 4:11

2. To keep us on straight way – Eph. 4:12, 14

a. Work of – Noah, Moses, Isaiah, Jer.

b. Always tested by previous prophets

3. Until when Jesus comes – Eph. 4:13

4. Prophetic messenger – gift last days – Acts 2:17

B. Bible gives tests of a true prophetic messenger

1. Jesus warned against false – Matt. 7:15

a. Many claiming – Nostr., Caycee, Koresh

b. False & true – counterfeiting

c. Accept false – lost; Reject true – lost

2. Prophetic Accuracy – Jer. 28:9

3. Biblical faithfulness – Deut. 13:1-4

4. Exalts Jesus – John 5:39

5. Commandment keeping – Is. 8:20

6. Physical tests – Num. 12:6

7. Spiritual fruitage – Matt. 7:20

C. Prophetic misconceptions

1. Not always a man – Jud. 4:4

2. Doesn’t always write book Bible

3. Always meets tests & if not – NO LIGHT

III. Has anyone met those Biblical tests?

A. Studies – believe Ellen Gould White

1. Simply gift w/in church – seeking reformation

2. In 1844 – God called shy, timid, spiritual 17 old

a. Sickly, accident in 3^rd grade

b. Lived 70 years in ministry

3. Accomplishments

a. 2000 visions & dreams

b. 50 books

c. Lecturer 3 continents

4. NY Independent; Wharton

B. Applying the tests

1. Prophecies fulfilled

2. Biblically faithful

3. Uplifts Christ – Desire of Ages, SC

4. Always upholds God’s Law

5. Visions & dreams – no breath, Bible

6. Ministry 1000s to Christ

7. 1000s letters – detailing secrets no one knew

8. People are taking notice

a. Doctors – Clive McKay

b. Media – Paul Harvey

c. Pastors – Barna survey: young pastors prefer

9. Prophecies fulfilled

a. San Francisco earthquake, 4/18/06

b. World Trade Center, 9/11/01

10. Investigate for yourself

C. Test & hold fast what is good – 1 Thes. 5:19-21

D. I’ve heard the voice of Jesus – John 10:27

The New York Independent, on August 23, 1915:

“She was absolutely honest in her belief in her revelations. Her life was worthy of them. She showed not spiritual pride, and she sought no filthy lucre. She lived the life and did the work of a worthy prophetess.” In her life and work was seen a striking fulfillment of the verse penned eighteen hundred years earlier.

“The Scriptures a Safeguard” she wrote, “None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict. To every soul will come the searching test: Shall I obey God rather than men? The decisive hour is even now at hand. Are our feet planted on the rock of God’s immutable word? Are we prepared to stand firm in defense of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus?… But God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines, and the basis of all reforms. Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain ‘thus saith the Lord’ in its support.” The Great Controversy, 593-594,595.

Dr. Clive McKay

“Among the thousand historical acquaintances in my files, one of the most worthwhile is Ellen G. White. As near as one can judge by the evidence of modern nutritional science, her extensive writings on the subject of nutrition, and health in general, are correct in their conclusions. This is doubly remarkable: Not only was most of her writing done at a time when a bewildering array of new views—good and bad—were being promoted, but the modern science of nutrition, which helps us to check on views and theories, had not yet been born. Even more singular, Mrs. White had no technical training in nutrition, or in any subdivision of science that deals with health. In fact, because of her frail health from childhood she completed only part of a grammar school education.” In closing he said, “In spite of the fact that the works of Mrs. White were written long before the advent of modern scientific nutrition, no better guide is available today.”

Paul Harvey

“A massive recall of cooked sandwich meat which may be contaminated with lysteria bacteria, potentially deadly. Twenty-seven million pounds of chicken and turkey sandwich meat, processed by Pilgrim’s Pride sold under the brand name Wampler. This is not the first meat recall but it may have been the largest. Ellen White, one hundred and fifty years ago, foresaw contamination of meat supplies. She said it would come close to the time of the end.” Paul Harvey News, October 14, 2002.

“On one occasion, when in New York City, I was in the night season called upon to behold buildings rising story after story toward heaven. These buildings were warranted to be fireproof, and they were erected to glorify the owners and builders. Higher and still higher these buildings rose, and in them the most costly material was used… The scene that next passed before me was an alarm of fire. Men looked at the lofty and supposedly fire-proof buildings and said: ‘They are perfectly safe.’ But these buildings were consumed as if made of pitch. The fire engines could do nothing to stay the destruction. The firemen were unable to operate the engines.” Testimonies for the Church, volume 9, pages 12, 13. (1909)

“I have said, as I looked at the great buildings going up there, story after story: ‘What terrible scenes will take place when the Lord shall arise to shake terribly the earth! Then the words of Rev. 18:1-3 will be fulfilled.’ The whole of the eighteenth chapter of Revelation is a warning of what is coming on the earth. But I have no light in particular in regard to what is coming on New York, only I know that one day the great buildings there will be thrown down by the turning and overturning of God’s power. From the light given me, I know that destruction is in the world. One word from the Lord, one touch of His mighty power, and these massive structures will fall. Scenes will take place the fearfulness of which we cannot imagine.” Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, pages 411, 412. written on September 1, 1902.