For several years this was the cry of our hearts. The answer was always the same: "Because they do not love the truth."

The answer is definite but hard to accept at first. But God is faithful to give understanding when we truly seek the truth.

In America and elsewhere for the last 60-70 years there have arisen many that have been called prophets and apostles. Instead of looking to scripture for their example, the 'leaders' of the new apostolic / prophetic movement, looked to the world for their example, the psychics.

In the beginning some prophets were truly gifted by God. In a short time many of these had stepped beyond the calling of God into the realm of "Christian psychics." There are many reasons for this and the falling away continues to this day. Whether it be the adulation, attention, sense of worth or acceptance, power, wealth, worship, acceding to the demands of the flock, etc. At some point their discernment was gone and they became vulnerable to other voices; their own thoughts and desires and other men's ideas and flatteries as well as familiar spirits/demons.

Some stumbled when they mistakenly thought that because they were prophetic, they would get things, by faith , for everyone they met. And in many cases they would get something from the spiritual realm. The problem is that the Holy Spirit gives revelation as HE wills, not as we will it. Therefore, when driven by a need to 'minister prophetically', even when God is silent, they will often receive 'revelation' from their own minds or familiar spirits/demons.

The loss of discernment can also come from taking a bribe. This may come in the form of going to someplace to receive money, attention/recognition, book or tape or video sales, etc. Sometimes God has made it clear they are not to go somewhere, but the offer presents good financial compensation, good publicity or other juicy incentives. Like Balaam, they cave in to the temptation and go anyway.

Once the discernment is gone it is very hard to get it back if you continue in your ministry as usual Repentance and humility is the only way back. Sadly, few will make the sacrifice. Their 'ministry', their pocketbook, and their 'reputations' mean more to them than the truth. Most, when confronted with their unscriptural doctrines, revelations, or behaviors, simply ignore the whole matter. Frequently, they have another 'revelation' that validates them. They seek to explain away their error, or resort to various 'fleeces' or tests to try to authenticate their ministry. Then they go merrily on to perdition, with their clueless followers trotting merrily behind them.

So back to the original question: Why won't they listen?

In a thorough reading of the Old Testament prophets you will discover that NOT MANY listened to them either. In fact, God even told some of them beforehand that the people would not listen and repent.

God was not and is not sending prophets or apostles to give the multitude seeking a 'word' a pack of pleasant personal prophecies. Personal prophecy does occasionally happen today and did happen occasionally in the Scripture, but that was not the norm or the purpose of the prophetic ministry. Most 'personal prophecy' noted in the Scriptures was NOT pleasant.

Most often the message of God sent through any prophet was "repent, and return to God" and / or "get rid of your idols and worship God alone." This was followed by "if you refuse God will judge you thus and so ..." This message was seldom received, much less welcomed. The prophets were persecuted, imprisoned and killed by those they were sent to warn for being faithful to carry a real message from God.

Now compare this to what is laughingly called a 'apostle / prophet of god' in today's church. There is no comparison. The prophets and apostles in the Church are nothing like the prophets or apostles in Scripture, but they do resemble the psychics that abound in the world. They nearly always have 'nice' things to say, to 'encourage' the people. Unfortunately, they encourage them in the wrong things. They tell people extraneous details to impress them - like name, address, how much change is in their pocket, etc. Did Jesus go around telling people how many coins they had in their pouch??

So why don't they (those in the Church) listen? They want the ear scratching prophecies that make them feel good and promise them great ministries, finances, spouses, cars, houses, fame, etc. The Church does not love the truth and so they call good, evil and evil, good.

There is nothing new under the sun. God still calls men and women to be real prophets and apostles today. The training varies but it is always personally directed by God Himself. A big portion of the training involves learning to be obedient in the same manner that Jesus did - by suffering as you are crushed and molded into God's vessel.

The training is grueling, but the joy is great. God's true prophets and apostles will stay put where God has them, even for long, long periods of time. They will not be moved by needs or the grandiose calls of false prophets to 'come forth' from their cave. They will not move or speak anything except what God tells them to speak. And be certain that they will have to endure a multitude of emotions and doubts in the wilderness. The end result will be nothing like the so-called prophets and apostles that are everywhere today.

Real prophets and apostles are often hated. If they are accepted, it is likely only because people are insatiable for revelation and NOT because people really want the truth. Many times the prophet or apostle is only a vehicle for someone to exploit for their own agenda or ministry. In the end the true servant will be rejected when God tells them to deliver a direct message to those pretenders and they do. Or perhaps they will just be elbowed out and eventually forgotten, when their words become too 'harsh' or strong for the consumption of the masses.

Let us make this very clear. We do not believe that most that are called (or call themselves) prophets or apostles today are for real. This includes those who will not openly claim prophet or apostle, but allow others to call them such, or use the descriptive terms of prophetic / apostolic as though that absolves them of responsibility in the matter. That is nothing but false humility. Some are those who were called and chosen of God, and drifted away. There are very few true prophets and apostles today. Most of the Church is unwilling to pay the price for true prophetic / apostolic authority, but they still want the power. Those calling themselves pastor, teacher, evangelist, bishop, doctor, etc. are not exempt, either.

Now this may convict you. It may cause you to doubt yourself. It may make you angry. That's good, take it to GOD.

The bottom line is that if you are truly God's servant you will know the truth of what we have written here.

If you are merely a pretender, be assured that GOD will reveal your fruit. Everything that is hidden will be revealed.

Repent! Turn away from your idols and back to God.

We leave you to ponder Jeremiah 23, lest you think we are too harsh.

7/22/2000

Thus saith the Lord:

"Justice is a small thing in the eyes of an unrighteous man. His measure by what is right in his own eyes excludes all others. He is on top in his own world and intends to stay there. Those that are mine do not look to be on top for feet are placed on the ground. When you seek to wash feet you remain small in your own eyes. Wisdom revolves around this principle.

Good works are only good works in man's eyes. When you are mine, I do the works and they are eternal.

Eternal love precedes everything I do for every man. I do all to bring men to the point of decision. In order to be all I created man to be they must first understand my love. I am holy and unrighteousness will not abide in my presence. That is why I confront and chasten to turn men from doing what is right in their own eyes. When I see that a man or woman's heart will never turn to me then I quit striving to convince them. Then comes judgement. Some in the days ahead will have appeared to be fallen, but will still be saved. Some that appear OK will end up in hell because I have stopped trying to reach them.

I am judging all. Be thou holy and walk before me. To those that are wise in their own minds I will reveal just how foolish they really are. Everything that happens will be based on the principle of sowing and reaping. I alone know what was planted. Everyone will be responsible in spite of their denials and lies that they do not deserve what has been measured out to them. To those that truly repent, they will be saved through the fire, the rest will perish."

In the Fear of the Lord,
Makkehelah and Seraphah
makkehelah@mail.com