The big news this week has been the misuse of the Signal app for military information communication. Typically, military plans are only discussed on secured military channels or secure government networks. More sensitive information, like strategic plans, is usually discussed in person at the White House or the Pentagon.
Face-to-face communication is more reliable and reduces the chance of misunderstandings or unclear information. Needless to say, there has been push back from both sides of the political aisle for the administration’s failure to follow proper military channels for specific military communications:
- Top-secret
- Sensitive
- Classified
- Confidential
I think this fiasco proves why it is important to be careful who we listen to and what we do with what we hear. Military and national information should only be shared with leadership and Congress. That is why the United States and the Pentagon have processes and procedures for discussing sensitive information.
The purpose is to make sure the information doesn’t get into the wrong hands or go unwarranted. Not everyone needs to see or can understand what top leadership knows. Important information needs to be handled securely and confidentially.
This applies spiritually also, that is why God’s people need to be careful who they listen to and pay attention to the prophecies of God (Deuteronomy 18:18-27, Isaiah 51:4.)
What Is Prophecy
Prophecy has been twisted and misused in recent years to do the works of Satan and man instead of achieving God’s will. Prophecy is defined as, “Foretelling of the future; predictions or mutterings of a prophet.”
Prophecy comes through humans, but not from their understanding or knowledge, because true prophecy is divine knowledge and not inspired by man. Prophecy isn’t about telling people what they want to hear or directing God to do what they want.
A few years ago, an acquaintance told me that. “Modern prophecy isn’t like Old Testament prophecy.” To which I replied, then it isn’t prophecy at all. All prophecy comes from God because only He knows the future (Romans 8:28-29, Ephesians 1:4-5).
It’s a good thing the Bible has a lot to tell us about prophecy, what it is and what it isn’t. My purpose for this post isn’t to argue or debate whether prophecy continues or it ceased long ago, my purpose is to look at prophecy and what it means to hear what God is saying.
True prophecy is divine guidance, not a feeling or a simple inspiration of one’s heart or spirit. Prophecy isn’t a guess on assumption based on man’s wants. All prophecy is God’s divine will revealed through Scripture, His Spirit or divinely called prophets (Amos 3:7, 2 Timothy 3:16.)
Prophecy comes from God and accomplishes his will, not ours (1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 14:31, 2 Peter 1:21.) The apostles remembered their Jewish education about true prophecy.
Nāḇā’
The ancient world was dark and mystical, full of idols and diviners of spirits. Idols and demons fought for the hearts of man (Exodus 20:3-4, Psalm 106:36, Isaiah 44:9-20, Ezekiel 14:3-4.) God called out of the darkness the first Prophet Abraham and gave Abraham a prophecy if he obeyed God completely (Genesis 12:1-4; 15:7.)
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for prophecy is nāḇā’, and it can also mean “Speak, sing, or make a prophet,” depending on the context it is used in. Judaism and Israel were born out of the prophecy God gave to Abraham who is the patriarch of the faith. Judaism contains many prophecies about God’s people and the fate of the world:
- Israel becoming a great nation.
- Israel being established as a nation and one day.
- The Jewish people will return to Israel from around the world.
- Blessings and prosperity.
- Restoration and return.
- Future kingdom of peace and justice
- The Messiah
Jesus Himself prophesied many things that did happen as He said they would. Jesus prophesied the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem (Matthew 24:1-2.) He prophesied God’s people would turn from Him (Matthew 15:7-9, Luke 13:34.)
Prophetically, Jesus predicted the betrayal of His closest friends (Matthew 20:18, Luke 18:32, John 13:21-30.) God’s people have always had a tendency to turn from Him to get what they want (Genesis 1:1-24.)
Israel
In other news this week, Israel has escalated its attacks against Hamas in Gaza. The cease-fire is officially over between the two parties. Israel’s ruthless attack on the militants is also fulfilling Jewish prophecy about Israel’s dominance in the region (Ezekiel 38: number 16.)
Once again God’s people are pursuing earthly greatness and fulfilling the ways of the world. God’s people are commanded to trust and obey God, not themselves or earthly might (Psalm 146:3, Jeremiah 17:5.)
Part of the promise and prophecy for Israel is to obey God; God’s people cannot live and act like the world (Deuteronomy 27:10.)
- Greedy
- Hateful
- Deceptive
- Uncompassionate
The promise to Abraham and the prophecy of Israel’s greatness are not based on earthly standards and this fallen kingdom (John 18:36, Revelation 19:16.)
God’s ultimate goal is to restore the world and humanity back to how they were in the beginning before Satan led mankind astray. Biblical prophecy leads us to God’s kingdom and His will, not earthly greatness in a fallen kingdom.
Jesus taught His followers to focus on a Heavenly Kingdom and in this kingdom we will suffer (Matthew 5:10; 6:33.) The only hope for God’s people comes from a divine nāḇā’!
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