Top 7 Signs of a True Prophet

I had a discussion today with a devout Mormon. I discovered some interesting things about the teachings of Mormon. One of the things I discovered was that the founder of the Mormon church, Joseph Smith, is considered a prophet to their 'denomination'.

I found that puzzling in light of the name 'Joseph Smith' is no where to be found in the Bible. I checked Strong's Concordance for Joseph Smith. The only thing this self proclaimed prophet had in common with the Bible was his first name matched one of the Old Testament patriarch's, Joseph, the son of Jacob (or Israel as his name was changed by God).

As I concluded this discussion with the Mormon 'cleric', I thought that it would be a good idea to compile a list of the top seven signs of a true, God assigned prophet. So here they are:

1. 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 speaketh 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."

The true Prophet of the Lord predicts that which does come to pass. If the Prophet's predictions fail, they are exposed as NOT of God.


2. Jeremiah 28:9 - "The prophet which prophesieth 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 will be 100% accurate. there is absolutely no margin for error.


3. 2 Peter 1:20-21 - "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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 Ghost."

A true Prophet NEVER gives his private interpretation and always in the name of the Lord. He only shares what the Lord reveals to the glory of the Lord, never seeking glory to himself. Scripture defines Scripture, not man.


4. 1 Corinthians 14:3-4 - "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church."

A true Prophet will look to edify, comfort, and uplift the Church body by his testimony as well as exhort them.


5. Isaiah 8:20 - "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

A true Prophet keeps God's Law, and abides by the testimony of the Bible Prophets as well. If a Prophet does not agree with the Bible Prophet's or does not keep God's Ten Commandments, he is a false Prophet.


6. 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 confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ 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 it in the world."

A true Prophet believes and preaches the incarnation of Jesus Christ. He will preach Jesus as God who came to Earth and put on humanity in order to redeem us all.


7. Matthew 7:15-20 - "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. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

Matthew 24:24-25, "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before."

A true Prophet will show good works, and have identifiable fruits of a Christian. He/she will have abundant BIBLICAL fruits. Performing miracles proves nothing.

Another critical point to remember and a very high priority of a true prophet of God is to show people the true way to enter the Kingdom of God, through Jesus Christ and His atonement for our sins. Psychic's, mediums, fortune tellers even Catholic priests do not care about your eternity. These false prophets only worship one god, money and how much they accumulate.

One closing point - Verify those that claim to be prophets. Yeah, most of these yahoos will, no doubt, be false prophets (e.g. Joseph Smith), however, verify anyway! The true prophet is a valuable source of information, encouragement, as well as warnings from God Almighty. They are used by the Lord to help prepare the people for His coming - two of which will appear very soon, a.k.a. The Two Witnesses of Revelation 11. Test everything and find the truth (1 Thessalonians 5:21). If you do discover that someone is a true prophet of God, don't mock them for you may be forsaking a blessing as well, for it is plainly written in 2 Chronicles 20:20, "... Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper."

Be Blessed in the name of Jesus Christ!