Heralds of New Light

9/12

Predictions Fulfilled

A third biblical test of a prophet’s genuineness is stated twice in the Old Testament. Jeremiah phrases it from a positive perspective: “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.” Jeremiah 28:9. Moses phrased this test from a negative perspective: “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.” Deuteronomy 18:22. HONL 17.3

Jeremiah and Moses both mean that a true prophet’s predictions will come to pass. Generally. But—and this is most crucial to an understanding of this biblical test—the element of conditionality must be considered in connection with this test. And it is interesting to note that not only do both Jeremiah and Moses introduce the matter of conditionality, but both introduce it before they define the test of fulfillment! HONL 18.1

Jeremiah gives his test of fulfillment in Jeremiah 28:9, but he introduces the issue of conditionality a full ten chapters earlier. See chapters 18:6-10; 26:2-6. Moses prescribes the test of fulfillment in Deuteronomy 18:22; but he discusses conditionality as early as Deuteronomy 8:19. See also chapter 28:1, 2, 13-15. 30 HONL 18.2

One of the best biblical examples of conditionality affecting the fulfillment of a prophet’s prediction is Jonah’s experience in the Old Testament. It is particularly significant that Jonah did not state the conditional element anywhere in his oral, public messages, yet later developments in the story make this point quite clear. And despite the apparent failure of Jonah’s prophecy, Jesus considered him to be a genuine prophet (see Matthew 12:39; Luke 11:29), and so may we. HONL 18.3

One other factor that needs to be considered as we evaluate the fulfillment of a prophet’s predictions: Satan has the ability to make limited predictions concerning the future which do, in fact, come to pass! Satan has a degree of control over the affairs, and even the bodies, of righteous men and women. When God laid down the ground rules for Satan’s test of Job’s faithfulness He said, “Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand” to take his life. Job 1:12. Satan was able to torment Job with painful boils, but he was limited in that he could not take Job’s life. HONL 18.4

In another tragic example, King Saul departed so far from God that Satan had total control of him and could predict his death twenty-four hours in advance. See 1 Samuel 28:19. HONL 19.1

In the 1880s there was a young woman in Battle Creek named Anna Garmire who claimed to have the gift of prophetic dreams and visions. The strong, dominating influence of her father was a significant factor in her experience. In writing to Mr. J. M. Garmire, Ellen white spoke three times of instances in which persons whose visions were inspired by Satan forecast events which subsequently came to pass. HONL 19.2

During the past forty-five years [1845-90], I have had to meet persons claiming to have from God messages of reproof to others. This phase of religious fanaticism has sprung up again and again since 1844. Satan has worked in many ways to establish error. Some things spoken in these visions came to pass; but many things... proved utterly false, as your prophesyings and Anna’s have done. Yet they would try to excuse the blunders by twisting the statements about, and giving them another meaning, and go on in the same way, deceiving and being deceived. 31 HONL 19.3

Again: HONL 19.4

In one place, four in one family professed to have communications from the Lord, reproving wrong, and they predicted things that actually did take place. This inspired confidence in them. But the things that did not take place were kept in the dark, or were treated as something mysterious, which would be understood later. Whence did these receive their inspiration?—From satanic agencies, which are many. 32

And, finally, referring to more recent experience, Mrs. White added: HONL 20.1

It was all a farce, a deception. Yet many things they told came to pass as they predicted. 33

Ellen White then went on to answer the expected questions: HONL 20.2

I was asked how this could be if the visions were all false. I told them that it was Satan’s purpose to mingle truth with error, that through these deceptive exercises he might make of none effect the genuine work of God. 34

Taking into account the element of conditionality and the limited power of Satan, fulfillment of prediction remains a legitimate test of a professed prophet. HONL 20.3