The 7-pronged GOLD TEST for Prophets & Spirits

/// Newly Updated as of Wednesday, 09 March 2016 - ***

In Memory Of: Jesus of Nazareth (Eternity past - 2 BC) ; (2 BC - AD 31) ; (AD 31 - Present) ; (Present - Time-unending)
- Our only perfect example (John 13:15), by Whom we too can participate with good, great, and greater works (John 14:12) -

*** “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1st John 4:1, KJV, King James Version: Public Domain)
*** “BELOVED, DO not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.” (1st John 4:1, AMP, Amplified Bible: © The Lockman Foundation)

QUESTION #1: If you’re visited by an angel, a vision, or a dream, how can you tell if it’s from God?
(You know, the devil and his fallen angels have done, are doing, and will do miracles, signs, and wonders. Various demonic miracles -past, present, and future -are listed at the bottom of the page, below. The DEMONS aren't taking a vacation. Are you?)

QUESTION #2: If you’re visited by a “prophet” with a “word” for you, how can you tell if he or she is a “real” prophet?
(Besides occasional fallen angels, e.g., “demons” or “evil spirits,” which one may encounter, we also have false prophets running amok. Note: I said “he or she”: Being female does not disqualify one from being a prophet: See e.g., Judges, chapter 4, where Deborah, a prophetess, even told the king what to do. See also: Joel 2:28-29 & Acts 2:17-18 for examples of female prophets.)

ANSWERS: With help of the research of author, Johanna Michaelsen we now have five (5) Biblical methods to "try the spirits" to see if an angel (or even a so-called human "prophet") really is from God. (The Beautiful Side of Evil, Paperback, 222 pages, © Harvest House Publishers, July 1, 1982, ISBN: 0890813221) However, I expound on her initial hypothesis:

TABLE of CONTENTS: NEW! - Sunday School teachers: click *here* for a 1-page (front & back) Sunday School Lesson plan on this matter -it is mine! -and there are not copyright problems -I give it to you (and of course to my church)
1. SPECIFIC TEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS:
Angel or “Prophet” must be righteous, specifically regarding not denying Jesus.
2. GENERAL TEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: The general lifestyle of the prophet must be righteous.
3. SPECIFIC TEST OF ACCURACY:
The specific “prophecy” or “revelation” must be accurate - 100%.
4. GENERAL TEST OF ACCURACY: The “general” method of contact with the spirit world must be accurate, not prohibited.
5. 'MIRACLE' TEST:
True prophets (and holy angels of God) often (but not always) perform miracles.
6. 'APPLICABILITY' TEST: The prophecy (from either prophet or angel) must not only be accurate but also applicable to do a good work of God.
7. HOLY SPIRIT TEST: There must be a witness of the spirit in the believer, who listens for the check in the spirit.

1. SPECIFIC TEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: Does the angel or prophet “specifically” acknowledge Jesus as Lord? While humans are capable of sometimes lying about this (giving lip service), this test works on angels and demons:

“2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” (1st John 4:2-3, NKJV, New King James Version: © Thomas Nelson, Inc.)

P.S.: I think that for an angel (e.g., spirit) to confess Jesus came in the flesh is to imply that Jesus' tenure here in the flesh was without sin, and the only perfect role model & example (John 13:15; 1st Peter 2:21), thus showing allegiance to Jesus and admitting He beat sin. Thus, it would seem that this admission would suffice to show Jesus allegiance. (I, MYSELF, have "come in the flesh," but I AM NOT without sin, so the flesh alone is not the issue -- it is in the flesh without sin issue. --Editor)

A CLOSER LOOK at the "1st John 4" test:

Just 'who' or 'what' are we testing here? People? Angels? Religions? (Since none of the other researchers seem to address this, I will try to.) Let's take a 'closer look' and start eliminating wrong answers:

*IN ALL FAIRNESS* -- Even though I do not believe that this passage refers to mere mortals (human prophets), nonetheless, to be fair, there is some support for the 'mere mortal' human prophets interpretation of 1st John 4:1-3: “Beloved, believe not every spirit...because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1st John 4:1, KJV) -- However, I do not believe that is the correct interpretation. Let's see why:

* FIRST off (1st), (before crucifixion) let us notice that Peter DENIED Jesus Christ in the strongest possible terms thrice, that is, three times: Matthew 26:34, 75; Mark 14:30, 72; Luke 22:34, 61; John 13:38

* SECOND (2nd), (after crucifixion) let us notice that Peter denied Jesus -by his actions, which spoke louder than his words: Galatians 2:11-14, where Paul said "when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed." (v.11, KJV), referring to Peter denying the salvation by grace, thus denying Jesus also, when Peter insisted on a salvation by works method, by trying to compel "the Gentiles to live as do the Jews." (v.14, KJV)

However, even when denying Christ in both ways (words and deeds) in both eras (before and after crucifixion), can we safely assume that Peter was "not of God" and possessed by "the spirit of the Antichrist," as implied by this interpretation of 1st John 4:1-3?

God forbid, and certainly not! Jesus, Himself, said that Peter was saved, big-time, major-league: "That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." (Matthew 16:18b, KJV)

* THIRD (3rd), we see that (before crucifixion) Judas Iscariot confessed Christ so explicitly, both by his words and his deeds, that even his fellow-disciples thought that JUDAS was saved -and that maybe they, themselves, were lost: Jesus said: “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” And they [His disciples] were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” (Matthew 26:21-22, NKJV; Cf: Mark 14:18-19)

* FOURTH (4th) and LAST, we find (after crucifixion) that both certain vagabond Jews as well as the seven sons of one Sceva (Acts 19:13-16) tried exorcism of Spirits -note that both groups explicitly confessed Jesus: "saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth." (v.13b, KJV)

OK, did Judas and these other vagabonds have a spirit that "is of God" (1st John 4:2, KJV)??

ANSWER: Jesus clearly said to His Father that "none of them is lost, but the son of perdition [e.g., Judas Iscariot, the betrayer]; that the scripture might be fulfilled." (John 17:12b, KJV) And, of course, the sons of Sceva were not saved and thus filled with the Holy Spirit, or otherwise, the evil spirit would not have "answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" (Acts 19:15b, KJV) Actually, the evil spirit probably could not have answered that way, because, had the Holy Spirit been in the sons of Sceva, the evil spirit (demon, fallen angel) would have been high-tailing it out of there as fast as possible!

Therefore, both before and after crucifixion -both dispensations / eras, this test can *not* apply to people -who can give both false positives of salvation (Judas & sons of Sceva) -as well as false negatives to salvation (Peter).

Some said that this may apply to religions and institutions -and it may apply somewhat, but the "clear language" of the passage says to test the "spirits" -plural of Greek: "pneu'ma," Strong's Number: 4151, which literally means "a spirit, i.e. a simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting," in other words, either a demon, angel, Holy Spirit, or a manifestation or vision of Jesus or The Father -remembering that even JESUS has and can appear in spirit form as He appeared to Saul of Tarsus. (Acts, chapter 9)

So, in conclusion, the first (1st) of the five (5) Biblical tests of spirits and/or prophets presented in this paper, the "1st John 4" test for the spirits can NOT apply to mere mortals (persons, religions, etc.) with any certainty -just to angels -who are sensitive enough for it to work; however, it would not hurt to apply this test to people as well -as it helps gather information of the "prophet" being "tested." A person that fails this test would have to either be evil or making an honest mistake -or both, but this test is designed for "spirits," not "flesh," as we've found out by the process of elimination -and by looking at the actual original Greek language in the passage.

Apparently, the demons are so evil that they are sensitive and vulnerable to the name of Jesus and thus incapable of admitting that Jesus is Lord. For them, according to this verse, it is impossible to admit Jesus is Lord (and Savior and very God, worthy of worship) without going crazy. A good example of this phenomenon is found Acts 16:16-18, where a woman possessed by a demon of divination acted crazy when her demon felt the presence of JESUS in Paul the Apostle. A better example of demons freaking out in the presence of Jesus is found in Mark 5:1-5, which tells of a man living in the tombs and possessed with an unclean spirit -a demon. This man was CRAZY: He cut himself and acted so wild that no man could tame him. MARK 5:6 says that "...when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him," -yes, the spirit worshiped Jesus -and this might make it seem like the spirit in the man was the Holy Spirit, but it was a demon, and here is the clue to indicate that: Verse 7, immediately following shows that the man acted even crazier when Jesus came closer: The demon, speaking through the man, "cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not." So, we can see that the demon was indeed VERY sensitive to the spirit realms, and his reaction here is proof that angelic beings (such as demons and angels) ARE indeed MUCH more sensitive to the spirit realms than are humans. Thus, we can conclude that demons will act crazy in the presence of Jesus, and Holy Angels will NOT.

So, if you don’t know, you need to ask the angel who might appear to you in a dream, vision, or in person. Likewise, Holy Angels are incapable, more or less, of denying Christ. For both holy AND fallen (demonic) angels, it is as if the cement dried, and there is little (if any) ability for them to change character, that is, for them to become demons to honest or holy angels to become dishonest. For humans, apparently, the cement is wet and flexible and able to change. Humans’ character, while alive, is apparently malleable, that is, capable of being changed or shaped, as by pressure, bending, or hammering, but if we stay in God, His keeping grace keeps us.

For humans, a “false” prophet might be able to lie and try to trick you, but a “true” prophet will almost certainly never deny Jesus, so any “prophet” that denies the lordship and deity of Jesus is a false prophet. Period. This test is “specific” to Jesus’ Lordship & Deity.

2. GENERAL TEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: This test apparently only applies to people (not angels!), and it doesn’t even work well unless you get to know the person -or at least know about their lifestyle, but oh, does it work when you know how to use it: A “true” prophet does not lead a sinful lifestyle.

* (Note: If you are a lawyer, who is also a Christian, you will recognize Jesus' words -quoted below -as "The Law" and/or "Constitutional Construction.")

Here is what JESUS says about testing the spirits for false prophets, using the "general" test for righteousness:

** 15 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
** 16 "Ye shall know them by their fruits..." (Matthew 7:15-16a, KJV) WHAT ARE THEIR FRUITS, you wonder?
** "Being filled with the fruits of righteousness..." (Philippians 1:11, KJV; Cf: Hebrews 12:11; 2nd Corinthians 9:10)

Now, since we can trust Philippians 1:11 to be TRUTHFUL, we can TRUTHFULLY rewrite JESUS' statement to read: "Ye shall know them [the false prophets] by their fruits of righteousness -which are missing and lacking if they are indeed false prophets." Since we are using one scripture to substitute for another equivalent scripture, we are not violating Revelation 22:18-19 about adding to or taking away from these words of scripture. (That passage actually referred only to the Revelation of John in that context, but Bible scholars generally accept it to apply to the WHOLE Bible, and we did not violate it this time.)

* (Note: If you are a lawyer, who is also a Christian, you will recognize the example of King Saul -listed below -as "Case Law" to illustrate an application of "Statutory or Constitutional Authority," shown above.)

Good example: King Saul, the predecessor to King David, was able to prophecy as a prophet of God when he was righteous: 1st Samuel 10:11; However, when his lifestyle became unrighteous and sinful (such as his sin in 1st Samuel 15:24), he was not able to hear from the Lord, and he got desperate and tried visiting a medium, that is, a witch (see 1st Samuel, chapter 28 re the witch of Endor), and of course, this stopped him from being able to “prophecy” or speak on the Lord’s behalf -at least in a normal manner. (I admit that Saul later did "prophecy," as shown in 1st Samuel 19:21-24, but this time it was because God struck him down with The Spirit and had him strip naked all that day and night, unlike the first time up in 1st Samuel 10:11. The first time, Saul had a clean heart before the Lord, as shown in 1st Samuel 10:9, but the 2nd time, God was striking Saul down to protect David and Samuel from being killed: Big difference. So, we can conclude that Saul no longer prophecied in a "normal" manner after he sinned!)

ALSO: Any theology they preach and believe must generally be line up with the word of God for them to be considered “righteous” by this test: Deut. 13:1-5 says even if the prophet can do miracles or correctly predict something that comes to pass, he or she must still not go against the word of God or ask others to worship other Gods. Also, here is "Statutory or Constitutional Authority," as told by Paul, speaking for JESUS: “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.” (1st Cor 14:37, NKJV) See also: 1st Timothy 6:3-4. Even angels must meet this high standard:

“8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9, NKJV)

Here is more "case law" (a term for "here's an example to set a standard" for all you non-lawyers out there) -this time from the New Testament:

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
-- Matthew 7:21-23, KJV

Notice, please, that these people quite obviously DID perform miracles and prophecies which came to pass (or else they would not have made this defense when confronting Jesus), but even though this was true, nonetheless, these unholy and evil prophets fall into the category shown by Deut. 13:1-5, cited above.

Does the “general” lifestyle and theology of the “prophet” line up to pass the “general” test of righteousness, as required by all the scriptures above?

Oops! -- There seems to be some opposing views on this point, and I very well could be wrong -so let's look at the opposing views:

A friend, Bob Hartung, sent me an email about testing the spirits, and I googled and found several websites quoting the material he sent me; then, noticing their websites appeared to be missing things, I emailed them. One of them, HidingPlaceMinistry.org, run by Dr. C. Wayne Thorn (coincidentally local to my area), emailed me back. (I'm mentioning their names and such to give them credit where credit is due.) He sought the input of his friend, Evangelist and Pastor, Cheryl Eaton, who, in turn, sought special counsel from Bishop, Dr. John Weatherley, who has several online ministries. After much research with them (for we studied the scriptures daily like the Bereans: Acts 17:11, to see if those things were so), I came to the conclusion I might have been wrong, so I'm presenting both (or all) views to be fair and balanced.

Cheryl suggested that the calling and gifts (including the prophetic gifts) are without repentance, that is permanently irrevocable. Let's look at the verse to which she refers:

"For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance."--Romans 11:29 (KJV)

"for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable"--Romans 11:29 (NASB)

"God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded."--Romans 11:29 (The Message)

Now, if this interpretation is correct, then that means that when Jesus said that we shall know the false prophets by their fruits, they are not fruits of righteousness, but rather, different fruits. (Cheryl suggested the only fruit in question is the accuracy of the prophecy.) So, are there other 'fruits?'

YES! "the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine" (Deut 7:11) -- "For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear" (Mark 4:28) -- 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.–Galatians 5:21-22, KJV So, why not fruits of accurate prophecy?

Supporting Cheryl's theory are actual examples in the which Some 'unrighteous' prophets (Balaam, Numbers, chapter 22) and people (both the Witch of Endor, and King Saul - who contacted her - in 1st Samuel, chapter 28 - both of whom were practicing witchraft) were surely not righteous, and yet still heard from God, implying the prophetic gifts are permanent and irrevocable (Rom 11:29) as she says. Two other examples of less than stellar people got a Word from God: Jonah (the rebel) and Saul of Tarsus (Paul the Apostle). But Paul's heart was right - he believed he was doing right, and so he was not totally evil: In his mind, he was defending God's name against these 'Jesus freaks,' but when Jesus, HIMSELF showed up, and correct Paul, please note that Paul accepted the correction. This is proof that he was not "totally" evil, lending support to my theory that one should be righteous.

However, the question then becomes whether God spoke to them because of a gift -or rather because of His sovereign will. It is quite obvious that accurate prophecies are a fruit from the prophet (who is a tree in this sense). Then, also, we must ask: Just how 'unrighteous' were Balaam and that witch? (Enough to be called 'unrighteous?') Lastly, what if an unrighteous person prophecies to you? Should you ignore it? (Even the Devil was partly right in his conversation with Eve, and we all know that he is not righteous.) Scripture is quite clear that wheat and tares (righteous and unrighteous) shall grow up together (Matt 13:3-43), *including* unrighteous prophets, who will look like righteous ones and 'fit in' until the end gathering.

In summary, it is not clear what 'fruits' Jesus means when He speaks of these false prophets, but a false prophecy would definitely disqualify a person; however, this still does not explain how a witch (who was not guaranteed to be 100% accurate) heard from God. The bottom line is that you must apply all seven (7) tests to be sure. EVEN STILL, you may not know right away whether the prophet 'passes' or 'fails' the test; why, even JESUS did not know the day of His return:

"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father."--Mark 13:32 (KJV) And, as shown in other research, Jesus was very GOD the SON -and even Jesus had things He didn't know. (Now that He's ascended, Jesus surely knows the 'day and hour' -and even exact second!)

3. SPECIFIC TEST OF ACCURACY: This is the “classic” test or the “gold test” of a “true prophet”: Does the prophecy or prediction come true? (Deuteronomy 18:22) If the “prophet” or “angel” or dream or vision says anything false about things past, present, or future, you can scratch it:

“If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.” (Deuteronomy 18:22, NIV, New International Version: © Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society) “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.” (Deut. 18:22, KJV)

PS: Even though the penalties under Moses (e.g., Capitol Punishment) are not in effect, the standards of Law (such as Deut 18:22) still are! This standard is still in effect: “Think not that I am come to destroy law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”–Matt 5:17. The only thing that has changed since Christ's sacrifice is that we no longer need to do animal sacrifices for our salvation.

4. GENERAL TEST OF ACCURACY: Is the general prophecy a method permitted by God, that is, did the "prophet" use a forbidden witchcraft method to call up the spirit, or did it appear in one of the permitted ways, such as a vision or an angelic visitation? (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) Don’t cheat. Cheating, like taking drugs, may seem good for a while, but in the end, it is deadly.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12, KJV
10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.
11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Huh? What’s a “necromancer?” Think “Necrosis, tissue death.” Let’s look at this passage in another version to get clarity:

Deuteronomy 18:10-12, NKJV
10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,
11 or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.
12 For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you.

If you ask God for an answer via, say, calling up and “speaking with” the dead -or the Ouija board -or even astrologers and horoscopes, then any answer you get may be -and probably will be from a demon, not God or His Holy angels.

5. 'MIRACLE' TEST: When I took Intro to Prophecy at Evangelical University (Plant City), one of my professors, Dr. Gary Williams, taught on testing the spirits (and I mention him here to give credit where credit is due). He had all five (5) of my tests, and he added two (2) more (which are numbered #5 and #6 in this discussion). As I recall, he said that a true prophet performed miracles. So, I asked him for chapter and verse in the Bible. Dr. Williams said that this was not a mandate but rather a general rule -for most of the prophets in the Bible did, in fact, perform miracles. (I don't know about some of the minor prophets, since not a lot is written about them in the Canon of the Bible.) So, in brief, this is a general guideline, not a hard-and-fast rule. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever -He changes not: Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8. He can (and does) still do miracles -in His time.
    ***    UPDATE: As of today, Friday, 11 February 2011, I have discovered I may be wrong: There is some scriptural support for the fact that true prophets *must* perform miracles -at least a few -and not just prophets, but ANY and ALL believers, but this must include prophets -especially:
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
MARK 16:17-18, Holy Bible, King James Version
    ***    Application: So, this would even apply to me (webmaster, Gordon Wayne Watts), right? I'm definitely a believer (and, some even say, a phophet), right? OK, I'm not bragging, but you see my other postings: I nearly won in court "the" Terri Schiavo case --all by myself (excepting that JESUS helped me) --and that is a major miracle, since I am not a lawyer, nor even an immediate family member, and normally a non-lawyer can not represent ANYONE else in court (and usually should not even represent himself-/-herself), but look what happened:

The following letter was written by Gordon Wayne Watts of Lakeland, Florida, who received a Bachelor’s degree from The Florida State University with a double major in Biological and Chemical Sciences with honors and was the valedictorian from United Electronics Institute. Watts, a non-lawyer, is best known for his lawsuit on behalf of Terri Schiavo[1], which lost 4-3 in the Florida Supreme Court, arguably doing better than even then Governor Jeb Bush’s similar suit[2] (lost: 7-0) or Terri Schiavo’s own family’s federal case[3] (lost: 2-1). Mr. Watts, who ran unsuccessfully for Dist. 64 Fla. House of Representatives[4], is a part-time political activist while he searches for a full-time job in his field.

Sources:
[1] In Re: GORDON WAYNE WATTS (as next friend of THERESA MARIE “TERRI” SCHIAVO), No. SC03-2420 (Fla. Feb.23, 2003), denied 4-3 on rehearing. http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/clerk/dispositions/2005/2/03-2420reh.pdf
[2] In Re: JEB BUSH, GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA, ET AL. v. MICHAEL SCHIAVO, GUARDIAN: THERESA SCHIAVO, No. SC04-925 (Fla. Oct.21, 2004), denied 7-0 on rehearing. http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/clerk/dispositions/2004/10/04-925reh.pdf
[3] Schiavo ex rel. Schindler v. Schiavo ex rel. Schiavo, 403 F.3d 1223, 2005 WL 648897 (11th Cir. Mar.23, 2005), denied 2-1 on appeal. http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/ops/200511628.pdf
[4] Key Phrase search: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22florida+house%22+64+%22gordon+wayne+watts%22&cts=1255495265724&aq=f&oq=&aqi= and http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=%22florida+house%22+64+%22gordon+wayne+watts%22&fr=yfp-t-155&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8 -- Official Campaign pages: http://GordonWayneWatts.com/Campaign.html and http://GordonWatts.com/Campaign.html

6. APPLICABILITY' TEST: The prophecy must be not only true but also actually applicable, that is helpful to a particular need!
The New Testament version of the 'accuracy' “Gold Test” from Deuteronomy 18:22 is found in James 1:17, which reads: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” in the KJV, but it is more clear in the NKJV (New King James Version) and reads as follows: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” I have provided both the NKJV and the KJV, so please don’t think I’m pushing one version or using a Bible that translates wrong! I used both to be safe. OK, I’ll translate: If the prophecy is both good (helpful) and perfect (mature or correct and complete), then it is from God. It must be not just correct but also helpful to apply to your need. (And that is also why any prophet whose prediction or revelation comes true must ALSO not ask you to worship other “gods” or commit sin.)

7. HOLY SPIRIT TEST: Is there the testimony of the Holy Spirit, a gut feeling, so to speak? (Psalms 95:7-11; Proverbs 1:20; John, chapter 10; Hebrews 3:7; Hebrews 4:7) His sheep (us) hear his voice (the Holy Spirit), so we must chill out and listen carefully, however, we many be tricked, so we must use all five tests in order to get a good handle and “fine-tune” our intuition, our gut feeling, our ability to hear and understand the Holy Spirit.

Johanna Michaelsen rightly says you can't always trust your feelings, as she herself was fooled, so you must use _all five_ Biblical methods to be sure. (The Beautiful Side of Evil, © Harvest House Publishers, ISBN: 0890813221)

You know, the Lord GOD has done, is doing, and will do miracles, signs, and wonders:

“And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” (Numbers 12:6, KJV) See also: Joel 2:28 & Acts 2:17 for examples of dreams and visions coming to prophets in our time, the last days. The passages in Joel and Acts make sense in light of Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8:

“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Mal. 3:6, KJV)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Heb. 13:8, NKJV)

Various demonic miracles -devils and demons jumping all in your face!! COLOR CODE: Words of our LORD in red. Selected Divine miracles used for comparison/contrast below in Royal Purple. Past demonic miracles in black. Future demonic miracles in blue. (Mess with a demon, and you might end up BLACK and BLUE.)

“LIFE” Signs/Miracles:
Exodus 7:11-12 (Creation of life: Animals)
* 11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
* 12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

Revelation 13:12-14 (Resurrection & Big-Time Healing: Humans)
* 12 And he [the SECOND beast] exerciseth [again] all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly [e.g., fatal] wound was healed.
* 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
* 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

Necromancy / Conjuring: (Note: Most times, a demon is conjured and he impersonates the dearly departed, which explains why the medium/witch was so surprised that the real Samuel, not her familiar spirit, appeared)
1st Samuel 28:3a,7a,11-12
* 3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him…
* 7 Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit…
* 11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.
* 12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

Make people ill or crazy:
Matthew 12:22 (Cf: Matthew 9:32-33)
* 22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
Luke 8:35 (Cf: Mark 5:15)
* 35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

Make animals ill or crazy:
Matthew 8:31-32 (Cf: Mark 5:12-13; Luke 8:32-33)
* 31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
* 32 And he said unto them,
Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
Numbers 22:8 (A Divine ‘animal’ miracle for comparison)
* 28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

Supernatural Strength:
Mark 5:1-4 (Cf: Matthew 8:28, Luke 8:29)
* 1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
* 2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
* 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
* 4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
Acts 19:16
* 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Telekinesis: (Movement of objects or persons)
Luke 9:42
* 42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.
Matthew 4:5,8 (Cf: Luke 4:5,9)
* 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
* 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain…

Supernatural Demonic Deception:
Matthew 24:24
* 24
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.
Mark 13:22
* 22
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Acts 8:9-11
* 9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
* 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
* 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
Acts 13:8
* 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Revelation 12:9
* 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 13:12-14
* 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
* 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
* 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Revelation 18:23
* 23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
Revelation 19:20
* 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

'All' kinds of miracles, signs, and wonders for the 'whole' world:
2nd Thessalonians 2:9
* 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
Revelation 16:14
* 14 For they are the spirits of devils [‘spirits of devils’ plural: Not just Satan here], working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Fortune-telling (predictions of future, revelation of hidden knowledge, visions)
Daniel 2:1-2 (Revelation of hidden knowledge)
* 1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.
* 2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
Matthew 4:8 (Vision of world kingdoms)
* 8 Again, the devil taketh…sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Luke 4:5 (Vision of world kingdoms)
* 5 And the devil…shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
Acts 16:16-19 (Note: She was probably the real thing else her masters would not have made much money; however, some modern-day psychics are fake and still sucker a few people out of their money, like Ms. Cleo -who could not predict that she was about to be busted.)
* 16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
* 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
* 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
* 19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

2nd Corinthians 11:13-15 (Impersonation of a Holy Angel AKA Demonic visions )
* 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
* 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
* 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Signs/Wonders in the earth and sky; Fire:
Revelation 13:13
* 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

1st Kings 18:38 (A Divine “Fire” sign for comparison)
* 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

END FATE of demonic miracles: (Note: ‘Future’ items below are not listed in blue below -since ALL ‘end fate’ is future)
1st Samuel 15:23 (Note: Witchcraft and rebellion are equated here)
* 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
2nd Chronicles 33:1-6
* 1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:
* 2 But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.
* 3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
* 4 Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.
* 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
* 6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Isaiah 47:13 (God is making fun of astrologers who oft-times miss the mark)
* 13 Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.
Malachi 3:5 (Note: Witchcraft and adultery are classed together here)
* 5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
Matthew 7:21-23 (Even non-Christians can perform apparent miracles and “good works” -otherwise, they would not have used this defense when speaking to Jesus here. A good “case law” example is Judas, who was so convincing that even his peers did not catch on until he betrayed Jesus; a good “Statutory law” proof is Jesus’ own words here in Matthew 7:21-23)

* 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
* 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
* 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Acts 19:19 (These guys and gals obviously had a ‘better’ end-result than their peers: They repented & stopped sinning)
* 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. [Wow! A lot of money!]
Revelation 9:21 (Note: Witchcraft and fornication are classed together here)
* 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
Revelation 21:8 (Note: Witchcraft and murder are classed together here -and don’t make it into heaven)
* 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Revelation 22:15 (Note: Witchcraft and murder are *again* classed together here -and *again* don’t make it into heaven)
* 15 For without [i.e., outside the gates of heaven] are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

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