Choosing Our Own Prophets - The Further Weakening of a Nation. Those prophets who support our own agenda, a symptom and indicator a society, organization, person or nation could suffer great loss in its near future! Yahweh’s prophets who speak for Him are shut out from mainstream conversations. Denominations and movements choose their own exclusive prophets. Jesus and His testimony through inspired prophets ignored and sidelined. This scenario leads any nation, organization or person astray.

1 Corinthians 3:4

Aramaic Bible in Plain English

For whenever each of you says, “I am of Paulus”, and another says, “I am of Apollo”, behold, are you not carnal?

1 Kings 22:12 and 8

12 And all the prophets prophesied so and said, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph; the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.”

8 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah the son of Imlah, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil.”

Revelation 19:10 

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 

Note: Jesus’ testimony or The spirit of Prophecy are Jesus’ own words. Words that come directly from Him through inspiration after careful contemplation and humility.

The following account recorded in 1 Kings 22:1-40 allows the reader awareness of a heart attitude many of us possess both religious and non religious regarding tribal attitudes and choosing our carefully selected subject experts of any industry, high profile religious personalities, partisan spokespersons from our political side of the isle, our favorite media darlings and our favorite ivy league professor who has rank with academia. 

These categories and the individuals who represent each group are indeed ‘prophets’ we select on our own to listen to with the intention to internalize and to implement their words, concepts, predictions as our philosophy for life. If you don’t remember anything else from this moment on, remember that each organization, religious or secular, has their own set of self-selected prophets who they listen to exclusively.

To help with this multidisciplinary concept of prophets that represent many disciplines not just religious prophets we can take a quick look at the report contained in 1 Kings 18:19 where the prophet Elijah summons all of Israel to Mount Carmel and specifically invites and challenges two separate disciplines of prophets. He summoned the prophets that represented Ba'alim as well as the prophets who represented Ashera. Including Elijah there were three groups of prophets on Mount Carmel for the show down. In Hebrew it is clear to understand that. Representing Yahweh was Eliyahu, Navi HaShem, that was Elijah Yahweh's prophet, Representing Jezebel were Navi Ashera 400 of them, and representing the worship of Ba'alim were Navi Ba'alim 450 of them. So on that mountain were Navi HaShem, Elijah, Navi Ashera, and Navi Ba'alim. All were prophets only one belonged to the true God.

This attitude poses a danger to all people, secular and religious and is a gamble because as you will see in the following story an entire nation was led astray by frivolous predictions that caused great loss and fatalities. Predictions that were knowingly not true but narcissistically presented as truth as God was waved away with a high hand. This attitude is an indicator that society has moved away from God to the extent of being at enmity with God.

This attitude among groups in a society, behaviors that are in violation of God’s Kingdom ultimately moves the hand of God to bring matters to a head in His favor as He makes Kingdom corrections. Let’s meet on the other side of this account below to see where we are as a people globally and nationally with the opportunity to ‘self correct.’ We will take a look at the the following categories of prophets:

• Prophets of Media

• Prophets of Academia

• Prophets of Politics

• Prophets of Religion

• Prophets of Industries

1 Kings 22:1-40

Ahab and the False Prophets

1 For three years Syria and Israel continued without war. 2 But in the third year Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. 3 And the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, and we keep quiet and do not take it out of the hand of the king of Syria?” 4 And he said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to battle at Ramoth-gilead?” And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”

5 And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the Lord.” 6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” 7 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here another prophet of the Lord of whom we may inquire?” 8 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah the son of Imlah, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.” 

9 Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah.” 10 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting on their thrones, arrayed in their robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them. 11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘With these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.’”12 And all the prophets prophesied so and said, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph; the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.”

Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab

13 And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” 14 But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, what theLord says to me, that I will speak.” 15 And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?” And he answered him, “Go up and triumph; the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.”

16 But the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?” 17 And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.’”18 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”19 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left; 

20 and the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another.21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’ 23 Now therefore behold, theLord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the Lord has declared disaster for you.”

24 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “How did the Spirit of the Lord go from me to speak to you?” 25 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.” 26 And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah, and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son, 27 and say, ‘Thus says the king, “Put this fellow in prison and feed him meager rations of bread and water, until I come in peace.”’” 28 And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, theLord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!”

Ahab Killed in Battle

29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 30 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.” And the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. 31 Now the king of Syria had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, “Fight with neither small nor great, but only with the king of Israel.” 32 And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is surely the king of Israel.” So they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out. 

33 And when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. 34 But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.” 35 And the battle continued that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians, until at evening he died. And the blood of the wound flowed into the bottom of the chariot. 36 And about sunset a cry went through the army, “Every man to his city, and every man to his country!”

37 So the king died, and was brought to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria. 38 And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood, and the prostitutes washed themselves in it, according to the word of the Lord that he had spoken. 39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did, and the ivory house that he built and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 40 So Ahab slept with his fathers, and Ahaziah his son reigned in his place.

Prophets of Media - Each media outlet has its very own corporate philosophy, one that supports specific aspects in culture and supports a specific political point of view. As a result guests and subject experts are chosen that align with each network's corporate goals. After screening several guests you will notice each show and the network itself will develop a panel of returning guests who support the network's corporate philosophy. This panel of returning guests are invited back because they agree to say what the network requires them to say. Like Ahab’s prophets these secular prophets prophesy according to what the network wants them to prophesy. These guests are among the ‘prophets of media.’ 

Also among the prophets of media are media celebrities themselves who get paid to sell specific view points in support of the networks corporate goals and philosophy. These media celebrities are top dogs among the prophets of the media. Any guest who says anything contrary to the accepted media philosophy is censored just as Yahweh’s prophet Macaiah was even hated. Prophets of the media can lead a nation astray, especially low information voters just trying to make a living. What’s forgotten is the result of this media propaganda is never ever positive.

 Prophets of Academia - this class of prophets are usually tenured college professors whose reputations are premised on if anyone knows what they are talking about it is the tenured college professor. This group of prophets also include medical doctors and attorneys, psychologists and psychiatrists who are expected to possess the most complete conclusions to their subjects of expertise. In theory and in many cases tenured professors do a good job educating the nation’s under graduates but when they weaponize, politicize and deviate from disciplined analysis to accommodate a specific agenda these educators then become prophets of academia.  

Prophets of Politics - this class of prophets are political pundits who are usually self employed and who brand themselves as liberal or conservative leaning opinion pundits and analysis experts. In theory there are reputable think tanks who strive to educate the electorate regarding trends, nuances not obvious to most of us without scientific data analysis. But when these pundits intentionally spin, twist information in support of any given issue or political party these individuals join the class of the prophets of politics who lead a nation astray. These prophets of politics also include notable members of congress and senate, the executive branches of government and military and also members of the judicial branch of government. Many individuals in government aim to do a great job for our nation, but when each decides to pervert their discipline to support a given agenda these individuals become members of the prophets of politics who lead a nation astray.

Prophets of Religion - In Ahab’s court reported in the story we just read, were groups of the prophets of religion of that day. In 2021 and beyond this class of prophets are still part of our general religious society. Many media outlets only interview celebrity high profile religious leaders and only religious leaders among that class. We hope these leaders are indeed Yahweh’s prophets, those who in humility deliver Jesus’ words and Jesus’ testimony to an audience. I have seen first hand Yahweh’s person deliver a message to members of the media, members of politics, members of academia and to members of industry in private the way it should be done. And as a result the members of the media brought on a celebrity religious leader to refute the word of the Lord. Like Jesus looking at Jerusalem and weeping, so did I. No anger, just sadness regarding the situation. I have seen the same situation with the legislative branch who refuted the inspired word of God or used the inspired word of God for evil benefit. We see society always deciding to choose their own prophet and rejecting those who may be sent from Yahweh Himself! 

Prophets of religion are also among the various denominations and religious movements of our time. Baptists for example may only listen to their own prophets who are raised from among the Baptist ideology and strain. Not picking on Baptists this is only one example. Baptists prefer “Baptist Prophets” in their pulpits and conferences. Word of Faith only chooses and listens to word of faith prophets for example. This rule and custom is the same for almost all denominations and movements. Catholics only listen to prophets who identify as Catholics. Pentecostals usually want to hear from Pentecostal prophets. As a society we choose our own prophets! Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans you name it all choose people of their own brand to speak to their congregations, seminars and schools. Of Course there are exceptions among all denominations mentioned and I thank God for them.

Prophets of Industries - Prophets of Industry are led by Social media Prophets, leaders of the social media industry. The high tech industry leaders along with the leaders of social media platforms are the most notable among prophets of industry. This class of prophets may be the most influential and effective in crafting and engineering their messages, agenda and doctrines. Among prophets of industry are leaders and influencers of the medical and healthcare industry, military industrial complex, wall street, the banking industry, real estate industry, manufacturing industry, teachers unions and the auto industry. Each of these industry leaders and influencers “prophesy” to nations via social media and high level networks shaping not only domestic policy for one nation, or shaping foreign policy for one nation but shaping domestic and foreign policy for several nations at a time. Prophets of Industries are probably the most influential among the cadre of prophets.

The classes of modern day prophets addressed here are classes of prophets with competing messages very similar to the religious, political and communications setting present in Elijah's day. The media, academia, political, religious and industrial classes of prophets competing with the message and efficacy delivered by the prophets of Yahweh. The Moral of the story we just read from 1 Kings 22:1-40 is all throughout history mankind has brushed aside the One True God, enriched his own ideas, ideologies and philosophy for life while being away from God and opposing God. In doing so to further drive home their ideas and propaganda, selected voices are propped up to reinforce irresponsible and false ideas that are made public in media, religion, politics, academia and industry.  These sell carnal, self-serving agendas that will bring profit. Historically Yahweh has always had at least one if not more of His prophets, a Navi Hashem in every generation, a preacher of righteousness who will in love tell the Good News of Jesus Christ and tell the Truth to a society if they are willing to listen.

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