Click on the following for earlier articles in the series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10 and Part 11.
A few years ago, Bob Jones told about a Sunday church service he attended where he felt an inner urging to prophesy. He walked over to the microphone and said, “Macaroni and cheese, macaroni and cheese.” Then, he sat down.
The church members sat dumbfounded and shocked. A few laughed and wrinkled their noses at his so-called prophetic words.
For the following week, Jones suffered ridicule and scorn from fellow Christians. He himself slipped into a bout of depression over the matter.
The next Sunday, a woman stood up and defended Jones. “Last week, when I came to this church for the first time, I asked the Lord for something,” she said. “For years, I’ve been praying and fasting for my son and nothing has ever happened. I wanted to quit. So, I asked the Lord to give me a personal sign if He was going to finally do something in my son’s life.” She paused for a few moments.
Then she continued, “So, when Mr. Jones gave his words about macaroni and cheese, I was so excited. You see, my son works at a Kraft plant, making macaroni and cheese.”
Countless numbers of church members repented of their judgmental attitudes after the woman’s testimony.
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)
Pat Robertson has been a prophetic voice to America for decades. His godly and humble character have been a steadfast beacon of light to the Body of Christ.
But even Robertson himself readily admits, “Sometimes, I’ve missed it.” Yet, irregardless of the outrage his words may bring forth, he continues to faithfully speak.
Now, most of us who prophesy, do not understand the spiritual warfare and fleshly struggles a person such as Robertson goes through to speak a prophetic word to a nation, especially a religious one like America. It’s not the same as giving a prophecy or a word of knowledge to a local church or a person. Not at all!
Higher levels of prophecy means higher levels of warfare. So, to speak forth a national prophetic word involves fighting with national principalities and powers, and trusting that you have heard the voice of the Lord in the midst of spiritual warfare and confusion. It’s not easy!
In fact, it’s much easier to be a sofa Christian critic and throw rocks along with the many skeptics of prophecy. After all, the wolves won’t turn on you when you join the rock throwers, right?
So, here’s my thoughts on Robertson’s remarks about Haiti:
Much like the macaroni and cheese prophecy of Bob Jones, Robertson’s remarks was a prophetic word, not directed toward Haiti, but instead, toward us American Christians. The word was a lamp shining into the dark places of our hearts, revealing our hardened, judgmental attitudes toward Christians who differ from our warm and fuzzy, Christian-lite beliefs.
Instead of imitating the noble Bereans who checked out words before they acted, we took the counsel of the wicked, stood in the path of sinners and sat in the seat of scoffers. This is not pleasing to the Head of the Church.
Somehow, we Christians have to mature into a higher level where we are able to accurately judge prophetic words in love, without passing judgment or slandering the character of the individual. After all, we Christians are to be known for our love of the brethren.
This was a type of practice test for us Christians for what is about to arrive on the scene. For soon, prophetic people will rise up in cities, states, regions and the nation, and their words will be like hammers to smash the hardness on our hearts.
How we handle the soon-coming prophetic people’s words will determine how we will walk through the persecutions awaiting us Christians on the near horizons.
(Conclusion)
A new series begins on Monday.
Larry Who 
I sincerely believe what we are failing to see spiritually is our failure to take care of the disease of poverty.
A rich christian and a poor christian is still a good christian, and that is the same for any other belief system. Whether Robertson is right about the ‘curse of Haiti’ seems irrelevent to me.
The red flag waiving in my face is the ignorance of the wealthy that continues to supress such people just in the very way we live.
When I drive through Subway for lunch on my way to pick up my children before heading to work, then stop for a grande latte to keep me up through my shift, I think how many infrastructures have I used just in that time period?
roadway system, fast food, fast coffee, educational systems, my car, my phone (I didn’t use it- but I had it), and my home and place of occupation. All require massive amounts of manpower, funds and repairs to keep in working order.
But could I have spared $50 before the earthquake to help a place like Haiti, totally impoverished and lacking in good infrastructure? would the life toll have been the same with stronger, better buildings and homes?
any life lost is a life lost to all of us. The problem with declaring why something bad happens, sometimes the light is pointed at the wrong side of the room. Because let’s face it, no matter where you shine it, YOU WILL FIND SIN. Best be looking in our own closets, as those are the ones we can clean.
I don’t claim to know someone else’s spiritual garbage… because well, I have my own to worry about! 🙂
In a nicer note, Larry, this series was well done. Very interesting topics you lifted up!
Cindy,
Thanks and good comments.
i’ve read every one of your posts on this and find them challenging and thoughtful. i started reading with the attitude of “what a dingbat mr robertson” was and yip, have repented and gone wow. we get so conditioned to think a certain way in this generation – both as humans and as christians. oh how we need God to change our hearts and hear His true voice and heart on a matter. thanks larry. thanks for writing it – cos i bet there is a flack back! again, totally impressed.
fireball3316,
Thanks. You have a colorful way with words.
Thank you, Larry. You almost know my heart into the matter…almost except this one. When I found a topic on Pat Robertson soon after his remarks, I quickly made a comment on someone’s blog but somehow, it was not moderated. Soon after, I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit so heavy upon me and I quickly repented. Secondly, I remember Pat Robertson’s 700 club which I watched while growing up in Kenya. In a sense, He has been a spiritual father to me…a.k.a indirectly and yet, I was like Ham, quickly wanting to judge him. Lord have mercy. And thank you for this powerful series.
Blessings,
Gladwell
Gladwell,
Thanks.
When Pat Robertson was running for president in 1988, he came to my Iowa hometown at the time. I drove one of the cars his entourage rode in to the place he spoke and then afterward, back to the airport.
Though they were in a hurry, he went out of his way to come over to me just before he boarded his plane to thank me and give me a hug. What a gracious man.
An incredibly interesting and thought-provoking series. I appreciate the research. I also think physical aid goes only so far when there are underlying spiritual issues. Satan knows how to rob and destroy. But what I appreciated most were your comments about the level of warfare when prophesying at a high level. It’s easy to be critical–or embarassed (I’ve been there)–when we are outside the loop.
solveig,
Thanks. Sadly, I,too, speak from a few disastrous spiritual warfare encounters.