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 