Taming the Toxicity of the Prophetic

In recent years, the prophetic movement has teetered on the brink of finding itself in shambles for various reasons. When pressure comes, recrimination and shrill voices often rule the day. This is part of the enemy’s strategy to wear out the saints in the end times. Where is the path of progress? During a conference in Albany, Oregon, Prophet Bob Jones shared an experience he had of going to heaven. Part of that experience is relevant to my post today. From Bob Jones: “As I entered a white light, I felt a profound emotion that I had never experienced before. I asked, “What is this?” The Holy Spirit responded, “It is the love of God.” I witnessed the Lord speaking to those who were arriving, asking them one question: “Did you learn to love?” They would answer affirmatively, and He would kiss them on the lips, embrace them, and the double doors of His heart would open for them to enter.”

Another significant incident involving Bob Jones needs to be shared. I personally heard him recount this story years ago when IHOP was still known as Kansas City Fellowship. At that time, there was tension in the city between the apostolic movement led by Ernie Gruen and the prophetic stream flowing through Mike Bickle’s ministry. Bob heard an accusation against Kansas City Fellowship and declared, “I curse the work of that man’s hand – he will not progress in the things of God – he will come to nothing…”

Two notable events followed this declaration. First, Bob’s words came to pass – that man’s ministry was exposed, and his destiny became a failure in Kansas City. Secondly, Bob himself was immediately struck by a severe virus and spent three days gravely ill in bed. The Holy Spirit explained to him, “…when you speak without the anointing, you must suffer the consequences for three times as long.”

We are currently in a season of transition. During this time, God is calling upon the prophetic to defer to the emerging apostolic movement in the world. John the Baptist understood this. In John 3:30, he declared, “…He must increase, but I must decrease…” Hebrews 3:1 states that Jesus is the high priest of our confession. The demonstration of the prophetic in John’s ministry needed to yield to the increasing apostleship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ultimately, John failed to fully grasp this concept, resulting in the loss of his life.

The relationship between the prophetic and the emerging apostleship is absolutely crucial. In John 10:41, we see that John performed no miracles, but Jesus did not perform any miracles until he was baptized by John in the Jordan. John the Baptist, as a prophet, played a role in activating the Christ anointing in Jesus. The demonstration of the Spirit in the prophetic activates the manifestation of power in the office of the apostle. In 1 Corinthians 2:4, Paul (who began his ministry alongside prophets in Antioch) understood the difference between the demonstration of the Spirit (in the prophetic) and the demonstration of power (in the office of the apostle). The prophet cannot fulfill their mandate without deferring to the office of the apostle, and the apostle cannot emerge from obscurity until they are immersed in the anointing that the prophet in their life is called to activate.

If you are called to the office of the prophet, I ask you to consider whether you understand the deference God has called you to give to the apostles around you. Likewise, if you are called to the office of the apostle, do you understand that until you submit to the God-called prophets around you, as Jesus submitted to John, your calling will never emerge from obscurity?

Returning to the story of John the Baptist, we find that he became offended with Jesus. John had proclaimed that God would purge the earth, burning up the corruption of Rome and the corrupt Pharisees and Sadducees with unquenchable fire. However, when Jesus arrived, engaging in relational ministry by drinking wine and embracing children, John questioned if He was truly the awaited one. Shortly thereafter, Herod took John’s life.

In our present day, within the prophetic and full gospel streams, we have witnessed a number of premature deaths. When anything triggers a sense of surprise or confusion, I encourage you to pray for interpretation. (Please note that mentioning these names does not in any way suggest that these men were in sin or that there was anything wrong with their ministries). Kim Clement died due to complications from a brain tumor. John Paul Jackson recently passed away prematurely. Myles Munroe was suddenly taken from us in a plane crash. Prophet Michial Ratliff, who prophesied to Steve Hill to go to Florida where the Pensacola Revival would take place, died suddenly at a relatively young age. David Wilkerson, the pioneering prophet of the current prophetic stream, was tragically killed in a car accident resulting in decapitation. Furthermore, we could also mention the death of John Wimber, who died of a brain hemorrhage, and William Branham, who suffered a massive head trauma in a car accident caused by a drunk driver.

Isn’t it noteworthy that many of these mighty servants of God have died due to head trauma, just like John the Baptist? Stepping into the prophetic or apostolic office is a dangerous endeavor. When Jesus came, Herod sought to eliminate anyone who could potentially be the vessel for God’s work. Revelation 13:3 refers to the anti-Christ being wounded in the head. There is also a parallel with how God-called and anointed women in this current season play a role: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” (Genesis 3:15).

The enemy seeks to do to God’s leaders what has already been decreed as his fate. Are you praying for your prophet? Do you even know who he or she is? Are you praying for the emerging apostles in your midst? When these deaths began to occur, I heard the Father say, “…there is poison in the pot…” This led me to 2 Kings 4:40, where Elisha visited the school of prophets and discovered poisonous gourds in the stew that was prepared for everyone to eat. Elisha remedied the situation by placing meal into the pot, thus healing it. When I inquired about the nature of the poison, the Father revealed that it was the presence of “Unaccountable Sons.”

Where does the issue of unaccountable sons originate from? Where can this problem be addressed? In Malachi, God speaks about this issue, stating that before the sons turn to the fathers, the fathers must first turn to the sons: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6). This turning of hearts must begin with the fathers. It is the message that needs to be incorporated into the prophetic stream today – the understanding that Bob Jones gained in heaven, “Did you learn how to love…”

In conclusion:

1. We are currently in a transition season, navigating between the culmination of the prophetic and the emergence of apostolic leadership.
2. The enemy has successfully infiltrated our ranks because leaders are not obeying, and intercessors are not praying.
3. Prophets often misuse the anointing of God by speaking outside of its guidance.
4. The people, both within and outside the prophetic stream, often lack interest or seriousness in answering the question, “Who is the prophet in my life?” As a result, they can be described as unaccountable sons.
5. It is imperative for us as leaders to recognize that we have been called to be fathers and mothers to a community whose hearts will not turn toward what God is doing in us and through us until we learn to love. We must first turn our hearts toward the rebellious, the immature, the self-centered, and those who resist cooperation in our midst. As a collective people, we must do this if we hope to avert the impending curse that looms over our land and earth as a whole.