Of Prophecies True and False:
The Lesson from Babylonian Captivity.
Captivity is synonymous with a prison where inmates are kept against their will. They are taken away from their comfort zone - from family and friends, and deprived of the freedom to move around, choose their company, and engage in what they like. Prison is where citizens are punished for deliberate acts of rebellion against constituted authorities and violating state laws. Convicts spend time in jail relative to the gravity of their offense - from a couple of months, and years to life.
In the book of Jeremiah 27-28, we read about the children of Israel (Judah) being taken into Babylonian captivity because they disobeyed God’s commands delivered by His chosen prophets. They were sentenced to 70 years of captivity in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar. God employs the services of aliens (from unexpected quarters) to speak to His own and, when necessary, inflict appropriate disciplinary measures to bring them back on track.
Captivity is not a good place to be. The Israelites were vulnerable to enemy invasions because they strayed out of God’s protective arms. They were carried into captivity by the Assyrians and the Babylonians at different times.
There’s a parallel in the dynamic with the plight of humanity after the fall. Having lost control over the earth to Satan, humankind was entrapped in a struggle against principalities and powers in the spiritual realm. Like the Israelites in Babylonian captivity, humans - believers and unbelievers - wrestle with demonic forces holding them back from fulfilling their destiny until a time in God’s plan when humanity will be set free, and restored to a lost relationship with God.
There are two phases to human salvation: First, the phase of personal restoration in Jesus here and now; Second, the return of Jesus as king, to establish His everlasting kingdom on Earth.
Two prophets, Jeremiah and Hananiah with contrasting messages emerged on the horizon: On one hand, was prophet Jeremiah who was saddled with the responsibility of delivering a poignant message to the people. God commands Jeremiah:
“Make a yoke out of straps and crossbars and put it on your neck. Then send words to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon through the envoys…Give them a message for their masters and say, “This is what the Lord, Almighty, the God of Israel says …” With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please.” (Jerem.27: 2-5)
Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar, was a world superpower called to unleash God’s judgment over the nations. God’s message through Jeremiah reads:
“Now I will give all your countries to my servant Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon; I will subject even the wild animals to him. All nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until the time for his land comes…” (vv. 6-7).
And they were warned:
“Do not listen to your prophets, diviners, and interpreters of dreams, mediums, or sorcerers who tell you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon, for they are prophesying lies to you. I have not sent them, declares the LORD. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. Therefore I will banish you and you will perish, both you and the prophets who prophesy to you.” (vv.14-15).
There comes the prophet Hananiah:
“Then the prophet Hananiah took the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it, and he said before all the people, “This is what the LORD says: “In the same way I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon off the neck of all the nations within two years. At this, the prophet Jeremiah went his way” (Jeremiah 28:10-11 ).
But the LORD sent Jeremiah back to Hananiah, saying,
“You have broken a wooden yoke, but in its place, you will get a yoke of iron…” The LORD has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies. “This is what the LORD Almighty the God of Israel says, “I will put an iron yoke on the necks of all these nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.” (vv.12-14).
An unbreakable iron yoke is replacing a wooden yoke!
That’s what false prophets do to their victims. Those who fail to serve God will serve human taskmasters, and worship wood and stones. This is why many are in spiritual captivity - daily struggling with forces beyond their control and in need of deliverance.
Today, megachurches major in prophetic declarations and minor in preaching repentance from sin and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Overall, people are persuaded to trust in lies. With “itching ears”, church attendees hear prophecies of impending promotions and financial blessings - from unknown sources. Some church leaders predict their congregants would receive alerts of huge deposits in their bank accounts - from nowhere. The church members are misled into believing they could reap without sowing, and be blessed without working.
There is no basis for such claims both in Scripture and in the reality of everyday life. Rather, God promises to bless the work of our hands (Deuteronomy 28:12).
Even when they sense the prophecies are unreal, for they are not seeing their fulfillments, the congregants are trapped and left to pray and hope for better days.
For those who care about knowing the truth, here are three scriptures, warning against false prophets:
1 John 4: 1;
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world…”
Matthew 24: 24:
“For false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”
2 Corinthians 11: 13-15:
”For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as Apostles of Christ. And no wonder, even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”
Do you want to know if a prophecy is from God? Check it out. Does it align with what the Bible says? You can know what the Bible says on all matters of life and godliness by reading and taking time to study the Bible.
Do not rely on others to tell you, “thus says the Lord.” His word is in your mouth and within your reach.
Stay focused.
