Of Prophecies and Predictions

The terms prophecy and prediction can not be interchangeably used and confused with each other. Prophecy has spiritual implications to affirm another with wisdom while predictions extrapolate on existing human knowledge to foretell or forecast a future phenomenon.

Prophecies are to prophets while predictions are to scientists and fortune tellers. Prophecy is a spiritual gift that is different from the gifts of discernment and vision. However, great Biblical prophets showed their wisdom in handling these three gifts altogether. These prophets never engaged in predicting events to get others' attention on them.

Discernment is close to wisdom, and it is evident in coming up to a noble judgment on certain issues or matters. It carries decisiveness in action with certainty in faith. A discerning spirit can read signs, actions, situations and words, without getting worn out from making interpretations. Discernment is not confined to the process of subjective interpretation.

Discernment brings enlightenment and it comes with peace and joy. To discern does not need any vision, but the gift of vision may bring discernment. It is Biblical, that men in the latter times will dream dreams and see visions. Those gifted with vision has discernment of what they see means, but they do not further interpret them in their own understanding.

Joseph the dreamer was a visionary. He has the gift to discern the visions others dream, with wisdom to reflect those dreams in reality. He could not just discern and interpret visions, but he could make his visions into reality. With those gifts he became a leader of his people and those not of his father's descent. He sees yet he does not predict.

Isaiah, Exekiel, Jonah, Daniel are among the great prophets in the old Bible times. John who saw visions in Patmos, wrote what he saw, and what he was told to write about. This visionary did not make any prediction at all about his visions. The visions of the end of times are consistent with other visions and prophecies in the Bible. But the very word of the Bible's greatest Prophet, Jesus, teaches that no one knows when that hour is coming, and we should not bother about it.

Why then do we read the Bible as if it is coded, and that we had the ability to decrypt its codes with human knowledge? There is no gift of prediction, only the gifts of vision, discernment and prophecy, and the many other gifts that Spirit pours to whom He chooses.

The gift of prophecy is a gift to strengthen the weak, encourage the hopeless, affirm the needy, enlighten the unknowing, and guide the unwise. The Bible code is but simply read in four letters, L-O-V-E that is God's unconditional love for His creation.

Many had attempted to predict the end of times. It was only Jesus who taught with wisdom about it. He also warned of people who will speak in his name, preach of His coming again, but affirmed the faithful that those who do so are not of Him. He will come, that is another mystery in our faith. If we believe in the Gospel of Jesus' Salvation, and we believe in him then we should hold steadfast, until that hour of His coming.

A true prophet is never treacherous for his intent is pure to bring people closer to the Lord, like how a shepherd would care for his flock when he knows that a storm is coming. A true prophet brings enlightenment to the world and not darkness in fear of impending doom. True prophets do not make profits out of their Spiritual gift. Woe!