On a sunny Sunday morning in Kansas City, Pastor Trent stood at the pulpit, his voice resonating through the sanctuary as he preached about Revival.
He spoke with fervour and passion, urging the congregation to seek renewal and spiritual awakening.
The sermon ended with a hopeful prayer, but not everyone left feeling uplifted.
After the service, Suzie, a mother of two teenagers, approached Pastor Trent with a concerned look. “Pastor Trent,” she began hesitantly, “could I have a word with you?”
“Of course, Suzie,” he replied, sensing the weight of her concern.
“My teenagers have been mocking your sermons about Revival,” she confessed. “
They keep asking, ‘Where is this Revival that’s been talked about for the last 10 years?’
I’m worried that it’s driving them away from the church.”
Pastor Trent listened intently. “I’m sorry to hear that, Suzie.
Why don’t we meet at the local Starbucks tomorrow morning and talk about it more in-depth?”
The next day, they met at a cozy Starbucks in Kansas City.
As they settled into their seats with warm cups of coffee, Suzie pulled out a piece of paper with three main points written down.
“Pastor Trent,” she began, “I’ve been thinking a lot about this, and I’ve come up with three main points that I’d like to discuss.”
“Let’s hear them,” he encouraged, leaning forward.
“First,” Suzie started, “if a prophet’s words do not happen, they are false prophets.
My teenagers see the lack of Revival as evidence that the prophecies are false.”
Pastor Trent nodded. “I understand their frustration.
It’s important to remember that timing in God’s plan is not always aligned with our expectations.
Prophecies can be complex and sometimes misunderstood.”
“Second,” she continued, “incorrect prophecies are distracting.
My kids feel disillusioned and distracted by the repeated promises that never seem to materialize.”
“You’re right, Suzie,” Pastor Trent admitted.
“Incorrect prophecies can lead to distraction.
We need to be cautious and ensure that our focus remains on Christ and His teachings, not solely on the fulfilment of specific prophecies.”
“Third,” she concluded, “false prophets are destructive.
If we continue to follow prophecies that don’t come true, we risk leading people away from their faith.”
Pastor Trent took a deep breath.
“There’s a difference between a prophecy that is missed due to human error and one that is intentionally false and destructive.
The latter is dangerous and needs to be addressed firmly.
I appreciate your insights, Suzie.
They are indeed wise words.”
The following Sunday, Pastor Trent stood before his congregation with a humble heart.
“Brothers and sisters,” he began, “I want to address something important.
I’ve been preaching about Revival for many years, and I realize that for some, the lack of visible results has been discouraging.”
He paused, scanning the faces of his listeners.
“I want to thank Suzie for her wise words.
She reminded me that incorrect prophecies can be distracting, and false prophets are indeed destructive.
We must remain vigilant and discerning, focusing on the eternal truths of the Gospel rather than specific predictions.”
After the service, Suzie approached him again.
“Pastor Trent, what do you think about all the false prophecies that Donald Trump would be President a second time?”
Pastor Trent took a moment before replying.
“I’ll send you an email with my thoughts, Suzie.
I believe this needs careful consideration.”

Later that evening, Suzie received an email from Pastor Trent:

Subject: Thoughts on Prophecies and Discernment

Dear Suzie,

In our conversation today, a very profound point was raised.
I believe the Spirit of the Lord was speaking through you concerning the critical issue of false prophecy.
Incorrect prophecies are indeed distracting, and false prophets are destructive. Those who prophesied the 2020 election incorrectly brought significant distraction and disillusionment.
However, there is a fate worse than distraction: destruction.
It’s the real false prophets we need to be on the lookout for, as they are partnering with the antichrist spirit to redefine Christianity.
In the Old Testament, if a prophet’s words did not come to pass, the consequences were severe.
Today, while we operate under grace, there is still a sobering call to represent the nature and voice of the Lord with holy fear.
New Covenant prophecy should never contradict or rewrite Scripture but should echo and provide contemporary applications of Biblical truth.
Regarding the election prophecies, each one requires its own scrutiny.
We must avoid broad generalizations.
Incorrect and false prophecies need to be corrected, but we must also be aware of the greater threat posed by those who preach a false Gospel.
This false prophet is seducing many and poses a significant danger to the future of our faith.
Thank you for your wisdom and courage in addressing these issues.
We must continue to seek truth and uphold the integrity of our faith.

Blessings, Pastor Trent.

www.tonyegar.com

A fictional story.