Testing Prophetic Claims

Scripture gives a broader definition of a prophet than many assume. A prophet is not primarily someone who predicts the future. A prophet is someone who speaks for God. This is why Aaron is called Moses’ “prophet” in Exodus 7—he spoke the words Moses gave him, just as Moses spoke the words God gave him. The defining mark of a prophet is not miracles or predictions, but whether he accurately represents the true God.

Because of this, Scripture warns that false prophets may still perform signs, speak persuasively, or even predict events correctly. Accuracy alone does not validate a prophet. The real test is whether the message leads people toward the true God or away from Him.

Deuteronomy 13 makes this explicit. Even if a sign or wonder comes to pass, if the prophet’s message directs people toward a different god—or a different path of salvation—God commands His people not to listen. The issue is not sincerity or supernatural ability. The issue is truth.

The New Testament reinforces this. Paul warns that even “an angel from heaven” preaching a different gospel is to be rejected (Galatians 1:8). The standard is fixed. Truth does not evolve, adjust, or require revision.

This is why the biblical test for prophets is so important:

• What they say must be true.

• What they predict must not fail.

• What they teach must align with the God who has already revealed Himself.

A prophet who introduces a different god, a different gospel, or a different path of salvation fails the test—even if he is sincere, respected, or accompanied by signs.

But Scripture goes further. It teaches that the long line of prophets pointing forward to God’s final revelation ends with Jesus Himself.

Hebrews 1:1–2 says, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son…”

This is not a continuation. It is a contrast.

• In the past — God spoke through many prophets.

• In these last days — God has spoken through His Son.

Jesus is not merely another prophet. He is the final and ultimate One who speaks for God because He is God in the flesh. He fulfills every prophetic office because He is the perfect revelation of God:

• He speaks with divine authority (John 12:49–50).

• He reveals the Father fully (John 14:9).

• He completes the message the prophets began (Matthew 5:17).

• He is the Word made flesh (John 1:14).

Once the perfect revelation arrives, the partial ones are no longer needed.

The apostles understood this. They did not look for another prophet to bring new doctrine. Instead, they taught that the faith had been “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Not delivered in installments. Not awaiting future correction. Delivered once for all.

This is why Scripture warns that even an angel delivering a new gospel must be rejected. The message is complete. The foundation is laid. Christ is the cornerstone.

If Jesus is the final and perfect revelation of God, then it makes sense that:

• No new prophet is needed to reveal additional doctrine.

• No new scripture is needed to revise what Christ has already given.

• No new authority is needed to finish what Jesus declared “finished” (John 19:30).

The biblical pattern is not ongoing prophetic correction.

It is final revelation in the Son.

The question becomes:

If God has already spoken fully and finally in Jesus, what could another prophet add — and why would one be needed?