According to Fox News, Pat Robertson has heard from God! Here are a couple of quotes from the article…
Quote one: “Robertson said God told him during a recent prayer retreat that major cities and possibly millions of people will be affected by the attack, which should take place sometime after September.”
Quote two: “Robertson said God also told him that the U.S. only feigns friendship with Israel and that U.S. policies are pushing Israel toward ‘national suicide.'”
Now for two direct quotes from Mr. Robertson himeslf. First, “The Lord didn’t say nuclear. But I do believe it will be something like that.” Second, “I have a relatively good track record,” he said. “Sometimes I miss.”
I have several thoughts I’ll present in bullet form for ease of reading.
Thought 1: When God gives a prophet a “prediction,” it is specific… not general as Mr. Robertson’s are. For him to say attackes “should” take place “sometime after September” on “major cities” is equal to any person saying “It will rain somewhere in the United States during the summer months.” In other words, his predictions are meaningless. They are so non-specific that he can claim 100% accuracy by manipulating events that will transpire in the coming year.
Thought 2: In the Old Testament, if a prophet made a prediction that didn’t come true he was exposed as a false prophet and was to be killed (Deut 18:20-22; Jer 14:15-16; 20:6). When he admits that “Sometimes he misses,” that pretty much places him in the category of a false prophet by his own admission! Yet since we are under grace, we should pray for him (Rather than stoning him) and hope that God grants him illumination.
Thought 3: I believe it is pompus, arrogant, and presumptive for anyone (Including Mr. Robertson) to say they have a word from God today. God’s revelation was completed in Jesus Christ and there are have been no new revelations or predictions since the New Testament was completed. See Hebrews 1:1-4.
Thought 4: Mr. Robertson’s assessment of the United States relationship with Israel is an opinion… nothing more nothing less. It is of equal value and importance as anyone else’s opinion regarding Israel. Therefore I put very little stock in what he says. See Deut 13:1-5.
Thought 5: Don’t you think at some point his kids will be so embarrassed that they go to him and say… “Dad, don’t you think it’s time to take a long vacation somewhere in Wyoming?” If it was my dad saying those things I hope I’d try to get him some professional help… or at least remind him of what is found in Scripture about false prophets.
Thought 6: Anytime a person says, “God told me…” I immediately doubt whatever they say {See “Thought 3” above}! I have had people tell me, “God told me to tell you…” and then they have added direction God gave them for me to follow. My response was, “When God tells me to do that, then I’ll do it. Until then I’m going to continue as I am.”
Conclusion: I can say with confidence that God has not spoken to Pat Robertson about terrorist attacks… Israel… or anything else for that matter. All his predictions do is give the enemies of Christ a stick to beat us with. His words are certainly not “salt and light” that draw people TO Chirst, but rather they repel people away from our Lord.
My suggestion regarding Mr. Robertson is to take what he says with a 1/2 grain of salt. Then stay in The Word… Love God… Love others… and “Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27).