Gifts of Heaven · Volume 2 · Chapter 239

Characteristics of true and false prophets

4th July 1842

From the first book of the kings, chap. 19,7-18

[1] If you only go through what has been said here with some attention and pay attention to the identical answer of this greatest of all prophets of Israel, so it is impossible for you to evade the fact that a true prophet is clearly different from a false one, who is always a servant of Baal and a blind Pharisee in the most perfect sense of the word.

[2] But in order that you and everyone may notice it exactly and know how things stand between a true and a false prophet, I only want to draw your attention to the following from the quotations of the prophet Elijah. And so then listen:

[3] For whom alone did the true prophet Elijah strive? Did he strive for worldly rights, for worldly power and force and for worldly income consisting of gold and silver? He says: "I have striven for the Lord, the God of hosts!"

[4] Behold, if there is anyone who strives for the only true God without reward, and does accordingly as the prophet Elijah did, tell Me, is this a false prophet? So zeal is the surest and most infallible sign of a true and a false prophet.

[5] But if one strives for the worldly reputation of his church and his leadership, which is buried in gold, silver, and all precious stones, but another one strives for Me alone – which of the two prophets is surely the only true one? I think to guess this, nobody will have to take his refuge in mathematics.

[6] But since Elijah was a perfectly true prophet, how did he recognize Me when I passed by the door of the cave at Mount Horeb, as he lay still hidden in it? Perhaps in the big and strong wind? Behold, therefore I am also not in those who make much wind and fuss. For this is the way of the true, most blind Pharisees.

[7] Or did Elijah recognize Me in the fire that followed it? Behold, therefore I am not in those fiery zealots either, out of whose mouth spews nothing but one judgment after another and one damnation after another, since they want to recognize God only in the judging fire, but never only in love.

[8] But the true prophet Elijah recognized Me, the God of hosts, only in the silent, gentle breeze or whispering, i.e., in other words, nothing but: Elijah has recognized Me truly alone only in the love!

[9] But if you recognize Me, likewise gently blowing, in the sole love like Elijah, how are you therefore a false prophet? Just let the worldly prophets speak and scream against us! In the end it will well be shown who will lead the bride home!

[10] But Elijah was called to be a judge over Israel in love, therefore he had to go to Damascus and anoint Hazael and Jehu as kings and Elisha as prophet, so that they may preserve those who have not bowed down to Baal, and with the sword of faithfulness separate the chaff of Baal from My pure wheat. But what happened there in the powerful example, behold, that also now truly happens in spirit. That is why, in the end, love is yet to triumph over everything and ruin and bring to shame all the „winds," "earthquakes," and all "fire"!

[11] But now judge for yourself and find the true prophet out of the false great multitude, which serves the world.

[12] So Elijah is a true prophet. But likewise also everyone who finds Me as Elijah found Me – namely in love. Understand it! Amen.