An infallible way is to determine whether God inspires a prophet doesn't take a degree in rocket science. Look at the results. A prophet tells people something will happen. Does it? Plenty of "visionaries" predict outcomes that fail to occur. Obviously their failures identify them as false prophets and their visions as either illusions or frauds. They may not necessarily be liars; they could be exhibiting an overactive imagination or even be misled by evil spirits. Or perhaps they simply love attention and their claims give them fifteen minutes of fame. But if their prophecies don't occur, they definitely aren't prophets!
I bring this up because a Medjugorje "visionary" is at it again. Mirjana, who at one point said her visions would last only three more days, (They have continued for over three more decades.) is predicting devastating earthquakes "before Christmas". These disasters will leave millions dead and millions of others homeless refugees fleeing to find a safe haven. That means within the next five days God will either confirm Mirjana as a prophet of Medjugorje or unequivocally display out her as a false prophet and Medjugorje as the hoax and falsehood I believe it to be.
Mirjana's apocalyptic message, posted on YouTube about ten days ago, has garnered a little over a thousand views. Is she giving the world a message from Our Lady? We'll know within the next few days. Certainly much of what's said in these types of videos from the Medjugorje cult urge people to pray. Encouraging prayer is good, no question. Does it prove the apparitions are authentic? Isn't it the same thing TV preachers do before they pass the collection basket? It's also important to remember that the devil can appear as an angel of light which is why St. John always said, "Test the spirits."
We certainly deserve chastisement and I have no doubt we'll get it. The Bible predicts natural disasters as well as wars before Jesus returns. We're seeing that already and have been ever since revelation ended with the death of St. John and even before with the endless wars of the Old Testament. But this particular prediction by Mirjana makes me shrug. I think a more likely immediate chastisement will come to us in the form of an economic collapse. Many make money their god. What would be more fitting than to send us into a downward spiral financially and into another depression?
I'll keep on doing what I always do: praying, sacrificing, doing the duties of my state in life, and continuing to make preparations for Christmas joy. I won't be running out to stock up on toilet paper for apocalypse now.
Want to know more about Medjugorje? I've read and reviewed several of Donal Foley's books on the alleged apparitions and have also written a number of other articles. Some have shocking information, e.g., a battle among some of the Medjugorje families serving pilgrims that resulted in violence that killed over 140 people. And then there is the on-going battle with the local bishop and the disobedience of the Franciscas promoting the apparitions. Here are a few of my posts here and here.
Medjugorje is the apparition that keeps on giving -- over four decades in fact. The pilgrimages continue and tourism is the basic economy of the town. Is it authentic? Is Mary really appearing there, not to mention other places announced by the "seers." I seriously doubt it, but whether I believe it or not really doesn't matter to my faith. I just hate to see the Blessed Mother used as the barker for a circus. Really...she never stops talking!
Read more on Medjugorje if you feel so inclined.
Bishop claims Marian apparitions in Medjugorje are FALSE - but what is the truth?
In the meantime, if you believe in Medjugorje get ready for the earthquakes.
Anyone past 70 AD claiming to be a prophet is false.
ReplyDeleteThere certainly is no new revelation, but that's not the case with prophetic voices. As St. Paul says in Ephesians 4:
ReplyDelete"And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry,* for building up the body of Christ, 13until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,* to the extent of the full stature of Christ." There are still prophetic voices and we hear some of them in the approved apparitions of the Church. The children of Fatima spoke prophetically when they told the world there would be a miracle of the sun because the Blessed Mother told them so. Authentic prophets never speak on their own, but say only what God wants them to say.