The Oracle of Deception: When Did Divination Enter the Sanctuary and the Saints Call It God?

"For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear." — 2 Timothy 4:3

There is a sound in the Church today—not of weeping, not of repentance, not even of worship—but of murmurs from other realms, masquerading as the voice of God. The sanctuary has become a stage, the pulpit a platform for spectacle, and the Word of the Lord is now whispered by those who have never stood in His counsel. The serpent has shed his skin of atheism and now dresses in garments of prophecy.

A Prophet or a Performer?

He stands on the platform, a man with words like honey and a gaze fixed not on heaven but on applause. His mouth flows with visions—of promotions, visas, dream marriages, luxurious breakthroughs. Yet he speaks not of sin, not of the cross, not of holiness. Is he a prophet, or a vendor of destinies? Is he a messenger of the Holy One of Israel, or a magician in priestly robes?

Parable: There once was a market in a holy city, where scrolls of destiny were sold like bread. People queued not for repentance, but for reassurance. They paid in offerings, danced in flattery, and left drunk with promises. But when the sun set, the scrolls turned to ash, and their souls were still starved.

Visions of Heaven or Delusions of Babel?

We live in a generation drunk on dreams and intoxicated by visions. “I went to heaven,” says one. “I was dragged through hell,” says another. They return with tales that resemble fantasy more than prophecy. Yet the Word of God declares: "No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man." (John 3:13).

Shall we then believe that YouTube prophets have gone where even Paul dared not speak plainly? (2 Corinthians 12:4). When Christ opened heaven, He didn’t return with gossip—He returned with salvation. But these modern ascenders bring nothing but cinematic testimonies and monetized encounters. What is this but spiritual tourism? A divine Disneyland constructed by the soul, not the Spirit?

Spirits on the Hills: Sacred or Satanic?

Another now journeys to a hill, a mountain, a secret grove, believing that God is confined to coordinates. There, they "hear" voices, “see” signs, and “feel” confirmations. But the God who once thundered from Sinai now speaks from within the temple of the believer—if indeed He dwells there. (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Shall the Living God be summoned like a genie on a hilltop? Is He deaf to the widow’s whisper, but responsive only to the theatrics of secret places?

Parable: There was a man who climbed a hill daily to speak with a “divine voice.” But he never read his Bible. One day, the voice told him to strike his brother, and he obeyed. Later, he discovered it was not God but a spirit who had long dwelt in that hill, feeding on lonely hearts and hungry egos.

The Gospel of Lust and the Prophets of Gain

There is a new gospel in town. It promises comfort without cross, blessing without brokenness, and destiny without death. In this gospel, “prophecy” is not the declaration of the mind of God but the seduction of the carnal heart.

Visas, mansions, marriage partners, miracle money—are these the weighty matters of God’s heart? Or are they the rusted coins of Mammon painted gold and thrown from a pulpit to keep the crowd entertained? When did the God who warned against covetousness begin to endorse it under the veil of “prophetic impartation”? When did He who said, “Do not love the world” (1 John 2:15) begin to fund infatuation with it?“ They prophesy visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.” — Jeremiah 23:16

When Accidents Are Avoided, But Sanctification Is Lost

Another “word” comes: “You were about to die in a car crash, but God saved you.” The room erupts in applause. But the heart of discernment weeps. For what is death but gain for those who are in Christ? (Philippians 1:21). And what is life but a wilderness if lived apart from the cross? Can God use death to glorify Himself? Did not Stephen’s stoning thunder louder than a thousand sermons? Did not Christ die, that many may live? But in this counterfeit gospel, death is the enemy and comfort is the goal. Suffering is avoided, not sanctified. The cross is erased, not embraced.

Parable: A child asked his father for a shortcut through the desert. The father said no—it would ruin the lesson. But another man came with sweet words and an open door. The child followed—and found himself in a mirage, with no water, no way, and no wisdom.

Against Flesh and Blood? Or Against Principalities?

Many now “prophesy” enemies at work, saboteurs in the family, colleagues sent by Satan. They tell believers to be suspicious, aggressive, and self-protective. But what Spirit is this? Did Jesus ever say, “Your co-worker is your curse”? Or did He teach, “Love your enemies” and “Bless those who curse you”? (Matthew 5:44). The spirit that incites bitterness, rivalry, and paranoia under the guise of “prophetic insight” is not the Holy Spirit—it is the Accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10).

The Golden Calf of Prophetic Validation

In Exodus 32, the people could no longer wait for Moses—they wanted a visible god. So they melted their gold and forged a calf, then said, “This is your god, O Israel.” Today, many melt their reason, burn their discernment, and forge gods out of charisma and charisma alone. They do not ask: “Does this align with Scripture?” They ask: “Does this feel anointed?” But the snake in Eden was smooth and convincing. So is every false prophet. “Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” — 2 Corinthians 11:14

A Theology of Babel: Identity Without the Cross

Those who seek to name their destiny apart from God reenact Babel. There, they built towers and crafted names, not to honor God but to elevate themselves. The same spirit whispers today: “Build your brand. Claim your throne. Speak it, and it is yours.” But the true Gospel does not begin with the tower; it begins with the tomb. You must die before you reign. You must decrease before He increases. You must deny yourself, not define yourself.

The True Spirit of Prophecy: Christ Alone

What then is true prophecy? The apostle Paul makes it clear: “But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” (1 Corinthians 14:3). He doesn’t speak to inflame their greed, validate their bitterness, or feed their fantasy. True prophecy breaks hearts, not just bread. It draws men to the narrow road. It confronts, convicts, and consoles. It points not to earthly gain but to eternal glory.

Parable: A beggar stood by a palace, weeping. The king came down, gave him robes, and invited him to dine. But the beggar kept asking for coins. The king wept—not because the beggar lacked, but because he refused to feast.

Final Reflections: Blow the Trumpet in Zion

Church of Christ, return. Saints, awaken. Watchmen, cry aloud. Not all who say “Thus says the Lord” speak by the Spirit. Test every word, every dream, every prophecy. Not by the thrill of your spine, but by the Sword of the Word. Let us cast out the spirit of divination. Let the hills be emptied, the shrines dismantled, the dream-merchants rebuked. Let us love the voice of the Lord above all voices—even if it leads us through the valley of death. And let the prophets weep again. Let them tremble. Let them cry not for platforms, but for purity. Not for relevance, but for righteousness. For the Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” Not to mansions or Mercedes, but to the Lamb who was slain. And to Him be all glory—forever and ever.

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