The Vision - Is David Wilkerson a prophet?

[Jim B]

Is David Wilkerson a prophet?

Personally, I admire David Wilkerson. Teen Challenge and his work in NYC is to be admired by anyone. But back in c.1972 he released The Vision, a vision of America in the years to come. In all fairness, some of the “prophecies” actually occurred. On the other hand, some were made to fit by his admirers, but some didn’t come to pass at all, no matter how you try to defend them. Because of that, in the 90s when an updated version of The Vision was re-released I refused to stock it in the bookstore I owned at the time.

I have no qualms with Wilkerson. I believe he is a man of God. But I am wondering about his standing as a “prophet” and whether we should view him as such. I would like to know your views.

The web link below is a not-so-favorable page on Wilkerson (I do not endorse it) but it does provide a list of other links that question his prophecies.
http://www.loriswebs.com/endtimeprophets/wilkerson.html

If you are opposed to Wilkerson as a prophet, please be kind and do not slander him. Just stick to the “prophecies,” please.

\o/

 

[RubyRose]

wow..... how funny you just posted this!

I just opened my David Wilkerson Times Square Pulpit Series I got in the mail today... it about broke my heart.

I admire him, too. But sometimes I wonder. None of us is perfect, so perhaps we can just glean what is right and discard what is wrong?

He seems to be very against much of the charismatic arena. A few years back he spoke against the Revivals. He spoke against being slain in the Spirit, saying: "Friends of God fall forward, enemies of God fall back."

Now this one today is all against WOF. He appears to be yet another who obviously has not listened to the message, only hearing what heretic hunters have to say. Here is what he says:


Jesus warns us of false shepherds who come seeking to devour and deceiving many. Yet I am shocked by the lack of discernment in multitudes who abide their false gospels. Has this happened to you? Does your soul feed on some TV gospel that's actually demonic? Do you drink in a message from prosperity preachers who appeal to your lusts and take the last dimes of the elderly?

You may think "what harm is there in watching them? It can't hurt me. Besides, it all feels like it is from the Lord." NO! If you abide wicked shepherds, then you are in bed with demons! You're committing fornication with evil.

..These ministers preach Christ but not the Christ of glory. It's a gospel tainted with the doctines of demons.

God is saying: "I've been patient with these false prophets and evangelists. I've given them warning after warning. They've had plenty of time to turn from their wickedness. But they have refused." The Lord issues a warning to every righteous minister: "Behold, I will cast her into a bed and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death." (Rev 2:22-23) Jesus isn't just talking about the false prophets here. He's including everyone who listens to them and supports them. They all end up together in an awful condition of sickness and spiritual death.

Ezekiel say such believers commit fornications on every one that passed by. In other words, "You run after all these false ministers. But they just use you. They make merchandise of you, leaving you wounded and spiritually dead."

 

[SavedByGrace3]

I have an MP3 of the original "The Vision" that was relased back in 72. I remeber listening to the tape back then.
I know the MP3 is a copy of the original tape, because the first word sounded like "Cheeses"... (he was actually saying
"Jesus"...

 

[flyfishing]

Jim i posted a mention of lori ws website on www.sermonindex.net.. Was not received too well.. He is a sacred cow over thereit seems..

That being said, I agree with a lot he preaches.. But his pride towards such is ungodly.. I feel a lot of wof preachers are wolves in sheeps clothing... Especially mr tilton...

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Jim i posted a mention of lori ws website on www.sermonindex.net.. Was not received too well.. He is a sacred cow over thereit seems..

That being said, I agree with a lot he preaches.. But his pride towards such is ungodly.. I feel a lot of wof preachers are wolves in sheeps clothing... Especially mr tilton...

It is my experiences that this is the end of all heresy hunters. They eventually turn on each other and end up all alone in a corner suspicious of everone. A heresy hunter is a farmer with a herd of sacred cows.

 

[flyfishing]

It is my experiences that this is the end of all heresy hunters. They eventually turn on each other and end up all alone in a corner suspicious of everone. A heresy hunter is a farmer with a herd of sacred cows.

Funny but dont know if dave is a farmer.. I think he has genuinely repented of his date setting, and his errors. I heard him teach at school and confess a unkind spirit towards his wife... How many men would do that??????

 

[Svt4Him]

A wolf in sheeps clothing is a pretty serious accusation. Someone may be a bad Christian, but to be a wolf is implying they are there to destroy the flock, and are not Christians. Sorry, I don't have the ministry. As a matter of fact, I think God says to not pull out those 'wolves' as you may pull out some sheep in the process. I wonder why God says that?

 

[Godzman]

I am Assembly of God and highly respect teen challenge, but all the prophecies of a true prophet will come to pass.

 

[PatrickM]

It is my experiences that this is the end of all heresy hunters. They eventually turn on each other and end up all alone in a corner suspicious of everone. A heresy hunter is a farmer with a herd of sacred cows.

Perhaps we shouldn't be too quick to throw the baby out with the bathwater?

After all, Walter Martin did much good with his shining of the light of the word on many. So, too, Hank Hannegraf.

And judgement will begin with the house of the Lord. Better we catch our own, than have the world do so, eh?

 

[flyfishing]

And judgement will begin with the house of the Lord. Better we catch our own, than have the world do so, eh?

Amen!! As i said i have heard wilkersen repent publicly which you have to respect..


Jim more info on the book you mentioned???

to the assembly of God person, wilkerson is no doubt a prophet who added his flesh in setting a date.. He can be overly proud at times..

 

[Jim B]

And judgement will begin with the house of the Lord. Better we catch our own, than have the world do so, eh?

Amen!! As i said i have heard wilkersen repent publicly which you have to respect..


Jim more info on the book you mentioned???

to the assembly of God person, wilkerson is no doubt a prophet who added his flesh in setting a date.. He can be overly proud at times..

Thankfully, fly, it is no longer available in English but, unfortunately, it is still in print in Spanish. Of course, I do not recommend it.

But if you insist , you can find a brief synopsis at
http://www.zondervan.com/vida/detail.asp?ISBN=0829706089

Jim
\o/

 

[enoch son]

I know brother Dave. I met him 29 yrs ago. Love him. He done alot for the body. God Bless him.

 

[Jim B]

I know brother Dave. I met him 29 yrs ago. Love him. He done alot for the body. God Bless him.

I met him also during that same period of time and my experience was not as warm and fuzzy as yours. I found him surrounded by an entourage, unapproachable, arrogant, and rude toward those who wanted to meet him. I was younger and more impressionable in those days and, seeing his reaction to those who wanted to speak to him, I was afraid to approach him myself, so never got the opportunity to shake his hand. Of course, that was just one occurance and, who knows, maybe he had a stomach ache at the time. But it is not a happy memory.

I also love him, even if I disagree with him, and hope God will bless him. However, I do think he may have an overblown opinion of his role to/in the body of Christ. He has overstepped his assignment on more than one occasion and, even though he apologizes for errors, does not seem to "repent" of making continued outlandish and often false "prophecies."

I am surprised that anyone takes him seriously any more.

He done alot for the body.

Oh really! What can any of us do more than obey God? To God be all the glory and honor for the things accomplished in his name.

1 Corinthians 1.27 "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28.He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things -- and the things that are not -- to nullify the things that are, 29.so that no one may boast before him. 30.It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31.Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'"​

No matter how much we respect an individual, without God he is a big zero. We can only do anything of any lasting value as the Lord works through us. It is no credit to us what she/he accomplishes no matter how widely-known he/she is.

\o/

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Perhaps we shouldn't be too quick to throw the baby out with the bathwater?

After all, Walter Martin did much good with his shining of the light of the word on many. So, too, Hank Hannegraf.

And judgement will begin with the house of the Lord. Better we catch our own, than have the world do so, eh?

I personally have found the latter of these two men to be poorly lacking in his quoting skills. I had his book in hand plus the one he was supposedly exposing. . .plus I knew the person he was talking about. HH failed miserably. Judgement nothing . . .it was outright slander in my opinion.

We should also never blame someone else for our "feelings" in the way we perceive an action toward us or an action we "think" we see. What may have "felt" or "looked" as rude and insensitive to you may have been totally different in reality. . that of course being what was real and is not based on a feeling of any kind.

Until we've walked in their shoes we "don't know", and are really only specualating and imagining vain things about other members of the body. Imagine. . . taking a knife to your own body. . .although there are some who do. . .you can find them in the depression area of this forum. That's not healthy living. Why would we think it healthy Christianity?

 

[RubyRose]

HH failed miserably. Judgement nothing . . .it was outright slander in my opinion.

If Hank Haanagraf, and other heretic hunters, would really follow the Word, they would PRAY for the so-called "heretics", not SLANDER them.

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

The energy they spend tearing down the body could be much better spent evangelizing.....or at least spreading love and not hate.

 

[PatrickM]

I personally have found the latter of these two men to be poorly lacking in his quoting skills. I had his book in hand plus the one he was supposedly exposing. . .plus I knew the person he was talking about. HH failed miserably. Judgement nothing . . .it was outright slander in my opinion.

Regarding HH, I perhaps spoke ignorantly. I have used his CRI website many times in regards to cults, and have found the site very useful. I confess, however, I've never read his books. "A fool judges a matter before knowing all the facts." In this, I may have spoke "foolishly."

We should also never blame someone else for our "feelings" in the way we perceive an action toward us or an action we "think" we see. What may have "felt" or "looked" as rude and insensitive to you may have been totally different in reality. . that of course being what was real and is not based on a feeling of any kind.

Very true.

Until we've walked in their shoes we "don't know", and are really only specualating and imagining vain things about other members of the body. Imagine. . . taking a knife to your own body. . .although there are some who do. . .you can find them in the depression area of this forum. That's not healthy living. Why would we think it healthy Christianity?

While I don't think we necessarily need to walk in someone else's shoes in order to know their fruit, I agree, there may be too much jumping to conclusions in these matters.

Regarding taking a knife to your own body . . . Since I am sitting here, recovering from my fourth surgery on my legs (too much 'fun' as a youth has caught up with me ), perhaps your analogy could be used, additionally, as the following:

My orthopedic surgeries have been done to correct problems in my knees. At the present time, I am in a bit of pain, but I am confident that the end result will be for my betterment. Could some corrections be necessary in "the body of Christ" as well? Heb. 12:11, "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."?

We are admonished "we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine." In my opinion, some are correct in pointing out doctrine contrary to Scripture. However, as with all things spiritual, we can go too far?

 

[flyfishing]

Regarding HH, I perhaps spoke ignorantly. I have used his CRI website many times in regards to cults, and have found the site very useful. I confess, however, I've never read his books. "A fool judges a matter before knowing all the facts." In this, I may have spoke "foolishly."

Very true.

While I don't think we necessarily need to walk in someone else's shoes in order to know their fruit, I agree, there may be too much jumping to conclusions in these matters.

Regarding taking a knife to your own body . . . Since I am sitting here, recovering from my fourth surgery on my legs (too much 'fun' as a youth has caught up with me ), perhaps your analogy could be used, additionally, as the following:

My orthopedic surgeries have been done to correct problems in my knees. At the present time, I am in a bit of pain, but I am confident that the end result will be for my betterment. Could some corrections be necessary in "the body of Christ" as well? Heb. 12:11, "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."?

We are admonished "we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine." In my opinion, some are correct in pointing out doctrine contrary to Scripture. However, as with all things spiritual, we can go too far?

But how dost thou know the depths of love in a prophets heart? What is love?? To let people fall off a cliff and enter judgement in thier folly??? Nay let them be warned so they have a chance to see they are on a wrong path that does not lead to Jesus. Love ya !!

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

But how dost thou know the depths of love in a prophets heart? What is love?? To let people fall off a cliff and enter judgement in thier folly??? Nay let them be warned so they have a chance to see they are on a wrong path that does not lead to Jesus. Love ya !!

But is the prophet self proclaimed? And is the prophet claiming these things because of "feelings"? "I just "feel" that something is not right", "I've NEVER seen it done THAT way before", "I've NEVER read THAT in the Bible" (although to say that means that you're declaring to have perfect recall of everything read), etc. More often I think than not, these self proclaimed "watch dogs" are the one's who are doing the pushing and that's why the people are falling.

Also, it is not our calling to go to flocks other than our own to proclaim what we see or feel is wrong. We don't know those peoples hearts. We don't know the call that God has placed on their heart. We don't know the call that God has put on that flock that is the same goal yet is using different methods as prescribed by God for them specifically. We certaintly may have impact on others but not when we have barged through the door as home envaders.

 

[flyfishing]

I gotta say that that is truly sad you feel that way. If i speak something it is from the Word.. I trust you do the same..

People fall because they are pushed?? That is where in Scripture?? I try to word anything i say in love... I sense the love flowing from your words though...

What amazes me is the double standards employed in that post. You condenmn speaking the truth, but you yourself judge someone who does speak truth..

The LORD is tired of these little church games we play and the compromises that we make with this world..He hates the false sheperds of the day, people who once perhaps did know Him but have taken the way of Baalam.. HE is coming soon and is not coming for those who cling to idols...

 

[RubyRose]

I try to word anything i say in love...

Gosh, flyfishing.... I've only been on this site for a couple of days.... and I have been shocked at your posts! I've actually felt sorry for the people you are responding to. Your posts are very harsh.... and don't seem to reflect much love. They are very judgmental, as if you think you are God yourself.

You may find you can get more if you are kinder.