Astrologists: Modern Day Prophets of God?

Just Where Do They Get Their Information from Anyway?

Sep 18, 2008 Tammie Burak

Astrologists and fortune tellers are pretty popular. Does God give them their knowledge about the future?The Bible tells us how to know true prophets from false ones.

Famous astrologists and fortune tellers get extra media attention every New Year when they try to predict what the future holds for the nation, prominent politicians, and the world in general. Sometimes they are accurate. Usually, they aren’t. They do seem to be right often enough to make people wonder how they get their information. Just where do they get their information from, anyway? Do they have a direct link to God who tells them what lies ahead? Are astrologists and fortune tellers modern-day prophets for God? Does the Bible have anything to say about astrology?

Last Day ProphetsActually, the Bible has quite a lot to say about fortune tellers, prophets, and the like. Jesus promised that the gift of prophecy would exist in the church of the last days. “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.” Joel: 28, 29 (NKJV)

The Purpose of ProphecyThere are several criteria that help to determine whether a prophet is speaking for God. Ephesians 4:11 - 13 explains God’s purpose for supplying the church with prophets. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets…for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Unless the message given by the prophet fills this purpose, it cannot be a message from God.

The Method of God's ProphetsThe Bible also describes the method by which God communicates with His prophets. “If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream.” Numbers 12: 6 (NKJV) Unless the prophet receives his or her message in this way, he or she does not speak for God.

What They Say Must Agree with ScriptureThe content of the message must also agree with the Bible. “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8: 20 (NKJV) So, if the message goes contrary to the Word of God, it is not from Him. God never contradicts Himself.

Practices Condemned by GodFinally, the Deuteronomy 18: 10 – 12 lists a number of practices that are outlawed to Christians. “There shall not be found among you anyone… who practices witchcraft (the use of magic), or a soothsayer (a diviner), or one who interprets omens (someone who reads signs – an astrologist is someone who reads signs in the stars), or a sorcerer (a magician or wizard), or one who conjures spells, or a medium (a person claiming to be in contact with spirits of the dead), or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord.”

It's up to YouThe Bible is clear about the marks of true and false prophets. Are astrologists and other fortune tellers of the like approved by God? You decide.

The copyright of the article Astrologists: Modern Day Prophets of God? in Protestantism is owned by Tammie Burak. Permission to republish Astrologists: Modern Day Prophets of God? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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Oct 4, 2008 12:59 PM
Guest :
This is an interesting article. Just some questions - not a point of contention, but just something to think about...

1) Were the magi not astrologers following an astrological event or sign? A documentary by the Discovery Channel that was called "Jesus, the Complete Story" suggested that the magi were in fact following an astrological sign, of an alignment of planets in Aries that heralded the birth of a great king. So if God does not condone it, does He still use it for His purposes?

2) I agree with some of your assessment of "prophecy", though I would broaden it more and alter its purpose somewhat... In Greek, the word "propheseo" simply means "to speak the word of God." Which means, there are Prophets, and then there are prophets - the latter of which you probably find speaking across the country - we call them "preachers," though both come from the same root word, "propheseo." And not all Biblical "prophesies" have come true... Look at the book of Jonah. The "prophesy" was that Ninevah would be destroyed. Ninevah actually heeded the prophet's warning and repented, and God opted not to destroy them at that time (much to Jonah's dismay). So in many ways, the entire book of Jonah is a failed prophecy. Thus, the purpose of prophecy many times is not always a set-in-stone prediction, but a warning that UNLESS one alters his/her current path and repents, disaster will follow.
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