One of the teachings being handed down is the concept of the differences between Old and New Testament prophecies and prophets. In the Old Testament, they say, prophecy had to be without flaw or the prophet was cursed, run off, and/or killed. In the New Testament times, "they" also say, it just ain't so. If he or she gets it "close" or even flat out wrong, he or she is just in training, and will eventually get it right.

Brings up a lot of possibilities. Like going to a surgeon who is in training. Or flying with a pilot who is in training. Life or death. Please let me deal with only the experienced, Lord!

Nevertheless, it is true that "prophecies will fail." People will get it wrong. Those who believe that prophecy is preaching know of a certain that pulpiteers have often blown it. None of them died at the hands of their people, to my knowledge.

There is another class of prophets, Old or New, who definitely are under the curse. I'm sure you are aware of the Old Testament guys and the passages that refer to them. But have you read the book of Jude or 2nd Peter lately for a glimpse of what God feels about the false prophet today? Yes, I said "false", not "mistaken" or "immature". There are prophecies that will fail, and others that will be damned, along with their speakers.

Jude:" ...certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for condemnation, who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny the Lord..."

So much for the "New-Testament-prophets-can't-be-cursed" notion.

But wait a minute. Even the Old Testament rule has its exceptions when it comes to the intent of the speaker. Remember Nathan, David's personal prophet? Great man of God, right? Hit David between the eyes with a word from God after the Bathsheba thing. Remember.

But there was another Nathan incident. David wanted to build a house for God. How this man loved the Lord! David and Nathan agreed, this is a God thing. "Do what is in your heart," said the prophet of God. And David took it as a word from the Lord.

But it wasn't. It was a word from Nathan's own spirit. He meant no harm. It was a great idea. But it was not God. God corrected him, the message was passed to David, and things were put in order.

Meaning? First, Old Testament prophets of a good heart who "missed it" simply got the correction and moved on. No sudden death! But in that same time period, false prophets were cursed. Nothing has changed as we come to the New Testament times. To this day, men of evil intent fall under the curse of God, and can be told so.

And others? Those who continue to speak, as did Nathan, from their own spirit - and in my opinion this covers a vast amount of the "prophesying" going on today - need to be taught to wait for the Word of God. They also need to read certain passages in Jeremiah and Ezekiel to see how God looks at this sort of prophecy. In many cases those folks would do well simply to quote appropriate Scriptures to those seeking a "word" from God. Others ought to be quiet altogether.