Deuteronomy 18:22

There were fulfilments during Old Testament times, for example Jeremiah's prediction of 70 years of captivity (Jer. 25:11-12) and the return to the land after 70 years (Jer. 29:10; Ezra 1:1), Isaiah's prediction of the coming of Cyrus (Isa. 44:28; 45:1), Daniel's predictions about the four world empires (Dan. 2; 4; 7), and so on. As a matter of fact, the fulfilment of a prophet's words was the test for his authenticity (Deut. 18:22).

They could not condemn Him as guilty of this charge by the test laid down of old in the Scriptures of failure in the fulfilment of His words. For in their presence the Lord spoke the word of healing to the paralysed man... His word took effect at once, as crowds in Capernaum could testify, and the man was able to carry his bed away before their eyes. This proved the Lord's claims beyond doubt. Was it not written, "when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the LORD has truly sent the prophet" (Jer. 28:9)?

So that, if the thing spoken does not follow, the LORD has not spoken it: we are not to be afraid. But suppose a sign or a wonder does follow. If we are then told to do, or to listen to, anything contrary to the revealed will and knowledge of God, we are to pay no attention to it at all — not if it were an angel from heaven, or an apostle himself.

If anyone presumes to come with a fresh revelation, with some new truth not contained in the divine Volume, we must judge him and his message by the standard of Scripture and reject them completely. "You need not be afraid of him." False prophets come with great pretensions, high-sounding words and a religious manner. They also try to surround themselves with a kind of dignity, weight and impressiveness which can easily overawe the ignorant. But they cannot stand the searching power of the word of God. Some simple clause of holy Scripture will strip away all their imposing surroundings. It will tear up their wonderful revelations by the roots. Those who know the voice of the true Prophet will not listen to any other. Those who have heard the voice of the good Shepherd will not listen to the voice of a stranger.

The temptation in Jonah's case was not small; but where was his faith? Was not God, who had charged Jonah with announcing judgment upon Nineveh, able to take care of the character of His prophet? When the judgment announced by Jonah did not take place because the Ninevites repented, did they consider Jonah a false prophet? Not at all. They were only too glad and thankful that they had been pardoned and spared.

How precious the privilege of hearing the voice of such a Prophet! It is the voice of God speaking through the lips of the Man Christ Jesus. He speaks not in thunder, not with flaming fire or the flash of lightning, but in that still small voice of love and mercy. It falls with soothing power on the broken heart and the crushed spirit... We must never forget this. The voice of Scripture is the voice of Christ, and the voice of Christ is the voice of God.