I seldom call another minister’s name when I feel they are in error because I know any of us can and have missed it. While there are certain aspects of David Wilkerson’s ministry that I honor, and while I do not in any way question his commitment and love for God, I feel I must address something he prophesied on his blog on March 7th. Please read his prophecy with caution. Afterward, I will briefly address how I know that Wilkerson, without a doubt, missed it.
Wilkerson Said:
I am compelled by the Holy Spirit to send out an urgent message to all on our mailing list, and to friends and to bishops we have met all over the world. AN EARTH-SHATTERING CALAMITY IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IT IS GOING TO BE SO FRIGHTENING, WE ARE ALL GOING TO TREMBLE EVEN THE GODLIEST AMONG US. For ten years I have been warning about a thousand fires coming to New York City. It will engulf the whole megaplex, including areas of New Jersey and Connecticut. Major cities all across America will experience riots and blazing fires-such as we saw in Watts, Los Angeles, years ago. There will be riots and fires in cities worldwide. There will be looting-including Times Square, New York City. What we are experiencing now is not a recession, not even a depression. We are under God's wrath. In Psalm 11 it is written, "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" God is judging the raging sins of America and the nations. He is destroying the secular foundations. The prophet Jeremiah pleaded with wicked Israel, "God is fashioning a calamity against you and devising a plan against you. Oh, turn back each of you from your evil way, and reform your ways and deeds. But they will say, It's hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart" (Jeremiah 18:11-12). In Psalm 11:6, David warns, "Upon the wicked he will rain snares (coals of fire) fire burning wind will be the portion of their cup." Why? David answered, "Because the Lord is righteous" (v. 7). This is a righteous judgment-just as in the judgments of Sodom and in Noah's generation. WHAT SHALL THE RIGHTEOUS DO? WHAT ABOUT GOD'S PEOPLE? First, I give you a practical word I received for my own direction. If possible lay in store a thirty-day supply of non-perishable food, toiletries and other essentials. In major cities, grocery stores are emptied in an hour at the sign of an impending disaster. As for our spiritual reaction, we have but two options. This is outlined in Psalm 11. We "flee like a bird to a mountain." Or, as David says, "He fixed his eyes on the Lord on his throne in heaven-his eyes beholding, his eyelids testing the sons of men" (v. 4). "In the Lord I take refuge" (v. 1). I will say to my soul: No need to run...no need to hide. This is God's righteous work. I will behold our Lord on his throne, with his eye of tender, loving kindness watching over every step I take-trusting that he will deliver his people even through floods, fires, calamities, tests, trials of all kinds. Note: I do not know when these things will come to pass, but I know it is not far off. I have unburdened my soul to you. Do with the message as you choose.
God bless and keep you,
In Christ,
DAVID WILKERSON
Lately different people have emailed me asking me about Wilkerson’s prophecy and this has been my response: Be VERY careful when listening to Wilkerson. He predicted the end of the world back in the mid 80s and has repeated similar things over the last 20 plus years. Janice and I personally witnessed an altar call Wilkerson gave for people battling porn addiction. There he took a Bible from a young man who had responded saying that he wasn’t worthy to hold the Bible in his hand. That was in 1987… I've never forgotten the look on the young man’s face.
I don't doubt that there will be hard times in the future, but it's NOT the judgment of God. ALL the verses Wilkerson used when talking about judgment is Old Testament because there are none after the Cross. There will be a day of judgment at the end of all things, but the bad things we see today or tomorrow is NOT God's wrath in any form. If God was judging mankind in this way today, then why didn't He judge Wilkerson for his own failures that he publicly spoke about back in the 80s? Much of what he teaches denies the very work and intention of the Cross… so be very careful when listening to him. When I read Wilkerson’s prophecy, it amazed me that he didn’t mention Jesus one time.
How do we know he missed it?
- Is.53v4-6 (-12) clearly shows us how Jesus would take the punishment for our sin.
- Isa 54:9-10 “For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.” This was a prophecy as to what would be accomplished when the Messiah (Jesus) would come.
- The New Testament clearly teaches Atonement and that God no longer counts men’s sins against them (2 Cor.5v19; Rom.5v8-10; 1 Cor.13v5; 1Jn.4v10) - Indeed, this IS the essence of the “Good News”.
- Wilkerson used no New Covenant references concerning judgment
- Do we EVER see Jesus judging people for their sin? Jesus said I “ONLY” do what I see my Father do and I “ONLY” say what I hear Him say. (i.e. if you’ve seen Jesus, you’ve seen the Father)
How could he miss it?
- He, like me and you, is human and can make mistakes.
- We interpret EVERYTHING based on how we see God. Did Wilkerson actually see what he said he did? It’s possible, but if so it was a warning that trouble—not judgment—was headed our way. If what he saw wasn’t judgment, but a warning, what was the purpose? The purpose was for us to step up in prayer and preaching the gospel in order to head it off before it happens. Anytime we have a skewed view of God and the New Covenant, we will think that the negatives of life are the judgment of God.
I could go on and on, so let me end by saying this: “If” calamity comes it IS NOT JUDGMENT because 2000 years ago Jesus became sin and received the judgment we deserved (i.e. “atonement” or “propitiation”) or else He died in vain and God lied. ALWAYS REMEMBER that nothing bad that happens in life comes from God!
For in-depth teaching on this subject visit our audio and video section of our website www.FamBible.org and listen to Breaking Free From Condemnation, The Everlasting Covenant of Peace, Not Guilty, Common Grace Questions, and watch the Hurricane Katrina sermon from the link on our front page there. (all our material is available for free online)