Prophecies for 2022?
Tony Cooke

Every time January rolls around, countless prophecies from every corner are given about what God is going to do and about what Christians should expect in the New Year. I don’t discount the sincerity some have in giving broad forecasts, nor do I doubt that the Lord can, and I’m sure, often does give people impressions or leadings about things. Some words, I’m sure, have been very accurate and uplifting, but we shouldn’t be obsessed with such prophecies.

Peter, for example, interacted with the Lord on a daily basis and even saw Jesus glorified on the Mount of Transfiguration, speaking with Elijah and Moses. And yet Peter states, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19), and if you read the full context, he proceeds to point his readers to the inspired Scriptures. If we will ensure that our lives and ministries are built solidly on the written word of God, we will do well.

My suggestion is not that we “despise prophecies,” but that we be so consumed with the promises and the directives of Scripture that we head into the New Year full of faith and consumed with fulfilling the plan of God that he has clearly revealed in the Bible. If someone’s prophecy is accurate or not, relevant to us or not, we will do well and will thrive because we will be walking in the light of God’s truth—the more sure word of prophecy.

If someone’s prophecy helps and inspires you, that is great, but keep in mind that God wants to do in 2022 what he’s been doing for the last 2,000 years… getting the lost saved, getting people healed and filled with the Holy Spirit, getting believers discipled and mobilized for gospel work, and building strong local churches. If we give ourselves to those types of things, we will be walking right in line with the will and plan of God.

Having said all of this, I absolutely respect the prerogative of pastors to hear what God is desiring to be emphasizing in their congregations during any given season. When we read Revelation 1-3, we see that Jesus gave certain messages to the angels of the churches (I believe these are the pastors) to deliver to their respective congregations. They knew their flocks and were responsible not just to give a prophecy, but to “pastor that prophecy” in their flock over time. “He that has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” I believe you are leading your people wisely and that you are hearing from Heaven. I look forward to celebrating your victories in the coming year.