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All (132) Mike Winger (132)

Mike Winger idea 2020-04-29

Q&A: How to evaluate modern self-proclaimed prophets who get prophecies wrong. Mike's position: if they get one wrong, he no longer trusts they're hearing from God (Deuteronomy 18:22 principle). He gives leeway to sincere believers who may have confused their own heart for the Holy Spirit, but consecutive failures warrant stronger stance.

Q&A — evaluating modern prophets

Deuteronomy 18:22 Deuteronomy 18:22 modern prophecy testing prophets

Mike Winger idea 2020-08-21

John 6:44 ("No one can come to me unless the Father draws him") — Mike's non-Calvinist interpretation: the "drawing" is God's OT revelation through the prophets. Jesus came to the Jews who had already been receiving God's word. Those who responded to the Father's prior revelation naturally accept Jesus; those who rejected it naturally reject Jesus. John 5: "if you believed Moses, you'd believe me, for he wrote about me." This is about Jews rejecting their own Messiah, not about irresistible grace or total depravity.

John 6:44 — non-Calvinist interpretation

John 5:46 John 6:44 Calvinism Calvinism John 5:46

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-12

The Parable of the Vineyard (Mark 12:1-12) is Jesus's most backhanded parable — told directly to the Sanhedrin, predicting they'll reject and kill God's Son, be destroyed, and be replaced. They know it's about them but can't use it in court.

Introduction and overview of Mark 12:1-12

Mark 12:1-12 Psalm 118:22-23 Mark series Sanhedrin Sanhedrin Mark 12:1-12

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-12

Jesus's parable directly taps into Isaiah 5's vineyard song — same elements (wall, vat, wine press, tower) — creating a typological parallel: Isaiah's time (prophets rejected → first temple destroyed) mirrors Jesus's time (Son rejected → second temple destroyed).

Isaiah 5 connection and temple destruction context

Isaiah 5 Isaiah 5:1-7 typology typology temple cleansing

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-12

A consistent OT pattern: it's the LEADERS of Israel who persecute God's messengers (Jezebel vs. Elijah, Saul vs. David, people of Ephraim vs. Gideon, King Jehoiakim vs. Jeremiah). The motive: wanting power, credit, and avoidance of suffering.

OT examples of leadership rejecting prophets and application to modern rejection of the gospel

Jeremiah 7:25-26 leadership accountability Jeremiah 7:25-26 leadership accountability

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-12

We are great critics of the past but blind to our own sins — the Pharisees built tombs for prophets their fathers killed while plotting to crucify Christ. We must see ourselves with the same critical clarity we apply to history.

Jesus's rebuke of historical self-righteousness (Matthew 23:29-31) and personal application

Matthew 23:29-31 humility humility Matthew 23:29-31

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-12

In the parable, the son is sent "last of all" — not meaning no more messengers ever, but that the Son is the final opportunity before judgment falls on the leaders. Jesus is greater than every prophet: they are slaves; he is the beloved Son.

Analysis of the Son's unique status in the parable (Mark 12:6-8)

John 5 Mark 12:1-12 John 5 deity of Christ Mark 12:1-12

Mike Winger idea 2020-11-02

The death penalty is clearly supported by Scripture. Genesis 9:5-6 — given to ALL humanity (not just Israel) — establishes capital punishment for murder based on the image of God: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed."

The foundational biblical case for the death penalty from Genesis 9

Genesis 9:5-6 image of God image of God capital punishment

Mike Winger idea 2019-11-06

Isaiah 53:4-5 is the crux: "he was pierced FOR our transgressions, crushed FOR our iniquities; the chastisement that brought us peace was UPON HIM." The word "chastisement" is ALWAYS affliction from God in the prophets. Isaiah 53:10 confirms: "it was the will of the LORD to crush him."

Detailed exegesis of Isaiah 53:4-5 and 53:10 establishing PSA

Isaiah 53:4-5 Isaiah 53:10 Michael Brown Isaiah 53:4-5 penal substitutionary atonement

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-18

Verses 5-13 are a list of NON-SIGNS: false messiahs, wars, earthquakes, famines, persecution — Jesus explicitly says "the end is not yet" and "these are merely the beginning of birth pangs." Do not use these to predict Christ's return.

Detailed exegesis of Mark 13:5-13 as warnings against false predictions

Mark 13:5-8 World Mission Society Church of God Mark 13:5-8 World Mission Society Church of God

Mike Winger idea 2021-05-14

Discerning false prophets by their "fruit" (Matthew 7:15-20) — fruit is defined IN the passage as whether their teaching leads people to do God's will vs. lawlessness. It's not about charismatic experiences or emotional reactions.

Q4: How to practically use Matthew 7:15-20 to discern people?

Acts 2 Matthew Matthew 7 Acts 2 Jesus prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2021-06-18

About the “5-Fold Ministry”: Have you heard of the "5-Fold Ministry" way of thinking about apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers exercising those gifts today? And if so, what are your thoughts about it?

Q&A question: About the “5-Fold Ministry”

prophecy pastoral ministry Apostles

Mike Winger idea 2021-06-25

Explanation of Ezekiel 14 – Prophets: In Ezekiel 14:9 it says if a prophet is deceived, it’s the Lord who deceived him. Could you offer some explanation to this verse, as it seems out of character for God?

Q&A question: Explanation of Ezekiel 14 – Prophets

Ezekiel prophecy Ezekiel

Mike Winger idea 2021-05-07

Historical Evidence for God’s Judgments?: Is there any historical evidence for any of the prophets of the old testament or for any judgments God pronounced on people?

Q&A question: Historical Evidence for God’s Judgments?

prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-01

How the Jewish Bible is Different: Why aren't there Bibles with the Hebrew order of the Old Testament? Some say the Hebrew order helps to show additional context and beauty of the Prophets and writings within Israel’s history. Any reason to stick to the English order? If either is fine, why aren’t there options?

Q&A question: How the Jewish Bible is Different

prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

About False Prophets: How should we interpret Deuteronomy 13:6-9? Part of chapter is often used on Mormons for Joseph Smith being a false prophet...but if rejecting a false prophet is required, would it follow that this is required, too? This chapter - all or nothing?

Q&A question: About False Prophets

Joseph Joseph Smith prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2022-07-22

About OT Prophet Credibility: Why were many of the prophets who wrote books included in the Old Testament if they didn't perform miracles and their prophecies didn't come true until the New Testament? What made them stand out from false prophets?

Q&A question: About OT Prophet Credibility

prophecy miracles

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-03

Does Hebrews Support Cessationism?: Is Hebrews 1:1 a reasonable proof text for cessationism in relation to prophecy? It says God spoke to our ancestors through prophets, but "in these last days," He has spoken to us through Christ. Are we in the "last days" Paul refers to?

Q&A question: Does Hebrews Support Cessationism?

Hebrews 1 cessationism prophecy Hebrews 1

Mike Winger idea 2023-06-23

Cursing & Blessing in the OT: When prophets such as Elisha cursed or blessed people, was it God who put it in their minds to do that, or did they have a Spirit-given ability to do such things without having to consult Him?

Q&A question: Cursing & Blessing in the OT

prophecy Elisha

Mike Winger idea 2023-08-18

The Fruit of False Prophets: In Matthew 7: 15-20, what are the fruits of the false prophets? The teaching? The followers? The acts? Or something else?

Q&A question: The Fruit of False Prophets

Matthew Matthew 7 prophecy Matthew Matthew 7

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-29

Jesus Just an Ordinary Prophet?: Why did Jesus refer to Himself as a prophet in Luke 13: 33 and not the Son of God? Wouldn't that be putting Himself on the same level as regular prophets when He was in fact elevated?

Q&A question: Jesus Just an Ordinary Prophet?

Luke 13 Jesus prophecy Luke 13

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-05

Can we still Glean from Reckless Charismatism?: I learned that Bethel's prophecy teachings and those of Storms, Wimber, Deere, Randolph, etc. trace back to scandalous Kansas City prophets. Should all be ignored, or can the chaff be separated?

Q&A question: Can we still Glean from Reckless Charismatism?

prophecy Bethel Church

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-19

Does Hebrews 1 Prove Cessationism?: Is Hebrews 1:1 supportive of the idea that there are no prophets since the 1st century as God only speaks from Jesus Christ?

Q&A question: Does Hebrews 1 Prove Cessationism?

Hebrews 1 Jesus Christ Jesus cessationism

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-25

If Trump Wins, Were the Prophets Right?: If Donald Trump gets elected this year, does that somehow validate any of the false prophets from 4 years ago who prophesied that he would have a second term?

Q&A question: If Trump Wins, Were the Prophets Right?

prophecy Donald Trump

Mike Winger idea 2025-05-09

Prophets Today?: Should the Church appoint/recognize official prophets, or is this something similar to apostles (only the original 12 + Paul)? See 1 Corinthians 12: 28, Ephesians 4: 11. Is it an office, a gift, or some mixture of the two?

Q&A question: Prophets Today?

1 Corinthians 12 Ephesians 4 prophecy Apostles 1 Corinthians 12

Mike Winger idea 2025-10-10

Breaking News!: Bonus Update.Covering a “Rapture Cult Update” from the recent false prophets.

Q&A question: Breaking News!

rapture prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2026-01-02

Can All Believers Prophesy?: Does 1 Corinthians 14: 31 mean all believers can prophesy? If all can teach in some way without being teachers (i.e., teaching their children), can all prophesy without being prophets?

Q&A question: Can All Believers Prophesy?

1 Corinthians 14 prophecy 1 Corinthians 14

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-21

Hebrews 1:1-2 opens with a declaration of continuity: the same God who spoke through the prophets in many times and ways now speaks through his Son. This compacted theology establishes Jesus as the culmination and continuation of God's revelation — not a replacement or contradiction of it.

Hebrews 1:1-2: the continuity of divine revelation from OT prophets to the Son

revelation Hebrews 1:1-2 Hebrews 1 Jesus prophecy revelation

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-21

The Transfiguration (Matt. 17 / Mark 9 / Luke 9) visually enacts Hebrews 1:1-2: Moses and Elijah appear representing the Law and the Prophets, but God's voice from heaven says "This is my Son — hear him." The old revelation is present and honored, but the new word is through Jesus. This is "Hebrews 1 in living illustration."

The Transfiguration as a visual fulfillment of Hebrews 1:1-2's funnel from prophecy to Son

Luke 9 Mark 9 revelation Moses Jesus Elijah

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-21

If the Old Testament is not reliably true, then Jesus — who consistently affirmed, quoted, and grounded his teaching in the OT — cannot be trusted either. Hebrews 1 frames the same God speaking through both prophets and Son; you cannot "unhitch" from the OT without also unhitching from the Jesus who is the culmination of it.

Why abandoning OT trustworthiness undermines confidence in Jesus himself

Hebrews 1 Jesus prophecy Hebrews 1

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-21

The literary alliteration of Hebrews 1:1 in Greek (poly-meros, poly-tropos, patrasin, prophetais — all P-sounds) signals this is high-level, carefully crafted Greek prose. God speaking "in many times and many ways" through the prophets contrasts with the singular, final word through the Son — a deliberate narrowing funnel from diverse OT revelation to the one person of Jesus.

Greek alliteration in Hebrews 1:1; the "many-to-one" funnel structure of divine revelation

revelation Hebrews 1 Jesus prophecy revelation

Mike Winger idea 2025-10-17

"Mockers and scoffers" is not a blanket prohibition on criticizing false prophecy. God himself mocks false prophets (Ps. 2), and Elijah mocked the prophets of Baal. Mocking and scoffing are condemned when directed at truth, not when directed at false claims made in God's name. Calling critics of date-setting "scoffers" is a manipulative rhetorical move that shields false prophecy from accountability.

The misuse of "mockers and scoffers" language to deflect accountability for false prophecy

Elijah prophecy Mormonism

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The Parable of the Vineyard (Mark 12:1-12) is Jesus's most backhanded parable — told directly to the Sanhedrin, predicting they'll reject and kill God's Son, be destroyed, and be replaced. They know it's about them but can't use it in court.

Jesus's parable directly taps into Isaiah 5's vineyard song — same elements (wall, vat, wine press, tower) — creating a typological parallel: Isaiah's time (prophets rejected → first temple destroyed) mirrors Jesus's time (Son rejected → second temple destroyed).

A consistent OT pattern: it's the LEADERS of Israel who persecute God's messengers (Jezebel vs. Elijah, Saul vs. David, people of Ephraim vs. Gideon, King Jehoiakim vs. Jeremiah). The motive: wanting power, credit, and avoidance of suffering.

We are great critics of the past but blind to our own sins — the Pharisees built tombs for prophets their fathers killed while plotting to crucify Christ. We must see ourselves with the same critical clarity we apply to history.

In the parable, the son is sent "last of all" — not meaning no more messengers ever, but that the Son is the final opportunity before judgment falls on the leaders. Jesus is greater than every prophet: they are slaves; he is the beloved Son.

The death penalty is clearly supported by Scripture. Genesis 9:5-6 — given to ALL humanity (not just Israel) — establishes capital punishment for murder based on the image of God: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed."

Isaiah 53:4-5 is the crux: "he was pierced FOR our transgressions, crushed FOR our iniquities; the chastisement that brought us peace was UPON HIM." The word "chastisement" is ALWAYS affliction from God in the prophets. Isaiah 53:10 confirms: "it was the will of the LORD to crush him."

Verses 5-13 are a list of NON-SIGNS: false messiahs, wars, earthquakes, famines, persecution — Jesus explicitly says "the end is not yet" and "these are merely the beginning of birth pangs." Do not use these to predict Christ's return.

Discerning false prophets by their "fruit" (Matthew 7:15-20) — fruit is defined IN the passage as whether their teaching leads people to do God's will vs. lawlessness. It's not about charismatic experiences or emotional reactions.

About the “5-Fold Ministry”: Have you heard of the "5-Fold Ministry" way of thinking about apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers exercising those gifts today? And if so, what are your thoughts about it?

Explanation of Ezekiel 14 – Prophets: In Ezekiel 14:9 it says if a prophet is deceived, it’s the Lord who deceived him. Could you offer some explanation to this verse, as it seems out of character for God?

Historical Evidence for God’s Judgments?: Is there any historical evidence for any of the prophets of the old testament or for any judgments God pronounced on people?

About False Prophets: How should we interpret Deuteronomy 13:6-9? Part of chapter is often used on Mormons for Joseph Smith being a false prophet...but if rejecting a false prophet is required, would it follow that this is required, too? This chapter - all or nothing?

About OT Prophet Credibility: Why were many of the prophets who wrote books included in the Old Testament if they didn't perform miracles and their prophecies didn't come true until the New Testament? What made them stand out from false prophets?

Does Hebrews Support Cessationism?: Is Hebrews 1:1 a reasonable proof text for cessationism in relation to prophecy? It says God spoke to our ancestors through prophets, but "in these last days," He has spoken to us through Christ. Are we in the "last days" Paul refers to?

Cursing & Blessing in the OT: When prophets such as Elisha cursed or blessed people, was it God who put it in their minds to do that, or did they have a Spirit-given ability to do such things without having to consult Him?

The Fruit of False Prophets: In Matthew 7: 15-20, what are the fruits of the false prophets? The teaching? The followers? The acts? Or something else?

Jesus Just an Ordinary Prophet?: Why did Jesus refer to Himself as a prophet in Luke 13: 33 and not the Son of God? Wouldn't that be putting Himself on the same level as regular prophets when He was in fact elevated?

Can we still Glean from Reckless Charismatism?: I learned that Bethel's prophecy teachings and those of Storms, Wimber, Deere, Randolph, etc. trace back to scandalous Kansas City prophets. Should all be ignored, or can the chaff be separated?

Does Hebrews 1 Prove Cessationism?: Is Hebrews 1:1 supportive of the idea that there are no prophets since the 1st century as God only speaks from Jesus Christ?

If Trump Wins, Were the Prophets Right?: If Donald Trump gets elected this year, does that somehow validate any of the false prophets from 4 years ago who prophesied that he would have a second term?

Prophets Today?: Should the Church appoint/recognize official prophets, or is this something similar to apostles (only the original 12 + Paul)? See 1 Corinthians 12: 28, Ephesians 4: 11. Is it an office, a gift, or some mixture of the two?

Breaking News!: Bonus Update.Covering a “Rapture Cult Update” from the recent false prophets.

Can All Believers Prophesy?: Does 1 Corinthians 14: 31 mean all believers can prophesy? If all can teach in some way without being teachers (i.e., teaching their children), can all prophesy without being prophets?

Hebrews 1:1-2 opens with a declaration of continuity: the same God who spoke through the prophets in many times and ways now speaks through his Son. This compacted theology establishes Jesus as the culmination and continuation of God's revelation — not a replacement or contradiction of it.

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