When Prophets Prophesied Peace: A Look at Political Prophecies in Modern Times

The Rise and Reckoning of Modern Political Prophecy

Personal Disclaimer:

I personally believe in biblical prophecy and the ministry of prophets. However, faith leaders need to be responsible and accountable when they miss the mark. The purpose of prophecy in a biblical and spiritual context is to reveal God’s will, provide guidance, warn, encourage, and call people to repentance. What we’ve seen in some cases has been extreme polarization and politicking. It’s time to get back to the basics of the Bible. Let’s get into it.

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In the biblical narrative of Jeremiah 28, the Prophet Jeremiah warns the people of Israel about false peace prophecies. Hananiah, a prophet of that time, declared that the Babylonian captivity would end swiftly, only for his words to be proven false. Jeremiah’s caution was clear: 

“When a prophet prophesies peace, wait to see if his words come true; then you will have proof that Yahweh has truly sent him.” – Jeremiah 28:9

The test of prophecy is simple—if it comes to pass, it was truly from God. 

In modern times, many self-proclaimed prophets and Christian leaders have declared political outcomes with certainty. This phenomenon has been especially pronounced since Donald Trump’s rise to power in 2016. Some of these figures correctly foresaw his first election victory, while others made bold and ultimately incorrect predictions about his re-election in 2020 and beyond. The fallout has led to soul-searching within Christian communities, questions about prophetic accountability, and, in some cases, outright division.

The Rise of Political Prophecies

The 2016 U.S. presidential election was a watershed moment for political prophecy. While few religious figures publicly predicted Trump’s victory before it happened, some gained significant recognition for doing so. Among them:

Mark Taylor, a former firefighter, claimed as early as 2011 that he had received a divine message that Trump would become president (Politico, 2016). His prophecy came true in 2016, earning him widespread recognition. However, he also insisted that Trump would serve two consecutive terms—something that did not happen in 2020.

Lance Wallnau, a preacher and author, likened Trump to the biblical King Cyrus and said that God had anointed him to lead (The Atlantic, 2017). While his interpretation of Trump’s presidency as divinely appointed resonated with many evangelicals, he did not make a specific prophecy about Trump’s 2020 fate.

TB Joshua, the late Nigerian megachurch pastor, predicted that a woman would win the 2016 U.S. presidential election, which would have meant a Hillary Clinton victory (Premium Times Nigeria, 2016). When Clinton lost, Joshua quietly removed his prophecy from public platforms and suggested people had misinterpreted his words.

2020: The Year of Unfulfilled Prophecies 

By 2020, political prophecy had gained momentum. Many prominent charismatic and evangelical leaders prophesied with certainty that Trump would win re-election. When he did not, the movement faced a reckoning. Some key figures included:

• Kris Vallotton (Bethel Church) and Jeremiah Johnson (evangelist) both predicted Trump’s 2020 victory (Eternity News, 2020). However, after Joe Biden’s win, both publicly apologized. Johnson went as far as shutting down his ministry due to the backlash. See: Prophet, Pastor Jeremiah Johnson Shuts Down Ministry.
• Pat Robertson, the well-known televangelist, confidently declared that Trump would win and that civil unrest and even an asteroid impact would follow (Christianity Today, 2020). None of these things came to pass, though Robertson later urged Trump to concede (CNN).
• Hank Kunneman, Kat Kerr, and Greg Locke refused to admit their prophecies had failed (Religion News Service, 2021). They either doubled down on claims of election fraud or suggested that Trump would be reinstated in the near future, despite no such event occurring or exactly in the way they predicted.
• Chuck Pierce is a prominent figure known for his involvement in prophetic ministries. He serves as the president of Glory of Zion International Ministries and has been associated with the New Apostolic Reformation. Pierce gained attention for his 2008 prophecy predicting that Donald Trump would become President of the United States. However, like several other charismatic leaders, Pierce incorrectly predicted Trump’s re-election in 2020. This series of inaccurate prophecies led to discussions within prophetic communities about the need for accountability and the establishment of prophetic standards.  

The Fallout: Apologies, Defiance, and even Division

With so many failed prophecies, responses varied. Some leaders apologized and admitted error, like Vallotton and Johnson. Others refused to concede they were wrong, instead blaming fraud, spiritual interference, or shifting the goalposts. This split led to a crisis within parts of the evangelical and charismatic world.

A group of pastors and theologians even issued a statement on “prophetic standards” urging accountability among those claiming divine revelation (Christian Post, 2021). Some accepted this call, while others, like Hank Kunneman, defiantly insisted they were still correct.

A leader who took a stance is Cindy Jacobs. She is a respected prophetess and co-founder of Generals International, a ministry dedicated to prophetic intercession and spiritual warfare. In the aftermath of the 2020 election, Jacobs, along with the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders, took a notable stance by denouncing and condemning false prophecies related to President Trump and judgments on America. This move underscored a commitment to prophetic integrity and the importance of accountability within the prophetic community. 

See: Statement Regarding a False Trump Word ~by Veronika West.

A worthy mention is Jonathan Cahn, The Apostolic Elders Council, who is a Messianic Jewish pastor and author known for his books that draw parallels between biblical prophecies and contemporary events. While Cahn has addressed topics related to national leadership and morality, there is no clear evidence that he issued specific prophecies regarding election outcomes. His focus has often been on calling nations to repentance and aligning current events with biblical narratives. I personally want more Christian leaders to “play” in this space and you’ll understand why from the rest of this article.

The True Purpose of Prophecy

With so many high-profile failures in modern political prophecy, it is worth revisiting the true biblical purpose of prophecy. The gift of prophecy is central to scripture, but it carries a responsibility that cannot be taken lightly.

1. To Reveal God’s Will and Plans

Prophecy communicates God’s will to individuals, nations, and the Church. In the Old Testament, prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel received visions about God’s plans for Israel and the world.

“Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.” – (Amos 3:7)

2. To Call People to Repentance

Prophets often acted as God’s messengers, warning people of consequences if they strayed from His ways. Their words were meant to bring spiritual correction and revival.

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.” – (Acts 3:19)

 3. To Strengthen, Encourage, and Comfort

Paul teaches in the New Testament that prophecy is meant to build up the Church.

“But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging, and comfort.” – (1 Corinthians 14:3)

Conclusion: Moving Forward with Discernment

The wave of political prophecies since 2016 has highlighted the need for discernment in modern Christian circles. While the desire for divine insight into world events is understandable, the biblical standard remains: 

“If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken.” – (Deuteronomy 18:22)

Ultimately, for believers and leaders seeking to navigate faith and politics, Jeremiah’s wisdom remains crucial: Wait and see if it comes true. And if it does not, have the humility to acknowledge it.

Sources

• Politico (2016) – Mark Taylor’s Trump prophecy
• The Atlantic (2017) – Lance Wallnau’s interpretation of Trump
• Premium Times Nigeria (2016) – TB Joshua’s election prophecy
• Eternity News (2020) – Kris Vallotton and Jeremiah Johnson’s Trump prophecy
• Christianity Today (2020) – Pat Robertson’s election and end-times prophecy
• Religion News Service (2021) – Hank Kunneman, Kat Kerr, and Greg Locke’s refusal to recant
• Christian Post (2021) – The statement on prophetic accountability
• AP News – Influential prophesizing pastors believe reelecting Trump is a win in the war of angels and demons

If you have made it this far, thank you! These are my personal opinions and not reflective of our team, staff, or volunteers’ personal beliefs. Thank you for reading.