The Other Prophets

By Shane Pippin

A revelatory portrayal of the unique brand of end-time prophets that God is raising up. These are not QAnon prophets. These are not the Trump prophets. And these are not the false prophets. Instead, these are something more akin to Jeremiah of old, the Minor Prophets, and John Baptist. God is assembling a class of...others. These will b

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Shane Pippin
• Release date: Mar 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9780578379401

Shane Pippin

Shane was born in the mountains of Appalachia, and raised in a coal mining camp. He's written for Christian periodicals, blogs, and as an investigative journalist, not to mention several poems he has had published. For more than 20 years Shane has been actively involved in Youth, Pastoral, Revival, and Prayer ministries.

Book preview

Chapter One

DECEPTION

As I exited the tranquility of a hidden plateau just beneath the mountain’s peak, I entered a sunless canopy of forest. This act of leaving the prairie where dusk was settling and entering a dense timberland felt like someone was dimming the lights on me. It was getting late and getting dark. I needed to get back. If I jogged, jumped, skipped, and kept moving…I believed I could make it home in just a few hours. Now, to fast forward to a happy ending, I will go ahead and let you know that I made it home okay. There were brief moments when I questioned my internal compass and momentarily debated on whether to turn left or venture right. There were also abrupt stops and tricky maneuvers necessary to evade personal injury. On the darkened trail it was harder to find my way, and it was easier to trip or collide with hidden objects such as roots, stumps, fallen limbs, or rocks. A flashlight would certainly have benefitted me in such a situation.

When traveling a path alone in the dark, a flashlight is a comforting, beneficial tool

When traveling a path alone in the dark, a flashlight is a comforting, beneficial tool. Man has always benefited from using a torch or lantern to illuminate darkened paths. Likewise, at this moment on the prophetic clock, we are entering a season of dimming light. Even Jesus prophesied that the night was coming (Luke 9:4). Therefore, we need enlightenment. The dark, perilous days are arriving on the calendars of our lives. Nevertheless, I caution a hasty reach for just any semblance of light. After all:

•The devil is a salesman

•The devil is a liar

•The devil is an illusion of light

...for even Satan disguises himself as an Angel.

2 Corinthians. 11:14

There has never been such a deluge of deception in the earth. Opposing views, strong opinions, articles, videos, and conflicting personalities with differing voices are presented to us daily. Some folks have even believed that such chaos is a good thing. They conclude that God is using the confusion and bedlam of the current season to reestablish His plans. But such ideologies are not congruent with the teachings of Scripture. Rather than confusion and discord, God heals the disarray of broken situations and tempestuous atmospheres. Then, He calls for light to come on the scene.

On day one, God said let there be light. As a matter of utmost importance, God brought light to the muddled mess of planet Earth. That preemptive action set the stage for every other great thing He was about to do. Light is the setting of God’s workspace.

Overall, the symbolism of light is a powerful language tool that God uses to illustrate His ways. Doing a word study contrasting light and darkness would be fitting right here, but I will just leave that as a contemplation for now.

Still, I should at least interject that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5). Furthermore, In Psalm 119 we find that God’s Word can serve as an illuminating light for our path. Thus, it is quite important for us to remain rooted and bathed in the light of His Word. Darkness is opposite to light. Light gives us safety and truth. Light reveals the dangers we want to avoid. Light exposes the lurking enemy. Undeniably, we want to be in the light. Anything outside of His light is uncertainty. Hence, one step into darkness is a step outside of peace. One way to know if you are in God’s will is to ask yourself, do I have legitimate peace about this?

Also, a step away from the light is a step into deception. As sure as I needed a flashlight while traversing a darkened, mountain trail… ...we [even more so] need the light of Truth to navigate the last days.

In the Gospels, there are numerous occasions where Jesus testified, I am the light of the world. And He was perfectly correct in such a claim. Remember, we observed in Psalm 119, the Word is the lamp and shining light. Accordingly, John Baptist testified of Jesus calling Him the embodiment of The Word. Jesus is the Word. Jesus is the Light.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

- John 1:14

Now, just like Jesus is both the Word and the Light, He is also playing a dual role when it comes to our destiny GPS system. By that, I mean that the light of Jesus shows us the way to be and the way to go. But get this: not only does He show the way…He is The Way.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.

- John 14:6 -

Being in the light is the blessed way. Light is the Word of God shining upon our path. Light is the essence of Jesus assuring us we are in Him. Light is truth. Light is the context of daytime, and daytime is figurative of working hours. Conversely, the night is darkness. We are encouraged to do what we can and to do it while we can; while we have light, while it is still day. We are warned about a coming time of darkness (John 9:4). And I fully believe that the darkness of deception is encroaching upon us right now.

I see this massive, dark, ungodly, spiritual force emerging. It has been waiting for this time. We are witnessing a continued unfolding of the last days, the end times are playing out right before us. Deception is here. Jesus warned us about an unparalleled day of deception that would come. Carefully consider these warnings:

•Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words

•Do not be deceived 1 Cor 6:9-10, 1 Cor 15:33, Gal 6:7.

•Colossians 2:8 See that no one takes you captive through…deception

•1 John 3:7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you

•2 Thess. 2:3 Let no one in any way deceive you

False Apostles, false prophets, false teachers, and false anointings were warnings concerning the last days. These false spirits—deceptions— are active right now.

It’s happening

Many of our ministry voices are already being deceived and some are devolving into complete falsehood. Sadly, they have been lured down a rabbit trail of deception. Such trickery fools some believers because it is a faux gift, akin to discernment. On a sensory level, it feels so close to the real thing.

Others who veered away from simple truth may have been baited down the wrong path because of suspicion, fear, or personal preferences. Hence, they go truth-hunting, researching, digging, and investigating. Unfortunately, the fake scent of revelation will lead many to unhealthy extremism and some will even get caught up in divisive worldly plots.

Suspicion and discernment are not the same thing.

Furthermore, I believe Holy Spirit has revealed to me that teachers, especially end-time prophecy teachers, will be teased down a trail searching for hidden truth. Unfortunately, these teachers are prone to competition, often racing to find the scoop. Sadly, their soulish hunches and sniff-arounds will often come up empty and unfounded. Guesswork and predictions, even when coming from theological hypothesis’ can give way to deception.

The spirit of deception has opened its factory of lies. This evil monster called Deception has also been quite busy writing conspiracy theories.

Along with the tragedy of deception, this murky darkness wants to sidetrack and distract intercessors. The devil wants to divide the church and divide the culture. He also wants to confuse and discredit Bible Prophecy teachers.

To avoid deception and be used as a light and voice of truth, it would behoove us to consider some of the following tips given in the New Testament:

•Be Sober

Deception is a trick played on one’s thinking. Instead of seeing the clear, plain truth...the person gets twisted and believes in a fictitious alternative. Their judgment sort of gets clouded and they are likely to align themselves fully with a convoluted fabrication of reality.

Maybe it is not a coincidence that two clear instructions we were given are:

•1.   to beware of deception

•2.   to be sober

Despite Old Testament and New Testament warnings concerning strong drink, modern Christianity seems to have backslidden into a neutral stance concerning alcohol. I am not intending to bring condemnation on anyone. Instead, I pray to share hope, light, and freedom.

Alcohol, marijuana, adultery, and addiction are things that indubitably cloud our judgment. These things quickly begin to whittle away at our sober mindedness.

In 1 Peter 5:8 we are informed that sobriety is especially important as the enemy looks for opportunities to pounce on vulnerable persons.

I fully believe there is a link between the church’s passive stance on alcohol and deception. Likewise, I am wholeheartedly convinced that society’s softening toward marijuana and other drugs is also a contributor to the escalation of deception we have been witnessing. Be sober is an instruction that should be taken literally.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.

Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

- 1 Peter 5:8

•Be Alert

Be alert. That is interesting advice found in Scripture in several different places including both Old and New Testaments. I think its timely advice in this hour of deception. It reminds me of Jesus emphatically instructing his close disciples to watch and pray. Jesus was telling them two things: 1. Be alert. 2. Pray.

A call to alertness is also linked to prayer in Ephesians 6:18. Mind you, Eph 6 is the premier chapter concerning spiritual warfare. Alertness is listed right there with the armor, the Word, and prayer. Alertness is not born in fear. Rather, alertness is harmonious with humility. Alertness is an intentional preparedness that also acknowledges our need for protection and help. Not being alert allows events, temptation—the enemy— to creep in.

•Unplug from the Matrix

The Matrix, a Sci-Fi movie, kept coming to my mind just over a year ago. And I began to hear in my Spirit, unplug from the matrix.

The premise of that 1999 movie is a future where humanity is controlled by a simulated reality. Humans are collectively plugged into a machine —the matrix— and it distracts them from truth and reality. Meanwhile, the bodies of humans are being used for a source of power. The humans are unaware that they are seeing a fabricated illusion. They do not realize that they are in a sleep-like existence, living a scripted, dreamy version of life.

Holy Spirit kept speaking to me, unplug. So, as I pressed into this word, I realized unplug is a synonym for the word sanctify. God was trying to show me the importance of being unplugged, being sanctified. God was calling me to get my worldview from Him. God was leading me to be influenced by truth rather than a collective groupthink. The media, political affiliations, denominations, Christian networks, and cliques… these are all groups that are often organized and fitted together by a set of principal goals, opinions, beliefs, or styles.

Yet, John Baptist and Jesus were anointed to be different, and to question and challenge the longstanding traditions. They did things differently. They saw things differently. They introduced a new line of thinking. Were they Old Testament or New Testament Prophets? Nay. They are other prophets.

John came from a place and season of isolation and consecration. He came from the wilderness, the wild. Man was created in the wild. Adam was not born in a Hospital. Accordingly, the other prophets are wild because they have not been tamed to think, do, and say what the group wants or expects. The Other Prophets do not always walk and talk the company line. So, I call them other. They are sanctified, unplugged, and altogether different.

Modern Christianity has turned the concept of church into something you join, belong to, become a member of, serve, and submit to. Now, I know those steps are good and have their value. Still yet, we are lacking when it comes to understanding the grand idea and call to radical sanctification. Sanctification is a calling to unplug, even from religious manipulations.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thess. 5:23 ESV

Zion is the wild, holy mountain of God that is calling out to peppery, passionate, fervent, hungry Jesus-lovers. We all want to belong and fit in, and that is normal. However, some people are not wired to be normal. Being normal is uncomfortable for those that were born to be consecrated and wild. Prophets are not normal. Intercessors are not normal. Deliverers are not normal. Reformers, revivalist, and revolutionaries are not normal people. Fervent prayers accomplish much, but fervent people are not normal.

The call to sanctification cries out to us, come out from them. Be separate. Holiness is something other than everything else. This distinct call awaits those who dare to unplug. The matrix here and now is the think tank club that wants to shape our worldview. But remember… even Jesus felt like He did not belong.

And Jesus said to him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.

Luke 9:58

If you are a Pastor or spiritual leader, please do not