Kim Clement, Haiti, and the ElijahList
Prophecies after the fact are not true prophecies
by Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
http://www.christianresearchservice.com
February 14, 2010
How many times have we heard of a disaster, then listened to a modern-day “prophet” inform the public about his prophetic warnings months or even years before the disaster occurred?
“God gave me a vision a long time ago about that terrible disaster,” the prophet announces, “and I feel led to share it with you now.”
Not only do the prophet’s followers believe it, they do back-flips praising his name.
Then, someone pops up and asks, Why didn’t the prophet shout the warning publicly months or even days before the disaster? Good question, and one that needs to be asked more often.
Making a prophecy public after a situation occurs is prophecy after the fact. The more wrong a false prophet is the more it occurs. While Christians are commanded by Scripture to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21), prophecy after the fact is a claim that is almost impossible to test or validate. False prophets know this, and rely on their audience of followers to nod their heads in approval and take their word for it.
Prophecy after the fact is also prophecy of convenience. How convenient it is for the modern-day wannabe prophets, especially those whose popularity is suffering in the ratings department.
‘Spirit of unity’ or devastation?
Out of curiosity, I went to Kim Clement’s website, did a search on the word “Haiti,” and found the following, dated July 17, 2009: “In Haiti a spirit of unity is being released” ( http://tinyurl.com/yggadgy ).
But unfortunate for the Haitians, that “spirit of unity” turned into a devastating earthquake, where the death toll is reportedly 230,000 (“Haiti death toll same as Asian tsunami,” http://tinyurl.com/ylm3rtz ).
The earthquake in Haiti took place on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, but where was Kim Clement before the earthquake occurred? Powerless to prophesy. And where was Clement’s “god” beforehand? Without the authority and ability to predict the future.
While there are numerous references to earthquakes on Clement’s website, the above quote is the only reference to Haiti (as of this writing, that is).
My next stop was the ElijahList, where exists a den of more modern-day false prophets than I care to count. While there, I typed-in the word “Haiti” into the search window and came up with seven articles, the most recent dated February 9, 2010.
Out of the seven articles, there are only three general references to Haiti: one by Kim Clement (cited above), one from Francis Frangipane’s September 27, 2004 article, “From Little Children to Sons,” and one from Luke Holter’s February 9, 2010 article, “Opportunity for Great Awakening with the Lord of the Harvest.” Yet, there are more references to “earthquake(s)” on the ElijahList than I care to count.
Haiti is east of Cuba and north of South America, and shares the same island with the Dominican Republic. I also searched for references to the “Dominican Republic” on Kim Clement’s website and the ElijahList. There is nothing on Clement’s website, but there is a general reference on the ElijahList, dated March 2005.
It is true that time is an enemy to a false prophet. False prophecies return to haunt false prophets–they always do. Kim Clement’s prophecy for a “spirit of unity” in Haiti turned into a tremendous devastation, and returned to haunt him.
Kim Clement would do well to heed God’s Scriptural warnings, and leave prophecy to those who were called to be prophets of God in the first place
( http://christianresearchservice.com/God&FalseProphets.htm ).
Dropping the prophetic ball
Give false prophets an inch of opportunity and they will take a mile of advantage. Such is the case with Steve Shultz, Publisher of the ElijahList (the internet’s laundry list for heretics, false prophets, and false healers). Note Shultz’s after the fact comments on the earthquake in Haiti:
“Contrary to many who ask us to do so, we don’t normally post how we ‘got a prophetic word right’ after the event comes to pass. To do so COULD sound like we are more interested in being right than in being righteous and compassionate. Please know that we are wanting to be Righteous and Compassionate before we care about being right. Having said that, these words were all given BEFORE the earthquake in Haiti. It lets you know that we serve a God who is in control and a compassionate Savior who has a plan for the people of the earth—all of whom HE LOVES far more than we do. On July 17, 2009, while prophesying about Chicago, Kim Clement suddenly mentioned this line about Haiti: “In Haiti, a spirit of unity is being released.” –Kim Clement” ( http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word/8407 , emp. theirs).
Goodness gracious! Kim Clement mentioned a “line about Haiti.” So? What does that validate? Nothing!
Since the ElijahList contains zero prophetic warnings specific to the earthquake in Haiti, Shultz played the catch-up damage control card to protect the prophets and let his readers know the ElijahList is on the ball–even when they all drop the prophetic ball.
Further, while Shultz wants his readers to “Please know that we are wanting to be Righteous and Compassionate before we care about being right,” the fact is that righteousness, compassion, and being right work together in harmony for those who serve Jesus Christ and trust in God’s written word.
Nonetheless, it appears that as far as Steve Shultz is concerned, all a prophet has to do is mention a word or a name in a prophecy, and when that word or name makes headlines, BOING! it’s a fulfilled prophecy. As such, the prophet is elevated and vindicated, and the ElijahList survives another day to seize an inch of opportunity and take a mile of advantage.
Prophecy after the fact is a desperate grabbing at straws. But, since the competition between modern-day prophets is fierce, they do what they must to stay on top and in the game. And, pathetic as it is, jockeying for a top position in the prophetic is the name of the game.
False prophets do what they do best: they serve a false “god,” fabricate and deliver false prophecies, drop the prophetic ball, and spend an incredible amount of time in the Department of Excuses and Damage Control. False prophets are opportunistic, and grab at anything that appears to validate their claims.
And while the gullible and unwary stumble over each other to get to the false prophets, God’s warnings are as valid today as they were thousands of years ago:
The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule on their own authority; And My people love it so! But what will you do at the end of it? (Jeremiah 5:31).
Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles encountered their share of false prophets, and dealt with them according to God’s instructions. Right now, God is allowing this foolishness to continue to test those who claim to love Him (Deuteronomy 13:1-4; Deuteronomy 18:19-22).
Don’t kid yourself, God is against false prophets (Jeremiah 23:31-32; Ezekiel 13:9; Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Peter 2:1), and He will deal with them severely at His appointed time.
After the fact…how convenient!
In her article, “Kim Clement Says Haiti Quake Was Actually Meant for America,” Chrystal, Director of Slaughter of the Sheep blog, reveals that self-proclaimed prophet Kim Clement “claims that God told him that the Haiti earthquake was actually intended to hit America…” ( http://tinyurl.com/yf69ral ).
In fact, beginning at 2:07 into the YouTube video included in Chrystal’s article, Clement, backed by emotion-stirring music, states that,
When even as the earth shook-ka, in Haiti, and some have cursed and they’ve said, “This is the judgment of God.” God said, “Be careful what you say! For you see, I diverted.” Now listen carefully. “I diverted the earthquake, for it was due to happen in this nation.”
See what I mean? Prophecy after the fact is a prophecy of convenience. Both work hand-in-had, and false prophets capitalize on it to stay in the game.
Prophecies after the fact are not true prophecies. They are, however, a pathetic attempt to elevate the prophet, exploit a situation or disaster, and gain favor with the gullible and unwary.
How long? Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy falsehood, even these prophets of the deception of their own heart, who intend to make My people forget My name by their dreams which they relate to one another, just as their fathers forgot My name because of Baal? (Jeremiah 23:26-27)
Zero tolerance
I have seen the damage false prophets cause to the spiritual, physical, and mental welfare of their followers. Some recover to serve the real Jesus of the Bible. Others go into seclusion–shipwrecked and feeling betrayed–nursing their pain and sadness, taking months or years to recover.
Then, there are those whose hearts are filled with anger and hatred over anything that resembles “Christianity” They not only blame Christians and God for being conned and deceived by heretics and false prophets, they actively campaign against God and the Bible, and cause others to stumble and mock God in the process. It is a vicious cycle, and a whirlpool that leads to destruction.
God is not asleep. He is moving within the darkened alleys of the “prophetic movement” and revealing the true nature of its so-called prophets, teachers, apostles, and healers.
God has zero tolerance for false prophets and false teachers, and so should we.
Related reading and viewing:
“By His Grace” (YouTube video by VinnieActs2030)
Kim Clement’s ongoing prophetic Promises
http://www.letusreason.org/Latrain58.htm
Is Kim Clement a New Age Prophet?
http://letusreason.org/Popteac14.htm
Kim Clement Prophesies Assassination Attempt on Obama in 2010
What God Has To Say About False Prophets
http://christianresearchservice.com/God&FalseProphets.htm
Word of Faith Movement: Birthed in the Bowels of Hell
http://www.christianresearchservice.com/Word_of_Faith_Movement.htm
FALSE PROPHETS & FALSE TEACHERS: Pictorial of Modern-Day Wolves in
Sheep’s Clothing
http://www.christianresearchservice.com/Wolves_Pictorial.htm
— You are encouraged to reprint and distribute this article. Please review the CRS Article Reprint Guidelines at
DiscernIt 
7 comments
April 19, 2010 at 1:37 pm
r
While I agree that there are many over-zealous “prophets” out there, I think you are being too rigid.
Even in the Bible there are examples of prophesy that changed it’s course.
April 19, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Kim
What examples can you provide?
April 28, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Robbin
This was harsh. Be careful about calling someone out. To my knowledge, Kim Clement lives a clean and holy life. The bible tells us, do not despise prophesy. The fact is, because of the earthquake, most of the world has united in order to bring relief. People who were previously unaware of or uninterested in Haiti has poured out their hearts and wallets. Noah preached the same message for 120 years (or so it is perceived) before his prophetic word came to pass. I believe that we all grow in our gifts. I pray that you are not a critical bench warmer who spends countless hours criticizing those who take the gospel leap even at the risk of being embarrassed or completely wrong. Your job is to pray for the leaders. I wonder what your take is of King David, surely he is not in Kim’s book of life. Stay prayerful sis. You’re measured by your own words.
April 28, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Kim
A few thoughts…
Yes indeed the Bible tells us not to despise prophecy but it also tells us to test all things. Prophets are to be 100% accurate or we are not to be afraid of them.
Here is the Hebrew 1841 definition of the phrase “not to listen to them.”
1) to sojourn, abide, dwell in, dwell with, remain, inhabit, be a stranger, be continuing, surely
a) (Qal)
1) to sojourn, dwell for a time
2) to abide, stay, temporarily dwell
b) (Hithpolel)
1) to seek hospitality with
2) to assemble oneself
2) to stir up trouble, strife, quarrel, gather together
a) (Qal)
1) to stir up strife
2) to quarrel
b) (Hithpolel) to excite oneself
3) to dread, fear, stand in awe, be afraid
a) (Qal)
1) to fear, be afraid
2) to be in awe, stand in awe
I do not know if the bench warmer slur was aimed at me or the article writer.
So what prophetic words from Noah can you find in the Bible? I must be looking in the wrong chapters.
April 29, 2010 at 8:37 am
Kim
Here is great article, that needs to be carefully read through. The study of theosophy and the information channeled to the likes of Alice Bailey and Helen Blavatsky, echo new age teachings that are infiltrating the church.
This is from Mike Oppenheimer
http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac14.htm
April 30, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Robbin
It’s going to rain.
April 30, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Kim
Actually if you read Genesis 6-9, you will find that there are no words recorded by Noah. It is God who does all the talking.
But Noah is described as obedient to God’s word and righteous.
The only reference to Noah speaking that I can find at all would be this verse:
2Pe 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
This says that Noah preached righteousness, so God saved him. Interestingly enough this verse is found in the chapter of 2 Peter 2, known for instructing the people that there are false prophets among the people, and that many will follow their ways.