Understanding the Implications of the Failed Prophecy of Prophet Bernard ElBernard Nelson-Eshun

Context On 31st January, delegates of the largest opposition party in Ghana, the New Patriotic Party went to the polls to select a flagbearer for the party ahead of the 2028 national elections. That election took on an added significance because several prophets gave contrasting prophecies on the outcome of the election. One such notable voice was Prophet Bernard ElBernard Nelson-Eshun, the Executive Pastor of the Spiritlife Revival Ministry. He gave several prophecies, wrote a book and featured in multiple radio/TV interviews to explain the prophecy that Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong will be elected as the flagbearer. The election took place, and the said candidate did not win. It was won by the ex Vice President of Ghana, H.E. Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumiah. It is worthy to note that other prophets also predicted that Dr Bawumiah would win. The election has taken place now, the predicted candidate of the prophet lost, and the prophet has apologised and requested for some time off the pulpit and public ministry.

Where Are We Now

Now that the dust has settled and emotions have calmed down, we need to pause and reflect on what has gone on. Perhaps we may need to ask ourselves a few questions and see whether we can learn any lessons from what just happened. Let us begin by attempting to answer these questions.

1. When a prophecy fails, does it mean that the prophet is fake? The Bible says YES.

2. When a prophecy is fulfilled, does it validate the genuineness of the prophet? The Bible says NOT EXACTLY.

3. Is it only genuine prophets who are able to accurately predict future events? NO, soothsayers, astrologers, necromancers, and familiar spirits can do the same. So the fact that a person predicts rightly does not make him genuine.

   
   

Any Lessons Learnt?

The first lesson I learn from all of these is that whenever a person prophesies and appends the prophecy with the signature "Thus says the Lord". He has literally sworn by the name of the Lord. If indeed the Lord has not spoken through him, then he has taken the name of Jehovah in vain, a violation of the 3rd commandment; he will not hold such guiltless before him.

The second lesson is that the Christian faith and the Church is the greatest loser in all of these. The said prophets will eventually recover from the reputational damage no matter how long it takes, but what happens to unbelievers and cynics who already are searching for reasons why they cannot believe in God or join the Church.

The third lesson we learn is that these failed prophecies influence the relationship between God and his people. Some people quietly slip out of our churches because they believe that God lied to them, and they become frustrated because by our actions, we prove God to be unfaithful to His Word and Promises. Jehovah is faithful.

So What Should We Do Next?

Keep on trusting God but put no trust in the arm of flesh. Imitate your godly leaders as they imitate Christ (1Th 1:6, Heb 13:7, 17). But, don't allow your life to be remotely controlled by the 'prophecies' or 'directions' so-called. I've seen people mess up their lives because they were/are waiting for a signal from a prophet before taking the next step in life, or others who sidestep their spouses to make critical marital decisions with their pastors.

In the NT, Paul commanded the Church in Thessalonica not to despise prophecies, but to test or to judge them (1Th 5:20-21). If Churches are minded, they can find a way to collate and judge all prophecies given in the name of the Lord.

Finally, since Prophet El Bernard has apologised, I have nothing to say concerning his person. However, those doing "I stand with ..." should spare us. The man has acknowledged that he lied in the name of God and has apologised; we can all pray for him. But to defend him or manufacture excuses for his failure proves that perhaps we love the man more than we love God. God's name has been defiled and His Character bruised, let us weep and mourn for this reason, not because your spiritual Papa's ego has been bruised. I've heard people defend the prophet on this matter when those same people would have crucified the person if he had been Obinim or Kumchacha.

May the Lord grant us understanding. Shalom.