Herbert Armstrong - Must Someone Hold a Title of Prophet to Qualify as a False Prophet
The biblical concept of a prophet is more functional rather than institutional, referring fundamentally to one who claims to speak on God's behalf. This observation carries into Jesus' warnings concerning false prophets. Jesus says that " many false prophets will arise " (Matt. 24:11, 24). He does not describe a formally appointed class of prophets, but rather individuals who come onto the affairs of the world and claim spiritual authority, influence others, and lead them astray. The motives of such individuals may vary considerably. Some appear to have been sincere but mistaken. William Miller, for example, is generally regarded as an honest man whose predictions failed and who later expressed regret for the consequences. Herbert Armstrong published prophetic interpretations for fifty years and when those expectations failed to materialize, he did not respond in a manner like William Miller. Instead, he justified their postponement and then at a later time the argu...