He entreated them to hear the words that he spoke. He cited them to the prophecies of Hosea, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and others whose messages of reproof and warning had been similar to his own. He referred them to events which had transpired in their history in fulfillment of the prophecies of retribution for unrepented sins. Sometimes, as in this case, men had arisen in opposition to the message of God and had predicted peace and prosperity to quiet the fears of the people and gain the favor of those in high places. But in every past instance the judgment of God had been visited upon Israel as the true prophets had indicated. Said he: “The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him.” If Israel chose to run the risk, future developments would effectually decide which was the false prophet. {4T 170.3}

Han bad dem om at høre de ord han talte. Han citerede Hoseas, Habakkuks og Zefanias profetier og andre irettesættelses- og advarselsbudskaber der var som hans egne. Han henviste til begivenheder som var sket i deres historie, hvor profetier om straf og ikke-angrede synder var gået i opfyldelse. Som i dette tilfælde, satte mænd sig op imod Guds budskab og forudsagde fred og fremgang for at stoppe folkets frygt og få gunst fra dem i høje stillinger. Men alle tidligere gange var Guds domme blevet hjemsøgt over Israel, (171) ligesom de sande profeter havde forudsagt. Han sagde: »Men når en profet profeterer om fred, kendes den profet, Herren virkelig har sendt, på at hans ord går i opfyldelse.« Hvis Israel vælger at løbe risikoen, vil fremtiden virkelig afgøre hvem der var den falske profet.