By John Abiola
“But Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.”
— 1 Kings 22:14.
There are moments in the history of a nation when the most dangerous voice is not the voice of an obvious enemy.
Sometimes the greatest danger is when God’s people gather together and hear hundreds of spiritual voices—but almost none of them are willing to tell them what God is actually saying.
There are moments when the majority can be wrong.
There are moments when the popular prophetic message can be false.
There are moments when a nation may prefer reassurance to repentance, victory without obedience, prosperity without righteousness, and prophecy without truth.
And there are moments when God raises one voice to say:
“This is what the LORD says.”
That was the situation in the days of Micaiah son of Imlah.
His story is recorded in 1 Kings 22:1–40 and 2 Chronicles 18:1–27.
It is one of the most sobering prophetic accounts in Scripture.
Two kings were preparing for war.. Hundreds of prophets were assembled. Almost all of them gave the same answer.
But one prophet stood apart.. His name was Micaiah.
And the question before us today is: What happens when 400 prophets are wrong?
More importantly: What happens when a nation chooses to believe the majority instead of listening to the voice of God?
TWO KINGS SEEKING A PROPHETIC WORD
King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah had joined together. Ahab wanted to go to war against Ramoth-gilead. Jehoshaphat agreed to go with him but wanted to know the mind of the LORD.
The account says:
“And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.”
— 1 Kings 22:5
This sounds right. They wanted to ask God. They wanted prophetic guidance. But there was already a problem.
They were not simply asking whether God had spoken.
They were surrounded by prophets who were apparently ready to tell them what they wanted to hear.
Ahab gathered about four hundred prophets and asked them:
“Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?”
— 1 Kings 22:6
Their answer was unanimous:
“Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.”
Four hundred prophets. One message. One prediction. One confident declaration. But there was something wrong.
FOUR HUNDRED VOICES, BUT WHERE WAS THE VOICE OF GOD?
Jehoshaphat was not satisfied. He asked: “Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?”
— 1 Kings 22:7
This is one of the most important questions in this entire passage. “Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides?”
In other words: “Are these really speaking for God?”
Jehoshaphat sensed that something was missing.The Church today must ask the same question.
Not: How many people are saying it? But: Has God said it?
Not: How popular is the prophecy?
But: Is it consistent with the Word of God?
Not: How many people shouted Amen?
But: Did heaven actually speak?
Four hundred prophets can agree and still be wrong.
A majority does not determine truth.
God determines truth.
AHAB KNEW THE PROPHET HE DID NOT WANT
Ahab knew there was another prophet.
His name was Micaiah.But Ahab did not like him.
He said:“But I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.”
— 1 Kings 22:8
What a revealing statement. Ahab did not say:
“Micaiah is a false prophet.”
He said:
“I hate him because he does not prophesy good concerning me.”
Ahab’s problem was not necessarily that Micaiah was wrong.
His problem was that Micaiah would not tell him what he wanted to hear.
This is one of the greatest dangers in spiritual leadership.
When people begin to love prophets who encourage them and hate prophets who correct them, they have already entered dangerous territory.
THE PROPHET WHO WOULD NOT CHANGE HIS MESSAGE
Micaiah was brought before the kings. At first, he appeared to give the same answer as the other prophets. But Ahab knew something was different. He demanded that Micaiah tell him the truth. Micaiah then answered:
“As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.”
— 1 Kings 22:14
This is the heart of true prophetic ministry.“What the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.”
Not:“What will make the people happy?”
Not:“What will make me popular?”
Not:“What will increase my followers?”
Not:“What will protect my position?”
Not:“What will make the king reward me?”
Not:“What will make people shout?”
But: “What the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.”
This must return to the Church.
MICAIAH SAW WHAT THE OTHER PROPHETS DID NOT SEE
Micaiah eventually revealed what he had seen:
“I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.”
— 1 Kings 22:17
The message was completely different from the 400 prophets.
They said:
Victory!
Micaiah saw:
Defeat.
They said:
Go up!
Micaiah saw:
Israel scattered.
They announced what the king wanted.
Micaiah announced what God had shown him.
THE HEAVENLY SCENE AND THE LYING SPIRIT
Micaiah then described a mysterious heavenly scene:
“I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.”
— 1 Kings 22:19
He continued:
“And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?”
— 1 Kings 22:20
Then the passage describes a spirit coming forward and saying: “I will persuade him.”The spirit said:
“I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.”
— 1 Kings 22:22
This is a difficult and solemn passage.
It does not mean that God Himself becomes a liar.
Scripture plainly teaches that God cannot lie.
Rather, the passage describes God’s judicial dealing with Ahab after his persistent rejection of truth.
Ahab had repeatedly resisted God’s warnings.
He had chosen his own way.
Now God permitted him to be given over to the deception he desired. This is a terrifying spiritual principle:
When people continually reject truth, they can eventually become vulnerable to deception.
Paul gives a similar warning:
“And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.”
— 2 Thessalonians 2:11
This should make the Church tremble.
We must never treat spiritual deception lightly.
THE 400 PROPHETS WERE NOT A GUARANTEE OF TRUTH
The 400 prophets continued to prophesy.
One of them, Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah, even made horns of iron and declared:
“Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.”
— 1 Kings 22:11
It looked prophetic.
It sounded prophetic.
It was dramatic.
It was confident.
It was public.
But it was false.
This is a warning for every generation.
A prophetic demonstration is not proof that God has spoken.
A dramatic declaration is not automatically divine revelation.
A large audience is not proof of divine approval.
A prophecy that makes everyone excited is not necessarily a prophecy from heaven.
The question remains:
Did God say it?
THE LONELY VOICE OF TRUTH
Micaiah was not intimidated by the 400 prophets.
He did not change his message because he was outnumbered.
He did not say: “Perhaps I should agree with them.”
He did not say: “Everyone else is saying it, so perhaps I am wrong.”
He stood alone. And this is one of the great lessons for the Church: Truth does not need a majority to remain truth.
Jeremiah stood against Hananiah. Micaiah stood against 400 prophets.
The prophets of God throughout Scripture often stood against the spirit of their generation.
The true prophet must therefore be prepared to stand alone when necessary.
MICAIAH WAS REJECTED BECAUSE HE SPOKE THE TRUTH
When Micaiah finished speaking, Zedekiah struck him on the cheek and asked:
“Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?”
— 1 Kings 22:24
Micaiah was mocked.
He was rejected.
He was imprisoned.
Yet the truth remained the truth.
A prophet’s suffering does not make his message false.
And a prophet’s popularity does not make his message true.
AHAB CHOSE THE PROPHECY HE WANTED
This is perhaps the most frightening part.
Ahab had heard the truth.
He knew Micaiah’s warning.
He had been given an opportunity to reconsider.
But he rejected it.
He went to battle.
Micaiah’s warning did not fail.
Ahab died.
The Scripture says:
“So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria.”
— 1 Kings 22:37
The 400 prophets had promised victory.
God’s word through Micaiah proved true.
The majority was wrong.
The solitary prophet was right.
THE FATE OF TWO KINGS AND TWO NATIONS
This was not merely about one man’s prophecy.
Two kings were involved.
Two nations were connected.
Israel and Judah were affected.
Jehoshaphat almost became entangled in Ahab’s disastrous decision. This teaches us something important:
The spiritual decisions of leaders can affect entire peoples.
Leaders do not make decisions in isolation.
Their obedience or disobedience can influence families, churches, communities and nations.
This is why Nigeria needs leaders who fear God.
This is why the Church needs spiritual leaders who will seek God before making decisions.
This is why prophets must fear God more than they fear people.
NIGERIA: ARE WE LISTENING TO GOD?
This brings the burden home.
Nigeria is surrounded by many voices.
Political voices.
Religious voices.
Prophetic voices.
Economic voices.
Social voices.
Media voices.
But the question is not whether Nigeria has enough voices.
The question is:
Are we hearing the voice of God?
We cannot afford to gather hundreds of voices merely to confirm what we have already decided.
We cannot seek prophets only to hear:
“Everything will be alright.”
We cannot desire promises while rejecting repentance.
We cannot desire revival while protecting sin.
We cannot ask God to heal Nigeria while refusing to allow God to heal the Church. We cannot pray for God to deliver Nigeria from violence while refusing to repent of the sins within the Church.
WHEN THE CHURCH WANTS PROPHECY WITHOUT REPENTANCE
There is a dangerous desire for prophecy that promises:
Breakthrough.
Promotion.
Enlargement.
Victory.
Wealth.
Success.
Favour.
But what about:
Repentance?
Holiness?
The fear of God?
Discipleship?
Evangelism?
Sacrifice?
Prayer?
Obedience?
The cross?
Jesus said:
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
— Matthew 16:24
The Church must recover the whole counsel of God.
We cannot select only the promises that comfort us.
THE DANGER OF A CHURCH THAT ONLY WANTS CONFIRMATION
Sometimes we do not really want God’s will.
We want God to confirm our will.
We pray:
“Lord, bless what I have already decided.”
Instead of:
“Lord, show me what You want.”
We seek a prophecy that agrees with our ambition.
We seek a prophetic word that agrees with our political preference.
We seek a message that agrees with our financial desire.
We seek confirmation instead of correction.
But Micaiah reminds us:
God’s voice is not a rubber stamp for human desires.
CAN GOD SAVE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTING THE CHURCH?
There is another burden here that must not be forgotten.
Nigeria is suffering from terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, bloodshed, criminality and religious violence.
But should the Church only pray for the destruction of the wicked?
Or can we also pray for their salvation?
Can God transform a jihadist into an evangelist?
Can God transform a terrorist into a preacher of the Gospel?
Can God save the sponsors of violence?
Can God save the criminal?
Can God save the hardest sinner?
Can God transform a Saul into a Paul?
Paul himself testified:
“Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy.”
— 1 Timothy 1:13
The man who once persecuted the Church became one of its greatest missionaries.
Therefore, while we pray for God to restrain evil and bring justice, we must also pray:
“Lord, save them.”
We must pray for salvation even for those who hate the Church.
Jesus commanded:
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
— Matthew 5:44
THE CHURCH NEEDS MICAIAH-LIKE INTERCESSORS
What if God wants to raise some former persecutors as instruments of revival?
What if among those presently involved in violence there are future evangelists whom God intends to save?
Nothing is too difficult for God.
Nigeria does not only need more preachers.
Nigeria needs watchmen.
Nigeria needs intercessors.
Nigeria needs believers who will stand before God and cry for mercy.
Ezekiel 22:30 says:
“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it.”
The intercessor stands between the crisis and the mercy of God.
He does not stand as an accuser.
He stands as a representative.
He cries:
“Lord, have mercy.”
This is why the hidden ministry of intercession remains so important.
God can use a person whom nobody sees publicly to influence things that millions will eventually see.
THE WARNING BEFORE JUDGMENT IS MERCY
Micaiah’s warning was not given because God hated Israel.
The warning itself was an expression of God’s mercy.
When God warns, He gives people an opportunity to repent.
When God exposes sin, He gives people an opportunity to return.
When God sends a watchman, He is still speaking.
When God sends an intercessor, mercy is still available.
Therefore, the Church should not despise warnings.
We should welcome them.
We should examine ourselves.
We should open the Scriptures.
We should pray:
“Lord, is there anything in us that must change?”
HOW DO WE DISCERN THE VOICE OF GOD?
The answer is not to become suspicious of every prophet.
The answer is to become deeply rooted in God’s Word.
The Bible says:
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Test the message.
Test the spirit.
Test the fruit.
Test the doctrine.
Test the life of the messenger.
Compare the prophecy with Scripture.
Do not follow a message merely because it is popular.
Do not reject a message merely because it is uncomfortable.
Ask:
Does it agree with God’s Word?
Does it lead people toward Christ?
Does it call people toward holiness and obedience?
Does it glorify God rather than the messenger?
Does it produce repentance, righteousness and the fear of God?
A WORD TO PROPHETS AND MINISTERS
If God has called you to speak, speak.
If He has called you to warn, warn.
If He has called you to expose sin, do so with humility.
If He has called you to call the Church to repentance, do not be silent because the message is unpopular.
But never confuse boldness with pride.
Never use prophecy to settle personal disputes.
Never use the pulpit to manipulate people.
Never use God’s name to promote your ambition.
Never say, “Thus saith the LORD,” when God has not spoken.
The responsibility is enormous.
Micaiah understood it.
“What the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.”
May that become the confession of every true prophet in Nigeria.
A WORD TO THOSE WHO HEAR PROPHECY
Do not say:
“My pastor said it.”
“My prophet said it.”
“My G.O. said it.”
“My father in the Lord said it.”
“Everybody believes it.”
Search the Scriptures.
Pray.
Test it.
Ask God for discernment.
Your spiritual destiny is too important to surrender to another person’s voice.
The Bereans were commended because they examined the Scriptures to see whether the things they were being taught were true.
WHAT IF GOD IS RAISING A REMNANT?
Perhaps Nigeria does not need another generation that merely shouts.
Perhaps God is raising a generation that will listen.
A generation that will repent.
A generation that will pray.
A generation that will evangelize.
A generation that will disciple.
A generation that will stand in the gap.
A generation that will say:
“What the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.”
They may not always be popular.
They may not have the largest platforms.
They may not have the greatest financial resources.
But they will carry the burden of God.
They will hear His warning.
They will intercede for the nation.
They will cry for mercy.
NIGERIA, WHICH VOICE WILL WE BELIEVE?
Four hundred prophets spoke.
One prophet stood alone.
The kings had a choice.
Nigeria also has a choice.
The Church has a choice.
Spiritual leaders have a choice.
Every believer has a choice.
Will we choose:
Truth or deception?
Repentance or rebellion?
Holiness or compromise?
The fear of God or the fear of man?
The Word of God or the opinions of men?
Christ or another gospel?
True revival or religious excitement?
The question is not:
How many voices are speaking?
The question is:
Which voice is speaking the truth?
THE HOUR OF REVIVAL
I still believe God can revive Nigeria.
I believe God can save millions.
I believe God can raise missionaries from Nigeria to the nations.
I believe God can transform young people.
I believe God can restore holiness to the Church.
I believe God can turn persecutors into preachers.
I believe God can bring peace where there is violence.
I believe God can heal families and communities.
I believe God can transform a nation.
But revival must begin with repentance.
The Church must return to the altar.
The Church must return to prayer.
The Church must return to holiness.
The Church must return to the Word.
The Church must return to evangelism.
The Church must return to discipleship.
The Church must return to the cross.
And the Church must learn again to distinguish the voice of God from the voice of man.
A FINAL CALL TO NIGERIA
Nigeria, do not reject the warning because it is uncomfortable.
Do not choose the voice that merely tells you what you want to hear.
Do not prefer false peace to true repentance.
Do not seek prophecy without obedience.
Do not seek revival without holiness.
Do not seek national transformation without personal repentance.
The God who spoke through Micaiah is still God.
The God who warned Ahab is still God.
The God who raised Jeremiah is still raising watchmen.
The God who called His people to repentance is still calling today.
And the fact that God is warning us means that mercy is still speaking.
Therefore:
Return to the Lord.
Return from sin.
Return from corruption.
Return from idolatry.
Return from greed.
Return from immorality.
Return from spiritual compromise.
Return from the love of money.
Return from false doctrine.
Return from prayerlessness.
Return to the Word.
Return to holiness.
Return to prayer.
Return to the fear of God.
Return to Jesus Christ.
PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND NIGERIA
O Lord God of heaven and earth,
We come before You with humility.
Forgive us for the times we have preferred the voice of man to Your voice.
Forgive us when we have sought confirmation instead of correction.
Forgive us when we have loved comfortable messages more than painful truth.
Forgive Your Church for prayerlessness, compromise, greed, pride, corruption, immorality, worldliness, false doctrine and the loss of the fear of God.
Have mercy upon Nigeria.
Have mercy upon our pastors.
Have mercy upon our prophets.
Have mercy upon our apostles, evangelists, teachers and intercessors.
Raise again faithful Micaiah-like voices in our generation.
Give Your servants courage to speak the truth without pride and humility to hear Your correction.
Deliver us from false prophecy.
Deliver us from spiritual deception.
Deliver us from messages that strengthen people in rebellion.
Let every false wall built with untempered mortar collapse.
Let Your Word return to the centre of the Church.
Let holiness return.
Let prayer return.
Let repentance return.
Let evangelism return.
Let discipleship return.
Let the fear of God return.
Lord, save Nigeria.
Restrain terrorism.
Stop bloodshed.
Bring justice against evil.
Protect the innocent.
And, Lord, save those who are involved in violence.
Save the jihadist.
Save the terrorist.
Save the sponsor of violence.
Save the criminal.
Save the hardest sinner.
Turn persecutors into preachers.
Turn enemies into servants of Christ.
Raise Pauls from among those who presently oppose Your Church.
Let Nigeria experience a great harvest of souls.
Raise missionaries from Nigeria to the nations.
Raise intercessors who will stand in the gap until mercy triumphs over judgment.
Lord, give us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
May we never be among those who reject Your warning.
May we never prefer 400 voices to one true word from You.
Give us discernment.
Give us holiness.
Give us courage.
Give us tears for the nation.
Give us a burden for souls.
And revive Your Church again.
In the mighty and saving name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
WHOSE VOICE WILL WE BELIEVE?
The issue is not simply Micaiah versus 400 prophets.
The deeper issue is:
Will we believe what God has said, even when His truth is uncomfortable?
May Nigeria hear.
May the Church repent.
May the watchmen arise.
May the intercessors stand in the gap.
May sinners be saved.
May persecutors become preachers.
May falsehood be exposed.
May truth prevail.
And may the Lord have mercy upon Nigeria before judgment overtakes a people who have been repeatedly warned.
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
— Revelation 2:7.
ONE DAY • ONE FAST • ONE PRAYER • ONE GOD.
For the full message, vision, biblical foundation and prayer details:Press this link:
https://churchtimesnigeria.net/one-day-one-fast-one-prayer-can-bloodshed-insecurity-and-terrorism-end-in-nigeria/
Revive US Again series 151.
Revive Us Again — A Global Prayer Movement for Worldwide Revival.
Revive Us Again is a call for the Church to return to God, recover the altar of prayer, repent of sin, receive spiritual awakening, and become a praying and witnessing people through whom revival can reach the nations.
By Prophet John Abiola
Intercessor | Revival Voice
Nigeria Global Intercessors (NGI)
globalintercessors7@gmail.com.