Online Reporter
H-Metro Reporter
CONTROVERSIAL preacher, Passion Java, has denied making prophecies on the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup saying his social media posts are just mere updates by a football lover, not a prophecy.
Java has been under the social media spotlight after a Facebook post, which ‘predicted’ a Portugal victory over Spain, but was deleted soon after the match as the European champions snatched a late 1-0 win over the Portuguese.
The understanding was that Java had posted a prophecy and felt embarrassed when the result was the opposite.
With social media saying he was now abusing his prophetic gift and misleading some of his followers into betting, Java’s church responded yesterday in an exclusive to H-Metro.
Java’s Facebook page has 1.4 million followers and he says he has been preaching and prophesying since 2002 with his message being carried in 80 countries.
“If you check on his Facebook page, he will just be updating as the matches go on and this is what most football fans are doing all over the world.
“That’s why he does not make any reference to the Lord.
“So, it is very unfortunate that some people are taking those fan updates as prophecy. If you go through his page, you will realise he posts about both church and social issues,” said his church in a short response.
A number of prophets have been on Facebook posting about the World Cup with many critics questioning why the clips of these match predictions only emerge when a result is known.
Critics suggest that there is a lot of editing that goes on after matches so that videos, suggesting correct “prophecies,” flood the social media platforms as a way of recruiting followers.
A Zambian preacher, known as Ecclesiastes MJ Emmanuel, said the trend of church leaders prophesying on football matches was largely influenced by chasing attention and fame.
“There is a dangerous trend rising in the body of Christ. Now that prophesying concerning football has become fashionable, many people who claim to be prophets have entered this space, not because God spoke to them, not because they heard from the Spirit, but because they are chasing attention, relevance, and fame.
‘‘They watch those who are known for making predictions, they follow their words, and then they copy, repeat, and present borrowed revelations as if God personally revealed them to them.
“The Lord does not take this lightly. God calls such people thieves, and He says, ‘I am against the prophets that steal my words.’
Apostle Emmanuel added:
‘‘Some of these people were genuinely called to be pastors, teachers, or evangelists, but because of the desire for recognition, they have abandoned their assignment and forced themselves into the prophetic office.
“They think being known as a prophet is more powerful than faithfully serving God in their actual calling.
‘‘The danger is this: when you steal another man’s prophecy and that prophecy fails, you inherit the shame of what you did not hear from God. You attach your name, your ministry, and your credibility to a word that God never gave you.
‘The same people who celebrated you will question your authenticity when the borrowed prophecy collapses.
‘‘Stop building your ministry around football prophecies.
‘‘Leave predictions to those who specialise in them. Your calling is bigger than trying to prove that you can predict outcomes. You don’t need to announce a prophecy every time there is a major event to prove that you are a prophet.”
Apostle Emmanuel says church leaders should not be putting themselves under unnecessary pressure over World Cup predictions.
“Like Moses, you can teach people, serve God’s purpose, go home, drink water, rest, and sleep peacefully without carrying the burden of trying to force a prophecy to come to pass.
‘‘Let this World Cup season be a serious lesson: God does not need you to fake accuracy. He needs you to walk in truth. Do not steal God’s words. Hear from God. Speak only what He has given you.”
