Thanks so much for joining in David H. I really appreciate your reply (as well as others).
Thanks Scoot for your comment, You are right to be leary, and you should see this very gift (discerning of the Spirits) is what is missing... it is like having tongues without the interpretation of tongues, there is no edification for the Body of Christ, only the individual speaking them.
I Have no doubt many of these so called Prophets are seeing things, But are they from the LORD? Or another source? You asked what standard should we use to discern? The Word of God is first and foremost. Secondly, are they gainsaying? This can vary from monetary gain (Balaam's error) to self aggrandizement and exaltation (Pride) to desire for fame and notoriety. A true Prophet will refuse all of these things. Thirdly, is there conviction from the Holy Ghost there or smooth words that please and foster complacency?
A true Prophet will not point you to themselves but to Christ and the cross, a true prophet will not speak smooth words, but hard words. A true prophet is Hated by many, and understood and received by a few. Often times their words are speaking to the heart of People and will not come to be seen as truthful till sometime later. The true prophet edifies by conviction and repentance, not by building up the whitwashed tombs in the lives of People. (Ego and self esteem).
Paul equated Prophecy as the highest of the Gifts of the Spirit, so we do need these words, now more than ever. For a famine is coming of hearing the word of God. (Amos 8:11)
Just because there is failure, does not mean the gifts have ceased, Only they have been drowned out by the Hoopla of Christianism. We are witnessing a revival of Christianism right now, but there is also a "quiet" revival of true Christianity occurring, in which the Outpouring of the gift of discerning the spirits is occurring.... they will have their eyes opened the rest will not, Hence the strong delusion.