ONLINE FILING CABINET

AS A LEADERSHIP TEAM, WE HAVE BEEN INQUIRING OF THE LORD AS TO ITS MEANING AND APPLICATION TO US.

THIS MORNING, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE FIRST CUT, AND OFFER SOME INSIGHTS FROM THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE IN ORDER TO DEFINE, IN SOME MEASURE, WHAT THIS MEANS AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. OTHERS WILL ADD TO IT OVER TIME.

LET ME FIRST EXPLAIN THAT BEING A PROPHETIC CHURCH DOES NOT SIMPLY MEAN THAT WE HAVE PROPHECY IN OPERATION IN OUR CHURCH. IT INCLUDES THIS, BUT IT GOES MUCH FURTHER. IN ANY EVENT, WE WANT TO BE MORE SENSITIVE TO FUNCTION THAN TO TITLE OR DESCRIPTION.

IN EPHESIANS 4:11, ONE OF THE ASCENSION GIFT MINISTRIES THAT JESUS GAVE TO HIS CHURCH IS THE OFFICE OF PROPHET. IN FIRST CORINTHIANS 12:10; PAUL SPEAKS TO THE CHURCH ABOUT THE GIFT OF PROPHECY. IN REVELATION 19:10, JOHN THE REVELATOR SPEAKS ABOUT THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.

EACH ONE OF THE USES OF THIS CONCEPT IS DIFFERENT IN ITS AUTHORITY AND WEIGHT. LET’S TAKE A MOMENT AND SEE WHAT I MEAN.

IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, THE OFFICE OF PROPHET, DESCRIBES SOMEONE SET APART BY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, NOT SELF APPOINTED, TO BE HIS SPOKESMAN, NOT SIMPLY IN HIS/HER LOCAL CHURCH; BUT MORE OFTENTIMES TO THE BODY AT LARGE.

EVERY PROPHET CAN PROPHESY, BUT NOT EVERYONE WHO PROPHECIES IS IDENTIFIED AS MINISTERING IN THE OFFICE OF PROPHET.

IT MAY BE SUCH THAT IN THESE LAST DAYS, GOD WILL ONCE AGAIN RAISE UP THE OFFICE OF PROPHET; CONSISTING OF THOSE WHO WILL SPEAK ON HIS BEHALF TO THE NATIONS. NO QUESTION THAT THESE WILL BE SEASONED VETERANS, NOT NOVICES, KNOWN FOR THEIR PROVEN RELIABILITY, CHARACTER, AND ACCURACY.

THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS HAD A PECULIAR TEMPERAMENT; AS SPOKESMEN FOR GOD, THEY OFTEN SPOKE OF COMING JUDGMENT, CALLING FOR REPENTANCE, AND HAD A CONFRONTATIONAL STYLE. THE NEW TESTAMENT OFFICE OF PROPHET IS CHARACTERIZED BY A MORE GENTLE, ENTREATING SPIRIT.

EVEN THOUGH IT IS SEEN AS ONE OF THE FIVE FOLD MINISTRIES, IT DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME LEVEL AUTHORITY THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS.

ONE OF THE DIFFERENCES IS THAT THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS WERE USED BY GOD TO ESTABLISH SCRIPTURE; AND SECONDLY, IF THEY PROPHESIED FALSELY, THEIR PUNISHMENT WAS STONING. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, THERE IS NO SUCH AUTHORITY TO BRING FORTH NEW REVELATION, AND THERE IS NO SUCH PENALTY AS STONING.

PAUL NOTED IN HIS LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS THAT THEY WERE TO PURSUE LOVE AND DESIRE THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS, BUT ESPECIALLY THE ABILITY TO PROPHESY

(1 COR 14:1).

THIS WORD IS DERIVED FROM THE GREEK WHICH IMPLIES THAT GOD SPEAKS THROUGH US, WHILE WE ARE UNDER THE INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

BY DIVINE REVELATION- WE SPEAK FORTH THE COUNSEL, MIND, AND WILL OF GOD. THIS IS A SERIOUS RESPONSIBILITY, NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.

THIS ABILITY, EVEN IF CONSISTENTLY OPERATING IN AN INDIVIDUAL, IS LIMITED TO THE “IN PART REALM”, FOR PAUL INFORMS US THAT WE KNOW IN PART, AND WE PROPHESY IN PART, MEANING OUR INSIGHT IS LIMITED (1 COR 13:9).

IN FACT, PAUL ALSO SAID TO THE ROMANS IN CHAPTER 12:6 THAT THOSE WHO HAVE THE GIFT OF PROPHECY SHOULD PROPHESY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR LEVEL OF FAITH. THIS IMPLIES THAT NOT ALL PROPHESY WITH THE SAME MEASURE OF GRACE, DEPTH, OR ABILITY.

THIS MEANS THAT PROPHECY IS MORE OFTEN SUBJECTIVE RATHER THAN OBJECTIVE; MEANING THAT WHEN WE BRING SOMETHING FORTH, IT IS BASED ON OUR INTERNAL PERCEPTIONS, AND WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL THAT WE ARE IMPARTIALLY INFLUENCED.

THIS IS THE REASON THAT UTTERANCES HAVE TO BE JUDGED, TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE INSPIRATION: IS IT THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE INDIVIDUAL’S SOULISH DESIRES AND WISHFUL THINKING, OR IS THERE POSSIBLY DEMONIC INFLUENCE?

1 Cor. 14:3-5 (NKJV) But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

NOTICE, THAT IN CONTRAST TO THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETIC UTTERANCES THAT WERE OFTEN HARSH AND DEMANDING, THE NEW TESTAMENT HAS A DIFFERENT FEEL TO IT. THERE IS MORE OF A SENSE OF HUMILITY AND WONDER, REQUIRING THAT WE ARE BROKEN, AND WALK SOFTLY BEFORE THE LORD.

IT DOES NOT OPERATE WHENEVER SOMEONE FEELS LIKE THEY WANT TO PROPHESY, OR WHEN SOMEONE COMES WANTING A WORD- BUT IT IS DOWNLOADED INTO OUR HEARTS BY THE SACRED IMPULSE, UNCTION, AND TIMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

THE NEW TESTAMENT PROPHETIC, INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT; IS GIVEN FOR

THE PURPOSE OF EDIFICATION, EXHORTATION, AND COMFORT TO THE SAINTS. IT COMES IN SUCH A WAY THAT THERE IS AN EXPRESSION OF AH-HA WITHIN OUR HEARTS. INDIVIDUALLY OR CORPORATELY, WE WANT TO RESPOND TO IT IN A POSITIVE MANNER.

THE RATIONALE IS TO BUILD UP THE MEMBERS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, TO RELEASE GREATER MEASURES OF FAITH, TO PROMPT OBEDIENCE. IT IS NOT HARSH, JUDGMENTAL, NEGATIVE, CRITICAL, ACCUSATORY, LEGALISTIC, OR CONDEMNING.

IT IS NOT FLATTERY OR TRYING TO PUFF ANYONE UP.

IF WE DO THIS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCRIPTURES, WE WILL FIND THAT THE WORD OF THE LORD OFTEN HELPS PEOPLE TO OVERCOME A SENSE OF NEGATIVITY EXPRESSED BY DISCOURAGEMENT, REJECTION, ALIENATION, OR CONDEMNATION.

BECAUSE THE WORD IS ENCOURAGING AND EDIFYING, THERE IS A RELEASE AND AN UPLIFTING IN THEIR SPIRITS.

THERE IS AN ETIQUETTE AND ACCOUNTABILITY INVOLVED. THIS IS WHY WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO ALLOW FOR 2 OR 3 MESSAGES IN THE LOCAL CONGREGATION, AND THEN THEY ARE TO BE JUDGED OR DISCERNED BY LEADERSHIP (1 COR 14:29).

THE LIMITATION ON THE NUMBER OF TIMES THAT THE PROPHECIES SHOULD COME FORTH IS BECAUSE THE ENEMY HAS A TENDENCY TO “PILE ON” IF YOU WILL, AND GET PEOPLE HYPED UP, AND CARRIED OFF INTO THE FLESH.

DO NOT BE DECEIVED, EVERY THOUGHT THAT COMES INTO YOUR HEAD, EVERY DREAM THAT YOU HAVE; JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE BORN AGAIN OR FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT GOD!

WE ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO STEP OUT IN FAITH IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU MAY HAVE SOMETHING FROM GOD. RATHER THAT INFORM US “THUS SAITH THE LORD” YOU COULD SHARE THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS IS FROM THE LORD.

THERE IS ONLY ONE CAVEAT! IF YOU ARE WILLING TO RISK STEPPING OUT, YOU MUST ALSO BE HUMBLY WILLING TO RECEIVE LOVING CORRECTION IF IT IS JUDGED TO BE IMPROPER.

THIS IS WHY PETER SAYS THAT WE HAVE A MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY (2 PET 1:19); IN WHICH THE SCRIPTURE IS THE OBJECTIVE BASIS FOR OUR SPEAKING. IT IS BASED ON THE ALREADY REVEALED WORD OF GOD. WE MEASURE WHAT IS SPOKEN IN PROPHECY BY WHAT IS ALREADY WRITTEN, THEY ARE NOT IN CONFLICT.

THOSE THAT ARE IN AUTHORITY EITHER BEAR WITNESS TO THE WORD, OR DISCERN THAT IT IS NOT OF GOD. IT MAY NOT BE ERROR, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF ORDER IF IT CLASHES WITH WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS BRINGING FORTH FROM OTHERS.

I MIGHT ADD THAT THIS SAME TYPE OF THINKING APPLIES IN TERMS OF PERSONAL MINISTRY WHEN SOMEONE COMES FORWARD FOR INTERCESSORY PRAYER. ASK THEM FIRST WHAT THEY ARE HERE FOR. DO NOT TRY TO BE SUPER SPIRITUAL AND READ THEIR MAIL.

AFTER THEY HAVE INDICATED WHAT THE NEED IS, ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO MINISTER THROUGH THE GIFTINGS OF WORD OF KNOWLEDGE, WORD OF WISDOM, OR PROPHECY.

IT IS A SACRED TRUST WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT ALLOWS US TO MINISTER TO SOMEONE, THE GUIDELINES ARE GIVEN IN SCRIPTURE TO HELP DIMINISH PRIDE AND DECEPTION.

FINALLY, JOHN THE BELOVED INFORMS US THAT THE HIGHEST FORM OF PROPHECY IS KNOWN AS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY, WHICH IS DEFINED AS THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST. THIS HAS TWO MEANINGS TO ME.

MOST GENERALLY THIS IS EXPERIENCED ON RARE OCCASIONS, IN AN UNUSUAL MOVE OF GOD, IN WHICH HIS MANIFEST PRESENCE IS NOTICEABLY TANGIBLE AND THERE IS A SENSE IN WHICH EVERYONE SENSES THE ABILITY TO PROPHESY.

ON ONE OCCASION IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, THE SPIRIT OF GOD CAME UPON THE PEOPLE IN SUCH A DEMONSTRABLE WAY, AND THEY ALL PROPHESIED, INCLUDING KING SAUL (1 SAM 10:10).

WHEN SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS SPEAK OUT UNDER THIS TYPE OF ANOINTING; THE

WORD WILL COME FORTH WITH AUTHORITY, CONVICTION, AND INFLUENCE; SUCH THAT IT WILL BE WITNESSED BY ALL AS THE WORD OF GOD, THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST.

IT WILL BE OF SUCH MAGNITUDE OR SIGNIFICANCE THAT IT WILL ELICIT A RESPONSE FROM ALL OF US; AS WE SAY AMEN TO IT.

AS SUCH, IT WILL NEVER BE IN OPPOSITION TO THE REVEALED WORD OF GOD RECORDED FOR US IN SCRIPTURE; THIS IS WHY WE MUST NOT BE BIBLICALLY ILLITERATE, BUT THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY MAY BRING US INTO NEW TERRITORY. IT MAY STRETCH US, GET US OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONE AND CHURCH AS USUAL.

IN ADDITION, EVEN WITHIN THE MARKET PLACE- A PROPHETIC CHURCH IS DETERMINED IN SOME MEASURE BY THE FACT THAT ITS PEOPLE HAVE A LIVING WORD, SOMETHING TO SHARE OF THE COUNSEL OF GOD, FROM THE THRONE OF GOD.

IT IS WRITTEN. IN SOME SENSE, IT WILL DERIVE ITS MESSAGE AND PROVIDE ANSWERS FROM THE PROPHETIC WORDS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS.

IT WILL ALSO ENCOMPASS THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS, AND THE DOCTRINES OF

THE EPISTLES.

BECOMING THE NATIONAL CONSCIENCE- THE MESSAGE OF THE CHURCH WILL INCLUDE THE WISDOM DRAWN FROM THE VOLUME OF THE BOOK; AND THESE TOGETHER WILL BE THE MEANS BY WHICH THE CHURCH BECOMES A PROPHETIC VOICE IN THE WORLD, A VIABLE COUNTER CULTURE, IN CONTRADISTINCTION TO THE WAYS OF SOCIETY.

IN EVERY CASE, FOR A MESSAGE TO BE TRULY PROPHETIC, THE BURDEN WILL COME FROM THE HEART OF GOD, IT WILL MAGNIFY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, IT WILL DRAW THE LISTENER INTO A CLOSER WALK OF OBEDIENCE TO THE WILL OF GOD, AND IT WILL ENCOURAGE THEM TO PERSEVERE.

ALL THAT BEING SAID, WE SHOULD NOT GET THE IMPRESSION THAT PROPHECY AND THE ASSOCIATED GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT, IS LIMITED TO USE WITHIN THE FOUR WALLS.

IF INDEED WE ARE THAT CITY ON A HILL, IF WE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, WE WILL RECOGNIZE THAT THIS MEANS THAT WE WILL BE INFLUENTIAL OUTSIDE OF THE FOUR WALLS. WE WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO THOSE THAT ARE IN DARKNESS.

THESE GIFTS ARE BEING COUNTERFEITED IN THE WORLD, AND GOD IS RAISING UP THE CHURCH WITH THE GENUINE GOODS; WITH KEYS AND STRATEGIES, TO OFFSET THE INFLUENCE OF THE PSYCHIC AND THE OCCULT.

ONE OF THE ELEMENTS OF A PROPHETIC CHURCH IS THAT THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES WILL EXERCISE THESE TYPES OF GIFTS IN THE MARKET PLACE; WITHOUT TRYING TO BE SPIRITUAL. THEY WOULD FLOW OUT OF A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LIVING AND TRUE GOD.

AS WE ARE PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT, IN OUR PRAYER CLOSET, INQUIRING OF THE LORD, WE COULD HAVE THE CONFIDENCE THAT IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME, GOD WOULD DO SOMETHING THAT WOULD BRING GLORY TO HIS NAME. WE CAN EXPECT DIVINE APPOINTMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO BE AN INFLUENCE FOR CHANGE.

SOMEONE HAS SAID THAT TOO MANY FEAR STEPPING OUT INTO A NEW OPPORTUNITY MORE THAN THEY FEAR MISSING OUT ON A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO STEP OUT. THEREFORE, THERE IS A REAL URGENCY, NOT TO NEGLECT AN OCCASION TO BE USED BY THE LORD; ESPECIALLY OUTSIDE THE CHURCH.

WE CANNOT ENGAGE IN THE BATTLE FROM THE PEW ALONE, AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO INVADE THE ENEMY’S CAMP. SATAN WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM IF WE CONFINED OURSELVES TO THE FOUR WALLS, FORMING SOME TYPE OF BLESSING CLUB. WE ARE IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF IT. WE HAVE BOTH THE MINISTRY AND THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION.

HOW WONDERFUL IT WOULD BE IF, WHILE IN THE MARKETPLACE, GOD SHOWED YOU THE PROBLEM (WORD OF KNOWLEDGE) AND THE SOLUTION (WORD OF WISDOM) IN THE COURSE OF ORDINARY CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE WHO IS DEALING WITH A MATTER OF CONCERN. YOU COULD CALL IT PROPHETIC EVANGELISM, BECAUSE IT OFFERS US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE JESUS.

WHAT IF THE LORD RAISED UP PEOPLE WITHIN THE CHURCH WHO WOULD BE INFLUENTIAL IN THE SCHOOLS, IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, IN HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATIONS, AND THE LIKE. WHAT IF GOD PROVIDED THEM SUPERNATURAL WISDOM AND REMEDIES TO KNOTTY PROBLEMS THAT ARE BEING DEALT WITH.

SURELY THESE OPPORTUNITIES, ORDAINED BY GOD, WOULD GIVE THE BODY OF CHRIST INROADS TO SHARING THE GOSPEL WITH THE LOST. GOD HAS CALLED, MADE, AND EQUIPPED US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. SURELY, IF WE RESPOND AS WE HAVE BEEN PREPARED, THAT WOULD MAKE THE CHURCH MORE RELEVANT AND MEANINGFUL THAN IT CURRENTLY IS.

THUS, WE CAN CONCLUDE, THAT A PROPHETIC CHURCH IS ACTIVE AND NOT PASSIVE. SHE IS CALLED TO HAVE AN IMPACT, TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE- NOT JUST IN CHURCH, BUT IN THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE HAVE TO LIVE AND WORK.

WE NEED TO HAVE A HARVEST MINDSET. IT MAY VERY WELL BE THAT THE EMERGING PROPHETIC CHURCH WORLD WIDE WILL BE ONE OF THE INSTRUMENTS LEADING TO REVIVAL AND A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING IN OUR PRESENT DAY SOCIETY. IT MAY BE ONE OF THE MEANS BY WHICH GOD PIERCES THE ARMOR OF A HARDENED SOCIETY.

IN THAT CASE, WE WOULD EXPECT THE LORD TO RAISE UP MEN AND WOMEN WHO WOULD ADDRESS THE LEADERS OF NATIONS, WHO WOULD SPEAK OUT WITH ANSWERS TO PERPLEXING PROBLEMS. IT WOULD BE WITH THE WISDOM THAT

COMES FROM ABOVE THAT CANNOT BE GAINSAID.

THEY COULD SPEAK INTO PERTINENT ISSUES, SUCH AS IMMIGRATION POLICY, ABORTION, AND THINGS OF THIS NATURE, WITH AUTHORITY AND THE BACKING OF THE WHOLE CHURCH UNIVERSAL.

ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE YOURSELF TO THE LORD IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU WILL OVERCOME THE FEAR OF MAN, AND BE INVOLVED ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF WHAT GOD IS DOING IN THE EARTH? ARE YOU WILLING TO STEP OUT IN FAITH AND BE USED BY GOD?
Posted by Gene Redlin at 12:24 PM 1 comments Links to this post
A Litttle More on the Role of the Prophet Still
Prophets Today?

Dennis Bratcher

Are there prophets today? Well, no. And yes. If you mean, "Are there prophets like Israel had in the Old Testament?", then no. If you mean, "Do people speak with prophetic voices today?", yes.

The phenomena of Old Testament prophecy can be traced historically as well as culturally. Setting aside the influences from surrounding cultures (and they were considerable), it is helpful to note the time frame in which Old Testament prophecy flourished. Even though Moses is referred to anachronistically as the paradigm of a prophet (Deut 34:10), Old Testament prophecy arose with Samuel in the eleventh century BC, and all but died out by the sixth century BC in the post-exilic era. There were a few prophets after the exile, but beginning with Ezekiel most were also priests and served a slightly different role in Israel (Haggai, Zechariah). Malachi, around 450 BC, is considered the last of the Old Testament prophets (see Israelite Prophets Date Chart).

It is no coincidence that the beginning of Old Testament prophecy coincided with the rise of monarchy, and that the decline of prophetic activity also coincided with the demise of the monarchy. The first prophet, Samuel, was a kingmaker. And the ministry of the last pre-exilic prophet, Jeremiah, was marked by conflict with Israel's King Jehoiakim.

In fact, prophets were often in conflict with kings. Nathan dared confront David with his murderous sin. Amos was asked to leave the Northern Kingdom because he dared speak against the king (Jereboam II) in one of his own royal temples. Both Micah and Isaiah fiercely attacked the pro-Assyrian political intrigue and religious syncretism of Ahaz. And even John the Baptist felt the responsibility to challenge Herod, with deadly consequences.

In looking at Old testament prophets more closely (beyond the narrow category of prediction), it is clear that their message was most often calling the people back to proper worship of God. But much of that task was done in the context of the community, the nation, of Israel. That meant that much of the criticism of the prophets was leveled at religious leaders (which included what we would call "political" leaders) for their failure to be spiritual leaders. It was also aimed at the powerful, most often also the religious leaders, who used their power and influence for selfish or sinful purposes. The prophets were a balance to the unrestrained power of the monarchy and the aristocracy (cf. 1 Sam 8:11-17).

All this says that OT prophets served two complementary roles in Israel. They spoke for God to the people, calling the people to respond faithfully to the God who had revealed Himself in their history. But they also spoke for the weak, the oppressed, the disenfranchised, those who had little voice in shaping their own lives or their own future. Even in that role, they were still speaking for God, because their tradition remembered that once they were slaves in Egypt with no voice in their own future until God entered history and delivered them. Such oppression of the helpless by the powerful was understood to be a violation of the most fundamental part of God's revelation of Himself, that He is the kind of God who hears the cries of oppressed slaves and responds with grace and deliverance.

So the prophets stood as a counter voice to those who would allow the allure of power, ambition, and self-serving self-righteousness to blind them to the things of God: doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. They were, in the best sense of the term, "counter-culture" Israelites. As Walt Brueggemann writes (The Prophetic Imagination), they called the people to live in an alternate reality not governed by the rules of power and success. They called them rather to live out Torah as a faithful response to God. They called the people to abandon the status quo shaped by those who benefited from it the most, to embrace a new future shaped, empowered, and energized by God.

So, as Abraham Heschel writes, the prophets always sang one octave too high. They were empowered by a vision of how things could be, a future in which the people and their leaders would live out their calling to be the people of God as a channel of blessing to the world. And the prophets had the courage to call into question any preoccupation with the status quo on any level that interfered with that future. As a result, they were often in trouble with those who stood to lose the most if the status quo were changed and that "could be" future became a reality.

In another context, this same idea was embodied in Jesus as he talked about the first becoming last and the last becoming first, and as spoke and lived the idea that true leaders were servants who washed others' feet. In fact, this "alternative reality" is the heart of the "Kingdom of God" in the New Testament.

There are other issues related to what makes an Old Testament prophet, such as their calling by God (see The Prophetic "Call" Narrative: Commissioning into Service). However, because of the cultural aspects of the Old Testament, there are no more prophets in the strict sense of the word. That was a uniquely historical phenomena that cannot be duplicated now because history has changed. But the prophetic concern with faithful response to God, especially as it plays out in issues of power, authority, and control, becomes the basis for talking about a modern prophetic voice, one who speaks prophetically.

The issues that called forth the prophetic messages of the Old Testament are very contemporary issues. There are still Davids around, who, even though they may be good leaders and people of God at times, sometimes use their power in horribly destructive ways to achieve their own ambitious or selfish ends. There are still people like Ahaz who are so blind to the things of God that they are willing to build altars to whatever gods they think are the most powerful in order to extend their ambition and control.

There are still Jeroboams who are more concerned with wealth, success, and empires than they are with the suffering their ambition causes for others. There are still Herods caught between their own delusions of grandeur and even more powerful political forces, who are willing to sacrifice whomever is necessary to secure their own comfort and survival. There are still Pharisees who are so sure that their way is God's way that they are easily willing to crucify anyone who poses a threat to the status quo of their version of the truth.

And so, I think, there needs to be people today, Christians today, who will dare to stand and speak the truth in love, who will dare to stand before the king and say, "You are the man!" Here it is easy, especially in more conservative traditions of Christianity to assent rather quickly to the idea that we should "take a stand" against all the sin in the world. We easily assume that the enemy is external, a force of evil that threatens to overcome all of us righteous people. There is a truth there. But it is not the whole truth. The voice that decries sin in the world is not a prophetic voice.

A truly prophetic voice is one who has the courage, perhaps even in some sense the calling of God, to look around at the community of faith in its status quo and say, "Not everyone who says 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven." A prophetic voice is one who calls God's people to return to their calling as His people. A prophetic voice is one that will not settle for the status quo, not for the sake of stability, or security, or comfort, or even for the sake of conserving the tradition. A truly prophetic voice is a radical voice, a liberal voice that calls for change, even if that change is a return to a vital tradition long obscured by false piety and self-righteousness.

A prophetic voice will not gloss over injustice or oppression, will not be silent in the face of bigotry or prejudice or false pride, and will not compromise faithfulness for practical ends no matter how noble those ends may be in themselves. A truly prophetic voice is one that will sweep away all the trappings of religion and simply ask, "What does God require?", and answer simply, "do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God." Or simply "love God, love others." A prophetic voice is one that will settle for nothing less than holiness of heart and life as the result of faithful obedience to the voice of God. In a real sense, a prophetic voice even today is the voice of God.

In our culture, and with our history, it is easy to claim the role of a prophet. But it is also easy to claim that role as its own form of ambition and power. It is perhaps too easy to claim to speak prophetically, but to do so with arrogance, anger, and bombast as David Koresh well demonstrated. A truly prophetic voice speaks in love, not anger, even when it cries "Woe to you hypocrites!" Jeremiah spent 40 years of his prophetic ministry telling the people, sometimes in the harshest and coarsest language possible, that they were sinners and were going to die. But he took no joy in that message. At the same time that he stood firm as the lone prophetic voice against the tyranny, injustice, and idolatry of God's people, he was weeping. He told them they were going to die for their sins, but he did so with tears in his eyes (e.g., Jer 8:22-9:1)!

And Jesus on more than one occasion soundly denounced religious folk who could not envision anything beyond their own little world of truth. And yet, he stood overlooking the city of Jerusalem and wept over it, knowing that the very people over whom he was weeping had murder in their hearts.

Do we need prophetic voices today? Perhaps. A few. Not everyone can be a prophetic voice. It's costly. Prophets often get thrown into cisterns and tried for treason. Or beheaded. Or crucified. Or shot. It's just not a very popular position, so it takes a certain kind of person to be a prophetic voice.

Prophetic voices just aren't "team players." They just don't understand that you can't say certain things or make certain people mad. They just don't understand that bills have to be paid and buildings have to be built. They just don't understand how the system works and how things get done.

Prophetic voices are often on the fringe of the crowds who flock to hear the latest "how to" speaker. They just don't fit in with polite conversation about the latest triviality, because they want to talk about much too serious topics. They are socially insensitive because they continually want to bring up topics no one else wants to talk about, and are often politely told that they should find a more appropriate forum, perhaps at that "other" church that really needs to hear it. Prophetic voices often see things that others do not see, and so are often an embarrassment to their "family," who sometimes accuse them of being just a little mixed up.

How does one become a prophetic voice? I don't know. I think there are a variety of factors, but no one thing that I can name. Sometimes life experiences can open our eyes to the injustice and prejudice around us. Sometimes the passion of others provides a model for that "alternate reality." Sometimes the written word of God may call us to see beyond where we are. Sometimes the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to a new vision of His work in the world. Sometimes it is a personality trait that is sensitive to certain things. Sometimes a deep commitment to the things of God leads to a spiritual growth that opens up new vistas. Sometimes, perhaps, God simply speaks.

I don't know how to become a prophetic voice. But I wouldn't recommend it anyway. There's not much future in it. At least, not now.
Posted by Gene Redlin at 12:20 PM 0 comments Links to this post
A Litttle More on the Role of the Prophet
The Role of the Prophet in the New Testament Church
by Rev. Mark J. Dibois, Ph.D.
Presented by Saint Luke Evangelical School Of Biblical Studies
http://ficotw.org/school.html

There are many today in numerous churches and denominations that are of the firm opinion that the office of Prophet is an office which no longer exists in the body of Christ. The foundation of such an argument is based in the notion that Prophets should be prescient, and are therefore solely needed to predict the future. Since all the future events that effect the body of Christ have been clearly delineated with the completion of John’s book of Revelations; it would seem that the role of the Prophet is obsolete. In spite of all this , a careful examination of the scriptures indicates that the office of Prophet is alive and well in the body of Christ today.

No exposition of the office of Prophet would be complete without a thorough examination of the actual name "Prophet" in the original language of the Bible. The Hebrew word for Prophet is the word nabi from a root meaning "to bubble forth, as from a fountain," hence "to utter". This Hebrew word is the first and the most generally used for a prophet.

This word is first explained in Numbers 12:6-8

Nu 12:6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. 8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

In this particular passage the Prophet is seen as a seer behind the vision of God. Thus a spokesman for God. Simply put a prophet is "one who speaks for God". This is clearly seen in the following verses:

Jer 1:9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

And

Isa 51:16 And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.

Here we see that both Jeremiah and Isaiah were Prophets and as such were anointed to speak what God spoke.

Prophets were immediate organs of God for the communication of his mind and will to men :

De 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

In this sense we can deduce that the entire Word of God is a prophetic work since it was written by men who received its content from God.

Fortelling the future was not a necessary part of being a Prophet. In fact; prescient declarations were the exception, and not the rule. In general the greatest role of the Prophet was in the correction of the church( or nation of Israel) and the proclamation of moral truths which are connected to the character of God, and the foundation of His government in the church.

In New Testament times the Prophetical office was continued. Jesus was referred to as a Prophet:

Lu 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. 33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

And

Lu 24:18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. Also

Joh 4:19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Joh 4:44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.

It is interesting to note that little is depicted about the role of the role of the “New testament prophet”. This can also be said of the other offices in the body of Christ. It is therefore no stretch to assume that the role of the Prophet is essentially unchanged from its function and duty in the Old Testament.

If we carry over from Old Testament to New Testament, the role of the Prophet is :

a.) to Speak for God

b.) to exhort and direct the body of Christ.

c. ) It is also clear that this office is considered high in its order of importance:

1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

d.) When a Prophet speaks in an open congregation his words are to be judged.

1Co 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

e. ) There must be distinction made between one who speaks out under the unction of the gift of prophecy and one who is a Prophet. The Prophet is an office. The individual in that office will almost certainly operate in the gift of Prophecy as well as other revelation gifts (word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discernment of spirits) but should not be limited to this. Elijah for example operated in the gift of miracles.

f. ) Prophets are not necessarily preachers. It has been assumed by many that any one who preaches is a prophet. While that is certainly possible, it is not a rule.

g. ) Prophets are also in control of their gifts and are able to function decently and in order ( this principle applies to all gifts and their use)

1Co 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

h. ) The office of Prophet and the gift of prophecy is not exclusive to men:

Ac 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. 10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

And

Jg 4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

i.) The New Testament Prophet is also used to tell individuals of future events and to admonish those persons or individuals with regard to those events.

Ac 21:10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

In conclusion it may be revealed that the office of Prophet is very much a part of the New Testament Church. His or Her role is one of aiding the various members in hearing from God and placing them in the correct path of God’s will. There are some New Testament Prophets that use their gifts to predict the course of various members of Christ’s body as well as predicting the course of some individuals. Prophets operate primarily in the revelation gifts. They are maintainers of order in themselves and Body at large. The Prophets offices is as essential today as it was in the days of Elijah or Jeremiah.
Posted by Gene Redlin at 12:09 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Background on the Prophetic in the New Testament Church
I have been asked a question. My intention is to answer it in full. I have no need of defense or defending. My purpose in posting this first piece is to help the questioner who may be coming at this with a presupposed position, understand what a New Testament Prophet is and what he or she does. I hope this helps. If you are serious about knowing the answer to your question, here is the place to start.


Are There Modern Day Apostles and
Christian Prophets Today?
by Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D.


Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Curiously, and without biblical support, this list of ordained ministries from Ephesians 4:11 has been split by the modern church into two lists.

There is nearly universal acceptance of the evangelist, pastor, and teacher as being valid ministries for the church today. But the ministries of apostles and Christian prophets are relegated by many to the first-century church only. But in recent years, many Christians have been reexamining the Scriptures to answer the increasingly heard questions: Are there apostles today? Are there prophets today? Were the ancient bible prophets and bible apostles the only valid ones? Or are there modern day prophets (that is, Christian prophets) and contemporary apostles? Does apostolic and prophetic ministry continue in our day?

The intent of this bible study is to prove biblically that all of what have been called the “fivefold” or “ascension gift” ministries are valid and needed in the Christian Church today. The “perfecting of the saints” intended by the Lord (Ephesians 4:12) will require all five of these ministry gifts given by the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:11).

Ephesians 2:19-20 ...God’s people...[are] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

1. Apostles and prophets are the two foundational ministries in the body of Christ. I have great respect for dedicated evangelists, pastors and teachers. I am personally ordained as a pastor and teacher. But the bible singles out apostles and prophets as the two ministries which, anchored to Jesus the Chief Cornerstone, undergird the Lord’s Church. All Christians are entitled to be built on this apostolic and prophetic foundation. And we will see later in this study that these are not just restricted to the early church’s apostles and the Old Testament prophets. They include contemporary, modern day prophets and apostles as well.

1 Corinthians 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

Ephesians 4:7-8, 11 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men” ... [11] It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.

2. Who gives these ministries to the Church? These verses above declare that it is God the Father and Jesus the Son of God who give these ministries to the church. Jesus Himself is the premier expression of each of these offices.

• “Jesus, the apostle...whom we confess” (Hebrews 3:1)

• “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth” (Matthew 21:11).

• Jesus was certainly the Great Soulwinner, the consummate evangelist.

• Jesus is “the Shepherd [Greek word for “pastor”] and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25).

• “Rabbi, we know you [Jesus] are a teacher who has come from God” (John 3:2).

It seems that Jesus — the chief apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher — is giving an expression of Himself to the Church in the form of these ministry gifts. For example, in Paul, Peter, and the other apostles we see a partial reflection of the perfect apostleship of Christ. In Agabus (Acts 11:27f; 21:10f) and other Christian prophets we see a partial expression of the perfect prophetic ministry of Jesus. The same could be said for God-given evangelists, pastors and teachers.

3. Apostles and Christian prophets are in the Church for the entire church age. A number of Scriptures (see below) make it very clear that apostles and prophets were intended for the full church age, and not just for the first century church.

Ephesians 3:4-5 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

Paul declares that the mystery has “now been revealed...to God’s holy apostles and prophets.” These were “now” — that is, contemporary — apostles and prophets in the Church several decades after Christ’s resurrection and ascension to heaven.

Some have erroneously identified the “prophets” in this verse as Old Testament prophets. But this very Scripture says quite the opposite. It states that the prophets receiving this “now” revelation were “NOT...men in other generations.” No, these were Christian prophets, contemporary to the time in which Paul was writing. These were apostles and prophets existing in the New Testament church.

Ephesians 4:8, 11-13 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men” ... [11] It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Here the apostle Paul gives us additional proofs that apostles and prophets were to continue during the Church Age.

• “When He ascended on high...He gave...some to be apostles, some to be prophets...” These were not the original Twelve apostles. This refers to apostles and prophets that Jesus continued to give after His ascension to heaven! For that reason some have called the “fivefold” ministries of Ephesians 4:11 the “ascension gift ministries.” Having ascended to heaven, Jesus continues to give all five, not just evangelists, pastors and teachers.

• And this giving of five ministries by Christ was not just to get the early church started. Rather, the giving of all five is needed “until we all...become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” That is an ongoing process occupying the entire time between Jesus’ First Coming and His Second Coming.

Revelation 11:10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

These “two prophets” are the Lord’s “two witnesses” (Rev. 11:3) at the very end of the Church Age during the time of the Antichrist. Again we see Christian prophets long after the time of the early church, in fact at the very end of this age.

Revelation 18:20 Rejoice over her, O heaven! Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you.

As end-time “Babylon” is judged, there is a call to contemporary, modern day, end time “saints and apostles and prophets” to rejoice over this divine judgment. Once again, contemporary apostles and Christian prophets are seen, not only at the beginning of the church age, but (here) at the end.

4. Is the New Testament Church today properly structured?

The answer to that question can be found in a very simple test. May I add that most Christians will fail this test!

• Question #1 — Which three of the Ephesians 4:11 ministries are mentioned most in the New Testament?

• Question #2 — Which two of those fivefold ministries are mentioned least in the New Testament?

The answers may shock you. They indicate how far out of balance the contemporary church has grown compared to the original church that Christ established on the earth.

• Answer to question #1:

• The word “apostle(s)” occurs 85 times in the New Testament.

• The word “prophet(s)” occurs over 150 times in the New Testament, about 20 of those occurrences referring distinctly to prophets in the Church Age.

• The word “teacher(s)” occurs 125 times in the New Testament.

• Answer to question #2:

• The word “evangelist(s)” occurs only 3 times in the New Testament.

• The word “pastor(s)” occurs precisely one (1) time in the entire New Testament! One time! (Ephesians 4:11)

Consider those numbers. The Bible speaks of New Testament apostles, prophets, or teachers a combined total of approximately 200 times. Pastors and evangelists are mentioned a combined total of four times!

And yet the modern day church calls most ministers by the term “Pastor” and shies away from “apostles” and “prophets” like a horse avoiding a rattlesnake! Man’s prejudices, fears, or misinterpretations have deprived the Lord’s Church of the two foundational ministries — apostles and prophets — that He Himself placed on earth. The Church today, wherever it denies these two ministries, is improperly structured. Pastors, evangelists, and teachers alone cannot bring the church to maturity. They were never intended to. Jesus gave all five ministries for that purpose.

In the two sections that follow, we will examine the characteristics and work of apostles and prophets in the Church Age. Nowhere in Scripture is there a concise, precisely worded “job description” of these two offices. Therefore, I will offer to the reader overviews, or composites, of these two ministries in the New Testament. Of course, no individual apostle or prophet can be expected to fulfill every aspect of these descriptions. That level of perfection remains the privilege of the Lord Jesus Himself.

5. What are the biblical characteristics and ministry of apostles?

• Acts 2:4 They were filled with the Spirit.

• Acts 2:14-36 They preached the Word of God.

• Acts 3:1-8 They healed the sick.

• Acts 4:1-12 They were persecuted.

• Acts 5:1-11 They pronounced God’s judgment.

• Acts 5:12 They worked signs and wonders.

• Acts 5:42 They taught and preached Jesus Christ.

• Acts 6:1-6 They ordained deacons.

• Acts 8:14-17 They laid their hands on others to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

• Acts 8 and later chapters. They founded and/or strengthened new churches.

• Acts 9:36-43 They raised the dead.

• Acts 10 They preached to the Gentiles.

• Acts 12:1-11 They were martyred, persecuted, and sometimes delivered.

• Acts 13:4 They were sent by the Holy Spirit (the root of the word “apostle” means “sent”).

• Acts 13:11 They pronounce a curse.

• Acts 14:21-22 They confirmed disciples in their faith.

• Acts 14:23 They ordained elders.

• Acts 15:1-21 They settled doctrinal disputations.

• Acts 16:18 They cast out demons.

• Acts 19:22 They sent forth other ministering men.

• Acts 20-28 list further ministries that apostles performed.

• 1 Corinthians 3:10 They were wise master builders. They laid spiritual foundations.

• 1 Corinthians 4:14-15 The apostle Paul warned his “sons” in the faith.

• 1 Corinthians 7:1 They counseled and answered the saints’ questions.

• 1 Corinthians 11:34 They set churches in order.

• 2 Corinthians 11:28 Paul exercised “care of all the churches.”

• 2 Corinthians 13:10 They used their authority for edification.

• Ephesians 2:20 Apostles are part of the foundation of the church.

• Ephesians 3:3-5 They received revelation from God.

• Ephesians 4:11-12 They perfected the saints.

6. What are the biblical characteristics and ministry of New Testament, Christian prophets?

• Acts 11:27-28 They (1) did trans-local ministry and (2) they foretold future events.

• Acts 13:1 They can be among the leaders of a local church.

• Acts 15:32 they exhorted and confirmed the brethren, sometimes with “many words.”

• Acts 21:10-11 They may give personal, predictive prophecies.

• 1 Corinthians 14:29 They prophesied in church services.

• Ephesians 2:20 Prophets are part of the foundation of the church.

• Ephesians 3:3-5 Prophets may receive revelation from God.

• Ephesians 4:11-12 Prophets perfected the saints.

7. Should we identify and recognize apostles and prophets today? Certainly!

Luke 6:13 When morning came, [Jesus] called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles. If Jesus named them and designated and recognized them as apostles, how can we do otherwise?

Acts 14:4 ...the apostles Barnabas and Paul...” The New Testament, here and in many other verses, consistently recognized men by name in the office of apostle.

1 Corinthians 14:29, 32, 37 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.... [32] The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.... [37] If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.

The early church — here, the church at Corinth — found it quite normal to have a prophet or prophets in the church.

Acts 13:1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers

Again, it was not unusual, but accepted, that there might be prophets (even plural prophets) in a local church. And the New Testament church recognized other Christian prophets by name:

• Agabus (Acts 11:28; 21:10)

• Judas and Silas (Acts 15:32)

Matthew 10:41a, KJV He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward.

Why beat around the bush? Jesus tells us to receive someone who is a prophet “in the name of a prophet.” There is no biblical support for identifying certain ones as “evangelists, pastors and teachers” and then identifying true apostles and prophets with man-made phrases like: “He has an apostolic [or prophetic] mantle.” As if the Lord has given three nouns (evangelist, pastor, teacher) and two adjectives (apostolic, prophetic)! No! Jesus said to receive a prophet “in the name of a prophet.” It’s time for the Church to shake off the fear of man and return to biblical patterns.

My prayer is that once more in the 21st century, as in the first century, the Church will return to the clear pattern of Scripture. May the body of Christ once again grow and thrive as we open our hearts to the God-given ministries of modern day, 21st-century apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.

And may the Church recognize also the biblical, local-church ministries of God-called elders and deacons, as well as the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Revival can again break out in churches determined to search the Scriptures, to open their hearts to the ministries of God-given, modern day apostles and Christian prophets, and to “build ... everything according to the pattern” (Hebrews 8:5) laid out by God in Scripture.
Posted by Gene Redlin at 11:53 AM 2 comments Links to this post
Friday, October 3, 2008
Silencing the Prophetic
I run into it all the time. People offended by the prophetic. The word of the prophet. The Prophet. The influence of the Prophetic.

It's always been so. They threw Jeremiah into the pit. Religious leaders have always been guilty of killing the Prophets. They still are.

Matthew 23:

28Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

29Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

30And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

31Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.


Silencing the Prophetic is an antichrist spirit.

Here's the bad news. Any church, any institution, any organization any government that does silence the prophetic will suffer the consequences. They will suffer defeat, they will decline, they will stop.

The Prophetic is essential to prosper. The opposite is to languish.

You don't have to hear the prophet, you don't have to accept what he says. Ahab didn't, Jezebel tried to kill the prophet.

Ahab said, "Why are you here you troubler of Israel". Prophets are trouble because they cause people to come into line with God's plan rather than their own. Control is always the Jezebel spirit.

Prophets may not win any popularity contests. But they are essential.