PROPHET, PROPHETESS and PROPHESY --- PART 5
The Role of the Believing Prophet:
Believer prophets were leaders in early faith communities -- 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11, who exercised their gift in church gatherings -- Acts 13:1-3; Acts 11:27-28; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Revelation 1:10. Since the Spirit of YHVH was particularly active in believer’s worship, prophecy was a major means whereby YHVH Communicated with His people. Prophets, like apostles and teachers, did not hold offices in local communities like bishops, elders, and deacons. Rather, they were chosen, not by individual congregations, but by divine commission and so were honoured and accepted in all local communities. Early believer prophets were both itinerant and settled, though itinerant prophets seem to have been more prevalent in Syria-Palestine and Asia Minor than in the European churches.
The Function of Prophesy:
According to Paul, the central purpose of prophecy [as of all other spiritual gifts] is that of building up or edifying the church. According to -- 1 Corinthians 14:3: [one who prophesies is helping others grow in Adonai, encouraging and comforting them.] Again, in -- 1 Corinthians 14:4, Paul states that the [one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.] Paul discussed the subject of spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues and prophecy, because the Corinthians had placed an excessive emphasis on speaking in tongues. Paul did not object to speaking in tongues -- 1 Corinthians 14:18; 1 Corinthians 14:39, but he did point out that, since it was generally incomprehensible, the church could not be edified by it. Prophecy, which consisted of comprehensible speech inspired by the Spirit, contributed to the mutual edification, encouragement, and consolation of all present -- 1 Corinthians 14:20-25; 1 Corinthians 14:39. Paul reminds us of the importance of using our spiritual gifts for the benefit of others. Although it is easy to get side-tracked, we must remain focused on the task at hand. If we are not using our spiritual gifts for building up other believers, we are off target. Worse still is not using our spiritual gifts at all. The church misses out on a blessing each time a believer shelves his or her spiritual gift.
The Content of Prophesy:
We know only a little about the content of prophecies uttered in the first-century church. Prophetic utterance occasionally provided divine guidance in making important decisions in early Christianity. Through a prophetic utterance, Paul and Barnabas were selected for a particular mission -- Acts 13:1-3; compare to 1 Timothy 1:18; 1 Timothy 4:14. Probably through prophetic utterance, Paul and Timothy were forbidden to preach the gospel in Asia -- Acts 16:6, and the Spirit similarly prevented them from going into Bithynia -- Acts 16:7. Perhaps the most frequent use of prophecy is the prediction of the future. Agabus predicted a universal famine -- Acts 11:28 and the imminent arrest of Paul -- Acts 21:11. Other prophets had also predicted his impending imprisonment -- Acts 20:23. The prophecies contained in the Revelation of John are all oriented toward the promise of future events that will gradually unfold in the last days. Yet the purpose of John’s elaborate prophecy is not to satisfy the curiosity of his audience but rather to comfort and encourage them in the midst of persecution.
The Form of Prophesy:
Unlike the prophets of the Old Testament, Believer prophets did not always present their message in the form of a direct speech from YHVH or Yeshua. There are few, if any, formal indicators of the presence of prophetic speech in early Believer literature. The book of Revelation is one notable exception.
Prophecy Was Intended to Reveal a Message From YHVH:
You may wonder: how will we know whether the prophecy is from Adonai or not? If the prophet predicts something in Adonai’s name and it does not happen, Adonai did not give the message. That prophet has spoken on his own and need not be feared. -- Deuteronomy 18:21-22. As in the days of ancient Israel, some people today claim to have messages from YHVH. YHVH still speaks to His people, but we must be cautious before saying that someone is YHVH’s spokesperson. How can we tell when people are speaking for Adonai?
1 -- We can see whether or not their prophecies come true -- the ancient test for judging prophets.
2 -- We can check their words against the Bible. YHVH never contradicts himself, so if someone says something contrary to the Bible, we can know that he or she is not speaking for YHVH.
Prophesy was Intended to Encourage Obedience:
Yeshua replied: Don’t let anyone mislead you, because many will come in My Name, claiming to be the Moshiach. They will lead many astray. And wars will break out near and far, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won’t follow immediately. -- Mark 13:5-7. Yeshua warned His followers about the future so that they could learn how to live in the present. Many predictions Yeshua made in this passage have not yet been fulfilled. He did not make them so that we would guess when they might be fulfilled, but to help us remain spiritually alert and prepared at all times as we wait for his return.
Prophecy Was Intended to Encourage Trust in YHVH:
YHVH blesses the one who reads this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to it and obey what it says. For the time is near when these things will happen. -- Revelation 1:3. Revelation is a book of prophecy that is both prediction [foretelling future events] and proclamation [preaching about Who YHVH is and what He will do]. Prophecy is more than telling the future. Behind the predictions are important principles about YHVH’s Character and Promises. As we read, we will get to know YHVH better so that we can trust Him completely.
Prophecy Was Intended to Give Hope:
The typical news reports -- filled with violence, scandal, and political haggling -- are depressing, and we may wonder where the world is heading. YHVH’s plan for the future, however, provides inspiration and encouragement because we know he will intervene in history to conquer evil. John encourages churches to read this book aloud so everyone can hear it, apply it, and be assured of the fact that YHVH will triumph.
PROPHET, PROPHETESS and PROPHESY --- PART 4
Yeshua of Nazareth:
Yeshua was popularly regarded as a prophet -- Matthew 16:14; Matthew 21:10-11; Mark 6:14-15; Mark 8:28; Luke 7:16; Luke 7:39; Luke 9:8; Luke 9:19; John 6:14; John 7:40; John 7:52. This assessment was based as much on the mighty deeds Yeshua performed as on His Prophetic Speeches and Predictions. Though Yeshua nowhere claimed prophetic status directly, that claim is implicit in -- Mark 6:4: [A prophet is honoured everywhere except in his own hometown] -- compare to Matthew 13:57; Luke 4:24. It is implicit as well in -- Luke 13:33: [Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on my way. For it wouldn’t do for a prophet of YHVH to be killed except in Jerusalem!] In Acts, Yeshua is regarded as the prophet like Moses predicted in Deuteronomy -- 18:18 -- Acts 3:22; Acts 7:37. Matthew presents Yeshua as the New Moses, but he does not particularly emphasize his prophetic role. John, however, like Luke, emphasizes Yeshua’ role as the prophet -- John 4:19; John 6:14-15; John 7:40. While the Gospels and Acts reflect the notion that Yeshua was a prophet, they also emphasize the fact that He was much more than a prophet. Nevertheless, the notion of prophetism was sufficiently important in early Judaism that Yeshua’ recognition as a prophet is very significant. There are twelve solid reasons for regarding Yeshua as a prophet in the Old Testament tradition:
1 -- The Sovereign Authority of Yeshua’ teaching -- Mark 1:27, a feature underlined by His use of the introductory formula [I say it again,] is reminiscent of the formula [thus says Adonai] used by the Old Testament prophets.
2 -- The poetic character of many of Yeshua’ sayings is unlike contemporary rabbinic teaching but is similar to the poetic rhetoric of the Old Testament prophets.
3 -- Yeshua experienced visions -- Luke 10:18 like the ancient prophets.
4 -- Yeshua, like the prophets, made many predictions -- Matthew 23:38; Mark 3:2; Mark 14:58; Luke 13:35; etc.
5 -- Like the Old Testament prophets, Yeshua performed symbolic acts [such as the cleansing of the temple, the entry into Jerusalem, and the Last Supper.
6 -- Yeshua, like the prophets, rejected the formal observance of religious ritual and emphasized the moral and spiritual dimensions of obedience to YHVH.
7 -- Yeshua announced the imminent arrival of the Kingdom of YHVH -- a proclamation about the end times, similar to those made by the prophets.
8 -- Like the Old Testament prophets, Yeshua functioned as a preacher of repentance.
9 -- Yeshua, like many of the prophets, was conscious of a special calling of YHVH -- Matthew 15:24; Mark 8:31; Mark 9:37; Mark 14:36; Luke 4:18-26.
10 -- Yeshua, like the prophets, received divine revelation through intimate communion with YHVH -- Matthew 11:27; Luke 10:22.
11 -- Like the prophets, Yeshua represented YHVH; to Obey Him was to Obey YHVH, to reject Him was to reject YHVH -- Mark 9:37; compare to Ezekiel 33:30-33.
12 -- Like the prophets, Yeshua was conscious of a mission to all Israel -- Matthew 15:24; Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30.
Among the many prophetic predictions of Yeshua are the following:
1 -- Predictions of the imminent arrival of the Kingdom of YHVH -- Matthew 10:7-8; Matthew 10:23; Matthew 23:39; Mark 1:15; Mark 9:1; Mark 13:28-29.
2 -- Predictions of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple -- Matthew 23:37-39; Matthew 24:2; Matthew 26:61; Matthew 27:40; Mark 13:2; Mark 14:58; Mark 15:29; Luke 13:34-35; Luke 21:6; John 2:19-21.
3 -- Predictions of the coming of the Son of Man -- Matthew 10:23; Matthew 10:32-33; Matthew 12:40; Matthew 13:40-41; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 24:27, Matthew 24:37-39; Mark 3:38; Mark 13:26-27; Mark 14:62; Luke 9:26; Luke 11:30; Luke 12:8-9; Luke 17:24, 26.
4 -- Predictions of the end of the age. The longest prophetic section in the Gospels is the end-times discourse of Yeshua in -- Mark 13:1-32 -- compare to Matthew 24:1-36; Luke 21:5-33, in which a number of predictions concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age are woven into a lengthy discourse to the disciples.
Prophesy as a Gift for the Believers:
The beginning of prophetic activity in early Christianity, according to Acts, coincided with the outpouring of Ruach HaKodesh upon the earliest believers on the Day of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21. Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost indicates that the outpouring of the Spirit fulfilled Joel’s prophecy -- Acts 2:4; compare to Joel 2:28-32. Further, since the Spirit had been poured out upon all early believers, all were potential prophets. According to -- 1 Corinthians 12:28 -- see also Romans 12:6; Ephesians 4:11, YHVH has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, and third teachers. The names of several early believer prophets have been preserved. These include Agabus -- Acts 11:27-28; Acts 21:10-11; Judas and Silas --Acts 15:32; Barnabas, Simeon Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, Paul -- Acts 13:1; and the four virgin daughters of Philip the evangelist -- Acts 21:8-9. John, the author of Revelation, was certainly a prophet -- Revelation 1:3; Revelation 22:9, 18, though he never directly assumed that title.
⚠️ We're looking at changing the conference to April 24th 2022. ⚠️
⚠️ We're looking at changing the conference to April 24th 2022. ⚠️
? HalleluYAH ❣️
Our first Ambassador got through the GATE at the Tel Aviv Airport.
? HalleluYAH ❣️
Our first Ambassador got through the GATE at the Tel Aviv Airport.
In our journey to become like Messiah, we have to start discerning and prioritising those who might be stumbling blocks in our lives...
We have to be set-apart and that means we speak, behave, dress and do things differently to the rest of the world!!
You need to make a choice about your loyalty... The world or ELOHIM!!
Link to Love & Torah Part 39 Afterburn
https://youtu.be/-Rb8qjG9eHs
Related Teachings can be found here:
• Developing the Character of Yeshua https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
• INfocus: Do Not Be Called Rabbi https://youtu.be/pL4EeaQbOKk
• Making Decisions...the reason you exist
https://youtu.be/9RfUrlBAVWw
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.
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#midweekmotivation #Torah #Yahweh #Yeshua #Elohim #Messiah #messianic #torahobservant #clevelandtn #mtoiworldwide #loveandtorah
In our journey to become like Messiah, we have to start discerning and prioritising those who might be stumbling blocks in our lives...
We have to be set-apart and that means we speak, behave, dress and do things differently to the rest of the world!!
You need to make a choice about your loyalty... The world or ELOHIM!!
Link to Love & Torah Part 39 Afterburn
https://youtu.be/-Rb8qjG9eHs
Related Teachings can be found here:
• Developing the Character of Yeshua https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
• INfocus: Do Not Be Called Rabbi https://youtu.be/pL4EeaQbOKk
• Making Decisions...the reason you exist
https://youtu.be/9RfUrlBAVWw
.
.
.
#midweekmotivation #Torah #Yahweh #Yeshua #Elohim #Messiah #messianic #torahobservant #clevelandtn #mtoiworldwide #loveandtorah
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