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.