Author	Thread: Prophets
Admin	Prophets Posted : 21 Feb, 2013 04:44 AM How can one know if he/she is called to be a prophet? And how relevant is prophetic ministry to our contemporary society? Kindly respond with biblical reference and evidence. Thanks. Post Reply
DontHitThatMark View Profile History	Prophets Posted : 21 Feb, 2013 05:38 AM The bible has a pretty wide range of prophets. Balaam, Jonah, Moses, Miriam, Daniel, etc. None of them were perfect, none of them were prophesying by every word that came out of their mouth 24/7. Many of them made some pretty huge mistakes and directly disobeyed God. I think we as Christians have placed a standard on this gift that is not biblical, like if a prophet isn't a perfect sinless saint, then they cannot bring a message from God. That view is immediately recognizable as un-biblical, just by looking at the lives of the prophets. 1 Corinthians 13:8 8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. We've kind of set up prophets to fail, and placed the gift of prophecy in a environment of skepticism, and I think when we do that, we miss one of the main communication methods of God. Prophecy is one of the more important gifts of the spirit, and we should test the spirits by scripture, but...a prophecy that doesn't come true doesn't mean we should burn the prophet at the stake. The bible says that prophecies will fail, because we can only prophesy in part. Jonah prophesied that God was going to destroy Nineveh in 40 days. He didn't prophesy that God would spare them if they repented. Jonah 3:9 9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. His prophesy "failed" and he was pretty upset with God about it. So I guess my points are: 1. Prophets should not be held to a standard that the bible does not hold them to. 1 Corinthians 13:8 8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 2. Prophecy is very important, especially the closer we get to the second coming. Revelation 12:17 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 19:10 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 3. We should test the "spirits" of prophecy to make sure they are from God, and that includes your own. As far as your question about how we know if we're called to be prophets, God is usually pretty obvious about it. Jonah, Samuel, Moses, Balaam, Daniel, Joseph, etc...God appeared to them directly or in dreams/visions and gave them the message. You don't need to be perfect for God to choose you as a prophet, so if you think you have the gift and God is a calling you, put it out there. But remember, for the most part, prophets are ridiculed and doubted and persecuted and killed, so be sure it's God that's calling you and not yourself or perhaps a more sinister power. :peace::peace: Post Reply
View Profile History	Prophets Posted : 21 Feb, 2013 07:11 AM Thank you @ Don'thitthatmark... I'm gonna pray more about it and learn more as well. Do any of you think seeing and sensing Angels and Spirits is somehow connected to prophecy? Post Reply
DontHitThatMark View Profile History	Prophets Posted : 21 Feb, 2013 08:00 AM Prophecy is usually related to delivering messages from God. Angels also brought prophets messages, but the prophets were usually pretty surprised, so I don't think sensing angels or spirits is really related. I don't think God is going to tip-toe around if he has a message for you to deliver to the world. My denomination believes we have had a prophet, and she wrote 40 books, 5000 publications, and is the most translated female author in history. Whether you believe she was a prophet or not, she had a message to deliver and she did, and whether or not she was actually a prophet, she was devoted to that message. She did believe she spoke to angels through visions, so you may be on to something, but be very careful about listening to just any spirit. Make sure it's from God. :peace::peace: Post Reply
View Profile History	Prophets Posted : 21 Feb, 2013 08:37 AM wow! Thanks Dont...:) I am not a fan of prophecy honestly. I was told by some prophets that I am called to be a prophet,but I had/have never been convinced. The thread here is in regard to a friend who sees and feels angels and spirits. I'm not sure of my friend's seeing and feeling. And the question here is: why do we see and feel spirits and angel? Will we be judged if we ignored prophetic words? Post Reply
DontHitThatMark View Profile History	Prophets Posted : 21 Feb, 2013 09:50 AM Yeah, I wouldn't listen to any human that tells you you're called to be a prophet. God will call his prophets, that is how it works in the bible. As far as angels/spirits go, they do appear to bring messages and comfort and help, but there are more of them out there than just the good ones, and we have to be supremely careful about who/what we believe. Evil angels like to impersonate dead loved ones and good angels and even work "good" miracles to deceive people. Matt. 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." 2 Cor. 11:13-15 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." Jesus rebuked Satan with scripture, so I would say that the bible is the best test as to whether or not an angel/spirit is from God. You might ask your friend what the "angels" say about truths you find in the bible to see if what the "angels" are promoting is true. :peace::peace: Post Reply
View Profile History	Prophets Posted : 21 Feb, 2013 10:37 AM I got your poing DontHit:) but again, the prince of the world is so good in decieving and impersonating someone that he isn't, it has been most hard for me to talk to and convince my friend to be discerning in the spirit and to be scriptural. I wonder what are some distinct ways of when God speaks. Post Reply
dljrn04 View Profile History	Prophets Posted : 21 Feb, 2013 12:12 PM Excellent question verydeep. According to the bible 1 corinthians 13:8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. Tongues and prophets are done away with because the perfect has come. Past tense Christ is the perfect, our salvation is complete in him. All Christians are left to do is love. Post Reply
View Profile History	Prophets Posted : 21 Feb, 2013 04:51 PM Thank you dljrn...... Mmmm, so do you mean to say prophecy and tongues are done away in Christ, or are they still present in part? "LOVE" - this has given me something to think about. How do we connect love,tongues and prophecy? Post Reply
View Profile History	Prophets Posted : 21 Feb, 2013 06:07 PM One is called to be a prophet because you have the gift. A prophet has to be 100% right. If you know things that will happen and then you see them happen you probally have the gift as well. Modern day prophets have to align with the word of God. Their are no new revelations of Gods word. It is more like a great sense of intuition. Post Reply
dljrn04 View Profile History	Prophets Posted : 21 Feb, 2013 08:03 PM Yes, that is what scripture says. Its over when Christ comes. We are only to love. Post Reply

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