Are prophets and prophecy valid today?
Are we
making a mistake by teaching there are today no more Christian New Testament
church age prophets?
It is
a very awesome God who made the heavens, the earth and ALL that they contain.
The outward and inward lack of unity in Christendom has been apparent for
nearly the entire two millennium of her existence. Those who say “I believe God
in Christ” (as do I) should be very careful how they understand His Book and
how they teach it to others. God looks on our hearts. Even to broach a
controversy such as this one is risky indeed. So I want to say I am at peace
with you and love you without regard to your “position” in this matter,
notwithstanding the very serious judgment of Revelation 22:18-19. In this
effort I ask questions and also state opinions. I offer them here not as
authoritative as I am not the Author of what is true, but do offer them as an
attempt to arrive at the truth.
It is
said that Augustine died and after several minutes passed he came briefly back
to life and uttered these words: “All my writings are straw.” It is a fearful
thing to know that what we say and write can be burned up and forgotten. If
that is the true end of this treatise, may it come to that rather sooner than
later.
May
God speedily disabuse and deliver all He came to save from whatever lies and
confusion has crept into our minds, hearts and souls. Maranatha.
James 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be
judged by a law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to him that hath
showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove
the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out
into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that
confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 and every spirit
that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the
antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world
already.
4 Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome
them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. 5 They
are of the world: therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth
them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God
heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God;
and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth
not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 Herein was the love of God manifested
in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might
live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us,
and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so
loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12 No man hath beheld God at any time: if we love one
another, God abideth in us, and his love is perfected in us: 13 hereby we know
that we abide in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14
And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be the
Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God,
God abideth in him, and he in God. 16 And we know and have believed the love
which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God,
and God abideth in him.
17 Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have
boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this
world. 18 There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because
fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We
love, because he first loved us.
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he
is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love
God whom he hath not seen. 21 And this commandment have we from him, that he
who loveth God love his brother also.
Onward!
prophecy
A. a discourse emanating from divine inspiration and
declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked,
or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; esp. by foretelling
future events
B. Used in the NT of the utterance of OT prophets
i. of the prediction of events relating to Christ's
kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions
pertaining to it, the spirit of prophecy, the divine mind, to which the
prophetic faculty is due
ii. of the endowment and speech of the Christian
teachers called prophets
iii. the gifts and utterances of these prophets, esp.
of the predictions of the works of which, set apart to teach the gospel, will
accomplish for the kingdom
of Christ
Those
today who believe prophets and prophecy (and apostles?) have ceased use 1
Corinthians Ch 13 as a basis for that view. It is not a passage easily
interpreted literally.
Charity 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. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be
done away.
1Corinthians
13:8-10
Everything depends on “when that which is perfect”
comes. What is that thing perfect
and when does it come? If we can know these things are and that they
have come, then we can be much more certain that prophecies, tongues and
knowledge have been done away with. What is perfect and when it will (or has?)
come are not readily apparent. If a literal interpretation is desirable we must
not forget that God is Spirit and He is the Word.
John 6:63 makes it very clear that:
“It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth
nothing: the words that I [Jesus] have spoken unto you are spirit, and
are life.”
Are
Paul’s words spirit and life? A literal interpretation of God’s words must rest
on the foundation, that foundation id Jesus Christ (1Corinthians 3:11) and
that foundation is Spiritual. Apart from the Holy Spirit, what is “literal” is
next to worthless. We need to be very sure of how we use the word literal, for
it does not occur in the Bible, BUT the word letter does!
Romans 2:29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and
circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but
of God. 2 Corinthians 3:4 And such confidence have we through Christ to God-
ward: 5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from
ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; 6 who also made us sufficient as
ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter,
but of the spirit: for the letter
killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
7 But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven
on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look
stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was
passing away: 8 how shall not rather the ministration of the spirit be with
glory? 9 For if the ministration of condemnation hath glory, much rather doth
the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10 For verily that which
hath been made glorious hath not been made glorious in this respect, by reason
of the glory that surpasseth. 11 For if that which passeth away was with glory,
much more that which remaineth is in glory.
The
Pharisees were guilty of twisting the literal letter of God’s words to suit
their own agendas. The letter of the Mosaic law condemned sin. Yet it was a
spiritual God who gave it to Moses, and a spiritual necessity that required it
be given. The Pharisees took that literal/spiritual law and twisted it into
something God never meant it to mean.
It will I fear be a grave mistake to impose our literal
interpretation of the scriptures on the Holy Spirit rather than be taught the lettered “words of the
prophecy of this book” BY the Holy
Spirit. I don't mean to discount the meaning of the words, but let God the
Holy Spirit define them that we may have an understanding of His Spirit in our
spirits. God delivered us from the letter of the law by the Messiah into the
New Covenant; it is very clear that the Holy Spirit is foundational as God for
our spiritual life everlasting and all pertaining to that life.
John 16;13 Howbeit
when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he
shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall
glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that
the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and
shall shew it unto you.
In the definition just below the very first definition
states: 1 taking words in their usual or most basic sense without
metaphor or allegory: dreadful in its literal sense, full of dread. It is noted that in
the Bible we see over 200 “literary” devices used; among them are metaphor and
allegory. We may not (I don't) know how each of the devices operates according
to “rules” of scholarship, but we can by the Holy Spirit know what is of God
and what is of man.
literal |ˈlitərəl, ˈlitrəl|
adjective
1 taking words in their usual or most basic
sense without metaphor or allegory: dreadful in its literal sense, full of
dread.
• free from exaggeration or distortion: you shouldn't
take this as a literal record of events.
• informal absolute (used to emphasize that a strong expression is
deliberately chosen to convey one's feelings): fifteen years of literal hell.
2 (of a translation) representing the exact
words of the original text.
• (of a visual representation) exactly copied; realistic
as opposed to abstract or impressionistic.
3 (also literal-minded )(of a person or
performance) lacking imagination; prosaic.
4 of, in, or expressed by a letter or the
letters of the alphabet: literal mnemonics.
nounBrit.Printing
a misprint of a letter.
DERIVATIVES
literality |ˌlitəˈralətē|,
literalize |-ˌlīz|verb,
literalness noun
ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French, or from late Latin litteralis, from Latin littera (see letter) .
usage: See usage
at literally.
letter
|ˈletər|
noun
1 a character representing one or more of the
sounds used in speech; any of the symbols of an alphabet: a capital letter.
• a school or college initial as a mark of proficiency,
esp. in sports: I earned a varsity letter in tennis | [ as modifier ] :
a letter jacket.
2 a written, typed, or printed communication,
esp. one sent in an envelope by mail or messenger: he sent a letter to Mrs.
Falconer.
• (letters) a legal or formal
document of this kind.
3 the precise terms of a statement or
requirement; the strict verbal interpretation: we must be seen to keep the
spirit of the law as well as the letter.
4 (letters) literature: the
world of letters.
• archaic scholarly knowledge; erudition.
5 Printing a style of typeface.
verb
1 [ with obj. ] inscribe letters or writing on:
her name was lettered in gold.
• classify with letters: he numbered and lettered the
paragraphs.
2 [ no obj. ] informal be given a school or
college initial as a mark of proficiency in sports: juniors who lettered in
soccer, basketball, or softball.
PHRASES
to the letter with adherence to every
detail: the method was followed to the letter.
ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French lettre, from Latin litera, littera
‘letter of the alphabet,’ (plural) ‘epistle, literature, culture.’
literally |ˈlitərəlē, ˈlitrə-|
adverb
in a literal manner or sense; exactly: the driver took it literally when asked to go
straight across the traffic circle | tiramisu, literally translated “pick me
up.”
• informal used for emphasis or to express strong feeling while not
being literally true: I have received literally thousands of letters.
usage: In its standard use, literally means ‘in a literal sense, as opposed to a nonliteral or exaggerated
sense’: I told him I never wanted to see him again, but I didn't expect him
to take it literally . In recent years, an extended use of literally (and also literal) has become very common, where literally (or literal) is used deliberately in nonliteral
contexts, for added effect: they bought the car and literally ran it into the ground. This use can lead to
unintentional humorous effects ( we were literally killing ourselves laughing) and is not acceptable
in formal English.
If a
word spoken by a believer to the church contains no novel (previously unheard) prediction
(with regard to the 66 books of the Holy Bible) is it the speaker a prophet and
his word prophetic? Predictive prophecy is easily judged, it either comes to
pass with accuracy or it does not. But the definition of prophecy is more that
just predicting future events.
prophecy
C. a discourse
emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by
reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing
things hidden; esp. by foretelling future events
If a
word is found declaring the purposes of God, reproving and admonishing the
wicked, or comforting the afflicted, is it prophecy? Must prophecy be
predictive? If it does make a novel
prediction which then comes to pass as predicted, can it be of God?
If a
word is said to be added to the words of the prophecy of this book, must it be
added as the book of Mormon, or some other word apart from the 66 Books of the
Bible? What is the nature of a word which can said to be unlawful or
unspiritual when added to the Bible’s word? What is the nature of a word added
to the words of prophecy? (It is easier to see what a word taken away might be
from those words which are written.)
I
believe the words we are warned NOT to add are words added which alter the truth (Jesus IS the truth),
the character of God, or the plan of God. (Words taken away may also alter the truth, the
nature of God, or the plan of God.)
If a
word does seek to change the truth, change the character, or change the plan
(will) of God, is it allowed? NO!
Is a word in accord the truth, the character, and the plan (will) of God
allowed? Is it allowed, not as an addition to scripture, but as an oracle of
God, as an utterance of God? I believe a word can be spiritual without damaging
literal meanings. If such words are not possible, the words we speak and teach
in church and seminary seem less that spiritual. If the scriptures cannot teach us how we are to speak the truth, ought we
to speak at all, or write at all?
A lot
of Christians go to church, to seminars, to conferences, even to Bible schools
and seminaries and just swallow whole the teachings they are given. They don’t
question anything but accept the men (and women too?!) as authoritative and never
look beyond those teachings to the Holy Spirit! Many have followed human teachers
AS IF THEY WERE PROPHETS, as if all of their utterances are GOD BREATHED! But
the Holy Spirit ought to be, MUST BE the One (first and last) to teach us; we
ought to, we must submit our thoughts, speech and written words continually to Him and to God.
If I
want a seminary degree I should be careful, for many will require of me their
flawed (sometimes egregiously flawed) version of the Doctrine of God and the
apostles.
In the
matter of the cessation of prophecy and prophets today I have selected some
scriptures for consideration (with emphases in bold type). Am I indulging in
eisegesis? Or have some thrown the baby (prophet) out with the bath water. It
is for you and I a matter to take to God for His judgment (and for that a
prophet may be MOST HELPFUL).
Many cite 1 Cor. 13 as proof that prophecy and tongues
have ceased.
1 Cor 13: 8 Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done
away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge,
it shall be done away.
9 For we know in
part, and we prophesy in part;
10 but when that
which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.
I
believe that it is as one has translated verse 10: “But when the Complete
arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.” The perfect renders partial
prophecy, partial knowledge and partial speaking inferior and unnecessary
because it is partial, but it does not invalidate the partial revelation we now
enjoy.
I
asked some who believes prophets and prophecy are no longer valid to say why
that is so. They told me that the proof was too long and involved to present to
me. I fear it was! And that they would have had to go to their teachers texts
to be able to begin the presentation to me. Odd for those who are concerned
others have ADDED to words to God’s book to need to add a proof “long and
involved” to explain a doctrine directed to words added to the “book of this
prophecy!” And here I write these many words, and they must be discerned and
judged, but by whom? Certainly God will give a verdict! Nevertheless, could it
be that a prophet might be “what the Great Physician” ordered!
There
are several reasons I believe that prophets and prophecy seem rare in history
after the death of John the Beloved. One is that the prophets may not have been
writing their words down. Or that others were not writing them down. Because of
the gentile rejection of Jews and the doctrines of the Old Testament, it may be
a judgment of the church after the first century that no prophet spoke! As in
the Tanakh where many of the children of Israel
Of all
the gifted Old Testament saints, God’s true prophets received the worst
opposition and treatment from the children of Israel
Are
their false prophets today? Yes there are, and Jesus and the apostles warned us
there would be those “who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even
denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift
destruction.” But does this mean that their will be now no more prophets?
For many the issue hinges on these verses:
Rev 22:18 I
testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book,
if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are
written in this book: 19 and if any man shall take away from the
words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the
tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
After
much thinking and some studying a question came into my mind: Does one have to
be a prophet to “add” or “take away from the words of this book?” I believe any
man or woman could make those mistakes and do make them! But of prophecy:
1 Corinthians 14:29
And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern.
30 But if a
revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence.
31 For ye all can
prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted;
32 and the spirits
of the prophets are subject to the prophets;
33 for God is not
a God of confusion, but of peace.
It is
somewhat unnerving to think that there are no prophets in the church today, for
they serve a purpose: “that
all may learn, and all may be exhorted;” It is a prophet who is ORDAINED to judge
prophecy! How can such a matter as
the cessation of prophecy and prophets (and tongues, knowledge AND apostles)
have arisen except that words have been taken away from the prophecy of this
book!!!!! If prophets are no more who can judge even false prophecy? Are those
who say prophets are no more actually taking the entire 12th chapter of Corinthians and more away from the
words of the prophecy of this book?
Num 11: 29 And
Moses said unto him, Art thou jealous for my sake? would that all Jehovah’s
people were prophets, that Jehovah would put his Spirit upon them!
What
are warned about in Rev. 22:18-19? We are warned about adding or subtracting
words from “the prophecy of this book.” Which book is this? Is it
Revelation or the entire Bible? Are 1 Cor. 12 and 14 words from “the
prophecy of this book?” I believe as many do that the Bible’s 66 books are
God breathed or God inSpired. But if they alone are God’s breath,
every word man breathes out by speech or on paper is not from God. I can live
with others interpretation that we are forbidden to add any more written words
to the predictive prophecy of Revelation. I can even see how unnecessary added
words are to those who receive the Bible as God’s breathed. But I fear that some
who teach the cessation of prophecy today may be guilty of doing the very thing
they preach against: taking away the words of the prophecy of this book (or at
the least their iteration and reiteration)!
There
are so many worthy and Holy words to learn in “this book,” be it the whole Bile
or only Revelation. But so many offer their own thoughts as shibboleths by
which they judge their neighbors outside the Kingdom! Because they do, should
we turn away words which encourage us?
1 Peter 4:11 if any man speaketh, speaking as it were
oracles of God;... that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus
Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen
“...if any
man speaketh, speaking as it were logi0n (speech, or
utterance) of God.”
Is my
speech and my writing relevant to the warning of Rev. 22?? Is anyone today able
to speak for God? As an oracle of God? If to speak or write is to risk adding
or subtracting from God’s prophetic message and incurring very serious
consequences, then we all ought to be a much more sober people. But if to
remain silent when we are inspired by God to speak may be to bury the talent
God has given.
Now
I’m going to write something here and say it as a “word” I have only begun
to think may be from God. From Him as prophecy? As a teaching? As a “word?”
I can’t say yes or no out of fear I may be wrong. But if there are no more
prophets today, how will I be judged as true or false? 1 Cor. 14:29 And let the prophets speak by two or three,
and let the others discern. And if there are no more prophets today WHO DOES
have God delegated authority to judge a word said to be prophetic, or anything
at all? You may say we have the Bible as the final authority for faith and
doctrine, but I must ask how am I able to hear that Book except by the Spirit
of God? And “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Romans
10:17.
If you
are not a prophet, how can you judge prophecy or what is claimed to be
prophetic? Even the written prophecy of Revelation? I take this position: Even
if I don't understand all the Bible I have faith the original manuscripts are
inerrant. My knowledge and understanding may remain in great part (prayerfully
a lesser part) incomplete, not full, partial.
1 Corinthians 13:2 And if I have the gift of prophecy,
and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to
remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 12:31 But desire earnestly the
greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you...
1 Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto
men edification, and exhortation, and consolation. 4 He that speaketh in a
tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church39
Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to
speak with tongues. 40 But let all things be done decently and in order.
How is
it that God sent Jesus and then the Holy Spirit who inspired Paul to write
clear instructions (by the Spirit) to the church with her prophets and 100
years God then rescinded, canceled, took away the gift, the truly high gift of
prophecy which we should desire and do need to EDIFY the church? Or did the
church after John's death simply wander away and close her eyes to prophecy and
prophets, and apostles. Men in the flesh tend to reject authority and the
prophets and apostles have authority.
Can a
man speak or write the truth in accord with the character of God? If he does, is it not as an oracle of God at
the least? If he does so, is this prophetic? If a man testify of Jesus is it
prophecy?
Rev 19: 10 And I fell down before his feet
to worship him. And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow–servant
with thee and with thy brethren that hold the testimony of Jesus: worship God;
for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Have I taken some single verses and sections out of their
context? Undoubtedly I will be seen as an eisogete by some. I welcome greater
wisdom that my own, but am not inclined to welcome greater eisogesis under the
color of context. God looks on our hearts; should we not seek to know His? Should
we not seek the Holy Spirit's guidance into the context of the entire Bible?
That will be a Spirit led enterprise or fall short. I fear Context Context
Context may itself become a pretext. Or worse, a literal idol.
Before you think me an idiot remember that the prophet
Isaiah was cleansed in order to fulfill his call. If I am not cleansed by the
Messiah’s blood...
1 John 2:27 And as for you, the anointing which ye
received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as
his anointing teacheth you; concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie,
and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.
...if I have not the anointing... for any gift or word,
please pray for me!
Num 11: 29 And
Moses said unto him, Art thou jealous for my sake? would that all Jehovah’s
people were prophets, that Jehovah would put his Spirit upon them!
CONTRAST:
Matthew 23:30 And
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.
31 Wherefore ye be
witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the
prophets.
32 Fill ye up then
the measure of your fathers.
33 Ye serpents, ye
generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
34 ¶ Wherefore,
behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and
scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye
scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
35 That upon you
may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of
righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew
between the temple and the altar.
36 Verily I say
unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
37 O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto
thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen
gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
CONTRAST:
1Th 5: 16 ¶
Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without
ceasing.
18 In every thing
give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the
Spirit.
20 Despise not
prophesyings.
21 Prove all
things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from
all appearance of evil.
23 ¶ And the very
God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and
body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he
that calleth you, who also will do it.
Rom 11: 1 ¶ I say
then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of
the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God did not cast
off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of
Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel
3 Lord, they have
killed thy prophets, they have digged down thine altars; and I am left alone,
and they seek my life.
4 But what saith the
answer of God unto him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who
have not bowed the knee to Baal.
Isa 30: 8 Now go, write it before them on a tablet, and
inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever.
9 For it is a rebellious people, lying children,
children that will not hear the law of Jehovah;
10 that say to the seers, See not; and to the
prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things,
prophesy deceits,
11 get you out of the way, turn aside out of
the path, cause the Holy One of Israel
12 Wherefore thus
saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in
oppression and perverseness, and rely thereon;
13
Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall,
swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.
14 And he shall
break it as the breaking of the potter's vessel that is broken in pieces; he
shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a shard
to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.
May we hear God by His Holy Spirit on these matters from
thee, Lord Jesus our Savior, first and last,
Amen.
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