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PROPHETS AND PROPHECY. King David said: "Should the righteous one strike me, it would be a loving kindness; And should he reprove me, it would be oil upon the head, which my head would not want to refuse." (Psalms 141:5). But this is not the way that most people react to Spirit disciplines from God expressed through His servants today. Prophets of God are men who convey or interpret Spirit communications they receive from God, and who are sent by Him to reveal important matters to the people, sometimes in relation to the future. Jehovah appoints them. Prophecy, whether it is the foretelling of future events, or the discernment of inspired utterances from God, or giving spiritual instruction or reproof, must be complied with for it to be of benefit to those receiving it. (1 Cor 12:10).
As to the seriousness of a
man who has withdrawn from God and in his sinful state consults God through His
prophet, the Lord God said this:
"Am I to let such men consult
Me? Speak to them and tell them that these are the words of the Lord God: If any
Israelite, with his heart set on his idols and his eyes fixed on the sinful
things that cause his downfall, comes to a prophet, I, the Lord, in My own
person, shall be constrained to answer him, despite his many idols… I will set
My face against that man; I will make him an example and a byword; I will rid My
people of him. Thus you shall know that I am the Lord."
(From Ezek 14:4 The same rule applies with reference to receiving spiritual instruction or reproof from Spirit anointed sons of God, for they are spiritual "Jews". They are not Jews on the outside in the flesh, but are "Jews" in the spirit, and their "circumcision is that of the heart by Spirit, and not by a written code. The praise of that one comes, not from men, but from God." (Rom 2:29). Therefore, whoever comes to a Spirit anointed prophet today, whether natural born Jew or Gentile, and has "his eyes fixed on the sinful things that cause his downfall", the Lord God shall be constrained to answer him, for He is impartial as to persons, time and place. (1 Peter 1:17). The fundamental meaning of the word prophet is not merely foretelling future events. Visions from God impress His Spirit communications on a person's conscious mind, often while that one is asleep. It results in speech that flows forth due to the inspiration and necessity of the communication granted him by God. Such ones stand in the "intimate group" of Jehovah and are given spiritual knowledge of His plans. (Jer 23:18) (Amos 3:7 NEB). Prophecy is an inspired message; a revelation of Divine Will and purpose or the proclamation thereof. Prophecy may be inspired moral teaching, an expression of a Divine command or Judgement, or a declaration of something to come. (Greek: pro·pheteu'o. Hebrew: na∙va׳י meaning "to flow, spring or bubble up"). As for "those who bear testimony to Jesus" by Spirit from God, they "are inspired like the prophets." (Rev 19:10 NEB). The fundamental meaning of the word prophecy is not just prediction. While a vision from God impresses His Spirit message on the conscious mind and impels one to disclose it, one should not do so if it would not spiritually upbuild the hearers. Foretelling of a coming event (prophecy) ceases when its reality is fulfilled. (See Page 15/7/88 of the "Little Scroll"). Thereafter, only explanations of particular prophecies are acceptable, for prophesying also means to interpret or expound the Scriptures, especially those hard to understand.
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