Work of A Prophet:Edited 4/15/20.
A prophet is a person who is enlightened , inspired, and instructed by God to announce future events. People like Moses, Elijah, David, Isaiah, John etc. Prophets are often referred to as angels = (messengers) of the Lord.
A prophet is one who possesses the prophetic gift imparted by the Holy Spirit, this to the Jew first. In the New Testament (N.T.) the early church prophets were a class of instructors or preachers who were next in rank to the apostles. The gift of prophesy was desired above the gift of being a teacher.
In the Greek, the verb “mibba,” is translated to, “prophesy.” It signifies to foretell what is to come; and at other times it means to interpret, to sing sacred music, and to announce the prophetic declarations of Scripture.
In the N.T, the word is used either for explaining Scripture, speaking to the church by way of exhortation, or singing the praises of God in the language of inspiration. In the Old Testament (O.T.), these prophets had a special communication with God, having the future laid open to them. They were also the ministers of the promised Messiah and His kingdom.
These O.T., prophets flourished in a continued succession, during a period of more than a thousand years, they were all of the same mind, having the same Spirit, delivering the same doctrines, and predicted the same blessings and curses on mankind.
Their claim to Divine communication with God was further demonstrated by the excellency of their doctrine, by their miraculous powers, and by the fulfillment of many lesser important predictions that were spoken by them. These men were types of the greater Prophet to come, and the future Teacher of mankind, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. This is He of whom they prophesied.
These men of God reproved and threatened the sinful, regardless of their rank, wealth, or circle of power. Their predictions were either uttered in public, or fixed to the gate of the temple, where they could be seen and read. In some cases when confronting the sinful people of the land, they would walk around in sackcloth, showing every sign of humiliation and sorrow. This was the work God showed them to do.
Prophets spoke more from impulse of a unexpected inspiration, or from the imparted knowledge given them by the Holy Spirit, these revelations usually came suddenly.
Prophesying is not to be quenched, because it is the most edifying of gifts to the church. Those who claim to have this gift are to be judged by other prophets, or those who have the gift of discerning (distinguishing clearly) the spirits, this to prove and to show that this person is prophesying under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and not demon spirits.
There were and are many who falsely claim to have this gift. These are false prophets, those not sent by God. It is therefore the duty of the true prophets to examine all Gospel messages, verifying them, whether they are according to the truth, and the analogy of faith. The spirit of the prophets are subject to the prophets!
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com