God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets….
Before the coming of Christ, the prophets were the chosen vessels whom God used to speak to His people. The prophets would render the oracles of God to whomever God would lead them. They also were set in place as intercessors for the people of God. This calling was one of high regard because of its exclusivity. Many times God would not speak to His people until a prophet came on the scene. As a result, it was a known fact that the prophets carried the words of God. The people trusted their words even above that of the king. It was the prophet’s office that continually guided the nation of Israel into the will of God.
The prophets of old not only spoke the words of God, but they were often led into situations that served as types or shadows of things to come. As a result, their lives were totally dictated by God.
The sacrifices their calling demanded, resulted in lifestyles that would be considered undesirable by today’s standards. They suffered many things at the hands of the rebellious; and were not privy to many luxuries. However, these experiences were the price they were willing to pay for the sake of righteousness. It was the necessary cost of the anointing upon their lives.
The prophets were set forth as an example unto us. They could neither be bought nor manipulated. Are we willing to suffer that the anointing may rest upon us? When we compare our walk in the faith with that which the prophets gave, are we satisfied with what we give? Are we willing to be humiliated for the gospel sake? Well, these patriarchs were. Though they experienced many terrible things they were still acknowledged as holy men of God for generations.
The prophet’s gift is a seer’s ministry. It receives vision or insight into the mysteries of God.
Luke 1:68-70
68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
Since the beginning of the world every prophet on the face of the earth saw and spoke things concerning Christ and the church. The prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of Christ saying; “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” The word Immanuel means “God with us”. Therefore, Isaiah’s prophecy was foreshadowing the coming of the son of God into the earth.
When we compare this operation with what we see as “prophecy” in the church today, we see a vast difference. The Old Testament contains many prophecies concerning Christ and events to come. Prophecies that went forth to individuals were few and for specific reasons or situations. Despite this, “personal prophecy” is what we chiefly see operating in our churches today. However, a true New Testament prophet’s ministry receives a revelation of Jesus Christ, the Church, and of events concerning the Church.
1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
We must discern the spirits of ministers who stand before us. If a true prophet stands before us they will not only come forth with a revelation of Christ, but they will also follow the same lifestyle of holiness that the prophets have always been called to live. They will not make merchandise of God’s people, neither will they be wanton. They will be selfless for the anointing’s sake.
A prophet must be consecrated for the will of God. This is why they cannot solely give personal prophecies, rather, they are those whom God trusts with His word. For years, and even after his death, many studied and looked for Isaiah’s prophecy to come to pass - it came to pass exactly as it was foretold.
1 Corinthians 12:28
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after
that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
The prophets of old were called singly, (first, one at a time, and separately). They did not have under shepherds or other witnesses of their word. They had to speak on God’s behalf and deal with the consequences by themselves. They were God’s chosen vessels. However, when God established the church they were not set first, instead, it was the apostle who was set first.
The prophets of old were never called to disciple. There were very few examples wherein a prophet
would reproduce himself in another. As in the case of Elisha and Elijah, Elisha quickly informed his servant of the fact that he had no power to bestow on him a double portion of the anointing that he had witnessed resting upon his Master. However, if you see me when I leave, the Lord has said you may have it. However, as it pertains to the church, their chief responsibility is to confirm the word of the Lord in the hearts of the people. God used the prophet where there was no spiritual government established. He made sure His people had a word to steer, lead or guide them. However, in the dispensation of Christ, God established spiritual government. It is no longer God’s intent to speak through one individual at
a time, without confirmation or affirmation from within the Body. Because we are all of the selfsame Spirit, members of the Body of Christ are now able to judge the word spoken from the mouth of today's prophets.
The enemy loves confusion and hates order.
God, on the other hand, is not the author of confusion. By establishing a government, God was creating order. Here is a hypothetical situation to think about.
What if Elijah was from our time – He told the king it would not rain, but then another “prophet” goes on Facebook and says it will indeed rain and that Elijah does not know God. This is confusion – however this is the very thing running rampant in the church today. Nevertheless, the confusion disappears when it does not rain.
1 Corinthians 14:29
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
Prophecy should be judged by the Word of God. If the people are all trained in the Word of God and walking in the Spirit, they will be able to identify the truth from a lie. However, the true intent of the Old Testament scriptures was not revealed until God set apostles in place. It was the prophets of old who wrote those scriptures that the apostles taught from. Yet, they had not fully perceived the very things they wrote, saw, and experienced.
1 Peter 1:10
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace
that should come unto you:
The prophets prophesied of the salvation to come. But when they sought after full understanding it was withheld from them. However, that same understanding is given unto the apostles. Thus, as it pertains to the church God needed to set the apostles first because they were chosen to know the full understanding of the mysteries of Christ as they are put forth in both the Old and New Testament. Because they receive the knowledge of the scriptures, it is the apostle’s responsibility to reveal the Word to others in the Body. By doing so, they set the boundaries of the faith. They will expose what is the truth concerning the scriptures and what are false interpretations of the same. Thus, this gift is foundational because it defines the faith. The apostle’s anointing allows the other gifts to know and understand the meaning of “faith and truth.”
Thus, setting the apostle first, is not a ranking system or hierarchy, but rather refers to the sequence of responsibility. He set them first so that they can lay the foundation that the other gifts can build upon.
Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
There are some things that actually increase in value as they get older. The same is true regarding
the Word of God. His Word increases in value as time progresses. I say this to illustrate that it was never God’s intent to do away with the prophets. It is still a gift of value. The apostle needs the prophet. They work together bearing witness of one another. There is a government in the Church. Do not allow the enemy to pull you away from the concept of Church government. There is safety in the government of God. It is not a man or woman’s control over the people of God, as Satan has conveniently defined it. Nevertheless, it is the order we are to serve under. Furthermore, the apostle and prophet are not in competition with one another; but rather they are simply fulfilling different roles.
