Concerning Prophets ...

This is something I came across in my studies last year that I found quite interesting and thought I would share with the rest of you.

When you hear the word "prophet", what is the first thing that comes to mind?

For most of us, the word "prophet" usually conjures up images of men in robes with long, white beards, or individuals with the supernatural gift to gaze into the future and make predictions or prophecies. Even though the latter description is more indicative of a fortuneteller--not a prophet.

But if we look at the Old Testament Biblical account we find that most prophets were actually quite different. Many of them did foresee future events--especially those sounding the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. But often times the message given by prophets in the Old Testament was one of repentance and obedience to God. A good example of this is the story of Jonah. Despite the fact that he never made a signal prophesy, Jonah is still counted among the Old Testament prophets. So in that respect, a Biblical prophet had more in common with a street-preaceher than a fortuneteller.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul describes the role of prophets this way:

"Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ."

~ Ephesians 4:11-13New Living Translation (NLT) [Emphasis Mine]

So what is a prophet? 

In the Biblical sense, a prophet is a messenger--someone who, when filled with the Holy Spirit, teaches others about God. In the Old Testament God used prophets as His representatives on earth; pouring out His Spirit on certain individuals for a limited time. After Christ's resurrection and ascent into Heaven, God sent His Holy Spirit to permanently indwell those who believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And with the Holy Spirit also came the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which include the gift of prophesy. (1 Corinthians 12) 

Is this gift any different now than it was before? Not at all. The only difference today is that we all know what God's will is because He has revealed it to us through His Word:

"The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent."

~ 2 Peter 3:9New Living Translation (NLT)

A prophet is not a fortuneteller. A prophet is someone who tells others the truth about God, explaining God's will for them by proclaiming the Good News about Jesus Christ to everyone who will listen.