The Gift of Prophecy
12: 10b
Prophecy, like the gifts of healing, effecting of miracles and tongues, was a temporary sign gift (Romans 12:6; First Corinthians 12:10; Ephesians 4:11). The simplest definition of the gift of prophecy is speaking on God’s behalf. There were prophets during the B’rit Chadashah; Agabus (Acts 11:27-28, 21:10-11); Anna the prophetess (Luke 2:36-38); Barnabas, Simon called Niger and Lucius the Cyrene (Acts 13:17); Judas and Silas (Acts 15:32); the four daughters of Philip who prophesied (Acts 21:9); and the apostle John who prophesied in Revelation. Prophets foretold either near historical events or far eschatological events. But, once the last book in the Bible was written, the canon of Scripture was closed and there was no need for any further revelation. The Ruach Ha’Kodesh has equipped us with everything we would need to live a victorious life (see the commentary on Hebrews, to see link click Ai – The Superiority of Messiah to the Prophets). Therefore, prophecy has ceased (13:8).
There is no continuous revelation. John declares to us: I warn everyone hearing the words of this prophecy in this book that if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues written in this book. And if anyone takes anything away from the words in the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the Tree of Life and the holy City, as described in this book (Revelation 22:18-19). Pat Robertson of the 700 Club, and many others like him have made false political prophecies. That is the rotten fruit of the “prophets” we have today. They are all charlatans. Why listen to any of them? Why continue to listen to people who have not been truthful and speak falsely? When wrong, they make excuses. Cults, like the Mormons, believe in continuing revelation. People who are referred to as “prophets” today make up the “social-justice movement,” and other political factions. To think of them as “prophets” is at best confusing, and at worst a demonic distraction.
If prophecy has not ceased then the judgments of prophets has not ceased: If a prophet presumptuously speaks a word in My Name which I didn’t order him to say, or if he speaks in the name of other gods, then that prophet must die. You may be wondering, “How are we to know if a word has not been spoken by ADONAI?” When a prophet speaks in the name of ADONAI, and the prediction does not come true – that is, the word is not fulfilled – then ADONAI did not speak that word. That [person] spoke arrogantly (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). Significantly, this passage follows on Moshe’s prediction that a prophet like me would arise, that prophet being Yeshua (Acts 3:22).
Dear Wise Heavenly Father, Praise You that you know the future as though it was a past event. Though I cannot see in the dark – You see perfectly in the dark. You discern my thinking from afar. You observe my journeying and my resting and You are familiar with all my ways. . . Even darkness is not dark for You, and night is as bright as day – darkness and light are alike (Psalms 139:2b-3, 12).
How incredibly wise of You to send Your prophets to proclaim future kingdoms hundreds of years before they come to power (Daniel 2 and 7). Thank You that Your kingdom power and rule is eternal for You will rule with Your children forever. God’s dominion is an everlasting dominion that will never pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed . . . Then the kingdom, power, and greatness of the kingdoms under all heaven will be given to the people of the kedoshim of the Most High. Their kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions will serve and obey him (Daniel 7:14 and 27). I keep my eyes fixed on You when problems and trials come, for I trust with confidence that Your kingdom which You predicted is one-hundred percent sure and will definitely come to pass. In Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection. Amen
Prophets in the Dispensation of Torah were well known . . . Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezeki’el, Dani’el, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obediah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. We have their names. If there are prophets today, who are they? What are their prophecies? Do their “prophecies” align with God’s Word? That is how we can determine which are true prophecies or false, Satanic delusions!
Because the canon of Scripture was closed at the end of the first century with the book of Revelation, we don’t need any more insights into divine mysteries, for the Bible explains what we need to know. Since teaching and preaching carry the burden to edify and exhort, there is really no need for prophecy to exist. Even Timothy was to study the Word so that he could rightly teach it (Second Timothy 2:15 and 4:2) and to read it publicly (First Timothy 4:13). Thus, the Word that Paul was most concerned with Timothy speaking and teaching was what had already been written. Some prophecy could have still been going on at this point, but once the written Word was finished, the need for it slowly diminished. This can be seen through the Scriptures. The original language in Hebrews 1:1-2 infers that when God spoke through Messiah as recorded by His servants the apostles and prophets, He spoke once for all. In other words, there will be no more revelation or prophecy until the Second Coming of Messiah. Joel indicates that prophesy will be reactivated at that time: After [the Second Coming] I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions (Joel 2:28-29).
In the meantime, Messiah has spoken, and His Church has been established. Ephesians 2:20 says that the household of God, the Church, has been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Yeshua Messiah Himself being the cornerstone. Ephesians 3:5 also indicates that God revealed the mystery of Messiah and the foundation of the Church through the apostles and prophets. Thus, prophesy through the TaNaKh, prophesy through Messiah, and prophesy through the apostles and prophets in the B’rit Chadashah was all part of what we now have as God’s written and complete Word. Prophesy will happen again when Messiah returns; but until then, we need to take advantage of all that the Lord has given us in this time through His finished Word and the leading of His Spirit. God’s power has given us everything we need for life and godliness (Second Peter 1:3).
This does not make the Church boring or dead, for we can still seek the Ruach Ha’Kodesh. ADONAI still speaks through His Word and by His Spirit to our hearts according to His Word. Scripture is alive, and our Savior is alive. See, the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword – it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Life in Messiah is a living and active experience with our risen Savior as He guides us into all truth by His Spirit and works to conform us into His image (Romans 8:29). We need to pay attention to the Ruach Ha’Kodesh within our hearts, not grieving Him or quenching Him. He has plenty of ministry to do aside from prophetic ministry given that we have an entire Bible to study and learn. We need to let God’s Word dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16) so that we can have the wisdom that we need. We can count on ADONAI to supply us with whatever wisdom that we may be lacking. Messiah is sufficient and His Word is sufficient. We truly have all that we will ever need until Yeshua returns.373
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