prophet

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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on January 4, 2016 at 7:45pm

The first question that must be asked and answered in order to attempt to address your question is:

Biblically speaking ... "What is a prophet?"

Lord Bless,
LT

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Permalink Reply by Mary O on January 5, 2016 at 7:01am

Hi LT, God bless!

Personal opinion, I think we have genuine prophets, but also a lot of self-proclaimed prophets too. A prophet brings a message from God to God's people. It's not necessarily foretelling the future. IMO a lot of people expect a future forecast. That's not always God's message. Sometimes God's message isn't pleasant because it tells where we are making mistakes and sinning, example Nathan confronting David. God loves us and wants us to change. If God's people hear the message, they change. Sometimes God's people may get the message more than once when they aren't listening. We have a lot of what is to come in the future in the Bible. So when I hear messages from current people who say they are prophets, I take notice. Does it line up with the Bible? I heard a person say...And if this doesn't come to pass then I'm a false prophet! Loaded statement. I marked my calendar. He turned out to be a false prophet.

Love,

Mary

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on January 5, 2016 at 9:17am

There is the spiritual gift of prophecy. There are different teachings even about the spiritual gifts where some teach some of the gifts aren't available now, either. I believe all the gifts are available but at one time that wasn't my understanding or belief. So, for me the question is does having the gift of prophecy makes one a prophet?

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Permalink Reply by Mary O on January 5, 2016 at 11:44am

I can give what I understand. We have different kinds of prophecy. I thought we were talking about the office of a prophet. I have also seen personal prophecy although honestly, I don't feel comfortable with it right now. That doesn't mean it's bad, it means I don't have enough experience that I want to do it all the time. I really need more teaching and understanding on it. Luke 1:39-55 could be considered an example of personal prophecy. As far as I know, Elizabeth and Mary were not prophetesses. Perhaps God wanted them to encourage and exhort each other, it's up to God. If you have God-inspired things to say, it's hard to hold back. Loving and Godly-inspired words can bubble out of you like a stream, living water. When God wants you to say something. That section in Luke is beautiful.

Love and God bless,

Mary

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on January 5, 2016 at 12:10pm

There could still be an "office of prophet" I suppose. I tend to agree more with the teaching that the prophets ended with John and now the Kingdom is preached. I could be wrong and I'm still very much learning. I see in scripture now that all the spiritual gifts are still available and are being given out as the Spirit wills. I also do raise the question if being able to prophesy would mean one is a prophet. Is having a gift one thing, but having an office another? It would seem that the gifts are part of equipping one for his or her specific calling, but I'm not sure. At this point I believe prophets ended with John and the book of Revelation.

Like you I need more light of understanding on it, too :)

Love you very much, dear friend!

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on January 5, 2016 at 5:53pm

I like how you said that, JB, about believing we can be called on at anytime by the Lord to do, or be whatever we need to be when a situation presents itself to a child of God. I have read, too, that apostles are sent but prophets are raised up. I already shared my belief about the prophets ending with John the Baptist and prophecy ending with the book of Revelation. I don't see that there is new revelation but there is illumination of what has been revealed. I believe the Spirit enables people to prophesy and to understand mysteries. If it is as you believe, then one wouldn't necessarily be a prophet or apostle while being sent or raised up when a situation presents itself but would be operating in that capacity temporarily or as a substitute. It's a good topic. God can do whatever God wants to whenever God wants:) But things get pretty confusing for me if it's true that new revelations are being given. To me, a prophet was raised up to reveal more revelations but we have all of the revelations that God is going to give us already and don't need new revelations but do need illumination and understanding of what has been given. The spiritual gift of prophecy encompasses doing that, as far as I understand. But I'm still learning.

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Permalink Reply by shadrak osei bediako on January 6, 2016 at 6:57am

Thanks so much

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