“On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more,” declares the Lord Almighty. “I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. And if anyone still prophesies, their father and mother, to whom they were born, will say to them, ‘You must die, because you have told lies in the Lord’s name.’ Then their own parents will stab the one who prophesies.
“On that day every prophet will be ashamed of their prophetic vision. They will not put on a prophet’s garment of hair in order to deceive." (Zech 13:2-4 NIV)
So, is the gift of prophecy a gift that is received today? Absolutely! I remember years ago being told that prophecy is not a gift for new covenant people. It died when the first disciples died. They based (and some still do) that assumption on scriptures like this one that we find in Zechariah. But, this scripture refers not to prophets that the LORD has called. It refers to false prophets. It refers to prophets who not only call on false idols, but those who prophecy falsely in the LORD's name. I am sorry to say that both abound today. But, that does not negate the fact that God still calls prophets. They are around for the benefit of the people. They are around to remind us of the LORD's will and of the Way in which we should be going.
In today's culture we often think of a prophet of someone who predicts the future. But, it is not normal for a prophet of God to do that. A prophet's message usually includes the warning of what will happen if we do not worship the one true God and only Him; if we do not follow in His Way. Thankfully, many of the prophets of old (as well as today), also included a promise to those who would gift thanks to and glorify God before all others.
I find it quite sad that so many who profess to be Christian today are running around supporting false prophets; so many who are seeking a prediction of their future; seeking a word from the dead; rather than seeking the will of God and standing on God's promises of eternal life in His Kingdom for all who believe. May God bless you with that the reassurance that He is with you. He will provide for you. He will keep you in His Kingdom.
So, is the gift of prophecy a gift that is received today? Absolutely! I remember years ago being told that prophecy is not a gift for new covenant people. It died when the first disciples died. They based (and some still do) that assumption on scriptures like this one that we find in Zechariah. But, this scripture refers not to prophets that the LORD has called. It refers to false prophets. It refers to prophets who not only call on false idols, but those who prophecy falsely in the LORD's name. I am sorry to say that both abound today. But, that does not negate the fact that God still calls prophets. They are around for the benefit of the people. They are around to remind us of the LORD's will and of the Way in which we should be going.
In today's culture we often think of a prophet of someone who predicts the future. But, it is not normal for a prophet of God to do that. A prophet's message usually includes the warning of what will happen if we do not worship the one true God and only Him; if we do not follow in His Way. Thankfully, many of the prophets of old (as well as today), also included a promise to those who would gift thanks to and glorify God before all others.
I find it quite sad that so many who profess to be Christian today are running around supporting false prophets; so many who are seeking a prediction of their future; seeking a word from the dead; rather than seeking the will of God and standing on God's promises of eternal life in His Kingdom for all who believe. May God bless you with that the reassurance that He is with you. He will provide for you. He will keep you in His Kingdom.
God's Peace - Pr. J
P.S. Today's blog came easy as yesterday's Bible Study at Zion related to the gift of prophecy, as well as the gift of tongues. We had an excellent discussion on 1 Corinthians 14. Join us next Wednesday at 9 a.m., if you are able, for chapter 15 and the resurrection of the dead. BTW - haven't been able to figure out why anyone would seek guidance from supposedly dead spirits when they can seek it from God who sees all and knows all; and, has already provided His Word.
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