Prophecies?

February 13, 2012 Monday Message:

We’re looking at Paul’s instructions to the Thessalonians for Christian living:
•Always be joyful.
•Never stop praying.
•Be thankful in all circumstances (for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.)
•Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
•Do not scoff at prophecies.
•Test everything that is said.
•Hold on to what is good.
•Stay away from every kind of evil. (1 Thess. 5:16-20 NLT)

#5, “Do not scoff at prophecies,” is confusing to many. What is a prophecy, who are the prophets, are there still prophets in our churches nowadays?

Let’s first look at Old Testament prophets. God would give the prophet a specific message. Jonah is a good example. God sent Jonah to Nineveh to relay the message that God was displeased with their wickedness. Jonah chose to run the other way, but God would have none of it. After a scary ride in a big fish (don’t mess with God,) Jonah brought the word of the Lord to Nineveh. The king took the message seriously, Nineveh repented and returned, and God recognized their obedience and spared them. Prophecy in action.

New Testament prophets carrying God’s word into the early church could clarify the then-new theology or reveal new things. Ephesians 2:20 speaks of “God’s house built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone,” but isn’t specific about “old” prophets or “new” prophets. Acts twice mentions the prophet Agabus. Remember that much of the New Testament had not yet been written, and was certainly not compiled, copied and published. Early churches were forced to “wing it,” and prophets could sometimes keep them on-track.

What about nowadays? Can God speak through someone, giving them a message to deliver to others? Yes! Can God reveal truth in a supernatural way? Sure. Is this the gift of prophecy like in the Old Testament? Sort of, but it doesn’t seem quite as direct. It’s as if God chose to teach “truth” through prophecies before Jesus walked on earth and before the church was established. Now that the church is in place, the church should teach truth.

Having said that, I believe God places good leaders in key positions in our churches, and through the Holy Spirit, equips and empowers them to fulfill His mission. Today’s version of a prophet may be God working through people.

In His name,

Norton Lawellin