Know Any Prophets?

Good morning!

Today's reading is John 4:43-45, along with other proof texts.

After the two days he departed from there to Galilee.  (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.)  So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him because they had seen all the things he had done in Jerusalem at the feast (for they themselves had gone to the feast).  After the two days now he came again to Cana in Galilee where he had made the water wine.  (NET)

This period of time, when Jesus returned to Galilee from Samaria, is also referenced in Matthew 4:21-25.  The first couple of verses describe how the apostle John received his call to be a disciple of Jesus.  Interestingly, although John records the calls of some of the other disciples, he omits the record of his and his brother's call.

I want to focus on verse 44 today.  Jesus is recorded as having made this statement, perhaps after the people of his hometown tried to stone him to death.  It gives us a glimpse into the life of a prophet. Let's look at some Scriptures that describe prophets, to get a picture of their other characteristics.

I've mentioned previously in this blog a deceased Christian artist named Keith Green.  He wrote a song to appeal to his non-Christian parents to accept Jesus as Savior.  Part of the lyrics from Song to My Parents are:
"Isn't that Jesus?  Isn't that Joseph and Mary's son?  Well, didn't he grow up right here?
He played with our children!  What?  He must be kidding - - - thinks he's a prophet.
Well, prophets don't grow up from little boys, do they?
From little boys - - - do they?"

The dictionary defines a prophet as someone "regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God".

What does the Bible say about prophets?  It makes clear that there are two types of prophets: true prophets of God and false prophets - - those who claim to be of God but are not, or those who claim to speak for false gods (like Baal, for instance).

1.  Predicts future events which do come to pass . . . every time.
Deuteronomy 18:21-22
Jeremiah 28:9

2.  Never gives a private interpretation, but only speaks what is received from Scripture or from the Holy Spirit
2 Peter 1:20

3.  Only seeks to glorify God, never him/herself
2 Peter 1:21

4.  Never prophesies anything that disagrees with the Bible, the written Word of God
Isaiah 8:20

5.  Lives a life of holiness
Matthew 7:15-20
Isaiah 8:20

6.  Preaches that Jesus Christ is God-in-flesh, the only begotten Son of God, who is the only Person through whom we can have eternal salvation --- an intimate relationship with God.
1 John 4:1-3

7.  Seeks to comfort, encourage, uplift and exhort the people of God.  The word "exhort" means to challenge them to holy living.  That includes "stepping on our toes" when we need it, which is often.
1 Cor. 14:3-4

8:  Is not defined by age or by gender - - there have been young, old, male and female prophets mentioned in Scripture.
Exodus 15:20  Miriam
Judges 4          Deborah
2 Chronicles 34:22  Hilkiah
Luke 2:36       Anna
Acts 21:8-9     daughters of Phillip the Evangelist
Acts 16:14      Lydia, perhaps?
Also, see Acts 2:17-18    validates that young people can have the spiritual gift of prophecy also

9.  Miracle-working is not given as a sign of a prophet, unless you are talking about a false one.
Matthew 24:24-25

10.  Often persecuted or even martyred for their faith
Biblical scholars and ancient texts (Lives of the Prophets) attest to this point, but you really have to look no further than Jeremiah (who was thrown into a well for an extended period of time) and John the Baptist, who was beheaded by King Herod.  (Mark 6:14-29)

Are there prophets today?  Yes, I believe there are - - - both true prophets of the living God, and many, many false prophets.  It is important for Christians to heed John's exhortation in 1 John 4:1, that we "examine the spirits" of a person, to determine whether or not a prophet speaks the truth.  I pray that the marks listed above will be of help to you in that task.

There is a very successful evangelist today who has thousands upon thousands of devoted followers. A few years ago he was interviewed by a non-Christian man who asked him directly about God's plan for salvation.  The man's reply danced all around the truth, but did not give it.  It was the perfect opportunity for him to preach the gospel to millions upon millions of people.  But, he did not.  That man is a false prophet.  Mark it down.  In that interview he violated the sixth principle in the list above, (among others that he violates routinely).

Be discerning, Christian.  The Bible is our bedrock, our uncompromising standard.

Dear Lord, no matter how you call us or to what you call us, I pray we will be discerning and faithful in Your service.  May we follow our Savior's example in all we do today, and every day.  In Jesus' name, amen.