But Who Is A Prophet: The 12st Century Prophetic Era A New Phenomena

But Who Is A Prophet.

Many people carry around business cards that list their title as "Prophet of God." Huge conferences are held and many books are written to instruct people on how to become a prophet. 

Is it that easy though? Does a person become a prophet simply because he attends a conference or two, reads some books and orders a stack of business cards? Of course not. Yet still many people believe that they can decide to become one of God's prophets.

Prophets Are God-Appointed, Not Self-Appointed

Prophets are called by God, however ; they are not self-appointed. God chooses who shall be a prophet, just as He appoints apostles, healers, teachers, etc. No one can appoint himself to be God's prophet.

In our time we might have a band of personal self claiming to be prophets and " Man Of God" Such man parade themselves with such great accuracy of the Divine Voice and flows abundantly in the power of the spirit. 

However, are these super powerful man of God, did they self appoint themselves and are they truly prophets of the 21st century and not business icons of our hyper transformational

In the story of the prophet Jeremiah, we discover how God appointed him as one of His prophets

Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations

Once that person is appointed as a prophet of God, he is a prophet of God, whether he agrees or not. When God told Jeremiah that he was a prophet, Jeremiah responded negatively

The Holy Ghost, or Spirit, is the source of all prophecy, including the prophecies spoken by the prophets of the Old Testament. We read in the Scriptures that, For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 

This same Spirit also teaches men the spiritual things of God that transcend human wisdom. The Holy Spirit is the source of true Christian wisdom, strength and prophecy. A prophet receives messages from the Holy Spirit

Often people do not understand these messages because they do not have the spiritual capacity to do so. Sometimes, however, they fail to understand because they choose not. During this entire process though, the prophet is stuck between the Holy Spirit realm and the humanistic world. It is not an easy position to maintain without questioning it all.

The Prophet The Most Misunderstood Gift

People cannot really understand prophets because it is impossible for them to do so. Prophets have a unique calling, a very special position in the Body of Christ; therefore, they cannot expect others to understand them or their ministry. Prophets think differently than others. 

They see things that others cannot see or, sometimes, even imagine. When the majority of Christians are rejoicing, the prophet will be weeping. It is not that prophets want to be so different than others; it is simply because they are different.

The prophet Jeremiah said to God, I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation. He knew the loneliness of a prophet's life that comes from this internal difference from others. 

The prophet Daniel too was a man who was set apart from others. He saw things they did not see and heard things they could not hear. 

These man where never a people who claimed the public love, all times the public and the Politician of the day never liked them. He came with a message that would bring man back to the source of true worship. Justice, truth and piety restoration was the main functions of the Prophets.

Thus,the prophet receives things from God that transcend all human abilities. The prophet sees events that are yet to happen, hears messages that are not yet preached, open doors that are not yet closed and closes others that have not been opened. 

Afterwards, the prophet has to explain it all to people who have not seen or heard these things. It is not an easy life but it is a life to which he is destined.

In our time it is very difficult to understand the real authority of the prophet. because of that failure to distinguish the extend of the Prophet authority has led to a lot of abuse of that authority. 

It may seem as if what we observe in the 21st century is a new prophetic movement that is self proclaimed and with excessive power and authority that is humanistic in matter.

Prophet True Identity Is In The Presence Of God 

It is in the Presence of God that the prophet finds the safety, healing and support that he cannot find anywhere else. When standing before men, the true prophet is usually dishonored; when he comes before God, however, the prophet is honored simply by the fact that he stands before God.

 As the Scripture says, Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. This is aptly true for prophets because they are usually fought, attacked, maligned and misunderstood by everyone else, including other Christians. Yet many prophets seem apologetic for wanting to spend time in God's presence.

How ironic is it that the self proclaimed prophets spend most of their times with publicans, business partners, and church programs. They have a message from "God" indeed but whose "God". 

The message they carry and their claimed revelations always gives an impression of falsehood as it does not correspond to the previous revelation given by the Holy Spirit as scripture and is the source with which prophecy can be judged. In whose presence do you stand, and whose words do you represent oh self proclaimed one!

True Prophet Speak God's Word Only

But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?

 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

In the passage above, God explains that the test of a true prophet is the veracity of his prophecy. If a prophet gives a message from God, then that message will be proven by its fulfillment. If the prophet is false, however, the prophecy shall fail and reveal his presumption. 

This does not mean that every true prophet is completely accurate every time; prophets, like other Christians, are human and can fail too. 

The prophet cannot use his humanity to excuse his false prophecies though; he must strive to always deliver God's word truthfully and completely at the appropriate time and to the appropriate person(s). 

When God Speaks, Things Happen

"Thus saith the Lord God" - what a powerful opening statement. How can you dispute with God? When a Prophet speaks indeed what the prophet says will come to pass as the owner of the word will always be faithful to fulfill His word and to show that indeed He has sent the prophet. 

The prophet is simply God's messenger, he only must repeat the words that God spoke. That's it! Nothing else. He is not to explain, alter, expand, weaken, strengthen or change the message in any way. 

God explains the role of a prophet as such: I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. A true prophet always speaks the word of God, he operates as an mouthpiece of the Divine.

He further goes on to explain the responsibility and accountability of the prophet: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

The prophet must speak God's word completely. If he fails to give the entire message, then he will face God's judgment. In addition, the prophet is speak only what God tells him to say. If the prophet falsely claims that a word is from God, then he will bring death upon himself.

A prophet is a person whom God calls and decides to use him or her as a mouthpiece to declare the Degrees, Declarations, Judgement, Promise, Plan of Him. He does not need to be one who self proclaim to be a messenger but one called and ordained by God. 

It is not a church title nor a business term for a Neo- Prophetic Movement Firms. Rather it is a Divine act of election that makes one to be a Prophet. The one who will stand for God and represent His Voice to the nations.