Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I pray God there will be not one but many) he will stand in flat contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear. He will contradict, denounce and protest in the name of God and will earn the hatred and opposition of a large segment of Christendom. A. W. Tozer
Our need for prophets is more desperate now than when A. W. Tozer sounded the alarm in the middle of the twentieth century. Yes, we desperately need brave men and women who have been gifted to the church by Jesus, anointed by God, and empowered with gifts by the Holy Spirit; men and women who know God’s heart in light of our current, desperate situation.
There are those among us whose hearts can discern between the true and the false, whose spiritual sense of smell enables them to detect the spurious afar off, who have the blessed gift of knowing. Let such as these arise and be heard. Who knows but the Lord may yet return and leave a blessing behind Him. A. W. Tozer
The prophets among us will be used by God to communicate His purposes in the midst of storms, chaos, and crises. Not to foretell the outcome, but to forthtell His warnings and instructions to His people. Make no mistake about it, God is up to much, and His attention and intention is more for us than for the world. Furthermore, at least in the western church, we have detoured off the difficult path that leads to eternal life; we desperately need men and women with the vision of God to call and guide us back to our salvation.
When I say to the wicked, “You shall surely die,” and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. Ezekiel 3:18-19
Many shy away from God’s call to prophesy because it carries such a heavy responsibility. Others accept the call as long as it does not put them at odds with their brothers and sisters in Christ. This is understandable, but short-sighted, even selfish.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ… Ephesians 4:11-13ff
Jesus Christ’s vision for the church He is building is absolutely dependent on the prophets fulfilling their call in this providential season of storms, chaos, and crises. Please pause for a moment and consider the privilege, honor, and excitement such an adventure provides. Now, with Jesus’ desires at the forefront, ask Him if you are one such gift to His church.
Furthermore, we have Paul’s encouragement (command?) regarding the Holy Spirit’s gift of prophesy.
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy… He who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues. 1Corinthians 14:1-5
It is important, and a bit comforting, to know that God’s intended audience for the prophet is rarely whole nations or fellowships. God speaks most often to individuals and small groups. Having said that, we must be careful not to constrain God’s word with fear and presumption.
Getting Started
As you open your heart and ears to the possibility of being Jesus Christ’s gift of prophet to His church, you may have the experience of Moses, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and John: a direct encounter and call from God. The calling may also be a subtle one, like the stirring of a desire in your heart. In any case, it will be helpful for you to search out the calling of prophet in the experiences of others. The obvious place to begin is the Bible. The beginning chapters (sometimes verses) of the Major and Minor Books of the Prophets will encourage and inform your faith and understanding. Allow your Teacher – the Holy Spirit – to teach you from their examples.
I hesitate to encourage investigation into more recent people who claim to be prophets, partially because I do not know them and mostly because I sense something has gone wrong there. Of course, there are likely exceptions, but I strongly believe the prophets needed today are more akin to those found in the Bible. It seems to me the most direct route to understanding and training will come through biblical study and on-the-job training by the Holy Spirit.
Having said all that, it is important to note that there are no lone rangers in the Body of Christ. Wisdom and prudence are found in strong fellowship, and under mature spiritual authority. The role of prophet, perhaps more than any other, requires the coverings of prayer and community.
On the other hand, the man who preaches truth and applies it to the lives of his hearers will feel the nails and the thorns. He will lead a hard life, but a glorious one. May God raise up many such prophets. The church needs them badly. C. S. Lewis
God bless you to know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in you,and the exceeding greatness of His power toward you.
Have a strong day in the Lord,
Rob
#iamjustthepen