August 25, 2021

Let us take a look at the office of prophet that Jesus fulfilled while on the earth. He was made manifest in human flesh to speak the words of life. Those who heard and believed Him were persuaded to leave behind their sinful pasts and pursue life! After the feeding of the five thousand, there were those in the crowd who openly said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” (John 6:14)

Jesus reinforced the idea at another time by comparing Himself to Jonah. The repentance of the Ninevites following Jonah’s preaching elevated Jonah in the eyes of many Jews to the status of ‘most successful prophet.’ If we were to compare Jonah and Jeremiah, it would seem that Jeremiah was a failure, as he was not privileged to see in his lifetime even one convert; yet his faith and loyalty towards God was rewarded with the strength to continue throughout his days. No doubt, there are many souls won for heaven as a result of Jeremiah’s loyal faithfulness. We may often wish for a sign regarding our witness or perhaps an upcoming decision, but let us focus on pleasing Jesus ahead of all else. Could demanding a sign indicate a lack of faith? Hear the words of Jesus after the scribes and Pharisees demanded a sign:

“An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed, a greater than Jonah is here.” Matthew 12:39-41 (see also Luke 11:30,32)

The purpose of prophecy is redemptive. Those who hear and heed the words of the LORD through His prophets distinguish themselves in a positive way in the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

“…everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD’…So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words but they do not do them. And when this comes to pass – surely it will come – then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” Ezekiel 33:30-33

Jesus said, “Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. Most assuredly, I say to you, He who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”  John 13:19-20

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith. Romans 12:6

. . . to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits . . . 1 Corinthians 12:9-10a

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:1