PROPHECY
From the beginning of time in the Garden, man has succumbed to the desires of Satan to compromise, add to, or take away from what God said. John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. Today, too many moral issues plainly taught in the Scripture are being sidestepped for political correctness Those not agreeing are perceived as being intolerant rather than speaking the Truth in love. The apostle Paul had the same problem with the Judaizers. Gal 2:5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. He stood firm in the Truth.
Prophecy is spoken either for God or is of God. A prophet comprehends things that are not in the normal human capacity. The prophet may not understand the full meaning of the prophecy but recognizes it as a message from God. False prophets have been in existence very early in time. Jer.23:16 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you ;they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds,not from the mouth of the LORD.
“How can we know?” was a question asked of old. Deut 18:21,22-21 You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?" 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him. None of Samuels’s words fell to the ground 1 Sam 3:19-20 19 The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba
False religions have false prophets. Four hundred prophets of Baal came to nought as the prophets tried and tried to obtain a response. Scripture warns us against believing every spirit. 1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. A true prophecy can never contradict, add to, nor remove from the Word of God.
We note the progression of prophecy in the following verse.
Heb 1:1-2
1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
The O.T. had many prophets. Now Jesus has come and the Bible has been written by inspiration of God. It is complete without need of new prophets. 2 Tim.3:16,17
Deut 18:18-20
18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. 19 If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account. 20 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death."
John 3:31-33
31 "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.
John 1:1-2, 14
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Matt 24:36-
36 "No one knows about that day or hour , not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Even Jesus as a human being on earth did not know when the 2nd coming would be. How can so-called prophets of today know.
John the Baptist was called a prophet. Luke 1:76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
Jesus was called a prophet. Matt 21:11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee ."
People in the church (spiritual gift of prophecy) Acts 13:1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger , Lucius of Cyrene
Eph 3:5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.
Eph 4:11-12 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
These prophets gave messages of encouragement. Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers
They gave messages to edify. disciples. 1 Cor 14:3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
Some prophets would foretell future. Acts 21:10-11
10After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea . 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'"
The words of the prophets were to be carefully weighed by the congregation.
1 Cor 14:29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said
. There will always be false prophets.
Matt 7:15-16 15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Matt 24:11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
Miraculous gifts were necessary to testify to the Truth of the gospel for no N.T. Scriptures had yet been written. Now we have the Word of God which is complete in every way.
2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Since these miraculous gifts were no longer necessary, they ceased.
1 Cor 13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
PROPHECY EXAMPLES
Great statue: (Daniel 2)
Head of Gold – Babylonian empire
Breast & arms of silver – Medo-Persian under Cyrus
Belly & thighs of brass – Greek empire
Legs of iron – Roman empire
Feet of iron and clay – Division
Stone that smote the image and became huge mountain – Dashes it to pieces
Stone-Jesus and the church
All of this prophecy came to pass.
PROPHECY FOLLOWED BY FULFILLMENT:
Isa 40:3
3 A voice of one calling:
"In the desert prepare
the way for the LORD ;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.
Mark 1:2-3 (John the Baptist)
2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet:
"I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way"—
3 "a voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.'"
Mic 5:2 (Jesus born in Bethlehem
But you, Bethlehem
though you are small among the clans of Judah
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times."
Matt 2:6
6 "'But you, Bethlehem , in the land of Judah
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel
Jer 31:15
15 This is what the LORD says:
"A voice is heard in Ramah,
mourning and great weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because her children are no more."
Matt 2:16-17 (killing of babies)
16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem
Isa 9:2-3
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
Matt 4:15-16 (Jesus began ministry in Capernaum
15 "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali
the way to the sea, along the Jordan
16 the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned."
Isa 61:1-2
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
Luke 4:17,20,21 (Jesus reading. “I’m the one.” Tried to throw him off cliff)
17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Isa 42:1-4
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his law the islands will put their hope."
Matt 12:15-21
15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, 16warning them not to tell who he was. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
18 "Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he leads justice to victory.
21 In his name the nations will put their hope." V
Read and consider the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:1-9
Some examples of false prophets can be seen in predictions about the end of the world or the “rapture”. There have been 200 predictions that the end of the world was coming on a certain date. They have all been wrong for no man knows the day or the hour. Matt.24:36
The 1st date was 44 A.D. Many dates followed. 1000 A.D. seemed to be a significant date. Many mathematical computations ensued. 1843/44 was given as one date as we come closer to our time. That did not happen. The solar system lined up in 1982 so that was to be the end. It wasn’t. 1988 became an important date and again, it did not happen. Many predicted the turn of the century in 2000 as the End. We are still here. This year a new date has been prophesied—May 21, 2011. On Oct.21st the world will be destroyed by fire. All of the proclamations have been made by so-called prophets.
We can see the truthfulness in God’s Word. No man knows. Many false prophets will arise. The Bible is complete. We don’t need prophets, conventions, conferences, bishops over many congregations, etc. Decisions are made from Scripture alone.. The most important thing we can do – BE READY whether tonight or 100 or 1000 years away.
So many more Scriptures could be cited and more said on this topic. This addresses a current problem. Every cult has a prophet of “today” and most with writings provided. Let us not be deceived as we are warned.
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