New Testament Prophets
The Bible clearly points out that there will be modern day prophets in God’s church:
A. The gift of prophecy will be manifested in God’s church till the end of time. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers…Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11, 13).
B. Jesus’ end-time church will specifically have the gift of prophecy. “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ”; “…And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”; “Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God” (Revelation 12:17; 19:10; 22:9).
C. To reject a true prophet’s counsel is to reject God’s counsel. “For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him” (Luke 7:28-30).
D. We are commanded to test the prophets and follow their counsel if they speak and live in harmony with the Bible. “Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:20, 21).
The Bible teaches that there will be end time true prophets. True prophets will always speak in harmony with the Bible. The “prophets” that contradict God’s Word are false ones and should be rejected. But it is the believers duty to test the prophets by the Word of God. The Lord said, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team