Do prophets of God still exist today?

[Sammy-San]

There are Christians nowadays who have a strong gift of prophecy, and there are Christian preachers who can not only do miracles but say very insightful things regarding God and humanity. Are they prophets or not? Of course people like Joseph Smith who write "holy books" and say the Bible is corrupted are false prophets, but I'm talking about Christians who are very wise, not them.

What level of widsom from God does a person have to receive to be consider a prophet? There have been some speakers who visited at my church who have the gift of prophecy and miracles and things like that. Are they prophets?

Writing the Bible or being mentioned in the Bible isnt a bibical criteria or definition of being a prophet. While prophets did write the books of the Bible, IIRC, there are some prophets in the Bible who didnt write the books of the bible, and people are mentioned in the Bible who arent prophets.

Taking these factors into consideration, is it possible that prophets still exist today? That's the main question of this thread.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

yes. perhaps,

but you won't find them in a denomination, or in the abomination, or on tv, or paid by any ministry, .....

if and when they speak up, they will be telling the same message as always in Yhvh's Word : repent(turn to Yhvh the Creator by faith in Yahushua) and renounce all sin for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

 

[BryanW92]

Taking these factors into consideration, is it possible that prophets still exist today? That's the main question of this thread.

The prophet in New Testament times is not the "Thus saith the Lord..." types found in the OT. They are discerners of wisdom and synthesizers of nearly-disparate facts. They can "see" a possible future through a Spirit-led ability to just detect a trend that no one else can see.

Yes, there are people with the gift of prophecy today, but they are not in the office of Prophet. God's plan has already been revealed through Christ and the apostles, so people like Joseph Smith, Mohammed, and Jim Jones are all frauds who are motivated by another power.

 

[Sammy-San]

The prophet in New Testament times is not the "Thus saith the Lord..." types found in the OT. They are discerners of wisdom and synthesizers of nearly-disparate facts. They can "see" a possible future through a Spirit-led ability to just detect a trend that no one else can see.

Yes, there are people with the gift of prophecy today, but they are not in the office of Prophet. God's plan has already been revealed through Christ and the apostles, so people like Joseph Smith, Mohammed, and Jim Jones are all frauds who are motivated by another power.

If they have the gift of prophecy, what makes them not prophets? People in the OT, like Ezekiel and Isaiah, are considered prophets because they made predictions about the future revealed to them by God. If they are considered prophets, why arent Christians who have similar spiritual gifts as them also considered prophets?

 

[Anna the Seeker]

Usually when they raise themselves on a pedestal with the "words" of Holy Trinity, that's when I start to doubt whether their words are actually true.

 

[tturt]

Having the gift of prophecy "For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted." I Cor 14:31 But not all are prophets "Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?" I Cor 12:29

Prophets are foundational "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" Eph 4:11

Then just like the other servants listed, prophets are for today.

"Despise not prophesyings.21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." I Thes 5:20-21.

We prove all things by - Foremost we have Holy Scripture and The Holy Spirit, prayer, hearing God’s voice, spiritual discernment, confirmation (Acts 9;9-19 especially v 10-12; II Cor 13:1), and Godly counsel (Prov 11:14)

 

[Free at Calvary]

Most pastors I know have the credentials of Apostle, Prophet, Reverend, Doctor, behind their name. Some of them do minister the things of Christ and prophesy by the Spirit of God, which makes them a prophet, but not in the Thus saith the Lord sense.

We are constantly warned about false prophets and instructed to try the spirits, therefore some of them must be real.

I think if we're looking for signs and wonders, miracles, foretelling, etc., we'll either be deceived, or deny that prophets exist.

If you have the testimony of Jesus, it is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10)

 

[BryanW92]

If they have the gift of prophecy, what makes them not prophets? People in the OT, like Ezekiel and Isaiah, are considered prophets because they made predictions about the future revealed to them by God. If they are considered prophets, why arent Christians who have similar spiritual gifts as them also considered prophets?

There is the gift of prophecy and then there is the office of Prophet. Those OT prophets were a single man, sent at a specific time, for a specific purpose of revealing the will of God to specific people.

People under the new covenant with the gift of prophecy do not reveal the will of God since that will has already been revealed. Their gift is more of a nudge from God to help people find their way back to the way that was defined by Jesus. I don't think they should call themselves prophets because that confuses people, and it becomes a source of pride. They are the person who serves on your church council who just seems to know the best course of action all of the time. They are the person who can hear parts of a person's story and they seem to know the rest and can offer helpful advice. But they don't predict earthquakes or plane crashes.

Prophecy is one of the greatest gifts, but it is also the most subtle, disguising itself as wisdom.

 

[Sammy-San]

The prophet in New Testament times is not the "Thus saith the Lord..." types found in the OT. They are discerners of wisdom and synthesizers of nearly-disparate facts. They can "see" a possible future through a Spirit-led ability to just detect a trend that no one else can see.

Yes, there are people with the gift of prophecy today, but they are not in the office of Prophet. God's plan has already been revealed through Christ and the apostles, so people like Joseph Smith, Mohammed, and Jim Jones are all frauds who are motivated by another power.

What do you think motivated false prophets like Joseph Smith and Mohammad? I think they had very similar motivations, because both preached similar things- an unbibical version of Jesus, claiming the Bible was corrupted, and things like that.

 

[BryanW92]

What do you think motivated false prophets like Joseph Smith and Mohammad? I think they had very similar motivations, because both preached similar things- an unbibical version of Jesus, claiming the Bible was corrupted, and things like that.

Not what, but who. The guy who invented the Church of Satan, Anton LeVey, is a joke because satan would not openly have a church created in his name. Satan is a liar so he would create churches that profess Jesus, but change him into something that he is not. Mohammed recognized the spirit in the cave as a demon, but his wife convinced him that it was an angel. The history of Joseph Smith is one of delusions. They believed lies and were given false gospels that feature messages that are very believable to the Natural Man (the sinful man).

 

[Sammy-San]

Not what, but who. The guy who invented the Church of Satan, Anton LeVey, is a joke because satan would not openly have a church created in his name. Satan is a liar so he would create churches that profess Jesus, but change him into something that he is not. Mohammed recognized the spirit in the cave as a demon, but his wife convinced him that it was an angel. The history of Joseph Smith is one of delusions. They believed lies and were given false gospels that feature messages that are very believable to the Natural Man (the sinful man).

Do you believe a demon revealed the Koran to Mohammad in order to deceive humanity by creating or a false religion, or do you believe Mohammad was just a crazy person who made up stories of receiving revelations as an excuse to start a religion for political power? Some people say that Mohammad claimed to be a prophet because he wanted to conquer land for power, and he didnt actually believe in the religion he started, but if that's the case, why did he say that he saw a demon in a cave who gave him revelations?

 

[BryanW92]

Do you believe a demon revealed the Koran to Mohammad in order to deceive humanity by creating or a false religion, or do you believe Mohammad was just a crazy person who made up stories of receiving revelations as an excuse to start a religion for political power? Some people say that Mohammad claimed to be a prophet because he wanted to conquer land for power, and he didnt actually believe in the religion he started, but if that's the case, why did he say that he saw a demon in a cave who gave him revelations?

Demon. Mohammed did not have the education to write the Koran or enough knowledge of scripture to twist it the way he did. He had to be guided by something.

 

[Sammy-San]

Demon. Mohammed did not have the education to write the Koran or enough knowledge of scripture to twist it the way he did. He had to be guided by something.

What makes you think he needed a lot of education to write the Koran? The Koran is basically a mish mash of characters in the Bible mixed with arabian mythology. I dont think Mohammad needed education to write it.

 

[tturt]

In regards to signs - not limited to prophets -
Paul writes " And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." I Cor. 2

By seeing signs and wonders, people become more aware of Yahweh and His nature.

Some are criticized for talking about signs and wonders when not talking about what Yahweh has done results in "a stubborn and rebellious generation" (Psa 78) and changed the direction of nations (Exo 1:8 - ) - just 2 examples.

Even the nations around Israel saw the presence and glory of Yahweh.

Matt 10 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." signs--

Prophets prophesying earthquakes, etc - yes according to Amos 3:7 " Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Here's a couple of NT examples: A famine was prophesied and they were able to prepare for it Acts 11:28-30. Acts 13:9: Paul prophesies that Elymas, the magician, would be struck blind - and he was.

 

[parsley]

I like how you bring wisdom into the question, because I rarely hear that associated with prophetic gifting.

When a person receives prophetic information from God and delivers it, the innate ability within them is mostly listening, accepting in faith, and bravery to deliver. The Word itself comes from God or another source.

To exercise wisdom with this ability to hear and deliver, includes discernment in when it should be spoken, how it should be worded, who needs to hear it, and whether it really was from God.

Many of the problems in contemporary prophecy come from people who blurt out anything that comes to them, insisting people listen to God's word.

We are all given the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide, empower and bring God's presence into situations. We are all offered the right to hear from God, whether the capability is equal or not.

In a normal day, most of us would admit we aren't sure about a percentage of the things that seem to be from God. Ten percent, fifty, ninety... but often the information is right on the nose, and clearly inspired. God hears our prayers, and answers.

The Holy Spirit empowerment was mentioned in the Old Testament, as prophecy is mentioned in the New. There is continuity, even though there were clear demarcations like Jesus saying He would send the Holy Spirit. God continues to communicate with us, in very personal ways as well as corporate.

But wisdom or lacking wisdom -- Aye, there's the rub.

 

[BryanW92]

What makes you think he needed a lot of education to write the Koran? The Koran is basically a mish mash of characters in the Bible mixed with arabian mythology. I dont think Mohammad needed education to write it.

He was illiterate. He did not own a bible to copy and corrupt. Muslims and Christian apologists for Islam use these two facts to "prove" the divine guidance that caused him to write the Koran. I say it only proves guidance and the work itself proves that it is anything but divinely inspired.

 

[myloveisforchrist]

A true prophet of God does exist today, however i do not believe in "soothsaying" prophets. Prophets warn us against complacency and hypocrisy, they are strong with their words and speak with no fear.

 

[tturt]

Amos 3:7 " Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

 

[Sammy-San]

There is the gift of prophecy and then there is the office of Prophet. Those OT prophets were a single man, sent at a specific time, for a specific purpose of revealing the will of God to specific people.

People under the new covenant with the gift of prophecy do not reveal the will of God since that will has already been revealed. Their gift is more of a nudge from God to help people find their way back to the way that was defined by Jesus. I don't think they should call themselves prophets because that confuses people, and it becomes a source of pride. They are the person who serves on your church council who just seems to know the best course of action all of the time. They are the person who can hear parts of a person's story and they seem to know the rest and can offer helpful advice. But they don't predict earthquakes or plane crashes.

Prophecy is one of the greatest gifts, but it is also the most subtle, disguising itself as wisdom.

Do you think Ana Mendez Ferell is of God?