Modern day prophets, do they really exist?

Jul 23, 2011
3,307
35
✟11,231.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
We're all aware of the biblical prophets, my question to you, is do you belive in today's society it is possible for a man to not only speak to God but also revive a reply?
The reason I ask is when I was 18 years old I had an experience which I truelly belive to be a calling from the lord but when ever I talk to anyone about it they look at me as though I'm crazy, I would love to know if anybody else has had similar experiences?

Does God still speak through His people? Absolutely! But it must be consistent with His Word and His character, if not it is not of God!!

There are scriptural guidelines for prophets and prophecy, if we go beyond these, or indeed ignore them then beware.

1 Cor 14: 3 & 22 "But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort...prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers."

v. 22 suggests to me that even discussing prophecy with unbelievers is unwise!!
 
Upvote 0

Lotuspetal_uk

Say 'CHEESE!!!!'
Jan 26, 2003
10,863
1,290
56
Good Ole' Blighty!
Visit site
✟87,683.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Private
We're all aware of the biblical prophets, my question to you, is do you belive in today's society it is possible for a man to not only speak to God but also revive a reply?
Yes it is possible in today's society to both speak to and hear from God

The reason I ask is when I was 18 years old I had an experience which I truelly belive to be a calling from the lord but when ever I talk to anyone about it they look at me as though I'm crazy, I would love to know if anybody else has had similar experiences?
When you say "anyone" who do you mean?
 
Upvote 0

David Brider

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2004
6,513
700
With the Lord
✟81,010.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Methodist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
UK-Greens
We're all aware of the biblical prophets, my question to you, is do you belive in today's society it is possible for a man to not only speak to God but also revive a reply?
The reason I ask is when I was 18 years old I had an experience which I truelly belive to be a calling from the lord but when ever I talk to anyone about it they look at me as though I'm crazy, I would love to know if anybody else has had similar experiences?

I had a very vivid experience of God speaking to me, very early on in my Christian life, but I remain convinced to this day that it was really Him, not some sort of fantasy or delusion. And I knew a woman who seemed to have a permanent hotline to God, as me and my girlfriend at the time put it. She was a very godly woman, very solid in her faith, also very down to earth, and...occasionally she'd hear from Him, and you'd just know, if you were in the room with her, that it was real.

More generally, yes, prophecy is one of the gifts of the Spirit, and I'm not aware of it ever having been taken back by God, so yes, I believe we can and should expect at least some Christians to hear from Him.

David.
 
Upvote 0

mjolnir81

The hammer of god
May 21, 2012
57
3
uk
Visit site
✟7,692.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Engaged
Politics
UK-Conservative
I had a very vivid experience of God speaking to me, very early on in my Christian life, but I remain convinced to this day that it was really Him, not some sort of fantasy or delusion. And I knew a woman who seemed to have a permanent hotline to God, as me and my girlfriend at the time put it. She was a very godly woman, very solid in her faith, also very down to earth, and...occasionally she'd hear from Him, and you'd just know, if you were in the room with her, that it was real.

More generally, yes, prophecy is one of the gifts of the Spirit, and I'm not aware of it ever having been taken back by God, so yes, I believe we can and should expect at least some Christians to hear from Him.

David.

Hi david its nice to know I am not alone, sometimes the scheptics do make me question what I saw that day, but in my heart I know the truth.
 
Upvote 0

Bish bash bosh

Well-Known Member
Dec 21, 2011
1,109
10
✟1,414.00
Faith
Pantheist
Marital Status
In Relationship
Politics
UK-Labour
Hi david its nice to know I am not alone, sometimes the scheptics do make me question what I saw that day, but in my heart I know the truth.

I would suggest for your own sanity and well-being you reanalysis your`experience.`

This is not a condemnation of what you may or may not have experienced, however, you should place yourself into the shoes of the sceptic and look at what you are suggesting from that pov.

Bish
 
Upvote 0

Nige55

Newbie
Mar 2, 2012
801
222
✟68,732.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I would suggest for your own sanity and well-being you reanalysis your`experience.`

This is not a condemnation of what you may or may not have experienced, however, you should place yourself into the shoes of the sceptic and look at what you are suggesting from that pov.

Bish

Wholeheartdly agree with you Bish, many Christians get so wrapped up in spirituality that they forget to self-check and use common sense. I have become a little tired of hearing Christians reading something spiritual into absolutely anything and everything; 'I have a cold- must mean something !' I tripped over an object- must mean something !'
Starts to border on superstition
*I am not for a moment implying that the OP falls into this category.
I heard recently a vivid example of false prophecy. as well as many other misleading words, clearly from a person and not God.
I beleive God stays quieter than some Christians would like to think. Jesus remained pretty tight lipped in various parts of scripture.
Being wary of false prophecy is listed often in scripture, so it really is no revelation at all.
However on the flipside, I have seen too many examples of people of sound mind, emotional stability, sobriety, with sound jobs and family lives reveal extraordinary messages from God. Christians and non-beleivers included.
Also, - the 'because God told me' is thrown around as a weapon too often in churches ! Many nutters say the same.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Jul 23, 2011
3,307
35
✟11,231.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Wholeheartdly agree with you Bish, many Christians get so wrapped up in spirituality that they forget to self-check and use common sense. I have become a little tired of hearing Christians reading something spiritual into absolutely anything and everything; 'I have a cold- must mean something !' I tripped over an object- must mean something !'
Starts to border on superstition
*I am not for a moment implying that the OP falls into this category.
I heard recently a vivid example of false prophecy. as well as many other misleading words, clearly from a person and not God.
I beleive God stays quieter than some Christians would like to think. Jesus remained pretty tight lipped in various parts of scripture.
Being wary of false prophecy is listed often in scripture, so it really is no revelation at all.
However on the flipside, I have seen too many examples of people of sound mind, emotional stability, sobriety, with sound jobs and family lives reveal extraordinary messages from God. Christians and non-beleivers included.
Also, - the 'because God told me' is thrown around as a weapon too often in churches ! Many nutters say the same.

Matt 7: 6 Jesus says, "“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."
 
Upvote 0

mjolnir81

The hammer of god
May 21, 2012
57
3
uk
Visit site
✟7,692.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Engaged
Politics
UK-Conservative
Well I gracefully accept all you views and can absolute see how from a sceptics point of view it would apper as some kind of hallucinations brought on by grief, but the important thing from my perspective is I felt something powerful that day something that unless you have experienced it yourself it must be hard to accept.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Nige55

Newbie
Mar 2, 2012
801
222
✟68,732.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Well I gracefully accept all you views and can absolute see how from a sceptics point of view it would apper as some kind of hallucinations brought on by grief, but the important thing from my perspective is I felt something powerful that day something that unless you have experienced it yourself it must be hard to accept.

I hope you don't beleive that my post refered to you in any way at all, I was referring to those prophets to watch out for. I for one am very glad you shared your example with us and understand totally what you wrote. Peace and blessings to you brother !
 
Upvote 0

mjolnir81

The hammer of god
May 21, 2012
57
3
uk
Visit site
✟7,692.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Engaged
Politics
UK-Conservative
I hope you don't beleive that my post refered to you in any way at all, I was referring to those prophets to watch out for. I for one am very glad you shared your example with us and understand totally what you wrote. Peace and blessings to you brother !

No nige55 I understand entirely what you were saying about false prophets and I'm totally with you, so no worries brother

Peace be with you
 
Upvote 0

Nige55

Newbie
Mar 2, 2012
801
222
✟68,732.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Matt 7: 6 Jesus says, "“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."

Hi Saved, not sure who/what this is referring to ,I think I might understand, could you please clarify ? Please PM me if it's more appropriate. Thanks & blessings !
 
Upvote 0

Lotuspetal_uk

Say 'CHEESE!!!!'
Jan 26, 2003
10,863
1,290
56
Good Ole' Blighty!
Visit site
✟87,683.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Private
When I say anyone I mean anyother christians,
:hug: to you.

I spent nearly 7 years in a congregation who didn't believe in any move of God, nor the spiritual gifts. Sorry you had to go through that. :hug:
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

non-religious

Veteran
Mar 4, 2005
2,500
163
50
Herts
✟11,017.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Married
[Bish bash bosh]Schizophrenia?
Interesting you should say that because many Christians, dependent upon certain denominations, believe that people suffering with such a condition, are in fact hearing "demonic" voices. Mental illness is often perceived as a form of spiritual/demonic bondage.

I have heard untold prophecies from many quarters and I am yet to be convinced that people still hear, especially audibly, the voice of God. Seeing a bright light, or an image of Jesus is something many Christians will testify to happening. This of course isn't exclusive to Christianity. I'm genuinely skeptical about prophets. Just seems that anyone can say 'Thus say the Lord' in the guise of a prophet. Yet when said prophecies are scrutinized, they often come up short.

Kim Clement, although an extreme example, is case in point. A false prophet who still manages to hoodwink gullible Christians into believing God has shown him many things. All of which turn out to be false. So in my opinion they no longer exist.

Just to add - Hasn't the Bible revealed all we need to know? If prophets are still working, then to what gain? And where does it end? As savedbygrace mentioned (I think) if it doesn't line up with scripture then surely it is not be trusted.
 
Upvote 0

non-religious

Veteran
Mar 4, 2005
2,500
163
50
Herts
✟11,017.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Married
[Robban]Divine inspiration comes through a thought, a spark of wisdom,divine wisdom, a spark, just as quick it has gone if one does not grab hold of it,
just as a gas lighter when there comes a spark if there is no fuel there will be no flame.

Having a thought, a revelation or a moment of clarity, regardless of origin, is an entirely different prospect to that of hearing a voice. Everyone has that inner voice that leads us to make certain choices. A man can wake up one morning and decide to stay in bed all day, instead of catching his morning train. That same train can subsequently derail, killing multiple people. Who or what was it that made him decide to stay in bed?

It doesn't necessarily have to be a product of divine inspiration. Although, I can't with any certainty rule it out.
 
Upvote 0

Bish bash bosh

Well-Known Member
Dec 21, 2011
1,109
10
✟1,414.00
Faith
Pantheist
Marital Status
In Relationship
Politics
UK-Labour
Divine inspiration comes through a thought, a spark of wisdom,divine wisdom, a spark, just as quick it has gone if one does not grab hold of it,
just as a gas lighter when there comes a spark if there is no fuel there will be no flame.

An epiphany my friend, we all have them, nothing whatsoever to do with divine intervention.

Bish
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Robban

-----------
Site Supporter
Dec 27, 2009
11,320
3,059
✟651,933.00
Country
Sweden
Faith
Judaism
Marital Status
Divorced
Having a thought, a revelation or a moment of clarity, regardless of origin, is an entirely different prospect to that of hearing a voice. Everyone has that inner voice that leads us to make certain choices. A man can wake up one morning and decide to stay in bed all day, instead of catching his morning train. That same train can subsequently derail, killing multiple people. Who or what was it that made him decide to stay in bed?

It doesn't necessarily have to be a product of divine inspiration. Although, I can't with any certainty rule it out.
Maybe that example would be Divine providence.
 
Upvote 0