The time gaps in the life of a prophet

[shepherdsword]

The prophet Daniel had numerous gaps between his prophetic revelations. He had his first as a young man in Dan 2. He had another one a few years later in Dan 4. Then...DECADES later he had a revelation in the first year of Belshazzar in Dan 7. He had another a couple of years later in Bel's 3rd year in chapter 8. He had another years later in Darius' 1st year in Dan 9. He then had another in the 3rd year of Cyrus in Dan 10.

Are we seeing a pattern here? Perhaps not a numeric one but we should see that there are often huge gaps of time between divine revelations in even the most astounding of prophets. It is for this very reason I question the validity of those who claim to hear from God on a daily basis...as if His voice is a common occurrence.

I challenge anyone to prove from scripture that such daily revelations are constant and immediate. I hear false prophets claim to hear His voice all through the day everyday. That has not been my experience. I am not a prophet but I have had divine revelations through the years that have encouraged some and saved the life of others.

What's your take on it?
DISCUSS!

 

[RandyPNW]

The prophet Daniel had numerous gaps between his prophetic revelations. He had his first as a young man in Dan 2. He had another one a few years later in Dan 4. Then...DECADES later he had a revelation in the first year of Belshazzar in Dan 7. He had another a couple of years later in Bel's 3rd year in chapter 8. He had another years later in Darius' 1st year in Dan 9. He then had another in the 3rd year of Cyrus in Dan 10.

Are we seeing a pattern here? Perhaps not a numeric one but we should see that there are often huge gaps of time between divine revelations in even the most astounding of prophets. It is for this very reason I question the validity of those who claim to hear from God on a daily basis...as if His voice is a common occurrence.

I challenge anyone to prove from scripture that such daily revelations are constant and immediate. I hear false prophets claim to hear His voice all through the day everyday. That has not been my experience. I am not a prophet but I have had divine revelations through the years that have encouraged some and saved the life of others.

What's your take on it?
DISCUSS!

I don't know, but I tend to agree with you. I'm not a prophet, but as a non-credentialed minister of God's word I often have an answer from the Lord--perhaps it can even be said to be daily. So perhaps someone with a prophetic gift can give a word from the Lord on most any day.

But I don't think prophecies come at the will of the prophet. They have to have an issue set before them by the Lord in order to prophesy to it. If there is no issue, no prophecy.

I do see the problem you seem to allude to inasmuch as some known to be "prophets" in the Christian world appear to give a constant stream of "prophecies." Actually, I don't think their daily or regular broadcasts are all "prophecies"--just a ministry of God's word with a prophetic spirit, which is something all ministers of God's word do regularly.

Some have claimed to be "prophesying" when in reality they are just giving an opinion as to what they think God is saying. It's sad that many even long-time ministers of God cannot tell the difference!

What I hear them say is, "I'm not prophesying, but I feel God speaking to my heart so and so." Or, they just appear to give the impression they're inspired and prophesying, which is sad.

As to actual prophecies, I do think they have to come intermittently whenver God sees fit to give them. He knows when a people are ripe for it, and He knows when He wants to deliver a message in a particular context.

We have to wait on the Lord each day to see what unfolds before us. Otherwise, we simply have to carry out our regular duties.

 

[Jamdoc]

The prophet Daniel had numerous gaps between his prophetic revelations. He had his first as a young man in Dan 2. He had another one a few years later in Dan 4. Then...DECADES later he had a revelation in the first year of Belshazzar in Dan 7. He had another a couple of years later in Bel's 3rd year in chapter 8. He had another years later in Darius' 1st year in Dan 9. He then had another in the 3rd year of Cyrus in Dan 10.

Are we seeing a pattern here? Perhaps not a numeric one but we should see that there are often huge gaps of time between divine revelations in even the most astounding of prophets. It is for this very reason I question the validity of those who claim to hear from God on a daily basis...as if His voice is a common occurrence.

I challenge anyone to prove from scripture that such daily revelations are constant and immediate. I hear false prophets claim to hear His voice all through the day everyday. That has not been my experience. I am not a prophet but I have had divine revelations through the years that have encouraged some and saved the life of others.

What's your take on it?
DISCUSS!

Not only do I agree with this but I'll add in some cases the prophets got their revelation through prayer and meditation after reading scripture.

You point out Daniel, Daniel had a perfect example of this.

Daniel 9

1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;
2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

So Daniel was reading Jeremiah, figured out that the 70 years given in Jeremiah was about over, and understood the sin that Israel had committed that caused the captivity in the first place, and he clothed himself in sackcloth and prayed to confess sin on behalf of his entire nation, and begged forgiveness. In response to this Gabriel came and gave Daniel the 70 weeks prophecy.

Now, we're not going to have Gabriel flying to us and giving us prophecy.
But what we will get through reading scripture and praying over it, is clarify in understanding that scripture, and... guidance in connecting it to other passages of scripture and those connections... open up understanding in God's prophetic plan that has already been revealed, but often times, poorly understood.

 

[shepherdsword]

Not only do I agree with this but I'll add in some cases the prophets got their revelation through prayer and meditation after reading scripture.

You point out Daniel, Daniel had a perfect example of this.

Daniel 9


So Daniel was reading Jeremiah, figured out that the 70 years given in Jeremiah was about over, and understood the sin that Israel had committed that caused the captivity in the first place, and he clothed himself in sackcloth and prayed to confess sin on behalf of his entire nation, and begged forgiveness. In response to this Gabriel came and gave Daniel the 70 weeks prophecy.

Now, we're not going to have Gabriel flying to us and giving us prophecy.
But what we will get through reading scripture and praying over it, is clarify in understanding that scripture, and... guidance in connecting it to other passages of scripture and those connections... open up understanding in God's prophetic plan that has already been revealed, but often times, poorly understood.

Yes, Indeed. Very good!