Today’s Sabbath Message for April 21, 2012 – “Prophets” Part 1

The Prophet as One Who Admonishes the Church of its Sin in Order to compel it unto Repentance

1 Samuel 10:6

⁶ The Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.

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Prophecy is reserved for those whom the Lord chooses to endow with His prophetic Spirit and presence. It is not an office that can be acquired through academia or political process. Prophecy is not an office that can be conferred upon one through ecclesiastical ceremony or denominational jurisprudence. It is not meant to be served but to serve. It is not meant to be a vehicle for financial growth but spiritual reconciliation. It is not exempted from obeying all of God’s Commandments nor is it excused from God’s moral code of holiness. Prophecy does not seek its own will but God’s divine purpose. It does not speak from it own mind or imagination but it communicates the mind of God. (Ezekiel 13:1-7 vs. Romans 12:2) It is only given by God for His unique purposes and goals and adheres to God’s divine order, commands and protocols. (1 Corinthians 14:40, 1 Corinthians 11:3, 1 Timothy 2:12) The Spirit of prophecy does not seek to change God’s Law but people’s lives.

The Spirit of prophecy changes an individual into a different person or a new creation. A timid person may become bold and outspoken. A cowardly person may become brave and fearless. A quick-tempered person may become patient and longsuffering. A violent person may become peaceful and reconciling. Whatever the case may be, they are changed into new creatures. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The prophetic utterances of a man of God who has the Spirit of Prophecy are to be received and believed as if they came from God Himself. (2 Peter 1:21) Belief and obedience to a godly prophecy will bring God’s will to bear upon those to whom it is directed. Godly prophecy will radically alter and bless you in accordance with the Word and Will of God – changing you and your circumstance for the better.

And we know that the Word and Will of God is Jesus Christ. (John 1:1-3) Thus, the purpose of prophecy is not to predict the future or to inflame our emotions. The purpose of prophecy is to reveal who God is through Jesus Christ – to bring human beings into an awareness of God’s saving plan for us all. 

In the Book of Revelation, John wrote that the entire purpose of Prophecy is to reveal Jesus, i.e. the Word and Will of God.

Revelation 19:10… “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

And this is God’s testimony to us…

“…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.…and the Jews in Jerusalem killed him by hanging him on a tree. But God raised Him up on the third day, and showed Him openly…after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes (Trusts and Obeys) Him will receive remission of sins.” (Act 10:38-43)

And His prophetic Word says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

Repent!

(Coming Soon – The Test of a True Prophet)