Since time immemorial, prophecy has undeniably been one of the mediums in which God communicate effectively to his people.
Prophets rose whenever there was need, these prophets had specific missions which they sought to accomplish and their presence was very significant.
Biblical evidence shows that prophets of old held the highest rank .
Even kings knew that they were under prophets who were sometimes known as the ‘seer’ (Amos 7 verse 12 ).
As an aftermath kings highly esteemed prophets and sought guidance-counseling and continuously consulted them to hear what God will say about certain events in their land notably war, famine and diseases.
In certain circumstances prophets reigned as kings,priests and even judges. A notable example is that of Samuel who reigned over the people of Israel and acted also as a judge and offered sacrifices on behalf of people as a priest (1 Samuel 7 verse 15).
God had equipped him for all these tasks.
The bible however highlighted that the Israelite’s burden and unending wars with their neighbors erupted when they complained to Samuel that they wanted a King to reign over them citing that he was too old to carry out all the tasks and his children were also not walking in their father’s ways whom he had appointed to help him .
Israel had known peace during the time Samuel was reigning over them.
Samuel was angry with the people of Israel because of their request ,but God instructed Samuel to heed the voice of the people.
The lord comforted Samuel saying ” heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that i should not reign over them ( 1 Samuel 8 verse 7). Knowing their evil thoughts ,God instructed Samuel who was the prophet acting also as the judge to anoint a king who would reign over them, but God told Samuel to solemnly forewarn them and show them the behavior of the king who would reign over them (1Samuel 8verse 9-22).
It is however against this background that in this generation and era we see the sprouting of many prophets some are ‘fly by night’ and some are true prophets ,yet they all claim to be used by the power of God.
Dear reader get me right, I’m not against prophets of modern day age nor their prophetic styles because God can use anyone to convey his message .
Some of the Prophets of old testament weren’t born prophets ,but were called to herald or convey different messages that were suitable with the time.
Amos is one of the old prophets whom God called while following his flock and tending the sycamore fruits to go and tell the Israelites their transgressions ( Amos 7verse 14-15). Elijah too was not an Israelite for research clearly points out that he was from Tishbite , yet God instructed him to go and warn Ahab the king of Samaria of the injustices he was inflicting on his subjects. Such prophecy holds much water because it was relevant.
These prophets were always at longerheads with kings and the general populace whom they conveyed their messages to.
They weren’t giving people false hope or telling them what they wanted to hear, they stood for the truth and justice .
They would use harsh language to rebuke people for instance Prophet Amos used words like ‘ you cows of Bashan’ and Jeremiah also prophesied that Israelites were to go into exile for a long time ,thus there were to submit to the rulers of that foreign land and also marry their daughters which was contrary to false prophets who were there during his time who prophesied that the exile was just for a short time giving people false hope.
These types of prophecies were not easy to accept ,but that was the truth which needs to be heralded.
During that time being a prophet was a dangerous task one could get killed or risked spending most of their lives hiding ,a notable example is that of Elijah who was constantly fleeing from Ahab and his devious wife Jezebel after he had rebuked them for idolatry and oppression .
It is therefore clear that false prophets are by no means a new phenomenon for they have been there in the past.
Fast forward now to modern day prophets ,they have a huge following ,messages always sweet ,appealing to the populace and the kings, people don’t really have time for repentance or have fellowship with God. Its just prosperity and breakthrough. There is nothing wrong in telling people that they are going to prosper, but there is everything wrong in doing so if God has not really said that.
The question which now arises is whether these people who are flocking to receive prophecies know the difference between false prophets and true prophets or they are just fulfilling scriptural prophecy which clearly states that there will come a time when people will shun listening to the word of God, but flock to hear prophecies that feels good to their ears, but not pleasing to God .
People are being told what they want to hear, there isn’t time to discern whether the prophecies holds water or not.
Just like the biblical Israelites, the generation of today approach God while heavily pregnant with strategies they want God to use to help them out of their situations ,this sense of pride barricades everything and when things doesn’t work according to their expectations they freak out and doubt the power of God.
I respect prophets and their prophecies and i wouldn’t want to find myself judging for the word of God said ” do not judge” ,but what i really want is for people to weigh the prophecies, understand what the bible says and not be blind spiritually.
Believe it or not this era requires one to possess the spirit of discernment .
The problem now is a complete ignorance of the purpose of prophecy in people’s lives and the church.
According to the Bible, prophecy is for strengthening or edifying the church ,giving hope , rebuking kings whenever they disobey God and warning people to desist from filthiness which displeased God.
If prophecy is not edifying the church or rebuking kings ,the general populace for their wrong doings or giving hope to the people who are in need of it , then I’m afraid and strongly feel that there is a huge problem with that .
Let him who has ears to hear,hear what the word of God has to say!
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