Amos, the farmer-come-prophet, once said: Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). Prophets spoke from God. And God revealed the plan.
Pontius Pilate was a prefect of Judaea, answerable to Rome. As Jesus stood before this politically insecure leader, he said: For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Jesus lived the truth, and spoke the truth, and bore witness to the Truth. Pilate’s response revealed that he really knew only politics—manipulation of people—as he asked ‘What is Truth?’ Likewise, many people today have lost any real anchor when it comes to knowing, doing and being part of ‘truth’. Politics is not ‘the way’. Prophecy is. And it involves speaking up, and living out the truth.
The Christian church has a prophetic role: to share in the truth what God is doing for, and saying to the world. God’s plan for creation, and for the future is essential to all to know. The church’s witness to the truth of God’s way and will is a ‘prophetic’ word. It liberates, and evokes reaction.
In Acts 21 we hear of the ministry of prophecy. It was given to Philip’s 4 daughters and Agabus. It is also present with Paul as an apostle. There are components of prophecy:
- the office of a prophet,
- the charisma of prophecy,
- the general prophetic utterance of the Christian community, and
- the general use of the prophetic deposit (Scripture and the Gospel)
Without prophetic vision—or prophecy—people run wild, but blessed are those who follow God’s teachings. (Proverbs 29:18 – God’s Word). All nations, the church and local community urgently need to find ‘the Way’. Prophecy is crucial. Filled with the Spirit—the church can and should sing, speak, live and meet in a prophetic manner. This component is vital for humanity today.
Lord Jesus Christ, may our worship, service and words bear witness to your plan, foretelling and forth-telling.
Is Prophecy for Today?
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