Prophets are people signally honoured by God. In Revelation, an

However Moses threats against Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1, 17:17, etc. - And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. / Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. Etc.) came true because Pharaoh did not let God's people go. In general, if the prophecy is not a threat with a promise for leniency (in the actual words (e.g. Moses) or in the context (e.g. Jonah), then the prophet can be identified by the fact that the prophecies come true. 4. Reflectors of Christ Finally, the fourth test of a prophet is a check on whether or not their lives glorify & emulate Jesus (Philippians 2:5-9). The prophets and apostles did not perfect Christian character by a miracle. They used the means which God had placed within their reach; and all who will put forth the same effort will secure the same results. Ellen G. White, Reflecting Christ, p97. To have the mind of Jesus is to reflect God's attitude: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11). Part 9: Personal application Study Question 26. Since God still speaks through prophets and since the word of a true prophet is the personal testimony of Jesus to you, are you willing to test modern prophets by the Bible and obey those who agree with scripture?. Program 15 - Page 12 In the Footsteps of John: Walking through the Book of Revelation with John the Revelator www.lrhartley.com/john Program 17: Where are the Fatidical*? Part 1: The Power of Prophecy Prophets are people signally honoured by God. In Revelation, an angel twice told John that he considered the prophets his brothers (Revelation 19:10, 22:9). Revelation mentions either false or true prophets a dozen times. The first chapter of the 2,000-page People s Alamanac published in 1975 lists a number of prophecies that psychics claim would occur before the year 2000. Here are some of them (tell me if you think that they came to pass ): Sometime between 1981 and 1990 Love, as we know it, will cease to exist. An invisibility device will be created, it will look like a flashlight or an aerosol can. From 1975 until 1978, the devil will rule the earth. In 1980, there will be a breaking up of icebergs around the North Pole. Scientists will explore the newly revealed depths of ocean and find alien machines, including a huge ball, part of it protruding, from which radiates tremendous energy. In 1983, all of the women in St. Louis, Missouri will lose their hair. Several psychics predicted New York City would be annihilated by rising waters by the year 1990. A group of students at Harvard once tried to fool Agassiz, the famous professor of zoology. They took parts from a number of different bugs *(Fatidical means one who is gifted with prophetic power.) Program 15 - Page 1

and with great skill attached them together to make a creation they were sure would baffle their teacher. On the chosen day they brought it to him and asked that he identify it. As he inspected it with great care, the students grew more and more sure they had tricked this genius. Finally, Professor Agassiz straightened up and said, I have identified it. Scarcely able to control their amusement, they asked its name. Agassiz replied, It is a humbug. John was so convincing and influential in presenting Jesus that tradition tells us that his enemies tried to kill him by placing him in boiling oil. When the oil failed to harm him he was banished to the Island of Patmos, a fortress where he was forced to work in the mines. But there Jesus gave him the precious book of Revelation. The scripture itself came to us from prophets who were guided by the Holy Ghost. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Walter Rauschenbusch (1861-1918) wrote, Prophets are the beating hearts of the Old Testament and we could add that the pulse of the Book of revelation was the Spirit-filled heart of a prophet. The church is indebted to prophets to a degree that is almost impossible to calculate. Part 2: Modern Prophets and Visions Have you ever wondered why in these challenging and crucial days for God s people - just before the second coming of Jesus we no longer have prophets? Is John the last prophet that Jesus has spoken through? Why did God quit speaking through prophets or did He? This is a most stimulating and challenging subject. As we get into it, please pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who guided the prophets of old. Program 15 - Page 2 the prophet will be a spiritual, God-fearing person. Moses, for example, had two failures recorded against him, but the majority of his life, the record tells us, he lived in accordance with God's Word (Deuteronomy 34:10). False Prophets: But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgement (Isaiah 28:7). 2. Biblical Harmony The things the prophet says will harmonise with what the Bible says. Scripture clearly teaches that if the message is contrary to the Bible the speaker is not a true prophet (Isaiah 8:20). If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command (1 Corinthians 14:37 NIV). We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:19-21 KJV). 3. Accuracy Do the prophecies come true? This question must be answered in regard to what the prophecy says; whether or not it is conditional. For example Jonah's prophecy against Nineveh (Jonah 3:4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. ) was not fulfilled because the people of Nineveh repented and turned to God. Program 15 - Page 11

When the Holy Spirit gives a message through a prophet we are to regard it as a message from Jesus, Himself. Study Question 23. Against whom did Jesus warn in the last days? Matthew 24:24 Christs and false. Peter also warns against false prophets (2 Peter 2:1, 2). Study Question 24. What types of false prophets does God condemn? Deuteronomy 18:9-12; Revelation 22:15; 21:8 a. Diviner fortune-teller b. Observer of Times astrologer c. Enchanter magician d. Witch/Wizard psychics e. Familiar Spirits spirit medium f. Necromancer consults dead g. Sorcerer spiritism h. Charmer uses charms, casts spells Study Question 25. Whose counsel did the people reject in rejecting John the Baptist? Luke 7:28-30 The counsel of. John the Baptist was a true prophet yet he was not a Bible writer. The counsel of a true prophet is always the counsel of God. To reject it is to reject God. Part 8: The Four Tests of a Prophet [You shall] discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not (Malachi 3:18). 1. Lifestyle Look at the prophet's life. It certainly will not be perfect but, in general, Program 15 - Page 10 Part 3: How God Communicates Study Question 1. How does God communicate with His prophets? Revelation 1:1-4 a. God spoke to b. Jesus spoke to an c. The angel spoke to d. John spoke to the seven (and to ) Study Question 2. To whom will God reveal His future plans? Amos 3:7 His servants the. Study Question 3. Where do true prophets get their information? 2 Peter 1:21 Holy of God as they were by the Study Question 4. Must a prophet write a book of the Bible in order to be a true prophet? At least twelve true prophets who did not write a book of the Bible are mentioned in the scriptures. Among them is John the Baptist, of whom Jesus said there was no one greater (Matthew 11:11).. Study Question 5. Does God ever prophesy through women? Several women were mentioned as prophetesses in scripture: Anna (Luke 2:36-38); Miriam (Exodus 15:20); Deborah (Judges 4:4); Huldah (2 Kings 22:14); and the four daughters of Philip (Acts 21:8, 9).. Program 15 - Page 3

Study Question 6. Does God also speak through prophets in the last days? Joel 2:28-31. In the last days God promises to speak through both men and women, including young people. Part 4: Spiritual Gifts Today Philip Yancey wrote, I suspect if a true prophet from God came in judgment against the sins of our modern culture, he would be greeted first with incredulous laughter, then scorn, then violent opposition (Philip Yancey, True Confessions: Owning Up to the Secret Everybody Knows, Word Publishing, Milton Keynes, England, 1967, p9). Curiously, the exact same responses greeted most of the Old Testament prophets. Study Question 7. When Jesus ascended He left gifts for the church. What are they? Ephesians 4:7, 8, 11 He gave some, ; and some, and some, ; and some, and Here, Paul lists prophets second after apostles. Study Question 8. Why were the gifts given? Ephesians 4:12 For the of the saints, for the of the ministry, for the of the body of Christ. The body of Christ is His church. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence (Colossians 1:18). Study Question 18. What are God s three methods of speaking to prophets? Numbers 12:6-8 a. ; b. c. to Crystal balls, palm reading, tea-leaf deciphering, star gazing, ouija boards, Tarot cards and talking to the dead are not God s methods of communication with a prophet. Study Question 19. What happens to a prophet in vision? a. Loses natural strength; receives supernatural strength (Daniel 10:8) b. No breath in body, yet able to speak (Daniel 10:16, 17) c. Doesn t see, yet eyes are open (Daniel 10:5-8; Numbers 24:3, 5) d. Not conscious of surroundings (Daniel 10:5-8) Study Question 20. What happens to those who believe God s prophets? 2 Chronicles 20:20 Believe His prophets, so shall ye. There is no chance for a person to prosper spiritually if he refuses to believe God s prophets. John says we must read, hear and keep the things in His prophecy (Revelation 1:3). Part 7: A Prophet s Ministry Study Question 21. Are prophets called to serve the church or unbelievers? 1 Corinthians 14:22 Prophesying serveth them which Study Question 22. What is prophecy called in Revelation? Revelation 12:17; 19:10 Testimony of, which is the of Program 15 - Page 4 Program 15 - Page 9

3. To call the people back to obedience to God's laws (2 Chronicles 24:19). The Lord sent prophets among them to lead them back to him. They warned the people, but they would not pay attention. 4. To exhort the people to sincerity in worship (Jeremiah 7:1-11) 5. To warn them of Divine judgement upon sin, both personal and national (Jeremiah 36:30-31) 6. To foretell future events which God had willed (Jeremiah 30:1-3) 7. To foretell the coming of the Messiah, the Saviour (Isaiah 9:6) 8. To record the history of God's dealings with men (Deuteronomy 31:9-13) 9. To record the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures (Exodus 17:14; 34:27; Deuteronomy 31:22-26; Jeremiah 36:1-2; 27-28) 10. To challenge a nation (1 Kings 18:21) or to rebuke evil rulers (1 Kings 21:17-24; Daniel 5:17-28) Study Question 16. What is the condition of a church without the gift of prophecy? Matthew 15:14. A church without vision or eyesight is in a very sad condition. The Bible says, Where there is no vision the people perish (Proverbs 29:18). John Ruskin wrote, The greatest thing a human soul ever does in this world is to see something, and tell what it saw in a plain way. Hundreds of people can talk for one who can think, but thousands can think for one who can see. To see clearly is poetry, prophecy, and religion, all in one. Part 6: Are Miracles a Test? Study Question 17. Do miracles prove a prophet is true? Revelation 16:14. Because the spirits of can also work miracles. Miracles prove only one thing supernatural power. Such power may come from either God or Satan. Study Question 9. How long were these gifts to remain in the church? Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the and of the of the of God, unto a man, unto the measure of the of the fullness of. These gifts, including prophets, remain in the church until the saints become completely like Christ (in other words, these gifts remain until the end of the world when Jesus returns). Study Question 10. What will the church with all these gifts do for you? Ephesians 4:14 No more children, to and fro, and about with every of doctrine. When one enters the church that has all these gifts he is immediately anchored. Satan s objective is to remove or counterfeit these spiritual gifts. If that happens, the church will drift aimlessly amidst false doctrine. Study Question 11. Did God s New Testament church have the gift of prophecy? 1 Corinthians 1:6, 7 The testimony of was confirmed in you you come behind in no gift. They had all the gifts including prophecy. The testimony of Christ is the spirit, or gift, of prophecy. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). Program 15 - Page 8 Program 15 - Page 5

Study Question 12. Will God s last day church have the gift of prophecy? Revelation 12:17. They keep the of God and have the of Jesus Christ. Study Question 13. What three things does Paul command regarding prophets? 1 Thessalonians 5:20, 21 Despise not. all things. Hold fast that which is. Study Question 14. How does one test a prophet to see if he is true? Isaiah 8:19, 20 If they not according to this it is because there is no in them. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him (Deuteronomy 18:21, 22). If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul (Deuteronomy 13:1-3). Program 15 - Page 6 God is serious about those who would presume to speak for him. In Deuteronomy 18:20 we see just how serious when he says: But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death. (See also Jeremiah 23:25-32.) Study Question 15. What other things identify a true prophet of God? a. Moved by Holy Spirit not man s will (2 Peter 1:21). b. Doesn t give his own interpretation of prophecy (2 Peter 1:20). British Prime Minister Winston Churchill stated: Any man must have a blind soul who cannot see that some great purpose and design is being worked out here below. c. Points out sins of people against God (Isaiah 58:1). A W Tozer (1897-1963) wrote, Scholars can interpret the past; it takes prophets to interpret the present A prophet is one who knows his times and what God is trying to say to the people of his times.. d. Warns of coming judgment (Isaiah 24:20; Revelation 14:6, 7). e. Edifies, exhorts, comforts the church (1 Corinthians 14:3). f. Recognizes the deity of Jesus (I John 4:1-3). Author Jerry Vines tells us, There is a little chapel in the Italian Alps that has an unusual arrangement of statues. Down the inner walls of the chapel are statues of Old Testament prophets. All of these prophets are pointing toward the centre of the chapel. In the centre is a picture of Christ. Whoever designed those statues in that chapel understood that their lives must point to Jesus Christ (Jerry Vines, Interviews With Jesus, Broadman Press, Nashville, 1981, p109). g. Works and lives in harmony with the Bible (Matthew 7:15-20). h. Not an astrologer, witch, medium or clairvoyant (Deuteronomy 18:9-12). Part 5: What does a prophet do? There are at least 10 things that a prophet may be called to do: 1. To reveal the nature and attributes of God to men (Deuteronomy 5:4-10, Leviticus 19:1-4) 2. To make known to men the laws of God (Exodus 20:1-17). Program 15 - Page 7