----- Original Message -----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 4:50 PM
Subject: Fwd: [TruthTalk] Definition of "Prophet?"
What do you think of this description, Martin?
Martin:This person seems to have a "textbook" knowledge of prophets, and seems to me to not have been around many true prophets.
They wrote:
It's been my experience that those who are "prophets" have a tendency to be unaware of their gift (or extremely humble).
This is her experience. Most prophets that I know, God makes that well aware of their call into this office, and begins that training through the "college of hard knocks". This person has never read the Bible concerning the prophets of old. Were they walking around very quiet like "church mice", very humble? They were men and women of intestinal fortitude (guts) who knew that if they didn't developed thick skin and their authoritative leadership skills, NO ONE would listen to them. They were humble, yet POWERFUL.
They quietly or privately give a word or passage here and there that perfectly fits a person's need (for comfort or correction) at that time.
Prophets work on individual and corporate levels. Our call is to the "church."
The Lord sets the "tone" of how He wants the Word given. Sometimes it may be quiet, while others times He may want it given in a raised voice. Prophets are people that love God and His Church. When we see people drifting off into sin, we jump up and sound the alarm to them or the church, regardless of how the person or the church wants to receive it.
When the word is for correction, it tends to be ill-received and the prophet is called names, ridiculed, or sternly rebuked... and the "prophet" has no idea why.
Only a very immature prophet would give and Word and "not know why" they were being rejected. All true mature prophets give their Word from the Lord with the full knowledge that most people DO NOT want anyone to tell them what to do, even God. We "expect" it and us to be rejected.
Those who like to display their "prophetic gift" like a peacock are compelled by their flesh and are not prophets at all. YHVH has used them in spite of themselves. Would I be so bold as to say these self-proclaimed prophets are false prophets?
Again, true prophets can get over into pride and still function accurately in the prophetic. Just because they act prideful, does not mean that they are the "real deal."
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The Bible uses five key words that are often translated as prophet:
Hebrew:
Roeh -- seer
Chozeh -- seer
Navi, Neviah -- one called to speak [on behalf of God]
Aramaic:
Nevi -- one called to speak [for God]
Greek:
prophetes -- -one who speaks before [God], one who speaks for [God]
pneumatikos -- spiritual ones
Prophets are not supposed to be crystal balls that we can look into to see which step we should take at what time, or to determine which lottery number to buy. Instead, the Neviim are to instruct and encourage a right way of living before YHVH and they often (not always) describe the curse associated with a continued bad behavior. Generally, prophets use "If-then" statements in their prophesies (although I know dozens of examples contrary exist).
We as Human Beans :-) tend to concentrate on the "THEN" part of their prophesies, which give them the reputation for being portals to the mysterious future. HOWEVER, we need to be concentrating on the "IF" part of their statements so the "then" will NOT come to pass.
Most importantly, Revelation 19:9-10 says:
Then he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he said to me, "These are true words of God." Then I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Yeshua; worship God. For the testimony of Yeshua is the Spirit of Prophecy."
It's been my experience that those who are "prophets" have a tendency to be unaware of their gift (or extremely humble). They quietly or privately give a word or passage here and there that perfectly fits a person's need (for comfort or correction) at that time. When the word is for correction, it tends to be ill-received and the prophet is called names, ridiculed, or sternly rebuked... and the "prophet" has no idea why. Those who like to display their "prophetic gift" like a peacock are compelled by their flesh and are not prophets at all. YHVH has used them in spite of themselves. Would I be so bold as to say these self-proclaimed prophets are false prophets?
What do you think, Glenn?
-- slade
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