By Chuck Reber

The New Testament clearly provides for prophets to function in the church (Eph 4:11). There are one hundred and eighty-seven references to prophets or prophecy in the New Testament; at least thirty of these refer to prophets or prophecy within the church. The rest refer to Old Testament prophets.

Biblical prophets had profound insight into the nature of God and human circumstance. Early prophets were called “seers.” Above all, the prophet was a man with insight into the nature and character of God.

The psalmist records this about Moses: “He [God] made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel” (Ps 103:7). Moses, because of his intimate prayer life at the tent of meeting, knew the “ways” of God, while Israel only got saw God’s “acts.” The prophet’s mind was struck with wonder, and his emotions were filled with passion as he struggled to comprehend the depths of the revelation of God revealed to him.

The prophet also saw into the nature of God’s people in their contemporary circumstances. These insights often filled him with anguish, as he realized that God’s people did not understand the gravity of their situation, and were not prepared to obediently respond to God’s word. The pressure of this situation would cause the prophecy to burn deep within them until burst from them.

“The lion has roared, who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken, who cannot prophesy?” (Amos 3:8).

The false prophets did not carry the understanding of God’s character so they compromised the message and soothed the people with flattering words and made up visions.

The Navigator

Now, if the church were a ship, the prophet would be the navigator. He would know the destination of the ship, the proper course of the ship, the present position, and he could read the stars. Without the prophet, the church drifts off course and is not aware it has drifted.

When there is no one aboard who can read the stars, the church cannot know where it is in relation to its destiny and calling. The church that neglects the office of the prophet is a church that has probably allowed itself to be guided by the norms of contemporary culture rather than by the purposes of God.

The danger to the church is not overt rebellion, but unconscious drifting.

“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.” (Heb 2:1).

God sends prophets to awaken His people from their slumber and draw them back on course. The prophet plays an indispensable role in keeping God’s people aware of His purpose in calling them to be His people.

When the church drifts into the currents of the world, it measures itself as the world measures itself – by size, wealth, power, and success of programs. But when the church is called back to its purpose, it sees itself in terms of Christlike character – the only means by which God can be glorified in His people. God send prophets to call people back to this high calling.

Responsible to God and Man

Who can carry such a responsibility? Certainly not one who needs to be popular. If a person needs the approval of those to whom he ministers, for his own self-worth, he cannot be a prophet. Like a doctor, he cannot always give the patient good news. Unparalleled lines will eventually intersect. If God’s people are not in line with God’s purpose and plan, judgment is inevitable. Peter said, “Judgment… begins with the household of God” (I Peter 4:17)

The prophet must be able to stand the stress, for his message will imply that current successes are superficial. This may awaken resistance in people and alienate him from other church leaders. The prophet must be willing to obey the Lord no matter the rejection or the glory. He must learn to deal swiftly with attitudes of superiority and anger. He must embrace humility and compassion as part of his calling.

The prophet must have the foresight to see the big picture. He must be willing to plant seeds which he will never see germinate, but will bring forth a harvest. He must be willing to forego the desire for quick results and look to the Lord alone for the results and rewards.

Prophets are still needed in the church because God still has many adjustments to be made to the structure of His house. The message of the prophet is not new biblical revelation, but the old revelation renewed. May the Lord send His prophetic messengers with a Now Word.

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