Modern Prophets and Visions

Prophets are people signally honored by God. In Revelation, an angel twice told John that he considered the prophets his brothers. A dozen times Revelation mentions either false or true prophets.

Old Testament prophets bring to mind dramatic miracle workers of great courage and power. Daniel, the prophet, was Prime Minister of two notable world-wide empires. Moses, a very outstanding prophet, was leader of a nation. Isaiah's message was so forceful and convincing that an evil king had him sawed asunder.

Paul, a New Testament prophet, who received many visions, 2 Corinthians 12:7, could face down an opponent no matter how brilliant. John was so convincing and influential in presenting Jesus 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 prison 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. The church is indebted to prophets to a degree almost impossible to calculate.

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? If you met someone who claimed to be a prophet, how would you react? Does God, indeed, still speak through prophets today? Are psychics and astrologers prophets?

This is a most stimulating and challenging subject. As we get into it, please pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit who guided the prophets of old.

How God Communicates

1.  The book of Revelation is a prime example of how the prophetic gift operates. The first few verses explain the steps which are utilized in bringing a prophetic message from God to man. What are these steps?

     1:1   The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 

     1:2   Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 

     1:3   Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 

     1:4   John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 

2.  To whom will God reveal His plans for the future? 

     Amos 3:7   Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. 

3.  Where do true prophets get their information? 

     2 Peter 1:21  - 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. 

4.  Must a prophet write a book of the Bible in order to be authoritative and true?

     Matthew 11:11 -  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 

NOTE: At least twelve true prophets, who did not write a book of the Bible, are mentioned in the Scripture. Among them is John the Baptist, of whom Jesus said there was no one greater.

5. Does God ever prophesy through women?

     Luke 2:36-38 -   And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 

      2:37   And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 

     2:38   And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 

     Exodus 15:20 -  And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.  

     Judges 4:4 -  And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.     

     2 Kings 22:14 -  So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.   

     Acts 21:8, 9 -  And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 

    21:9   And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. 

6. Does God promise to speak through prophets in the last days?

     Joel 2:28-31 -  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 

    2:29   And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 

NOTE:  God promises to speak through both men and women.

7.  When Jesus ascended to heaven He left gifts for the church. What are these gifts?

     Ephesians 4:7, 8, 11 -  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 

    4:8   Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 

    4:9   Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 

    4:11   And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

 8.  Why were these gifts given?

     Ephesians 4:12 -  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 

9.  How long were these gifts to remain in the church?

     Ephesians 4:13 - Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 

NOTE:  These gifts, including prophets, remain in the church until all become completely like Christ, which means they remain until the end of the world.

10.  When you find and enter the church with all these gifts what will it do for you?

     Ephesians 4:14 -  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

NOTE:  When one enters the church with all the gifts, he is immediately anchored and no longer flounders around aimlessly. Satan's objective is to remove at least one of these spiritual gifts from the church, knowing that the result will be to send Christian people into a spin.

11.  Did God's New Testament church have the gift of prophecy?

     1 Corinthians 1:6, 7 -  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 

     1:7   So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:  

NOTE:  1 Corinthians 1:7 says they had ALL the gifts and verse six specifically mentions the testimony of Christ, which is the spirit or gift of prophecy. Revelation 19:10.

12.  Does Revelation teach that God's true church for the last days will have the gift of prophecy?

     Revelation 12:17 -  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

     Revelation 19:10 - 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. 

NOTE:  In our next lesson, we study God's true church,  which is pictured in Revelation, chapter 12, under the symbolism of a woman. The dragon is the devil, Revelation 12:9. Verse 17 clearly says God's last day church will keep His commandments and have the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit or gift of prophecy. Revelation 19:10. See also Revelation 22:9.

True Prophets of God

13.  What three things does Paul command regarding prophets?

     1 Thessalonians 5:20, 21 - Despise not prophesyings. 

     5:21   Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 

14.  How do I test, or prove, what a prophet says, to see if the prophet is true?

     Isaiah 8:19, 20 -  And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? 

     8:20   To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.  

 15.  What other things will be true of a prophet of God?

     Prophesies as he is moved by the Holy Spirit, not by man's will.

          2 Peter 1:21 -  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. 

     Doesn't give his own interpretation of prophecy.

          2 Peter 2:20 - Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 

     Points out sins of people against God.

         Isaiah 58:1 - Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

     Warns of coming judgment.

          Isaiah 24:20, 21 - The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. 

         24:21   And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. 

          Revelation 14:6, 7 - And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 

         14:7   Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 

     Edifies, exhorts, comforts, in religious matters.

          1 Corinthians 14:3 - But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  

     Recognizes the incarnation, or deity, of Jesus.

          1 John 4:1-3 - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 

          4:2   Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 

          4:3   And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

     Works and lives in harmony with Bible.

          Matthew 7:15-20 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 

         7:16   Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 

         7:17   Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 

         7:18   A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 

         7:19   Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 

         7:20   Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.   

     Will not be an astrologer, magician, witch, medium, or clairvoyant.

          Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 

         18:10   There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 

         18:11   Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 

         18:12   For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 

16.  In 1 Corinthians 12:1, 11, 12-18, Paul likens the gifts of the church to parts of the body. What part of the body would best represent prophets?

           12:1   Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 

           12:11   But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 

           12:12   For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 

           12:13   For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 

           12:14   For the body is not one member, but many. 

           12:15   If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 

           12:16   And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 

           12:17   If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 

           12:18   But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 

NOTE:  Since a prophet is often called a seer, because he can see into the future, prophecy would best be represented by the eyes.

17.  In what condition then would a church be which did not have the gift of prophecy?

     Matthew 15:14 - Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Are Miracles a Test?

18. Do miracles prove that a prophet is true?

     Deuteronomy 13:1-5 - If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, 

     13:2   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; 

     13:3   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. 

     13:4   Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. 

     13:5   And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. 

     16:14   For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 

NOTE:  Miracle working prove only one thing--supernatural power. But such power comes from both Satan and God. The magicians of Egypt turned  walking sticks into serpents and water to blood, but they were false "prophets" who were empowered by Satan, Exodus 7:10-12, 19-22. The TEACHINGS of a prophet must be tested by Scripture. This is our only safety.  CONDUCT may appear to be very spiritual but this proves nothing in itself, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. Unless a prophet's TEACHINGS square with Scripture, he is an imposter.

19. God promises to speak to a prophet in one of three ways. What are these three ways?

     Numbers 12:6, 8 -  And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 

    12:7   My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. 

    12:8   With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? 

NOTE: Crystal balls, palm reading, tea leaf deciphering, star gazing and talking with the dead are NOT God's methods of communicating with a prophet.

God sometimes spoke to prophets through visions. Notice how the Bible describes a prophet in vision.

     a.  Will lose physical strength - Daniel 10:8.

     b.  Then receives SUPERNATURAL strength - Daniel 10:18, 19.

     c.  No breath in his body - Daniel 10:17.

     d.  Will be able to speak - Daniel 10:16.

     e.  Will not be conscious of his surroundings - Daniel 10:5-8; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4.

     f.  His eyes will be open - Numbers 24:4.

20. What happens to a person who believes and obeys true prophets?

     2 Chronicles 20:20 -  And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

NOTE:  There is no chance for a person to prosper spiritually if he refuses to believe a true prophet. John, in Revelation 1:3, says we must READ, HEAR and KEEP the things in his prophecy.

A Prophets Ministry

21.  Are prophets call primarily to serve the church or unbelievers?

     1 Corinthians 14:22 - Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.   

22.  What is prophecy called in Revelation 12:17?

     Revelation 12:17 - And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

NOTE:  In light of Revelation 19:10, the "testimony of Jesus" means the "testimony or message FROM Jesus". When the Holy Spirit inspires a prophet with a message we are to regard it as a message from Jesus. To undermine a true prophet is thus a VERY SERIOUS matter. It amounts to calling Jesus a liar, Revelation 3:14; 21:5.

23.  Whom did Jesus say would have very great influence in the last days?

     Matthew 24:24 - For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 

NOTE:  Peter also warns against the powerful but evil influence of false prophets. 2 Peter 2:1, 2.

24.  What types of false prophets does the Bible specifically condemn?

     Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 

    18:10   There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 

    18:11   Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 

    18:12   For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.  

     Revelation 22:15 - For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 

     Revelation 21:8 - But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 

NOTE:  The Lord says that all who do the above things are an abomination, Deuteronomy 18:12.

25.  John the Baptist did not write a book of the Bible but he was a true prophet. Whose counsel does the Bible say people rejected when they rejected John's counsel?

     Luke 7:28-30 - For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. 

    7:29   And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 

    7:30   But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. 

NOTE:  The counsel of a true prophet is always the counsel of God. To reject it, whether the prophet be a Bible writer or not, amounts to rejecting the Lord's counsel. Such rejection is fatal to a person unless he reconsiders.

(NOTE FROM THE WEBMISTRESS: The life, teachings, and experiences of Ellen G. White squared with all the Biblical counsels given to test whether a prophet is true or not. The physical manifestations of a prophet in vision as described in the Bible and listed above in paragraph 19 were experienced by Ellen White. These were witnessed, monitored and recorded by physicians in her day.)