How can we honor God's "servants the prophets" in our daily lives? The Verse in Focus “The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead and to reward Your servants the prophets, as well as the saints and those who fear Your name, both small and great— and to destroy those who destroy the earth.” (Revelation 11:18) Why Honoring the Prophets Matters • God Himself calls them “Your servants.” To honor them is to honor the One who sent them. • Their reward in Revelation 11:18 reminds us that God remembers and values every word they spoke. • Ignoring or belittling the prophets has serious consequences (2 Chronicles 36:16). Honoring them keeps our hearts soft toward God’s voice. Practical Ways to Honor God’s Prophets 1. Treasure Their Words • Read the prophetic books regularly—Isaiah to Malachi, plus the prophetic sections of the New Testament. • “Pay attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place” (2 Peter 1:19). 2. Obey What They Said • Prophetic messages call for action, not just admiration. • “Believe His prophets, and you will succeed.” (2 Chronicles 20:20) 3. Guard Against Contempt • “Do not treat prophecies with contempt” (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21). • Avoid jokes or dismissive comments about prophetic warnings; test and hold to what is good. 4. Speak of Them with Respect • When discussing Jonah, Jeremiah, or John the Baptist, highlight their courage, sacrifice, and faithfulness. • Model reverence in conversations so younger believers learn to value them too. 5. Let Their Example Shape Your Character • James 5:10 points to the prophets as models of perseverance in suffering. • Ask, “How did they respond to pressure—and how can I imitate that today?” 6. Support Faithful Teaching • Attend or host studies that walk verse-by-verse through prophetic books. • Share trustworthy resources that treat prophecy seriously and literally. 7. Watch for Christ in Their Messages • Hebrews 1:1-2 shows that the prophetic voice ultimately points to Jesus. • When you spot a Messianic prophecy fulfilled in the Gospels, pause and worship. Warnings to Avoid • Scoffing (2 Peter 3:3). • Selective hearing—loving the comforting promises but ignoring calls to repentance. • Following self-proclaimed “prophets” who contradict Scripture; true prophecy never clashes with the written Word. Living It Out Today • Morning commute: Listen to an audio Bible segment from Isaiah or Revelation instead of news chatter. • Family dinner: Share one verse from a prophet and a quick insight—keep it short, sweet, and consistent. • Social media: Post a prophetic promise (e.g., Micah 7:18-19) with a brief, uplifting comment. • Personal decisions: Before major choices, reread passages like Jeremiah 17:5-10 to let prophetic wisdom guide you. • Church life: Encourage your pastor when he tackles difficult prophetic texts; it affirms the value of preaching “the whole counsel of God.” Closing Encouragement God counts honoring His prophets as honoring Him. As we read them, heed them, and reflect their bold faith, we join the saints who “fear His name, both small and great,” and we position ourselves to share in the reward He delighted to promise in Revelation 11:18. |
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