Holiness: Prophets
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Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, the concept of holiness is intricately linked with the role and ministry of the prophets. Prophets in the Bible are seen as God's chosen messengers, set apart to deliver His word to the people. Their lives and messages often exemplify the call to holiness, both in their personal conduct and in their proclamations to the nation of Israel and beyond.

Definition and Role of Prophets

Prophets are individuals called by God to speak on His behalf, often to guide, warn, or encourage His people. The Hebrew word for prophet, "navi," implies one who is called or appointed. Prophets are characterized by their intimate relationship with God, receiving divine revelations and visions. They are tasked with communicating God's holiness and His expectations for His people to live holy lives.

Holiness in the Life of Prophets

The personal holiness of prophets is a recurring theme in the Scriptures. Prophets are often depicted as living lives of moral integrity and devotion to God. For instance, the prophet Isaiah, upon receiving his call, is confronted with the holiness of God and his own unworthiness: "Then I said: 'Woe is me, for I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts'" (Isaiah 6:5). This encounter underscores the transformative power of God's holiness, leading Isaiah to a life of prophetic ministry.

Prophetic Messages of Holiness

The messages delivered by the prophets often center on the theme of holiness. They call the people of Israel to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness. The prophet Amos, for example, emphasizes the need for justice and righteousness, which are expressions of holiness: "But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (Amos 5:24). This call to ethical living is a reflection of God's holy nature and His desire for His people to mirror that holiness.

Holiness and the Prophetic Vision of the Future

Prophets also convey visions of a future where God's holiness is fully realized. The prophet Ezekiel speaks of a new covenant and a restored Israel, where God's holiness is manifest among His people: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26). This prophetic vision points to a time when God's holiness will transform the hearts of His people, enabling them to live in accordance with His will.

The Ultimate Fulfillment of Holiness in Christ

The prophetic tradition finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who embodies perfect holiness. The prophets foreshadow the coming of the Messiah, who would establish a new covenant and bring about the holiness that God desires. As the writer of Hebrews states, "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son" (Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus, as the ultimate prophet, priest, and king, fulfills the prophetic call to holiness and invites all believers to partake in His holy nature.

In summary, the prophets of the Bible serve as vital instruments in communicating God's holiness to His people. Through their lives and messages, they call for a return to holiness, pointing forward to the ultimate realization of holiness in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Luke 1:70
As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Prophets Enjoined Holiness of Life.
... Theophilus to Autolycus: Book II. Chapter XXXIV."The Prophets Enjoined Holiness
of Life. And, for the rest, would that in a kindly ...
/.../theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxxiv the prophets enjoined holiness.htm

Theophilus.
... Hesiod, 95, 97, 99. his origin of the world, 95. Holiness, enjoined by
the prophets, 107. Holy Ghost, 97, 107. anointing of, 92. ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/theophilus.htm

Holiness
... of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom
wine hath overcome, because of the Lord, and=The way of holiness.= "And an ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter ix holiness.htm

Hymns on the Nativity. Hymn i. This is the Day that Gladdened Them ...
... Shamed is that people which holds the prophets as true; for unless our Saviour has ...
and the Holy Son he looked for, by whom lewd men were turned to holiness. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymns on the nativity hymn.htm

Second Day. God's Provision for Holiness.
... In the prophets we shall hear how the Holiness of God is revealed as the source
whence the coming redemption should spring: it is not so much Holiness as the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/holy in christ/second day gods provision for.htm

Plato Indebted to the Prophets.
... does he think beloved of God, but Moses and the rest of the prophets? ... Socrates, he
has elegantly expressed, that whoever leads a life of holiness and justice ...
/.../justins hortatory address to the greeks/chapter xxvi plato indebted to the.htm

The God of the Law and the Prophets, and the Father of Our Lord ...
... set apart to the Gospel of God, which He had promised afore by His prophets in the ...
to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter iv the god of the.htm

His Perfect Holiness.
... living incarnation of the ideal standard of virtue and holiness, and universally ...
divinest practices, thus more than realizing the dream of prophets and sages ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/his perfect holiness.htm

Twenty-Seventh Day. Holiness and Service.
... as a dwelling for the Holy One, as the centre whence His Holiness might manifest ...
go, that they may serve me.' The holy angels, the holy prophets and apostles ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/twenty-seventh day holiness and service.htm

Christ's Reprehension of the Pharisees Seeking a Sign his Censure ...
... a Sign His Censure of Their Love of Outward Show Rather Than Inward Holiness. ... pronounced
against them for "building the sepulchres of the prophets whom their ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxvii christs reprehension of the.htm

Resources
Is being holy even possible, since only God is holy? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God is holy, holy, holy? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God speak to Moses out of the burning bush? | GotQuestions.org

Holiness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Holiness

Holiness Holy

Holiness is the Result of God's Keeping

Holiness is the Result of Subjection to God

Holiness is the Result of The Manifestation of God's Grace

Holiness is the Result of Union With Christ

Holiness of God

Holiness: Becoming to the Church

Holiness: Behaviour of Aged Women should be As Becomes

Holiness: Chastisements are Intended to Produce, in Saints

Holiness: Christ: An Example of

Holiness: Christ: Desires for his People

Holiness: Christ: Effects, in his People

Holiness: Commanded

Holiness: David

Holiness: General Scriptures Concerning

Holiness: Israel

Holiness: John the Baptist

Holiness: Ministers should Avoid Everything Inconsistent With

Holiness: Ministers should be Examples of

Holiness: Ministers should Exhort To

Holiness: Ministers should Possess

Holiness: Motives to The Dissolution of all Things

Holiness: Motives to The Glory of God

Holiness: Motives to The Love of Christ

Holiness: Motives to The Mercies of God

Holiness: Necessary to God's Worship

Holiness: None Shall See God Without

Holiness: Paul

Holiness: Promise to Women Who Continue In

Holiness: Promised to the Church

Holiness: Prophets

Holiness: Required in Prayer

Holiness: Saints: Called To

Holiness: Saints: Elected To

Holiness: Saints: Have Their Fruit To

Holiness: Saints: New Created In

Holiness: Saints: Possess

Holiness: Saints: Shall be Presented to God In

Holiness: Saints: Shall Continue In, for Ever

Holiness: Saints: should Continue In

Holiness: Saints: should Follow After

Holiness: Saints: should Have Their Conversation In

Holiness: Saints: should Present Their Bodies to God In

Holiness: Saints: should Seek Perfection In

Holiness: Saints: should Serve God In

Holiness: Saints: should Yield Their Members As Instruments of

Holiness: should Lead to Separation from the Wicked

Holiness: The Character of Christ, the Standard of

Holiness: The Character of God, the Standard of

Holiness: The Church is the Beauty of

Holiness: The Gospel the Way of

Holiness: The Wicked are Without

Holiness: The Word of God the Means of Producing

Holiness: Wives of Patriarchs

The Holiness of God is Incomparable

The Holiness of God is Pledged for the Fulfilment of His Judgments

The Holiness of God is Pledged for the Fulfilment of His Promises

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Character

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Kingdom

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Name

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Words

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Works

The Holiness of God: Heavenly Hosts Adore

The Holiness of God: Requires Holy Service

The Holiness of God: Saints are Commanded to Imitate

The Holiness of God: Saints should Praise

The Holiness of God: should be Magnified

The Holiness of God: should Produce Reverential Fear

Related Terms

Anger (387 Occurrences)

Omnipotence (2 Occurrences)

Defilement (12 Occurrences)

Light (2869 Occurrences)

Defile (63 Occurrences)

Immaculate

Conception (6 Occurrences)

Beauty (98 Occurrences)

Liberty (32 Occurrences)

Glorifying (21 Occurrences)

Wrath (503 Occurrences)

Tempt (18 Occurrences)

Terrible (90 Occurrences)

Temptation (22 Occurrences)

Exultation (10 Occurrences)

Mete (7 Occurrences)

Convert (6 Occurrences)

Apportion (19 Occurrences)

Thin (39 Occurrences)

Sanctification (13 Occurrences)

Exult (50 Occurrences)

Leviticus (1 Occurrence)

Natural (49 Occurrences)

Salvation (386 Occurrences)

Praise (487 Occurrences)

Perfect (205 Occurrences)

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)

Man (26072 Occurrences)

Likeness (52 Occurrences)

Sanctify (91 Occurrences)

Adoration

Cleanse (75 Occurrences)

Flame (61 Occurrences)

Atonement (112 Occurrences)

Glass (12 Occurrences)

Becometh (82 Occurrences)

Sanctuary (250 Occurrences)

Church (110 Occurrences)

Anthropology

Glory (590 Occurrences)

Remembrance (74 Occurrences)

Comparative

Pentateuch

Ethics

Glorious (91 Occurrences)

Fire (602 Occurrences)

Habitation (90 Occurrences)

Yielded (28 Occurrences)

Yearning (3 Occurrences)

Vessel (118 Occurrences)

Vale (20 Occurrences)

Notwithstanding (37 Occurrences)

Nazirite (10 Occurrences)

Unblameable (5 Occurrences)

Unblamable (3 Occurrences)

Uncleanness (56 Occurrences)

Ornament (23 Occurrences)

John (154 Occurrences)

Leads (64 Occurrences)

Lawlessness (13 Occurrences)

Loving-kindness (150 Occurrences)

Gracious (106 Occurrences)

Guilt (180 Occurrences)

Growing (31 Occurrences)

Works (379 Occurrences)

Way-faring (6 Occurrences)

Wayfaring (7 Occurrences)

Worldly (25 Occurrences)

Infinitude

Impurity (42 Occurrences)

Infirmity (22 Occurrences)

Included (17 Occurrences)

Figures (11 Occurrences)

Fearful (73 Occurrences)

Freedom (45 Occurrences)

Freed (32 Occurrences)

Filthiness (16 Occurrences)

Faces (158 Occurrences)

Forevermore (27 Occurrences)

Holiness: Promised to the Church
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