Topical Bible: Prophecy: Gift of, Sometimes Possessed by Unconverted Men

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The gift of prophecy, as described in the Bible, is the ability to receive and communicate messages from God. While it is often associated with faithful servants of God, there are instances in Scripture where unconverted or non-believing individuals have been used by God to deliver prophetic messages. This phenomenon underscores the sovereignty of God in choosing His instruments, regardless of their spiritual state.

Balaam
One of the most notable examples of an unconverted man possessing the gift of prophecy is Balaam. Although he was a pagan diviner, God used him to deliver blessings upon Israel instead of curses, as requested by Balak, the king of Moab. Numbers 24:2-4 states, "When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, and he lifted up an oracle, saying: 'This is the oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of a man whose eyes are open.'" Despite his intentions and character, Balaam was compelled to speak the words given by God.

King Saul
Another example is King Saul, who, despite his disobedience and eventual rejection by God, prophesied on multiple occasions. In 1 Samuel 10:10 , it is recorded, "When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he prophesied along with them." This incident, along with another in 1 Samuel 19:23-24, illustrates that the Spirit of God can come upon individuals irrespective of their spiritual condition.

Caiaphas
In the New Testament, Caiaphas, the high priest who played a role in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, also prophesied. John 11:49-51 recounts, "But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, 'You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.' He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation." Despite his opposition to Jesus, Caiaphas spoke a profound truth about the redemptive purpose of Christ's death.

Nebuchadnezzar
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is another figure who, though initially a pagan ruler, experienced a prophetic dream interpreted by Daniel. In Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar recounts his dream and its fulfillment, acknowledging the sovereignty of the Most High God. While not a prophet in the traditional sense, his dream and subsequent declaration in Daniel 4:34-35 reflect a prophetic revelation given to an unconverted man.

These examples demonstrate that the gift of prophecy is not confined to those who are in a covenant relationship with God. Instead, it highlights God's ability to use any individual to fulfill His divine purposes and communicate His will. The instances of Balaam, Saul, Caiaphas, and Nebuchadnezzar serve as reminders of God's ultimate authority and the mysterious ways in which He operates within human history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 24:2-9
And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came on him.
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1 Samuel 19:20,23
And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was on the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
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Matthew 7:22
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?
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John 11:49-51
And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said to them, You know nothing at all,
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1 Corinthians 13:2
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
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Library

The Dispensation of the Spirit.
... it appears to mean only exposition; but prophecy, as the ... than that which was called
the gift of tongues ... for good or evil, sometimes pure, sometimes mixed with ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/iii the dispensation of the.htm

A Warning Rejected.
... The prophecy of Daniel pointed so unmistakably to the time of Messiah's coming,
and so ... Gift concerts, gift enterprises and raffles, sometimes in aid of ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /21 a warning rejected.htm

A Warning Rejected
... The prophecy of Daniel pointed so unmistakably to the time of Messiah's coming,
and so ... Gift concerts, gift enterprises and raffles, sometimes in aid of ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 21 a warning rejected.htm

"This Thing is from Me"
... The prophecy was literally fulfilled, as God's words always are. ... Sometimes, that
which seems to be a great mistake may ... It is the best part of the gift. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/this thing is from me.htm

Covenant Duties.
... as the reception of any other gift of God ... as after the invasion of property, when
sometimes time appears ... see the glorious things said in prophecy concerning her ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... this truth is, in itself, a supernatural gift; and they ... My first-born is Israel."
Sometimes the Israelites are also ... Being; and the former was a prophecy by fact ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... also wholly ruleth where the soul is unconverted; therefore it ... to our being, and
without which we are no men. ... are used this way, and also sometimes that, to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... though the godly have their fears, yea, sometimes dreadful fears ... words, then, are
a prediction or prophecy, and that ... to receive it as the gracious gift of God. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... time to time, sometimes on this religion, sometimes on that.[1 ... for true justifying
faith is a good gift, and perfect ... soul is all on the sudden possessed with a ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

The Strait Gate;
... I know that sometimes Christ hath directed his speech to his ... words, "I say unto you,"
are a prophecy of the ... and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm