Topical Bible: Prophecy: They Who Uttered: Ordained by God

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Topical Encyclopedia

Prophecy, within the biblical context, refers to the divinely inspired utterances of individuals chosen by God to convey His messages to humanity. These individuals, known as prophets, were ordained by God to serve as His mouthpieces, delivering warnings, guidance, and revelations concerning both immediate and future events. The role of the prophet is deeply rooted in the narrative of Scripture, where their words often carried the weight of divine authority and were integral to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

Old Testament Prophets

The Old Testament is replete with examples of prophets who were ordained by God to speak His words. Moses, perhaps the most prominent of these, is described as a prophet whom the Lord knew "face to face" (Deuteronomy 34:10). Moses' role as a mediator between God and the Israelites set a precedent for the prophetic office, emphasizing the necessity of divine appointment and empowerment.

Samuel, another significant figure, was called by God as a young boy (1 Samuel 3:4-10). His prophetic ministry was marked by his role in anointing the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David, thus shaping the nation's history according to God's sovereign will.

Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel are among the major prophets whose writings form a substantial portion of the Old Testament. Each was uniquely called and equipped by God to address the spiritual and moral state of Israel and Judah. Isaiah's vision of the Lord in the temple (Isaiah 6:1-8) underscores the holiness and majesty of God, compelling Isaiah to accept his prophetic mission. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," was appointed by God even before his birth (Jeremiah 1:5), highlighting the divine initiative in the prophetic calling. Ezekiel's visions and symbolic acts conveyed God's messages during the Babylonian exile, emphasizing the themes of judgment and restoration.

New Testament Prophets

In the New Testament, prophecy continues to play a vital role in the early church. John the Baptist is recognized as a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus Christ, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah (Matthew 3:3). His call to repentance and baptism signified the imminent arrival of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus Himself is acknowledged as a prophet, though He is more than a prophet, being the Son of God. His teachings, miracles, and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies attest to His divine authority and mission (Luke 24:19).

The apostolic era saw the continuation of prophetic ministry within the church. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, acknowledges the gift of prophecy as one of the spiritual gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit for the edification of the church (1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:1). Agabus, a prophet in the early church, is noted for his accurate predictions concerning a famine and the Apostle Paul's imprisonment (Acts 11:28, 21:10-11).

Characteristics of True Prophets

True prophets, as ordained by God, were characterized by their unwavering commitment to speak God's truth, often in the face of opposition and persecution. Their messages were consistent with the revealed character and purposes of God, and their prophecies were subject to divine validation. The Deuteronomic test for a true prophet was the fulfillment of their predictions (Deuteronomy 18:21-22), underscoring the reliability and authority of God's word through His chosen messengers.

Conclusion

The prophetic office, as depicted in Scripture, is a testament to God's desire to communicate with His people and guide them according to His will. Prophets, ordained by God, served as vital instruments in the unfolding of His redemptive plan, pointing ultimately to the coming of Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of all prophecy.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 3:20
And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God's Law Immutable.
... errors a solemn and fearful warning is uttered: "If any man ... judgments, that all may
know why they are to ... Prophecy declares that the first angel would make his ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /25 gods law immutable.htm

God's Law Immutable
... errors a solemn and fearful warning is uttered: "If any man ... judgments, that all may
know why they are to ... Prophecy declares that the first angel would make his ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 25 gods law immutable.htm

The Irish Articles of Religion. AD 1615.
... Jeremiah, his Prophecy and Lamentation. ... to the times in which they were first uttered,
and prophecies ... ought firmly to be received and believed, for they may be ...
/.../the irish articles of religion.htm

The Coming of a Deliverer
... the power of Christ to save, they might become ... Redeemer was foretold in the prophecy
uttered by Balaam ... began to offer the ceremonial sacrifices ordained by God ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 58 the coming of.htm

The Second Word from the Cross
... The work of conviction was done before He uttered a word. ... They were few, but every
one of them expressed the ... Christ says, "To-day." This was a prophecy that he ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xv the second word.htm

The Means of Grace
... have also a more sure word of prophecy:" Literally, "And ... be the ordinances of Christ:
That they must needs ... only in "groans which cannot be uttered." Yet, being ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 16 the means of.htm

Various Quibbling Arguments, Advanced by the Arians to Show that ...
... of the Father"born, I say, not uttered only"in ... Sweet is the harmony of prophecy with
prophecy, of woman ... mothers approach one another, so do they engage in ...
/.../works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix various quibbling arguments.htm

That the Scriptures are Divinely Inspired.
... that those statements which were uttered respecting Him ... ie, contrary to the faith
of prophecy, they crucified Him ... by the apostle "Jews," that they are purified ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter i that the scriptures are.htm

CHAPTER III.
... in 2 Chronicles 15:2-4, which was uttered at the ... unto Jehovah the God of Israel,
and they seek Him ... He is found of them." If the fundamental prophecy refer to ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chapter iii.htm

Jeroboam
... "Jeroboam ordained a feast ... and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet ...
a still further evidence of the truth of the prophecy uttered over the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 7 jeroboam.htm