Topical Bible: Prophecy: They Who Uttered: Spoke With Authority

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Prophecy in 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, spoke with authority, as their words were not their own but were delivered through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The authority of their message was rooted in their divine commission and the truth of God's revelation.

Old Testament Prophets

The Old Testament is replete with prophets who spoke with authority, delivering God's messages to the people of Israel and surrounding nations. Moses is considered one of the greatest prophets, as he led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Law from God. In Deuteronomy 18:18-19 , God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses: "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. And I will hold accountable anyone who does not listen to My words that the prophet speaks in My name."

Isaiah, another major prophet, spoke with authority about the coming of the Messiah and the future restoration of Israel. His prophecies, such as those found in Isaiah 53, are seen as foretelling the suffering and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," delivered God's messages of impending judgment and the call to repentance with unwavering authority, despite facing persecution and rejection.

Ezekiel and Daniel also stand out as prophets who spoke with authority. Ezekiel's visions and symbolic actions conveyed God's messages of judgment and hope, while Daniel's prophecies revealed future events and the sovereignty of God over the kingdoms of the world.

New Testament Prophets

In the New Testament, John the Baptist is recognized as a prophet who spoke with authority, preparing the way for Jesus Christ. In Matthew 3:1-3 , John is described as "preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.' This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: 'A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.'"

Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate fulfillment of the prophetic office. He spoke with unparalleled authority, as seen in Matthew 7:28-29 : "When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their scribes." Jesus' teachings, miracles, and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies affirmed His divine authority.

The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, also carried the prophetic mantle, speaking with authority as they spread the gospel and established the early church. The Apostle Paul, in particular, emphasized the role of prophecy within the church, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:1 : "Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy."

Characteristics of Prophetic Authority

Prophets who spoke with authority shared several key characteristics. They were chosen and called by God, often receiving their commission through visions, dreams, or direct encounters with the Divine. Their messages were consistent with God's revealed truth and often included calls to repentance, warnings of judgment, and promises of hope and restoration.

The authority of their words was validated by the fulfillment of their prophecies, as well as by signs and wonders that accompanied their ministry. True prophets were distinguished from false prophets by their adherence to God's commands and the accuracy of their predictions, as outlined in Deuteronomy 18:20-22 .

Conclusion

Throughout biblical history, prophets have played a crucial role in communicating God's will to His people. Their authoritative messages have shaped the course of salvation history and continue to inspire and instruct believers today.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 17:1
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Our Lord Himself Spoke of his Return in the Language of Imminency.
... At the time our Lord uttered the parable His followers were ... the space of two years;
so that all they which dwelt ... The Son of Man;" yet, like all prophecy it has ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/1 our lord himself spoke.htm

Of the Thorough Harmony of the Evangelists in the Different ...
... again, that the words which were uttered by Jeremiah on ... to understand, by revelation,
that a prophecy of the ... testimonies of the prophets, when they are reduced ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter vii of the thorough harmony.htm

The God of the Rain
... image of his person. God, so they held, had finished his teaching
when Malachi uttered his last prophecy. And now it was ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xvii the god of.htm

Balaam's Prophecy. (Numb. xxiv. 17-19. )
... these reasons demand the reference of this prophecy to Christ ... The Lord then said
to Moses, "They have well ... Zechariah, who was unjustly slain, uttered when dying ...
/.../christology of the old testament/balaams prophecy numb xxiv 17-19.htm

The Prophetic Theme. Rev. Gervase Smith.
... For the prophecy came not in old time by the ... to man, and not merely that they spoke
to men ... The predictions they uttered were not their own conceptions; not the ...
/.../the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the prophetic theme rev gervase.htm

Messiah Derided Upon the Cross
... This prophecy was fulfilled when He hung upon the cross. ... They jested upon His words;
when He uttered His dolorous ... They spoke and sinned against the Holy Spirit ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xxi messiah derided upon.htm

God's Law Immutable.
... against whose errors a solemn and fearful warning is uttered: "If any ... worship of
the beast and his image, the prophecy declares, "Here are they that keep ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /25 gods law immutable.htm

God's Law Immutable
... against whose errors a solemn and fearful warning is uttered: "If any ... worship of
the beast and his image the prophecy declares: "Here are they that keep ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 25 gods law immutable.htm

John's First Testimony to Jesus.
... but the truth which I have uttered shall abide." In ... The great prophecy of Isaiah,
setting forth the vicarious ... as being to sacrificial lambs; but they could not ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xx johns first testimony to.htm

The Credibility of Scripture Sufficiently Proved in So Far as ...
... and was not rather the fulfilment of a divine prophecy? ... men of sound mind must see
they were spoken ... said that the prophecies which he uttered concerning their ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 the credibility of.htm