Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, prophets hold a significant role as the chosen vessels through whom God reveals His divine will and secret things to humanity. The term "prophet" (Hebrew: נָבִיא, nabi) is used to describe individuals who are called and empowered by God to deliver His messages, often concerning future events, moral teachings, and divine judgments.Divine Revelation and the Role of Prophets The primary function of a prophet is to serve as a mouthpiece for God, conveying His words to the people. This is clearly articulated in Amos 3:7 : "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets." This verse underscores the principle that God chooses to disclose His plans and purposes through His prophets before they come to pass. Prophets are often recipients of divine visions and dreams, as seen in Numbers 12:6 : "He said, 'Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream.'" These supernatural experiences enable prophets to perceive and understand the hidden things of God, which they are then tasked to communicate to others. Characteristics and Authority of Prophets Prophets are characterized by their intimate relationship with God, which grants them unique insights into His will. They are often called to deliver messages that challenge the status quo, call for repentance, and foretell future events. The authority of a prophet is derived from their divine commission, as seen in the calling of Jeremiah: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). The messages delivered by prophets are not always welcomed, as they often confront sin and call for change. Despite opposition, true prophets remain steadfast in their mission, as exemplified by Elijah, who stood against the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:17-40). Prophetic Fulfillment and Validation The validation of a prophet's message is often seen in its fulfillment. Deuteronomy 18:21-22 provides a test for true prophecy: "You may ask in your heart, 'How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?' When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken." Throughout the Old Testament, numerous prophecies were fulfilled, affirming the authenticity of the prophets' messages. For instance, the prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah, as seen in Isaiah 53, were fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, as attested by New Testament writers. The Prophetic Office in the New Testament In the New Testament, the prophetic office continues, with John the Baptist being recognized as a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus (Matthew 11:9-11). The early church also recognized the gift of prophecy as a spiritual gift, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:10 and Ephesians 4:11, where prophets are listed among the gifts given for the edification of the church. The book of Revelation, penned by the Apostle John, is a prophetic work that reveals the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Revelation 1:1 states, "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place." Conclusion The role of prophets in the Bible is integral to understanding how God communicates His secret things to humanity. Through visions, dreams, and direct revelation, prophets serve as conduits of divine truth, calling people to repentance, foretelling future events, and revealing the mysteries of God's will. Their messages, validated by fulfillment, continue to hold significance for believers today. Torrey's Topical Textbook Amos 3:7Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Title of the Book. The Sovereignty of God in Operation The Netherlands and Scandinavia. The Netherlands and Scandinavia The Author and the End of Theology The Preacher as a Man of the Word. Election Confirmed by the Calling of God. The Reprobate Bring Upon ... The City and River of God Concerning Things Accomplished in the Synaxis. On the Authority and Certainty of the Sacred Scriptures Resources What is the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was a prophet in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org What is a prophet in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics False Prophets: Called Foolish Prophets False Prophets: Compared to Foxes in the Desert False Prophets: Compared to Wind False Prophets: Immoral and Profane False Prophets: Influenced by Evil Spirits False Prophets: Involved the People in Their own Ruin False Prophets: Judgments Denounced Against False Prophets: Light and Treacherous False Prophets: Made Use of by God to Prove Israel False Prophets: Mode of Trying and Detecting False Prophets: Not Sent or Commissioned by God False Prophets: Often Deceived by God As a Judgment False Prophets: Often Practised Divination and Witchcraft False Prophets: Often Pretended to Dreams False Prophets: Predicted to Arise in the Latter Times False Prophets: Predicted to Arise: Before Destruction of Jerusalem False Prophets: Pretended to be Sent by God False Prophets: Prophesied in the Name of False Gods False Prophets: Prophesied: Falsely False Prophets: Prophesied: Lies in the Name of the Lord False Prophets: Prophesied: out of Their own Heart False Prophets: Prophesied: Peace, when There Was No Peace False Prophets: The People: Deprived of God's Word By False Prophets: The People: Encouraged and Praised False Prophets: The People: Led Into Error False Prophets: The People: Made to Forget God's Name By False Prophets: The People: Oppressed and Defrauded By False Prophets: The People: Taught Profaneness and Sin By False Prophets: The People: Warned not to Listen To False Prophets: Women Sometimes Acted As Prophets were Called: Holy Men of God Prophets were Called: Holy Prophets Prophets were Called: Men of God Prophets were Called: Prophets of God Prophets were Consulted in all Difficulties Prophets were Esteemed As Holy Men Prophets were Mighty Through Faith Prophets were Required: Not to Speak Anything But What They Received from God Prophets were Required: To be Bold and Undaunted Prophets were Required: To be Vigilant and Faithful Prophets were Required: To Declare Everything That the Lord Commanded Prophets were Required: To Receive With Attention all God's Communications Prophets were Sent to Denounce the Wickedness of Kings Prophets were Sent to Exhort to Faithfulness and Constancy in God's Service Prophets were Sent to Predict the Coming of Christ Prophets were Sent to Predict the Downfall of Nations Prophets were Sent to Reprove the Wicked and Exhort to Repentance Prophets were Under the Influence of the Holy Spirit While Prophesying Prophets: Assisted the Jews in Their Great National Undertakings Prophets: Azariah the Son of Oded Prophets: Benefits of Presents Prophets: Benefits of Presents Refused By Prophets: Christ Exercised the office of Prophets: Christ Predicted to Exercise the office of Prophets: Extraordinary: Often Endued With Miraculous Power Prophets: Extraordinary: Specially Raised up on Occasions of Emergency Prophets: False: 400 in Samaria Prophets: False: Denunciations Against Prophets: False: Punishment of Prophets: Felt Deeply on Account of the Calamities Which They Predicted Prophets: Frequently in Their Actions Were Made Signs to the People Prophets: Frequently Left Without Divine Communication on Account of Prophets: Frequently Married Men Prophets: Frequently Spoke in Parables and Riddles Prophets: God Avenged all Injuries Done To Prophets: God Communicated to At Various Time and in Different Ways Prophets: God Communicated To by an Audible Voice Prophets: God Communicated To by Angels Prophets: God Communicated To by Dreams and Visions Prophets: God Communicated to His Secret Things Prophets: Great Patience of, Under Suffering Prophets: Jehu the Son of Hanani Prophets: Micaiah the Son of Imlah Prophets: Not Honored in Their own Country Prophets: Often Accompanied by Music While Predicting Prophets: Often Committed Their Predictions to Writing Prophets: Often Led a Wandering and Unsettled Life Prophets: One Generally Attached to the King's Household Prophets: Ordinary: Numerous in Israel Prophets: Ordinary: The Sacred Bards of the Jews Prophets: Ordinary: Trained up and Instructed in Schools Prophets: Predictions of Frequently Proclaimed at the Gate of the Lord's House Prophets: Predictions of Proclaimed in the Cities and Streets Prophets: Predictions of Were all Fulfilled Prophets: Predictions of Written on Rolls and Read to the People Prophets: Predictions of Written on Tables and Fixed up in some Public Place Prophets: Presented With Gifts by Those Who Consulted Them Prophets: Prophet Set to Israel Prophets: Simple in Their Manner of Life Prophets: Sometimes Received Divine Communications and Uttered Prophets: Sometimes Thought It Right to Reject Presents Prophets: Sometimes Uttered Their Predictions in Verse Prophets: Spoke in the Name of the Lord Prophets: The Historiographers of the Jewish Nation Prophets: The Interpreters of Dreams Prophets: The Jews: Often Imprisoned Them Prophets: The Jews: Often Left Without, on Account of Sin Prophets: The Jews: Often Put Them to Death Prophets: The Jews: Often Tried to Make Them Speak Smooth Things Prophets: The Jews: Persecuted Them Prophets: The Jews: Require to Hear and Believe Prophets: The Messengers of God Prophets: The Watchmen of Israel Prophets: Women Sometimes Endowed As Prophets: Wore a Coarse Dress of Hair-Cloth Prophets: Writings of, Read in the Synagogues Every Sabbath Prophets: Zacharias the Father of John Prophets: Zechariah Son of Iddo Related Terms Brother-servant (2 Occurrences) Almondiblathaim (2 Occurrences) Almon-diblathaim (2 Occurrences) Sycamore-trees (6 Occurrences) |
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