ELDER EMMANUEL ODUHO OBULU

Some teaching on Characteristics of a Prophet. Let’s look at a few things most prophets had in common. They were often loners or had few friends. (Romans 11:3Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)) They were often unpopular. No doubt because they spoke the un-welcomed truth. (2 Chronicles 18:7Open in Logos Bible Software (if available), Jeremiah 1:10Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)) They showed up mainly to warn the people when they turned to evil. (Jeremiah 1:16-19Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)) They were preachers of truth as well as messengers. (Mark 1:2Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)) They never prophesied for a fee or an offering! Some people brought them gifts for different reasons. They weren’t asked to do so. It was a gesture, mainly out of respect. Sometimes it was because of their life of solitude and they people knew the gift would bless them! (Deuteronomy 16:17Open in Logos Bible Software (if available):19, Micah 3:11Open in Logos Bible Software (if available), Ezekiel 22:25-28Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)) They did not prophesy material blessings as a matter of course. True prophets often had it rough! Because of their message, they were often hated and God used them as examples of the sins of the people. (Hosea 1:2-11Open in Logos Bible Software (if available), Ezekiel 4:1-17Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)) Prophetic gifts in the Church Matthew 11:13Open in Logos Bible Software (if available): “For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.” God still has a specific call for those who are call by Him to be prophets under grace. Ephesians 3:3-6Open in Logos Bible Software (if available): “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:” Prophets today have the greater charge of revealing the mysteries of Christ! The Apostles began the work while establishing the New Testament Church. Now the prophets are to continue the work of expounding the Word to the believers by the Holy Spirit. Romans 16:25-26Open in Logos Bible Software (if available): “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:” Prophets should know and understand the mysteries of the gospel. Even the major prophetic books: Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation must be opened to the saints. While the Holy Spirit can give understanding to anyone he chooses, those with a prophetic calling are often selected. Prophets have a code of conduct 1 Corinthians 14:29-33Open in Logos Bible Software (if available): “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” As you can see, prophecy works similarly to speaking in tongues. The Holy Spirit will give the message to more than one (1 Corinthians 14:27Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)). He will provide a witness so that the hearers can believe. And they will take turns speaking. Those who prophesied alone were given a special dispensation. But even the words of John the Baptist and the Apostle John were witnessed by the words of the Old Testament prophets! False Prophets in Today’s Churches Matthew 7:15Open in Logos Bible Software (if available): “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits…” Sadly, this is not what we see today. Many self-made prophets damage the reputation of the Church and fleece the flock with false hope. Watch them! They do things to be seen of men. They offer hope in exchange for gifts. Sometimes they request certain amounts that almost always have a ‘special’ numerical significance. This is similar to the occult practice of numerology. God never told a prophet to ask for a special financial offering. They say “The Lord instructed me to ask or tell you give a $$$ seed or offering”. And it is supposed to release your blessing or destroy the yoke of the devil or something like that. Unfortunately, people in need of real help fall for this.

Cited from the DTM Facebook Forum