PROPHET
The Old Testament Prophet
received messages directly from God
and proclaimed His words
according to His command.
First Word
·
The Word Prophet is applied to someone who
receives or claims to receive messages directly from God. – A Prophet provided a legitimate link
between the human and the divine. The word “Prophet” occurs over 100 times in the
NT and over 300 times in the OT, so it can be concluded that a Prophet played
an important role in the lives of God’s people.
·
The first QUESTION right out of the box is; ARE THERE ANY PROPHETS TODAY?
·
Josephus, the Jewish Historian who
was born at the time of Christ’ resurrection, discussing the validly of
the writing available to him reported that the OT Prophets writings quit about
400 years before the Birth of Christ and that the succession of Prophets had
ceased.
·
Jesus said that John the Baptist was
the last in the succession of Prophets.
·
End of Story, well not quiet; there
was a new dispensation – New Testament Prophets.
Josephus 1.8.41 – The
succession of OT prophets have ceased.
41 There hath not been an exact succession of
prophets since that time.
Matthew 11:10 -13 – John the Baptist was the last OT
Prophet.
10 He is the prophet that Malachi announced when he wrote, 'I'm sending my prophet ahead of you, to make the road smooth for you.'
13 But if you read the books of the Prophets and God's Law closely, you will see them CULMINATE in John, teaming up with him in preparing the way for the Messiah of the kingdom. (MSG)
10 He is the prophet that Malachi announced when he wrote, 'I'm sending my prophet ahead of you, to make the road smooth for you.'
13 But if you read the books of the Prophets and God's Law closely, you will see them CULMINATE in John, teaming up with him in preparing the way for the Messiah of the kingdom. (MSG)
The Call
·
There was concern that when the Israelites
entered into the Promised Land that they would imitate the foreign “SOOTHSAYERS”
by giving heed to their visions, superstitions and would practice their detestable,
abdominal ways; so God raised up a Prophet from among the Israelites to
distinguish them from the pagan Soothsayers. – They were examples of godliness
and were teachers of the Law to the people; who then were responsible to teach
it to their children.
·
The Function of Prophet was not simply a person
who could foretell the future, but one who spoke God’s will to His people.
·
A Prophet seemed to have had unrestricted
access to the King, the Royal Court and the Temple. Normally he was not
held accountable or responsible (Most of the time) for what he said or did,
because his actions were under the control of God.
·
The Call was primarily to A
KNOWLEDGE OF GOD; to be “In the Know”. - To exercise remarkable psychic
powers; telepathic and clairvoyant; extrasensory perception gifts to the extent of naming NAMES of people
hundreds of years before they were to be born.
·
Along with fore-telling, there was forth-telling; reminding the people of past
events and how God had brought them through, and of the consequences for their
disobedience.
·
From the time of Moses there was an expectation
of another Prophet who would be the coming Messiah.
Deuteronomy 18:9 – Do not
learn the pagan’s detestable ways
9 When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. (NIV2011)
9 When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. (NIV2011)
Deuteronomy 18:15 - God will raise up for you a prophet
15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. (NIV2011)
15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. (NIV2011)
Deuteronomy 34:10 - Moses
began the Messiah “expectations”
10 Since then, no prophet
has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD
knew face to face, (NIV2011)
John 1:21 – Are you the expected Prophet – He said
NO
21 They asked him (John), “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”
21 They asked him (John), “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”
(NIV2011)
Amos 1:1 – Amos was a sheep breeder AND Prophet
1 The words of Amos, who was among the sheepbreeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. (NKJV)
1 The words of Amos, who was among the sheepbreeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. (NKJV)
Purpose
·
The purpose of a Prophet was TO GO
where God sent him and TO SPEAK what God commanded him. - The calling brought
liberty and freedom – They were unaffected by human bias and criticism and were
not intimidated or threatened by an unsympathetic or antagonistic
audience.
·
There
seems to be at least four major reasons for their calling.
1. Rebuke – OBEDIENCE - Almost half of the encounters of prophets in
scripture deals with the rebuke of sin and the call to obedience and repentance. These rebukes were “Course Correctors” in the
lives of His people.
2. Encouragement – HOPE -These words most often followed the heavy
heart of rebuke. Punishment for Sin
would surely come, but promises of blessings and mercy were just on
the other side waiting for them.
3. Revelation – FAITH - Almost
every prophet’s call came with foretelling – Prophecy about the awaited
Messiah and the end times. – It also outlined the “IF” & “THEN”
prophecies concerning their obedience to His commands. – It included information
and Knowledge about God and His
attributes, His character and His purpose for them.
4. Authentication – LORDSHIP OF
GOD - Prophecies provided
foreknowledge of events to authenticate that he was at TRUE prophet and that
the people could turn to him to receive direction from God. – Some prophets displayed
signs and wonders, but these prophets were few and far between.
Jeremiah 1:7 – Go where I
send you – Speak what I command
7 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. (NASB)
7 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. (NASB)
2 Kings 6:12 – CLAIRVOYANT Knows words spoken in
King’s bedroom
12 And one of his servants said, "None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom." (NKJV)
12 And one of his servants said, "None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom." (NKJV)
1 Kings 13:2 – Naming NAMES before they were born
2 Then he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, and said, "O altar, altar! Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men's bones shall be burned on you.' "
2 Then he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, and said, "O altar, altar! Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men's bones shall be burned on you.' "
(NKJV)
How
God Speaks
·
Prophet – One who is given
insight into the mind of God and declares His messages to the people. - He
speaks forth the words of God without modification or interpretation as if God
was his mouth; the spoken words required implicit obedience.
·
In the beginning for some reason, God has
taken an interest in man and has chosen to reveal Himself over the course of
time. - When men were few, God communicated directly with them, but as
they multiplied, He selected certain people to carry His messages. – He helped
them speak and taught them what to say. - Prophecy never came by the will of
man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
- God said, “I have put My words in their mouth”.
·
God is the AUTHOR of
Prophecy.
- Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit kept these messages from ERROR and
preserved them for the guidance of His people.
·
“If there is a prophet among the people, the LORD God will make myself known unto
him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream”. –
God has used visions of Imagery like when Ezekiel saw the dry bones come
to life. - He has opened eyes to see angel activity in the PRESENT
fourth dimension. – God has spoken through an external voice as well as
an internal voice. – The prophecy could come from a Personal Awareness (“The
Word of the Lord came to me.”) – We really do not know in what way God will
choose to make the mind of man aware of His Word.
·
The Person – God has raised up princes
and priests, sheepherders and farmers, as well as women and children and
sometimes even used the pagan enemy to become His Prophet.
·
The message could be a blessing as
well as a curse. The message would be delivered in various ways. – Some would make themselves a spectacle
arousing curiosity; with the people wondering what he would do next, but this
also invited expected scorn. - In the case of Ezekiel, he ACTED OUT the
Prophetic Word. – Elijah could appear, confront and then disappear. - NYOBS 33.19 – EZEKIEL’S UFO
·
Symbolism was sometimes used; Isaiah
walked naked - Jeremiah broke a Jar -
Ahijah tore his new coat into twelve pieces - Ezekiel made a model of a city.
·
I need to pause here to say, that the Canaanite
cults practiced their magic in the same ways in order to coerce their
gods to function correspondingly – The Prophets of God did it to coerce God’s
Chosen People to function correspondingly.
·
NOTE: It was the initiative of God moving man; NOT
the initiative of man moving God.
·
The same message may be given to other
prophets – Micah had the same message as Isaiah. The “Sons of the Prophets” all
knew Elijah was about to be taken by God.
·
Partial Knowledge - The messages might
contain certain aspects of truth that the prophet did not understand, but would
be reveled later through study or comparison to other prophets. - A Prophet’s
knowledge was imperfect, he was not omniscient and only knew a part of God’s
plan, so he prophesized in part. – He knew SOME of what would happen.
·
I have always wondered – Does a thing happen
because the prophet pronounced it or did he know what was going to happen and
predicted it. – Neither – He just
called down the curse or pronounced the blessing or delivered the message that
God had commanded him.
Exodus 4:16 – One who speaks forth for God
16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.
16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.
Deuteronomy 18:18 - I will put my words in his mouth
18 I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. (NIV2011)
18 I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. (NIV2011)
Isaiah 45:21 – God is the AUTHOR of Prophecy
21 Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me. (NKJV)
21 Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me. (NKJV)
Isaiah 20:2 – SYMBOL - Isaiah walked around naked
2 at that time the LORD spoke through Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, "Go and loosen the sackcloth from your hips and take your shoes off your feet." And he did so, going naked and barefoot. (NASB)
2 at that time the LORD spoke through Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, "Go and loosen the sackcloth from your hips and take your shoes off your feet." And he did so, going naked and barefoot. (NASB)
Jeremiah 19:10 – SYMBOL - Jeremiah broke a Jar
10 Then you are to break the jar in the sight of the men who accompany you (NASB)
10 Then you are to break the jar in the sight of the men who accompany you (NASB)
1 Kings 11:30 - SYMBOL - Ahijah tore new coat twelve
pieces
30 Then Ahijah took hold of the new cloak which was on him and tore it into twelve pieces. (NASB)
30 Then Ahijah took hold of the new cloak which was on him and tore it into twelve pieces. (NASB)
Ezekiel 4:1– SYMBOL - Ezekiel made a model of a
city
1 Now you son of man (Ezekiel), get yourself a brick, place it before you and inscribe a city on it, Jerusalem.
1 Now you son of man (Ezekiel), get yourself a brick, place it before you and inscribe a city on it, Jerusalem.
(NASB)
2 Peter 1:21 - Prophecy
came by the movement of the Holy Spirit
21 For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
21 For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
(NKJV)
Exodus 4:12 - Help you speak and teach you what to say
12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (NIV2011)
12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (NIV2011)
Jeremiah 1:9 - I have put My words in your mouth
9 Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. (NASB)
9 Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. (NASB)
Numbers 12:6 – Make Myself
known by visions and dreams
6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. (KJV)
6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. (KJV)
Hebrews 1:1-2 – Various ways God spoke through His
Prophets
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, (NKJV)
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, (NKJV)
1 Samuel 3:8 – God spoke audibly OUTWARDLY
8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. Then he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you did call me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy. (NKJV)
8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. Then he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you did call me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy. (NKJV)
1 Kings 13:18-22 – God spoke audibly INWARDLY
20 the word of the LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back;
21 and he cried out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, "Thus says the LORD: 'Because you have disobeyed the word of the LORD, and have not kept the commandment which the LORD your God commanded you,
22 but you came back, ate bread, and drank water in the place of which the Lord said to you, "Eat no bread and drink no water," your corpse shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.' (NKJV)
20 the word of the LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back;
21 and he cried out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, "Thus says the LORD: 'Because you have disobeyed the word of the LORD, and have not kept the commandment which the LORD your God commanded you,
22 but you came back, ate bread, and drank water in the place of which the Lord said to you, "Eat no bread and drink no water," your corpse shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.' (NKJV)
Genesis 15:1 - The Word of the LORD
came to ABRAHAM
1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram (NASB)
1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram (NASB)
1 Samuel 15:10 - The word of the LORD
came to SAMUEL
10 Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, (NASB)
10 Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, (NASB)
1 Kings 18:1 - The Word of the LORD
came to ELIJAH
1 Now it happened after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, "Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth." (NASB)
1 Now it happened after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, "Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth." (NASB)
Isaiah 38:4 - The Word of
the LORD came to ISAIAH,
4 And the word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying, (NKJV)
4 And the word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying, (NKJV)
Jeremiah 28:12 - The Word of
the LORD came to JEREMIAH
12 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah after Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying, (NASB)
12 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah after Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying, (NASB)
Ezekiel 1:3 - The
Word of the LORD came to EZEKIEL
3 The word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the LORD was on him. (NIV2011)
3 The word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the LORD was on him. (NIV2011)
Jonah 3:1 - The Word of the LORD
came to JONAH
1 Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,
1 Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,
Haggai 1:3 - The Word of
the LORD came by HAGGAI
3 Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, (NASB)
3 Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, (NASB)
Zechariah 1:1 - The Word of the LORD
came to ZECHARIAH
1 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo saying, (NASB)
1 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo saying, (NASB)
Numbers 22:31 – Opened eyes to see the Present
Fourth Dimension
31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. (NKJV)
31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. (NKJV)
2 Kings 6:17 – Angel activity
unseen – PRESENT Fourth Dimension
17 And Elisha prayed,
"O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened
the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and
chariots of fire all around Elisha. NIV
Ezekiel 37:10 – Visions of Imagery
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them (dry bones); they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. (NIV2011)
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them (dry bones); they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. (NIV2011)
1 Kings 17:1-3 – Appeared - gave the message - Disappeared
1 And then this happened: Elijah the Tishbite, from among the settlers of Gilead, confronted Ahab: "As surely as GOD lives, the God of Israel before whom I stand in obedient service, the next years are going to see a total drought—not a drop of dew or rain unless I say otherwise." GOD then told Elijah,
3 Get out of here, and fast. Head east and hide out at the Kerith Ravine on the other side of the Jordan River. (MSG)
1 And then this happened: Elijah the Tishbite, from among the settlers of Gilead, confronted Ahab: "As surely as GOD lives, the God of Israel before whom I stand in obedient service, the next years are going to see a total drought—not a drop of dew or rain unless I say otherwise." GOD then told Elijah,
3 Get out of here, and fast. Head east and hide out at the Kerith Ravine on the other side of the Jordan River. (MSG)
2 Kings 2:5 – All the Prophets knew that Elijah
would be go away
5 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?" So he answered, "Yes, I know; keep silent!" (NKJV)
5 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?" So he answered, "Yes, I know; keep silent!" (NKJV)
1 Corinthians 13:9 - We prophesy in part
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. (NKJV)
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. (NKJV)
Ecstatic Mental Gymnastics
·
Ecstatic Utterance -This phrase appears in
most of the commentaries and seems to be the norm for a Prophet and was
probably considered a part of his identity.
·
Wikipedia; Ecstasy; an altered
state of consciousness characterized by
diminished awareness of objects or the total lack of the awareness of
surroundings. - For the duration of the ecstasy the ecstatic is out of touch
with ordinary life and is capable neither of communication with other people
nor of undertaking normal actions.
·
His words would abound with imagery, strange comparisons, peculiar
expressions, parables, pictures, proverbs and symbolism. – It would contain
literary exaggerations to make a point – It might contain rhetorical questions,
metaphors, similes, plays on words and puns.
·
Make no mistake – When God delivered the message through His
prophet; it was clearly understood. – The imagery was for “Mental Gymnastics”
so you would not forget it.
·
Oddly enough the divine possession was
not a continuous experience as they played various normal social roles in the
community with secular occupations; in other words that had a job. – So should
you.
Classes of Prophets
·
This
is more than you want to know, but I include it here because you have probable
heard the terms before; and wondered what they meant.
·
The
Prophets writings or books in the Bible are divided into TWO CLASSES
which are known as the Former Prophets and the Latter Prophets.
A.
The Former Prophets include the books of Joshua,
Judges, Samuel and Kings and cover the time of the Hebrews entrance into the
Promised Land to the destruction of the city by King Nebuchadnezzar. These Prophets set forth the history of their
particular period of time in Israel. (We
do not know who wrote these books; they are anonymous.)
B.
The Latter Prophets are those that followed
after the time of the destruction by Nebuchadnezzar. - These Prophets interpreted
specific phrases of Israel’s history complementing and providing greater
insight and understanding of the Former Prophets writings. - (These
books are NOT anonymous.) The Latter Prophets are further divided into TWO
CATEGORIES based on the volume or length of their written works.
1.
The Major Prophets books of the Bible include
Isiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
2. The Twelve Minor Prophets include Hosea, Joel,
Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and
Malachi.
Concerns
·
Social Concerns – As a Prophet and a
Leader, Moses concerned himself with social welfare, humane treatment,
giving to and helping the homeless and was the enemy of the oppressor.
·
The Standard - This is the standard for
a prophet and even for OUR LEADERS today.
Exodus 2:11 – Concern for oppression
11 Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. (NKJV)
11 Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. (NKJV)
Exodus 2:17 – Stood up to the oppressors
17 Then the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. (NKJV)
17 Then the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. (NKJV)
Deuteronomy 24:19-21 - Help the stranger,
fatherless, widow
19 When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a SHEAF in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
20 When you beat your OLIVE trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.
21 When you gather the GRAPES of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. (NKJV)
19 When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a SHEAF in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
20 When you beat your OLIVE trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.
21 When you gather the GRAPES of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. (NKJV)
Schools
of the Prophets
·
The schools for the
Prophets
were not what you would think. Some were
already Prophets and the other were not there to learn to become a Prophet, but
were there because of a sincere desire to SERVE God. They would hopefully join themselves to a
prophet to ASSIST them and learn spiritual things and to be
used of God. – “Here am I, send me”.
·
The thing that is
overlooked,
is that we only know of the Prophets that are mentioned in the Bible, and they
represent only a small portion of the total number of prophets that God has raised
up. - Scripture indicates that the many un-named prophets tended to band
together seeking each other’s fellowship. They would settle here and there and
build loosely connected schools or colleges which would became their
homes.
·
We
first see the Schools of the Prophets during the time of Samuel who might have possibly
organized them and then nothing more is said about them until the time of
Elijah and Elisha, and then after them, the schools or “Sons of the Prophets”
are not heard of again.
·
Some commentaries indicate that some of these
schools of the “Sons of the Prophets” were really not that well
respected and were considered to be a superstitious group that had attached
themselves to the Prophets for “NOTORIETY” and “HEAD KNOWLEDGE”; they were
thought to be without any of their own personal spiritual experience and
it seems that the EARLY prophets DID actively dissociated themselves
from such groups, but that changed later on.
·
Elijah and Elisha provided supervision to
one of the schools of the “Sons of the
Prophets” as they would occasionally stay with them. The students had
learned of many things listening to men such as these and some of them clearly had
the prophetic gift. - It is thought
that we owe the safe guarding of the Prophets Oracles to such groups as these. -
Scripture supports that Elisha occasionally would avail himself of their
services. – As a side note; Elisha performed more miracles than any other OT prophet.
·
There
are references that suggest that the Prophets and Priest coupled themselves
together in what is suggestive of a “Prophet-hood”, which was much like
the Priest-hood; a prophetic guild or a professional association,
as there were prophetic quarters located within the temple. – It is possible
that some Prophets were officially connected or even employed by the temple as
Jeremiah and Ezekiel were both Prophets and Priests.
Isaiah 6:8 - Here am I.
Send me
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
(NASB)
2 Kings 6:1-2 – Sons of the Prophets built a
school
1 and the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us.
2 Please, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell." So he answered, "Go." (NKJV)
1 and the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us.
2 Please, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell." So he answered, "Go." (NKJV)
2 Kings 22:14 – College -
School of Prophecy – Dwelling
14 So Hilkiah the priest,
and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the
prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas,
keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college) and
they communed with her. (KJV)
2 Kings 2:5 – Sons of the Prophets had the
prophetic gift
5 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?" So he answered, "Yes, I know; keep silent!" (NKJV)
5 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?" So he answered, "Yes, I know; keep silent!" (NKJV)
2 Kings 2:16 - Sons of the Prophet lacked divine
understanding
16 Then they said to him, "Look now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and search for your master (Elijah had left in a whirlwind), lest perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley." And he said, "You shall not send anyone."
16 Then they said to him, "Look now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and search for your master (Elijah had left in a whirlwind), lest perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley." And he said, "You shall not send anyone."
(NKJV)
Amos 7:14 –Amos DISASSOCIATED - the school of
Prophets
14 Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: "I was no prophet, nor was I a SON OF A PROPHET, But I was a sheep breeder And a tender of sycamore fruit.
14 Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: "I was no prophet, nor was I a SON OF A PROPHET, But I was a sheep breeder And a tender of sycamore fruit.
(NKJV)
2 Kings 9:1 – Sons of the Prophets given
assignments
1 And Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets, and said to him, "Get yourself ready, take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth Gilead.
1 And Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets, and said to him, "Get yourself ready, take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth Gilead.
(NKJV)
Jeremiah 35:4 – Prophets Quarters within the
temple
4 I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the room of the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah the man of God. It was next to the room of the officials, which was over that of Maaseiah son of Shallum the doorkeeper. (NIV2011)
4 I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the room of the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah the man of God. It was next to the room of the officials, which was over that of Maaseiah son of Shallum the doorkeeper. (NIV2011)
Old Testament Prophets
·
The Message Bible states; “It is the task
of the prophet to stand up at such moments of catastrophic and clarify who God
is and how He acts. The disaster becomes
a lever for prying people’s lives loose from their sins”.
·
The “Position” of a prophet gives way to the idea of
a “Prophetic Office”. – We often hear spoken in the church about the
office of Pastor, Prophet and Teacher; but the Church has nothing to do
with it - The position is not inherited, elected, nor appointed, installed or
ordained by the church, it’s a Gift from God to His people; God Himself
raises up the Prophets. – It’s not an office, it’s a FUNCTION. – Sometimes
a Prophet is appointed by God before he is even born. – This function can be
for a short period of time or for a very long period of time.
·
In the earliest of times, a Prophet was called “a
visionary”; a “MAN OF GOD”, or a “SEER”; a messenger of God who could
see into the future and tell you how it would unfold depending on the path that
you took. – He is not actually “predicting”, he is passing on messages from
God. – However, a Prophet in essence “predicts” the future as he reveals
matters known only to God. – A Prophet could also see into the PRESENT;
things of the fourth dimension that were not visible to men; (Angel activity). - NYOBS 01.15 - THE FOURTH DIMENSION
·
The Progression: God provided 3 prophets
before the Kingdom of Israel was divided – When it was divided he sent 17
Prophets to the Southern Kingdom and 10 more to the Northern Kingdom – He
provided 4 prophets during their exile and 3 more when they returned.
·
God has sent a bunch of
prophets.
- I say all of this, as it reminded me of the guy in Hell who wanted to return
to his family to warn them about spending eternity in torment and was told; if
they didn’t believe the Prophets they will not believe someone returning from
the dead.
·
The first man that God called a
prophet was Abraham, but it
was the person of Moses that
set the standard for all the future prophets that were to follow.
·
OT Prophets FORETOLD of future events
and the expectations of the results based on their obedience. - Mentioning a
few; Moses - Aaron – Joel – Johan – Amos – Hosea – Isaiah – Micah – Nahum –
Zephaniah – Jerimiah – Gad - Habakkuk – Samuel – Nathan - Daniel – Ezekiel – Obadiah – Haggai –
Zechariah – Malachi – Elijah – Elisha.
·
Name meanings – Isiah; Salvation of Yahweh – Jeremiah; The appointed one of the Lord – Ezekiel;
God Strengthens – Joel; Yahweh is God – Micah; Who is like Yahweh – Nahum; Consoler – Zephaniah; The Lord hides – Malachi; The messenger of the Lord.
·
Some
that prophesized; that were given messages from God, were not called to be
Prophets, but were called to be leaders; men such as Moses, Saul and
David.
·
Some
prophets who you may not have even thought about include King Saul who
prophesied at least once - Balaam who had conversations with his Ass – Seventy
Elders who prophesied only once. - Abraham, the father of Israel. – The Apostle Paul -
Arron the brother of Moses - Miriam the sister of Moses - Debora a prophetess - And
in some sense of the word both Mary the mother of Jesus and her cousin
Elizabeth both prophesized.
·
The difference between the Major and Minor Prophets was not about
their significance; but about the amount of writings that has surfaced that
they authored.
Amos 7:14 – A Prophet is not inherited, he is
appointed by God
14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore-trees: (ASV)
14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore-trees: (ASV)
Deuteronomy 18:15 - God will raise up for you a Prophet
15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him. (NASB)
15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him. (NASB)
Jeremiah 1:5 - Before your were born I appointed
you a Prophet
5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. (NIV2011)
5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. (NIV2011)
Luke 16:31 - They will not listen to someone from
the dead
31 But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'"(NASB)
31 But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'"(NASB)
1 Samuel 9:9 – A Prophet was previously called a
seer
9 (Formerly in Israel, if someone went to inquire of God, they would say, “Come, let us go to the seer,” because the prophet of today used to be called a seer.) (NIV2011)
9 (Formerly in Israel, if someone went to inquire of God, they would say, “Come, let us go to the seer,” because the prophet of today used to be called a seer.) (NIV2011)
2 Kings 6:17 – ANGELS UNSEEN
– PRESENT Fourth Dimension
17 And Elisha prayed,
"O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened
the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots
of fire all around Elisha. NIV
Exodus 3:6
- Moses
6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. (KJV)
6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. (KJV)
Exodus 7:1 - Aaron
1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. (NIV2011)
1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. (NIV2011)
Joel 1:1 - Joel
1 The LORD gave this message to Joel son of Pethuel. (NLT)
1 The LORD gave this message to Joel son of Pethuel. (NLT)
Jonah 1:1 - Jonah
1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, (NASB)
1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, (NASB)
Amos 1:1 - Amos
1 The Message of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa that he received on behalf of Israel. (MSG)
1 The Message of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa that he received on behalf of Israel. (MSG)
Hosea 1:1 - Hosea
1 The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. (KJV)
1 The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. (KJV)
2 Kings 19:20 - Isaiah
20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, thus saith the LORD God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard. (KJV)
20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, thus saith the LORD God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard. (KJV)
Judges 17:5 - Micah
5 This man, Micah, had a private chapel. He had made an ephod and some teraphim-idols and had ordained one of his sons to be his priest. (MSG)
5 This man, Micah, had a private chapel. He had made an ephod and some teraphim-idols and had ordained one of his sons to be his priest. (MSG)
1 Samuel 3:20 - Samuel
20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. (KJV)
20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. (KJV)
Nahum 1:1 - Nahum
1 The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. (KJV)
1 The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. (KJV)
Zephaniah 1:1 - Zephaniah
1 The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah. (KJV)
1 The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah. (KJV)
Jeremiah 29:29 - Jeremiah
29 Zephaniah the priest, however, read the letter to Jeremiah the prophet. (NIV2011)
29 Zephaniah the priest, however, read the letter to Jeremiah the prophet. (NIV2011)
Habakkuk 1:1 - Habakkuk
1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. (KJV)
1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. (KJV)
Daniel 2:19 - Daniel
19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. (KJV)
19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. (KJV)
Ezekiel 1:3 - Ezekiel
3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi. (KJV)
3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi. (KJV)
1 Kings 18:4 - Obadiah
4 While Jezebel was killing off the LORD’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.) (NIV2011)
4 While Jezebel was killing off the LORD’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.) (NIV2011)
2 Samuel 7:2 - Nathan
2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains."
2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains."
Ezra 5:1 - Haggai
1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. (KJV)
1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. (KJV)
2 Chronicles 26:5 - Zechariah
5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper. (KJV)
5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper. (KJV)
Malachi 1:1 - Malachi
1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. (KJV)
1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. (KJV)
1 Kings 18:1 - Elijah
1 And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. (KJV)
1 And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. (KJV)
1 Kings 19:16 - Elisha
16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.
16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.
1 Samuel 22:5 - Gad
5 But the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth. (NIV2011)
5 But the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth. (NIV2011)
Judges 4:4 - Deborah
4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. (NASB)
4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. (NASB)
Genesis 20:7 - Abraham
7 Now return the man’s wife (Abraham), for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all who belong to you will die.”
7 Now return the man’s wife (Abraham), for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all who belong to you will die.”
(NIV2011)
Numbers 22:28 - Balaam
28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? (KJV)
28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? (KJV)
Exodus 15:20 - Miriam
20 Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing. (NASB)
20 Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing. (NASB)
1 Samuel 10:10-11 - Saul
10 When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, they saw a group of prophets coming toward them. Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he, too, began to prophesy.
11 When those who knew Saul heard about it, they exclaimed, “What? Is even Saul a prophet? How did the son of Kish become a prophet?”
10 When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, they saw a group of prophets coming toward them. Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he, too, began to prophesy.
11 When those who knew Saul heard about it, they exclaimed, “What? Is even Saul a prophet? How did the son of Kish become a prophet?”
(NASB)
Numbers 11:25 - Seventy
Elders
25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but did not do so again. (NIV2011)
25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but did not do so again. (NIV2011)
Acts 9:20 - Paul
20 and immediately he (Paul) began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." (NASB)
20 and immediately he (Paul) began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." (NASB)
OT PROPHECIES of Jesus the
MESSIAH
OT PROPHECY NT
FULLFILLMENT
- Zechariah
- Isaiah
53:7 Be silent
before accusers Matthew
27:12
- Isaiah
53:5 Be
scourged and wounded Matthew
27:26
- Isaiah
50:6 Be
smitten and spat upon Matthew
26:67
- Psalms
- Isaiah
53:12 Put to
death with criminals Matthews
27:38
- Psalms
- Psalms
69:21 Would
suffer thirst John
- Psalms
69:21 Gave gall
and vinegar to drink Matthew
27:34
- Psalms
22:1 Utter
forsaken cry to God Matthew
27:46
- Psalms
34:20 No bones
would be broken John
19:33
- Zechariah
- Isaiah
53:9 Buried in
a rich man’s tomb Matthew
27:57
- Psalms
- Psalms 68:18 Ascend into heaven Acts
1:9
- Psalms
110:1 Sit at
the right hand of God Hebrews
1:3
2 Corinthians 1:20 - All of God’s promises fulfilled in Christ
20 For ALL of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
20 For ALL of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
(NLT)
Matthew 5:17 – Jesus came to fulfil the Law and
the Prophets
17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (NIV2011)
17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (NIV2011)
New Testament Prophets
·
It was God’s will that the OT be
fulfilled in the Life, Death and Resurrection of His Son Jesus the
Christ. – It was also God’s will that
there be a NEW TESTAMENT and with that an expectancy of a new period of
Prophecy. – Scripture not only supports that there were prophets in the NT
Church, but goes on to name them. – Prophets were also teachers.
·
Although
there were many Prophets in the NT they were not very conspicuous – There was John
the Baptist’s father, Zacharias – The
Apostle “John the Revelator” - Caiaphas the High Priest - Judas and Silas - Agabus - Barnabas,
Simeon and Lucius - Manaen, and oddly enough they allowed WOMEN to prophesy. - Philip had four unmarried daughters
who prophesied.
·
Jesus Christ as the greatest NT
Prophet, encouraged the needy, revealed the nature of God, exposed sin, showed
the way of salvation and the pattern
and method of Godly living.
The Methodist hang their hat on “THE METHOD” of Godly living. – It’s not
how much you know about God, but how you practice the Word in your everyday life.
- Godly Living SELAH. God not only gave us His written Word, but He also sent
His Word in Flesh to live among us; His ONLY begotten son, Jesus the
Christ.
·
NT Prophets FORETOLD some future
events, but mainly rebuked men for sin and declared their punishment, urging
them to repent.
·
We
believe that eventually the FORE TELLING of future events CEASED because
the scriptures ceased to record it. – The revelation of Jesus Christ completed
the prophecies of a Messiah and the “things to come” are already recorded in
Holy Scripture. – However, the FORTH TELLING part did not cease which is
praising God and lifting up His attributes and expounding on the truths already
received and recorded in the Holy Scriptures.
·
There
are no new revelations, only new understanding of what has already been written.
Matthew 21:10-11 Jesus –
The PROPHET from Nazareth
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
(NIV2011)
Ephesians 2:19-20 The Church is built on the
Prophets
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (NIV2011)
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (NIV2011)
Acts 13:1 – Prophets in the NT Church
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (NKJV)
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (NKJV)
Hebrews 1:1-2 – God spoke to us through His Son
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
John 1:14 – God’s Word was made flesh
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the ONLY begotten of the Father.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the ONLY begotten of the Father.
(KJV)
Deuteronomy 18:15 – Jesus
was the greatest Prophet
15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,
15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,
(NKJV)
Luke 1:67-68 - Zacharias
67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
68 Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, (NKJV)
67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
68 Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, (NKJV)
Acts 11:28 - Agabus
28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.
28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.
(NKJV)
Acts 13:1 Barnabas,
Simeon, Lucius Manaen
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
(NIV2011)
Acts 15:32 - Judas and
Silas
32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. (NIV2011)
32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. (NIV2011)
Acts 21:8-9 – Philip’s four unmarried daughters
8 Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea
and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven.
9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
(NIV2011)
John 11:51 – Caiaphas the High Priest
51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, (NIV2011)
51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, (NIV2011)
Fence Posts
·
The scriptures present concepts and
precepts that line up like fence
posts all in a row. - If a prophet’s words do not line up with the other
fence post in scripture, it should give you pause to ask why?
Isaiah 28:10 – Fence Post Precepts
10 For it is precept (post) upon precept (post), precept upon precept; line (post) upon line (post), line upon line; here a little (post), there a little. (post) (ASV)
10 For it is precept (post) upon precept (post), precept upon precept; line (post) upon line (post), line upon line; here a little (post), there a little. (post) (ASV)
Presumptive Prophets
·
Any
prophet that speaks on God’s behalf presumptuously
will DIE – Think about that one; speaking presumptuously of God.
·
The Prophet Nathan spoke presumptuously
to David when he told him to do all that was in his heart to build the temple -
That night God corrected Nathan; that it was to be built by David’s son
Solomon. – Nathan straightened that presumptuous word out immediately.
·
SPIRITUAL GIFTS are a blessing given as
the Holy Spirit wills to God’s people; given to “equip the Believer” for
the “common good” and for the “building up the Church”. – However these gifts
can be abused. – NYOBS 06.08, NYOBS 08.12, NYOBS 20.36 – GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
a)
Gift of Word of Knowledge is information and spiritual
insight, which is revealed in the person’s spirit. – It can come from
concepts that have been planted in your sprit through studying the Word as well
as “A WORD” directly from God. – The gift is not “all knowledge” but just
“partial”. The gift operates only at the
will of the Holy Spirit.
b)
Gift of Tongues is linked to “The Interpretation of Tongues” and
of course that comes with much conversely – There are three kinds of tongues - NYOBS 08.02 - TONGUES
1.
Common Tongue or language not known to
the speaker, but commonly spoken somewhere. – This seems to have happened ONLY
ONCE at Pentecost and documented no more in scripture. – It was for the
day of Pentecost only.
2.
Public Tongue is normally of
exhortation, but sometimes comes with PROPHECY which requires interpretation of a message from
God… “Thus says the Lord”
3.
Prayer Tongue or language is a
“heavenly language” directed to God alone in prayer and in song. This private tongue seems to be found
across all denominations although rarely discussed. Most denominations are Cessationists;
Teaching tongues have ceased, even though some of their members privately
operate in this gift.
·
My
prayer is that the Gifts of “Word of Knowledge” and “Interpretation
of Tongues” with prophecy be done with the fence posts of the messages
all lining up with scripture and not done presumptuously.
·
When the Apostle Paul
spoke
giving his opinion, he would qualify it by saying; that what he was
saying was NOT coming from the Lord, but from himself. – A concept we should
model.
Deuteronomy 18:20 – Speak words of God
presumptuously - DIE
20 But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.'(NASB)
20 But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.'(NASB)
2 Samuel 7:3-13 – Nathan spoke presumptuously
3 Nathan replied to the king, “Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you.”
4 But that same night the LORD said to Nathan,
5 Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in?
12 For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong.
13 He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. (NLT)
3 Nathan replied to the king, “Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you.”
4 But that same night the LORD said to Nathan,
5 Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in?
12 For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong.
13 He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 7:12 – Paul says, I speak now; NOT
the Lord
12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. (NKJV)
12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. (NKJV)
Numbers 12:6 – Make known by visions and dreams
6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. (KJV)
6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. (KJV)
1 Corinthians 12:1-7 – Gifts of the Spirit are for
Common Good
1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (NIV2011)
1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (NIV2011)
Ephesians 4:12 - Building up
of the body
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; (NASB)
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; (NASB)
1 Corinthians 12:11 – Gifts given as the Spirit
wills
11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (NIV2011)
11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (NIV2011)
False Prophets
·
False Prophet - In the NT there was a
guy named Bar-Jesus mentioned as a false prophet as well as a woman who called
herself a prophet named Jezebel. Then there was Simon the Magician who tried to
buy the Holy Spirit. – There was also a Lying Prophet who said he got a
message from God through an angel and tricked another Prophet.
·
Test the Prophets; that’s what we are told;
that many false prophets have gone out into the world. – There were THREE TEST
for a True Prophet.
1.
Doctrines - If they are able to give signs and wonders, but
their teaching contradicts the doctrines of Moses concerning the one
true God, they are a False Prophet.
2.
Prophecy - If 100% of what they say
does not come to pass then they are a False
Prophet.
3.
Morals – If their lifestyle is
immoral or their message strengthens the hands of the evil doers they are a False Prophet.
·
NOTE: Fulfilling the three requirements did not
automatically validate someone as a True Prophet of God, as they could have
guessed at something and it turned out right. – They also needed the
recognition of an organized group of disciples who recognized the
prophetic claim as genuine and accepted the Prophets authority;
otherwise he would not have any influence in the community.
·
Characteristics – Today, a Prophet’s
teachings must line up with the FENCE POST of scripture. A true Prophet will speak
of future deliverance by the Messiah; he will glorify Jesus Christ and
confess that He is the incarnate Lord. –The Prophets character and life
style will conform to scripture – Their actions and reactions will proceed
from a loving heart and be administered to the hearer in a loving way. - They
will edify the Church and will be known by their fruits.
·
Dueling Prophets – King Ahab had two
prophets of Jehovah; Zedekiah
who said he would have victory over the enemy and Micaiah who warned of defeat. Which one was the True Prophet? – The answer
comes from looking at their lives. – The True Prophet’s life reflects
holiness; he seeks to identify sin and call the people to holiness. – The False
Prophet is a man of immoral life and one who ignores immorality in others –
The Lord says “They wag their OWN tongues, prophesy false dreams
and lead people astray with their reckless lies” – A True
Prophets life will reflect holiness.
·
Today some who have written
with great insight into God’s word, that if they had not messed with predictions
of the future, they would NOT be considered FALSE PROPHETS.
·
I find myself predicting the end times based on when the Anti-Christ sets up an image
of himself in the temple, 3 ½ years into the tribulation period and it’s all in
the scriptures; but I am reluctant to expound on it even though I see a time
line revealed. – YOU GO READ IT. NYBOS 07.02 – ESCHATOLOGY – NYOBS 21.18 - ANTICHRIST
·
In the end times the Anti-Christ will have
his own false prophet who will do SIGNS
and WONDERS and quote the scriptures and many will be drawn to him. Understand that his work in the beginning
will be good stuff with only slight variations from the Bible Scriptures
many will follow THE MAN, instead of THE WORD.
·
Follow the MAN -The
People's Temple of the Disciples of Christ
was founded in 1955 by Jim Jones. Members of the “People’s Temple” followed Jim
Jones to a place in Guyana known as "Jonestown". – They had stopped
following THE WORD and were following THE MAN and on November 18, 1978 under
Jim Jone’s direction, drank the ‘COOL AID” and 920 people died in an organized
mass suicide/killing. – FOLLOW THE WORD
NOT THE MAN.
- When you stop reading the Word you will NOT even notice that the “fence
posts” don’t line up anymore and you will drink the “COOL AID”. - NYOBS 21.18 – ANTICHRIST
Matthew 7:16 - You will know them by their fruits
16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? (NASB)
16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? (NASB)
1 John 4:1 - Do not
believe every spirit - TEST THE SPIRITS
1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many FALSE PROPHETS have gone out into the world. (NIV2011)
1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many FALSE PROPHETS have gone out into the world. (NIV2011)
Matthew 7:15 - Beware of False Prophets
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. (NKJV)
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. (NKJV)
Matthew 24:11 - Many False Prophets will rise up
11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
Mark 13:22 - False Prophets will perform signs and wonders
22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
(NIV2011)
2 Peter 2:1 - False
Prophets from among the people
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. (NIV2011)
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. (NIV2011)
1 Kings 13:18 – A lying prophet
18 He said to him, "I also am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, 'Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.'" But he lied to him. (NASB)
18 He said to him, "I also am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, 'Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.'" But he lied to him. (NASB)
1 Kings 22:17 – Micaiah warned of defeat – True
Prophet
17 Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the LORD said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’ ” (NIV2011)
17 Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the LORD said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’ ” (NIV2011)
1 Kings 22:11 – Zedekiah proclaimed victory -
False Prophet
11 Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made iron horns and he declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.’ ” (NIV2011)
11 Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made iron horns and he declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.’ ” (NIV2011)
Jeremiah 23:30-32 – False Prophet steals testimony
of others
30 Therefore,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me.
31Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The LORD declares.’
32Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” declares the LORD. “They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,” declares the LORD.
30 Therefore,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me.
31Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The LORD declares.’
32Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” declares the LORD. “They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,” declares the LORD.
(NIV2011)
Numbers 12:6 – Messages made known by visions and
dreams
6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him IN A VISION, and will speak unto him IN A DREAM.
6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him IN A VISION, and will speak unto him IN A DREAM.
(KJV)
Deuteronomy 13:1-3 – God will test you using FALSE
Prophets
1 If there arises among you a prophet or a
dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder,
2 and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods'--which you have not known--'and let us serve them,'
3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
2 and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods'--which you have not known--'and let us serve them,'
3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
(NIV2011)
Acts 13:6 - False prophet named Bar-Jesus
6They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
6They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
(NIV2011)
Revelation 2:20 – Jezebel calls herself a prophet
20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. (NIV2011)
Revelation 2:20 – Jezebel calls herself a prophet
20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. (NIV2011)
Acts 8:9 – Simon the
Magician
9 Now for some time a man named Simon had
practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He
boasted that he was someone great,
(NIV2011)
Matthew 24:36 – No one knows
36 But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.
36 But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.
(MSG)
Revelation 19:20 - The End time false prophet
20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf.
20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf.
(NIV2011)
Prophets Today
·
Prophets Today FORTH TELL of what has already
been written in the sacred scriptures, they lift up and praise
the attributes of God and His Son JESUS CHRIST; they speak the concepts written
in the Bible into men for the building up; edification, exhortation,
and for their encouragement, comfort and consolation.
·
The function of Prophet was given for the
“PERFECTING” of the Believer and the building up of the Church. Since we still need to build up the Church
and we will not be perfected until the return of Christ; till then, we most
certainly need the function of a Prophet.
·
God
has written down His Words so that everyone can know His Will in their
life; they can study for themselves like the “Sons of the Prophets” did.
·
There are no new
revelations, just new
enlightenment.
·
God Himself placed the FUNCTION of
Prophet at the top of the NT Church callings. -
The gifts and calling of God are IRREVOCABLE. – It’s in the Book
even if your Church says that the gifts and calling have ceased.
·
Our SALVATION is not based on Church
doctrine, but on our FAITH in JESUS CHRIST plus nothing else, and that includes
Church Tradition.
·
When
I read some of these extraordinary commentaries written on the Bible, I see at
work the qualities of the function of a Prophet although they would
never call themselves a prophet. They
don’t prophesy as such, but they do exhort, edify, comfort the reader and lift
up the attributes of God and expound on the scriptures, digging up nuggets of
gold. (See
Matthew Henry – Merrill C. Tenney – J. Vernon McGee – Finis Jennings Dake.)
·
In the end times God will send two
witnesses who will prophesize to the Jews; and as a bonus the Gentiles will
get in on it too, and then the end will come shortly thereafter. - I’m so ready !
1 Corinthians 12:27-28 –
God appointed the FUNCTION of Prophet
27 Now you are the body of
Christ, and members individually.
28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
(NKJV)
Ephesians 4:12 - For the PERFECTING of the saints
12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
(ASV)
1 Corinthians 14:3 Edification,
Exhortation and Comfort
3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
Matthew 10:19-20 – Spirit will speak prophetically
through you
19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (NIV2011)
19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (NIV2011)
Romans 11:29 - The calling of God is irrevocable
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
(NKJV)
Revelation 11:3 – Two
Witnesses will prophesy
3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
(NIV2011
Summary
·
The Spirit of Prophecy bears witness TO Jesus. -
In the last days God said He will pour out his Spirit on all people. “Your sons and daughters will PROPHESY”.
·
All Christians have the potential
to be able to Prophesy. – The Holy Spirit receives the Words directly from
Christ and speaks them to us. – It was the desire of Moses that every Believer
be able to prophesy. - Paul encouraged every Believer to seek this gift and implied
that they all had the ability to receive the prophetic inspiration of
the Holy Spirit and they should be eager to operate in this gift. (Kind of messes with your theology doesn’t.)
·
As
we read the scriptures, under the Spirit’s inspiration, we will receive the
reiteration of truths already written in scripture receiving NEW
ENLIGHTENMENT; not new revelation.
·
HOLD ON – While there will be no
Fresh Revelations about God in Jesus Christ or the way of Salvation or the
principals of Christian living, there is NO REASON that God will not use
Prophesy to guide, warn or encourage an individual, a Church or even a Nation.
·
Do not scoff at prophecies when you hear them, but test
everything that is said. - Hold on to what is good and discard that which does
not line up with the Fence Posts of scriptures.
1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 - Do not scoff at prophecies
20 Do not scoff at prophecies,
21 but TEST everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.
20 Do not scoff at prophecies,
21 but TEST everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.
(NLT)
Joel 2:28 - Your sons and daughters will prophesy
28 And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
28 And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
(NIV2011)
Revelation 19:10 - The SPIRIT OF PROPHECY bears witness
10 For it is the Spirit Of Prophecy who bears testimony TO Jesus.”
10 For it is the Spirit Of Prophecy who bears testimony TO Jesus.”
Numbers 11:29 – Moses
wished all Christians were Prophets
29 But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” (NIV2011)
29 But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” (NIV2011)
1 Corinthians 14:31 –
Christians potentially can Prophesy
31 For you can ALL prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. (NIV2011)
31 For you can ALL prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. (NIV2011)
1 Corinthians 14:1 - Desire the gift of Prophecy
1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. (NIV2011)
1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. (NIV2011)
John 16:13-15 – Holy Spirit will speak the words
of Christ to us
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.
15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.
15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
(NIV2011)
1 Corinthians 14:39 - Be eager to prophesy
39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. (NIV2011)
39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. (NIV2011)
All Scripture is God-breathed
and is useful
for teaching, rebuking, correcting
and training
in righteousness
(2 Timothy 3:16 NIV2011)
In the multitude of counselors,
there is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:14
I
am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical
information, and scripture verses.
Because of them I can stand on their shoulders and see further that I
otherwise ever could have.
Bible Almanac; The – Packer Tenney White
Harper’s Bible dictionary – Harper and row
Illustrated Bible
Dictionary – Nelson’s
Illustrated Bible
Dictionary; The - Tyndale
International dictionary
of the Bible; The – Douglas – Tenney
Josephus; The complete
Works – William Whiston
Nave’s
Topical Bible
– Nelson
Victory Journey through
the Bible; The - Beers
Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner
Zondervan
Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible; The - Tenney
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