Prophet is the oldest Ministry in the Bible (see Gen 20:7). They are chosen/handpicked, by GOD to be his mouthpiece. GOD will use them to speak to The Church of GOD or the Children of GOD concerning his will, to give instruction, or guidance, to pass judgment on a matter, etc. GOD has used them and will use them to instruct Kings and Nations. As he has used them then so he is now. However, man has sought to remove this Ministry from the Church.
I Cor 12:28 says “and GOD hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondarily prophets…Is there another scripture where GOD hath removed them from the Church? No. What has happened is that many don’t understand the Ministry or its operation within the House of GOD. Some are afraid of this ministry because GOD can use it to call them out or expose their mess. Prophet can be male (prophet) or female (prophetess). GOD uses them for The Church to bring exhortation, edification and comfort. He can also use them to rebuke if required. 22 books of the Bible are from the Prophets of GOD and yet we just discount them and the ministry of prophet. In Ephesians 4:11 we see this is a Ministry that Christ hath given to The Church.
There are ministers today that are being called into this ministry but operate in another ministry (teacher or evangelist) because they don’t understand their calling, nor have they been taught about the prophet ministry. Everyone today is trying to be an evangelist. Just as the Church today is pushing tongues, when not all are going to speak with tongues (I Cor 12:30). Paul also tells us to desire spiritual gifts but rather that ye prophesy (I Cor 14:1). In I Cor 14:5 the Word states that greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret… (see the study; Concerning Spiritual Gifts).
The Ministry of Prophet has been placed within The House of GOD to help build up the Church and to insure the Church is going in the direction The Spirit of GOD is leading. They are also there to keep things out of The Church that could hurt or damage the Children of GOD. They guard against false prophets that would mislead The Children of GOD. In the Old Testament the prophets would speak and say “Thus sayeth The LORD.” In the New testament we now see prophets speak and should be saying “Hear what The Spirit hath to say,” or “Thus sayeth the Holy Ghost.”
If GOD has called someone into the Ministry of a Prophet (prophet or prophetess), they will have “The Gift of Prophecy,” abiding in them continually and not be just given to prophecy (from time to time as some other ministries are). There are standards that apply to prophets (see I Cor 14:29 -32), such as; “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” That which was spoken of in Deuteronomy 18:18 – 22 concerning the prophets of GOD and false prophets still applies today. The “Fear of The LORD,” should be upon his prophet, and if it is they will speak only as The Spirit of GOD is leading them to speak and not speak in self. Which some will say whatever they want to say and do whatever they want to do.
There are many who claim to be the Prophet of GOD yet do not understand the ministry of a Prophet, nor how to be used by GOD so that he might be glorified. Though the examples of a Prophet are given within the Word of GOD they refuse to “read” and “study” the Word and conform to what GOD has set in order. When a prophet does not understand who they are, they become a liability rather than a blessing to the Body of Christ and The Children of GOD. They then go about to do their own thing or begin to “wing it;” say what they want to say or do what they want to do (a loose cannon). This is not GOD! It is also a stench in GOD’s nostrils. A true Prophet of GOD will only speak as the LORD leads or when given to speak by the Spirit of GOD. They will know “when to speak, how to speak, what to speak, where to speak and who to speak it to. They will know how to go before the LORD to get an answer. They will never be out of order or be a disruption to the Body of Christ. They will be able to guard The Body of Christ against “False Prophets (those attempting to mislead the Children of GOD).”
A Prophet is a ministry from the Lord that one is chosen to serve in. It is second to the Apostles according to the order given in 1 Corinthians 12 Chapter. It is not one of the more honored ministries; not by the Lord, but by how man and the religious world sees it. In the Old Testament you see the Lord use them mightily to speak his will, set things in order, establish, appoint and ordain, even Kings. They were not only honored but feared because the Children of GOD trusted when they spoke it was no doubt of the Lord and it would come to pass.
But to be a Prophet as with all ministries you must be chosen by the LORD. Knowing the Father has prepared you for a work very unique from all other ministries. A ministry that requires lots of praying, seeking and standing alone. Dedicated to hearing the Spirit of the LORD and GODs voice and ready to be used and speak, “Hear what the Spirit hath to say,” or “Thus sayest The Holy Ghost!” Bold but humble. Focused and determined to deliver what the LORD would have you to say and nothing else even in the face of death.
It is no mistake that most of the Old Testament is about Prophets being used by GOD. It is no mistake that in the Old Testament Our LORD Jesus was prophesied by prophets. It is no mistake that most scriptures quoted today are from the mouth of the prophets as the Lord used them. They are essential to our new covenant as much as they are and were to the old covenant. Why do you think the devil has tried his best to down play their role in the House of GOD and destroy their role in today's time? This is because of their value to the House of the LORD.
So, what is a prophet? They are either a “Born Again” man (prophet) or woman (prophetess) of GOD. Consecrated and ordained for the work of speaking as the LORD’s Ambassadors and Oracles. Endowed with power from the LORD, with all the authority of this ministry. It is not a job nor a position but a calling. A ministry for checks and balances for the entire Body of Christ. For prophecy and prophesying. They are subject to one another and used to guard against false prophets.
The nature of these “called” individuals is normally a more serious one. Picked from the ranks to serve when others are trying to discount who they are. To be ready to take the backlash when the message isn’t one that someone would like. Taking a stance for righteousness at all cost. Chosen to walk an unpopular path even among the children of GOD but honored.
A Prophet is the “Mouth Piece of GOD!” They can be male or female. Many males today do not want to be a Prophet of GOD or will not accept their calling, because they feel the ministry is not glamorous enough. Not understanding that this ministry started out as a predominantly male ministry (see the Old Testament, GOD used them mightily and will do the same today). To be a true Prophet of GOD, you must have a spiritual relationship with GOD. You must be willing to seek GOD’s face and be willing to hear from him and what he has to say. Some things given by GOD are hard (to understand, or to go forth and speak). There is no middle man between a Prophet and GOD. What they receive is given directly from GOD. This is why they must be in tune with The Spirit of GOD in order to hear from GOD and to be used by GOD. How is this done? A prophet must be able to separate the noise in their life in order to be in tune with The Spirit. The enemy is constantly sending and creating distractions/noise in their life in order to keep them offline (family, job, relationships, finances, spouse, children, etc.), and out of tune with The Spirit of GOD. When you are focused on the things of this life and this world, it is impossible to focus on the things of GOD, or to receive from GOD! A prophet must be able to separate themselves at times in order to hear from GOD. They need to have a closet (a secluded place) to get with GOD (at home, and/or away from home) to communicate with GOD and to hear from GOD.
All praise, all glory, and all honor be unto GOD the Father and Our LORD Jesus Christ! It is good to learn and to teach and to be taught in GOD according to and by The Spirit of GOD. GOD has given unto us, “The Apostles of the Most High GOD” to train the Ministers of The Most High GOD, according to The Word of GOD and by The Spirit of GOD, that they might be able to serve him in Spirit and in Truth! That the Ministers in turn will be able to train “The True Born again Children of GOD,” how to serve him in Spirit and in Truth, according to his mighty Word. In order to do this, they must understand who they are in GOD that they may be able to serve GOD and the Body of Christ.
If you believe that GOD has called you to be his Prophet, and are teachable and willing to learn and GOD has sent you to this study, the study will cover the following:
Exodus – Moses relationship with GOD as a Prophet
Leviticus – GOD’s directions to Moses
Numbers – GOD’s direction for The Body
Deuteronomy – Moses providing Order and structure for The Body
Joshua – Obedience to GOD
1st Samuel – How GOD chooses us
2nd Samuel – GOD will have a Prophet
Nehemiah – Seeking GOD
Isaiah – Willing to be used by GOD
Jeremiah – Willing to speak for GOD
Ezekiel – Dreams and visions
Daniel – A Prophet will not compromise
Hosea - Speaking to The Children of GOD
Joel – Understanding The Word of The LORD
Amos – GOD can use anyone
Obadiah – Receiving visions from GOD
Jonah – Are you a runner
Micah – GOD can show us the future
Nahum – The Power of GOD
Habakkuk – GOD will reveal things to us (hard things)
Zephaniah – the punishment of GOD for wickedness
Zechariah – Repentance
Malachi – The curse for disobedience to GOD
The Remainder of the Old Testament
All of The New Testament
GOD the Father has blessed the Prophets of GOD with many examples of a Prophet throughout his Word. It is inexcusable for a Prophet to say, “I didn’t know.” It should be that important for a Prophet to want to learn their Ministry/Craft and how to serve GOD according to The Word of GOD and in Spirit and in truth. I pray that as a Prophet of The Most High GOD you will give GOD his due, and learn to be a blessing to him and the Body of Christ.
