While the Bible forbids seeking such information from soothsayers and others, God does reveal significant future events to His prophets, making God Himself a PROPHET. The people He used make an extensive list. Think of Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Deborah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Micah, etc.
Prophecy is a communication from God to the people through a chosen person, inspired by God’s Spirit. These messages words were sometimes about contemporary issues and sometimes looked ahead to the distant future. Because God was the source of their words, He is the ultimate Prophet.
False prophets were people whose perspective was not from God. They were tested: Did their predictions come true? Did what they say fit with the revealed Word of God? Is that spokesperson living a God-fearing life? If any one of these were not true, then that person was not to be heeded. This test is still valid today and tells us much about the prophecies of God. They come true; they fit with all of Scripture; and God is a selfless, pure and holy God.
While a list of fulfilled prophecies is convincing, it will not fit in this space! Nevertheless, I am convinced that God keeps His Word. I’m also convinced about the tests to the point that sportscasters predicting game outcomes and politicians predicting vote winners makes me laugh. Even though He has the prerogative to reveal it, only God knows the future 100%.
In the NT, a prophet can be one who predicts events beforehand (as in foretell) and many NT authors pointed to current events as being fulfilled prophecies. Yet the primary meaning is someone who proclaims the truth with God’s authority (tell forth). The people said this of Jesus, and Jesus said it about Himself.
Matthew 21:11. And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Luke 13:33. “Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.”
Again, the words of any prophet was to be carefully weighed because false prophets were and still are in existence. Jesus said in Matthew 7:15. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” He added in Matthew 24:11 and 24, “And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray . . . . For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” For this reason, the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:29. “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.”
However, this also tells me something about God. He cares that I hear the truth and am not led astray by falsehood. Those who tell lies have selfishly driven ulterior motives; God does not. God does miraculous things to glorify His Son, not to deceive me. Also, He created the church, His family of believers, so we can protect one another using the discernment He gives. If the Holy Spirit is behind any prophetic declarations and interpretations, there will be harmony.
GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. I’ve found that, like faith, there is sometimes a strong sense of ‘just knowing’ that something will happen, yet I never feel these thoughts are to be broadcast. In the eyes of others such announcements sound weird at best and almost witch-like at worst. If He reveals or just hints personal future events, they are for my benefit and can be faith-builders. However, I know that God is wanting me to live in the now, being and doing His will as He has revealed it. As for the future, most of what He declares is mysterious, hard to interpret, yet whatever it means, it is certain. Even if I cannot make sense of it, as my mom used to say, “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it.”
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