The Spirit of Prophecy in Light of the Cross

In 1 Corinthians 12 we read about several gifts God has given His church to help edify and build it up. Many are surprised to find that the gift of prophecy is one of the gifts mentioned (verse10). Prophecy in the biblical sense is so much more than just predicting the future. It is also having a message from Jesus-bearing His testimony, “for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). Ephesians 4:1-13 tells us that after the Cross Jesus gave the church several gifts including the gift of prophecy. Paul knew that just as Jesus and the prophets were not accepted in their time and place that many in his day and our day would reject the idea of someone having the gift of prophecy, so he wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:20,21 “Despise not prophesyings” but rather “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” We know that is sound advice as John has warned us in 1 John 4:1 “because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” So let’s take a look at how both the Cross and the Sacred Scriptures reveal a true prophet from a false prophet.

What are God’s thoughts or plans for us?

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

How can we receive the prosperity God has planned for us?

Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 2 Chronicles 20:20

Jesus gave His life so that we “might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly” (John 10:10).  If Jesus loved us enough to die for us so that we may have a prosperous life, shouldn’t we believe in Him and His prophets to ensure that prosperity?  Let’s continue our look at God’s Word concerning how to know if a prophet actually has a testimony from Jesus.

There are three common misconceptions about the qualifications of a prophet. One misconception is that in order to be a prophet you must have written a book of the Bible. This is clearly not so, as the Bible refers to John the Baptist as a prophet and yet there is no record of him writing anything, much less in the Bible. The second misconception is that the gift of prophecy ended when the last apostle died. This is clearly not so as Joel 2:28-31 tells us before Jesus comes people will have dreams and will prophesy. The last common misconception is that the gift of prophecy was only given to men, but we see in Exodus 15:20 and Judges 4:4 amongst other places that women had this gift as well.

How does Jesus say we can we tell a true prophet from a false prophet?

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15-16

When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that [is] the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, [but] the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. Deuteronomy 18:22

A prophet from God will not be 50% or even 99% accurate but will be 100% accurate in prophecy.

Will a true prophet contradict the Bible or Commandments?

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.  Isaiah 8:20

Of course if a new prophet is presented to us we need to be careful. No one should expect us to accept or reject a prophet overnight. It takes time to test and prove the prophets with an open mind, examining both their teachings and life to see if they are in harmony with the life and teachings of Jesus. This is what happened in Bible times as well. The first writings we had were of Moses. He was the established prophet. So when others such as Amos or Daniel and others came along all they taught was compared against the writings of Moses. Moses was the greater light and they were the lesser light pointing to that greater light. Once it was determined that they were in harmony with Moses’ prophecies then they too were established as the greater light. So when the New Testament writers came along their teachings were at their time considered the lesser light pointing to the greater light of the Old Testament prophets. Now that their writings and lives have been found in harmony with the life and teachings of Jesus they too are considered the greater light. Now today those who truly have the gift of prophecy are considered the lesser lights pointing to the greater light of the Bible.

Will a true prophet point out sin?

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.  Isaiah 58:1

This is the reason so many prophets were rejected and persecuted in Bible times. This is also why so many prophets are rejected today as well. But if we are humble like David, (2 Samuel 12:13, Psalms 51:4) and look to the Cross our hearts will be broken and will heed the words of the prophet who points us to the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross for our sins.

In Acts 8 Philip a prophet meets a man who is reading Isaiah. He asked Philip if the prophet is speaking of himself or some other man. Philip then teaches the man about Jesus whose death the prophet Isaiah was prophesying about in chapter 53. John the Baptist also prophesied of Jesus coming, to take away our sins (John1:29). As well as did Daniel in Daniel 9:24-27, as he foretold of Jesus coming to die for us. So it is today with anyone who has the gift of prophecy. They will point out and warn of sin as well as pointing sinners to the Cross and salvation.

What did the prophet Paul want to make known among the Corinthians?

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2

Did his preaching of the Cross go along with his life?

For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.  Philippians 1:21

Did the prophet Paul glory in himself or in the Cross?

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.  Galatians 6:14

So today, anyone with the gift of prophecy will testify of Jesus both in word and in life and their teachings will be in harmony with the rest of the gospels. Most of all, they will point others not to themselves but to the Cross. “The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary. I present before you the great, grand monument of mercy and regeneration, salvation and redemption--the Son of God uplifted on the cross. This is to be the foundation of every discourse given by our ministers”--Gospel Workers, p. 315.

Will you heed God’s instruction in 2 Chronicles 20:20 and believe in God’s prophets so you may prosper and enjoy the life Jesus died to give you?