The Gift of Prophecy in the Last Days
One inquirer asked the following questions.
Is prophecy in the last days. If yes, who can have it?
I've listed here important topical considerations that should help people
better understand why there are no true "prophets" of God on earth
today.
A proper definition of
"prophecy"
Most
think of prophecy as foretelling a future event being inspired by the Holy
Spirit. However, prophecy in its most general meaning is to "speak under
inspiration" of the Holy Spirit. Strong's Help defines prophecy (propheteuo)with " to foretell
events, … speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office
:- prophesy." Also W.E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament
Words: “Though much of O.T. prophecy was purely predictive, … prophecy is not necessarily, nor
even primarily, fore-telling. It is the declaration of that which cannot be
known by natural means, … it is the
forth-telling of the will of God, whether with reference to the past, the
present, or the future ...” Notice what Paul says prophecy is in I Cor. 14:3,
"But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and
consolation." The word "edification" means to build up
spiritually. When one exhorts they implore one to take heed to what they've
said. And the consolation means "comfort." Most do not think of
prophecy in the first century as being these as one spoke under
inspiration.
A proper definition of “the
last days,”
Many people find it interesting to learn
that Peter preached that “the last days” had begun on the day of Pentecost
recorded in Acts 2. Look carefully at his message: Acts 2:15-17, “For these are
not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third
hour of the day. [16] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet
Joel; [17] And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,I
will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters
shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall
dream dreams.” Do you see that Peter said the events recorded
in Acts 2 was “that” which the prophet Joel spoke of when said “it shall
come... in the last day.” Therefore we have been in the “last days” since that
day recorded by Luke, Pentecost, which took place in the first century. The
“last days” are the Gospel or New Testament dispensation. They were in the last
days when the church was established on the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts
2, and the last days will continue until the end of time when the Lord comes
again. (2 Peter 3:10)
Concerning “prophecy"
in the last days,
The apostle Peter in his sermon in Acts 2
taught that men would prophecy during this period of time by quoting the
prophet Joel in Acts 2:17-18. The word
“prophecy” means “to speak under inspiration.” The apostles of Christ spoke “by
inspiration” being guided by the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul said concerning
the words of the Gospel they preached that “God revealed them to us through His
Spirit” (I Cor.
We also find that “prophecy” was one of the
gifts of the Holy Spirit enumerated in I Corinthians 12:8-10. Prophecy, as a
spiritual gift, appears here along with speaking in tongues, the word of
knowledge, and various other spiritual gifts. Notice that there were nine
spiritual gifts in all that were given to the infant church: 1. the word of
wisdom, 2. the word of knowledge, 3. faith, 4. gifts of healing, 5. working of
miracles, 6. PROPHECY, 7. discerning of spirits, 8. different kinds of tongues
(languages), and 9. the
interpretation of tongues.
The apostles had all of these “spiritual
gifts” having received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost
as recorded in Acts 2:1-4. This was in fulfillment of the promise of the Holy
Spirit that Jesus gave them in John
Spiritual
gifts were given through the laying on of the apostles hands,
We learn more about spiritual gifts in Acts
chapter 8. Here we find that the Apostles had the power to “lay their hands” on
others and impart to them the nine spiritual gifts mentioned above in I
Corinthians 12. When we study Acts 8:5-24 about the conversions in the city of
Samaria we find that some people heard the Gospel, believed in the Deity of
Jesus, and were baptized in order to become Christians (Acts 8:12). Simon, who was formerly a sorcerer, was also
baptized and became a christian
(Acts 8:13). The only miracles being performed here were by Philip the
evangelist. You read about Philip earlier in Acts 6:5 along with other men who
were “full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3). Look carefully not in Acts
8:14-16. Although Philip converted many to Christ and they had become christians they had not received
the Holy Spirit because the Bible says, “For as yet He had fallen upon none of
them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus” (verse 16). Acts 8:14-15 tells us that Jerusalem sent two
Apostles, Peter and John, to these new Christians in Samaria to pray for them
“that they might receive the Holy Spirit.” Now notice carefully, friend, HOW
they received the Holy Spirit. In verse 17 it says that the Apostles laid their
hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Here is what Simon saw as
recorded in verse 18: “And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the
apostles hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, (19) saying,
“Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy
Spirit.“ They rebuked Simon for this! The only men who were Christians in the
first century that we know of who had this “power” to impart the gifts along
with the gift of prophecy were the Apostles! Once again, how were the spiritual
gifts imparted? Answer: through the laying on of the apostles hands. All of the
Apostles have died and there is no one on earth who has this power today.
Spiritual
gifts were of a temporary nature and of limited duration,
In the book of I Corinthians, after Paul
introduced the topic of spiritual gifts in I Cor. 12:1, he enumerated the
spiritual gifts in the church at Corinth, nine in all, in verses 6-11. Just as
we’ve studied. Then in I Cor. 13 he CONTINUES his discussion of spiritual gifts
which we’ve learned were given “through the laying on of the apostles
hands.” He explains to them, as christians,
in I Cor. 13 that these gifts were of a temporary nature and of limited
duration. He tells them that the time would come when these gifts would fail,
cease, and vanish away. Read 1 Cor. 13:8, “ Charity
never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they
shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be
knowledge, it shall vanish away.” Paul prepared them for the time when prophecy
would fail. The word fail means to “come to” or “bring
to an end.” He said the tongues (as a spiritual gift) would cease! And told
them plainly that the
spiritual gift of
knowledge (I Cor. 12:8) would vanish away. After the Apostles who had
the power to give these spiritual gifts through the laying on of their hands
died, and those on whom they had laid their hands died, these gifts died with
them.
The
knowledge God wants us to have is perfect or complete being recorded in the
scriptures,
Learning that spiritual gifts have ceased
does not mean that God has left us without His knowledge, for God’s Word is
recorded in the holy inspired Scriptures. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 says, “All scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That
the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished
unto all good works.” The Bible fully equips the christians and furnishes us with all the things God
wants us to know in order that we might please Him! When the Word was fully
written down by inspired apostles and prophets in the first century then upon
their death the spiritual gift of prophecy ceased! James tells us in his
epistle that we have the “perfect law of liberty” which is the New Testament or
will of Christ. (Matt. 26:28) The apostle Paul told the Corinthians in I Cor.
13:9-10 that they then “knew in part and ... prophesy in part” referring to
that time when men had spiritual gifts. You can see the parts listed in chapter
12:6-11. The word was revealed through the “gifts” in part as needed. However,
he says in I Cor. 13:10, “But when that which is perfect has come, then that
which is in part will be done away.” That which is perfect refers to the
completed written Word. This reference, in context, is not speaking about the
second coming of Christ. It is referring to the completed written revelation of
God's new covenant. Also consider that Jude 3 tells us "the faith was once
for all delivered to the saints." The faith is not still being
"delivered" for it was completely delivered in the first century.
Now, either the scriptures are able to make the man of God perfect as Paul says
or they are not. There are no "prophets" of God today and men today
who claim to speak by "inspiration" are truly liars and frauds. There
is nothing that they could possibly tell you that God has not already revealed
in the written word. As one preacher put it, If they
tell you more than is written they tell you too much; if they tell you less
then they haven't told you enough! When
the Word was completely written down for all men for all time then the gifts
ceased with the death of the Apostles just as we’ve studied. There are no
“prophets” today and men today who claim to speak by “inspiration” of the Holy
Spirit truly are in need of this simple bible lesson!
The
perfect law and the perfect man go together in the New Testament,
The two are connected in Eph. 4:13 where all
may come to a unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a
PERFECT man. The word "perfect" simply means "mature." The
time did come when the knowledge that was imparted in "parts" here
and there was completely revealed and written down. Thus the scriptures are
able to make us complete, thoroughly furnishing us unto every good work. (2
Tim. 3:16-17).
Let's look more closely at this point. Paul
taught that the various gifts and functions Jesus "gave" after his
ascension were so we might come to perfection. Christians, through obedience,
study and practice (application) grow up in Christ Jesus and become rooted and
settled. I've put certain words in capitals for emphasis throughout this study.
In Eph. 4 Paul said this is what happened after Jesus ascended into Heaven:
Ephes.
4:11-16,
And he gave some, apostles; and some,
prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the
PERFECTING of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the
body of Christ: [13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, UNTO A
PERFECT MAN, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness
of Christ: [14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [15] But speaking the truth in
love, MAY GROW UP INTO HIM IN ALL THINGS, which is the head, even Christ: [16]
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which
every joint supplieth, according to the effectual
working in the measure of every part, maketh increase
of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
What
kinds of perfection (completeness) came after Christ ascended and the church
was established?
I've listed some points to review. Consider
the importance of each one of these:
1. The
apostles were guided into all (not some or part)Truth,
Jo.14:26; 16:13.
2. The gospel
they preached is the "perfect law" of liberty, James 1:25.
3. The faith
was "once for all" delivered, Jude 3.
4. The
scriptures are able to make us complete, "thoroughly" furnishing us
unto every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
5. The christian may come to a “perfect”
or mature man in Christ Jesus, Eph. 4:13.
The
change from when men were inspired to when men do not speak by inspiration can
be seen in certain statements,
I don't claim to have the "gift"
of prophecy else I'd be a liar and a false prophet (I Cor. 13:8-10. None of my
preaching brethren make such a false claim. The purpose of the
"signs" (miraculous power and inspiration) in the first century was
"to confirm" that the word was from God.(Mark
16:15-20) We now have the word that has been confirmed written down. The
difference today between those who teach and preach as evangelists, pastors
(elders), and teachers (in Ephesians 4:11) and those who were
"apostles" and "prophets" (Ephesians 4:11) is that with the
completion of the New Testament scripture prophecy passed away, I Cor. 13:8-10.
Today the church of Christ has men who teach, and men who when qualified serve
as elders or pastors (you can read their qualifications in I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus
1:5-9) and preachers or evangelists. But these men don't claim to be
"inspired" today like when the apostles were alive.
This change can be seen
in why Peter wrote his epistles,
Now look at this, please. 2 Peter 3:1-2,
"This second epistle, beloved, I now WRITE unto you; in BOTH which I stir
up your pure minds BY WAY OF REMEMBRANCE [2] That ye MAY BE MINDFUL of the
words which WERE SPOKEN BEFORE by the
holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
Peter was leaving this earth soon and
going on! He was WRITING so that they could be MINDFUL of the words which were
SPOKEN BEFORE by the holy prophets, and of the commandments of the apostles of
the Lord. You can see in that statement that "inspiration" would
cease one day. Peter was REMINDING them of these things (2 Pet. 1:12) even
though they were well taught. (Compare Jude 17; Rom. 15:15) The very word
“remember” says a lot! Today we turn to the inspired written word in order to
be reminded of the words of Christ and the apostles.
This change can be seen
in Paul’s statement,
Ephes. 3:1-5
"For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of
Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, [2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the
grace of God which is given me to youward: [3] How
that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few
words, [4] WHEREBY, WHEN YE READ, YE MAY UNDERSTAND MY KNOWLEDGE in the mystery
of Christ) [5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as
it is NOW REVEALED UNTO HIS HOLY APOSTLES AND PROPHETS by the Spirit;"
Paul says when we READ we can have his
knowledge in the mystery of Christ. When Paul wrote he was REMINDING them just
as Peter was when he wrote, and Paul was when he wrote his epistles(Rom.
15:15). Both of them warned chritians about false
teachers and brethren ( 2 Peter 2:1; Rom. 16:17-18) who would teach contrary to
the doctrine they LEARNED from inspired men (Rom. 16:17).
This change is seen in
the pattern left for Timothy,
Paul told Timothy (a preacher) in 2 Tim.
4:1-5,
"I charge thee therefore before God,
and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his
appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] For
the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their
own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And
they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto
fables. [5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
This is the work of a preacher (evangelist).
Preachers are to preach only the Word because it is able to furnish us
completely! The social gospel that is so popular today does not fit the charge
Paul gave for preachers. Timothy was
to hold fast to the pattern of sound words which he HEARD from Paul, 2 Tim.
1:13. And he had the responsibility as a preacher to commit these to other
faithful men who would be able to teach others. This is how it works, my
friend. 2 Tim. 2:2, "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many
witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach
others also."
Conclusion: The only place to conclude is to
say that all things are written in the Scriptures that thoroughly equip us and
furnish us completely to every good work. (2 Tim.
3:16-17) We are to preach the Word right from the Bible. The people today who
are saying they are prophets are liars and frauds. And those who will look for
inspired prophets of God today or in the future are ignorant. They are ignorant
of what Paul taught the Corinthians, “Whether they be
prophecies they shall fail.” (2 Cor. 13:8-10)