Got Prophets?

What comes to mind when you hear the word “prophet” or “prophecy”?
Many people think back to ancient times where special individuals hear something from God and relay the message to others, often in regards to future events. There is a section in the Old Testament specifically organized by major and minor prophets. These include Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. The designations of “major” and “minor” refer to the length of the book not necessarily the importance of the prophet. Common perceptions of prophets may include being super holy, ascetic, reclusive, judgmental, moody, and downright strange.

Often our knowledge of prophets is relegated to Sunday School stories and an occasional sermon referencing a passage from one of these books. Growing up in the church, the only understanding of prophets and prophecy I acquired was a mysterious and almost mythical perception of prophetic ministry isolated to a time period before Jesus. Special characters were chosen to interpret dreams, predict the future, and perform bizarre symbolic acts as instructed by God. After Jesus was born it seemed that prophets were unnecessary and God discontinued this method as a way of communicating with people. This erroneous thinking was strengthened by a misinterpretation of Jesus’ own words that the “Law and Prophets were until John”. (Matthew 11:13; Luke 16:16) Jesus said he did not come to abolish the Law and the prophets, he came to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). I falsely believed there were no more prophets because they were no longer necessary. The truth is that prophetic ministry is still necessary and is meant to be carried on until Christ returns. God raised up prophets after Jesus ascended to heaven and He continues to do so even today in order to proclaim his Kingdom and guide the Church into the fullness of her destiny.

"It is you who are the sons of the prophets..." Acts 3:25 (NASB)