I am starting a new series to understand more about the prophets.
In the Bible, prophets are among the most compelling figures, serving as God’s messengers in times of crisis, rebellion, and hope. From Moses to Isaiah to John the Baptist, prophets played a vital role in God’s plan, and their calling offers profound insights for Christians today. But what does it mean to be a prophet? While the prophetic office in its Old Testament form may not exist in the same way today, the essence of prophetic ministry—speaking God’s truth, calling for repentance, and pointing to His redemptive plan—remains relevant for believers.
A prophet, in biblical terms, is someone chosen by God to deliver His message. The Hebrew word for prophet, nabi, means “one who is called” or “spokesperson.” Prophets like Elijah, Jeremiah, and Deborah didn’t speak from their own wisdom but declared, “Thus says the Lord” (e.g., Jeremiah 2:2). They were divinely appointed to communicate God’s will, whether it was a call to repentance, a warning of judgment, or a promise of restoration.
In the New Testament, prophets like John the Baptist continued this role, preparing the way for Jesus, the ultimate revelation of God (Hebrews 1:1-2). The gift of prophecy also appears in the early church, where believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, spoke God’s truth to edify the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:3-4).
While few are called as prophets in the biblical sense, all Christians are called to share God’s truth. Speaking boldly about Jesus and His Gospel, especially in a world that resists truth, reflects the prophetic spirit.
Prophets had a deep relationship with God, often marked by encounters with His presence. Isaiah’s vision of God’s throne (Isaiah 6:1-8) and Moses’ face-to-face communion with God (Exodus 33:11) show that prophets were rooted in worship and prayer. Their messages flowed from knowing God’s heart.
Prophets often faced opposition, yet they spoke boldly. Elijah confronted King Ahab’s idolatry (1 Kings 18), and Nathan challenged King David’s sin (2 Samuel 12). Their courage came from obedience to God, not fear of human rejection.
Though prophets delivered warnings, their goal was to turn people back to God. Jeremiah, known as the “weeping prophet,” mourned for Judah’s rebellion (Jeremiah 9:1). True prophetic ministry is driven by love, not condemnation.
Prophets didn’t just announce judgment; they offered hope. Isaiah’s prophecies of the Messiah (Isaiah 9:6-7, 53:5) and Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones (Ezekiel 37) pointed to God’s promise of salvation. Ultimately, prophets prepared the way for Christ, the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.
As believers, we can cultivate intimacy with God through prayer and Scripture, speak truth with courage and love, and always point others to Jesus, the hope of the world.
With the coming of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the role of prophets shifted. Jesus fulfilled the prophetic office as the perfect Word of God (John 1:1). The Holy Spirit now empowers all believers to hear from God and share His truth (Acts 2:17-18). In the church, the gift of prophecy is for encouragement, edification, and building up the body (1 Corinthians 14:3).
Does this mean there are no prophets today? Some Christian traditions believe the office of prophet, as seen in the Old Testament, ceased with the apostles, while others believe God still raises up individuals with prophetic gifts to speak timely words. Regardless, all believers are called to a prophetic role in the sense of proclaiming God’s truth and living as witnesses to Christ in a broken world.
Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in speaking words that build up others and reflect God’s heart. Whether in a conversation, a sermon, or a social media post, let your words point to Jesus.
Being a prophet wasn’t easy. Many faced rejection, persecution, or even death (e.g., Jeremiah 20:7-9; Hebrews 11:37). Yet, their lives were marked by the joy of knowing God and seeing His purposes unfold. For Christians today, living prophetically—speaking truth, standing for righteousness, and sharing the Gospel—may come with a cost. We may face criticism or misunderstanding, but we also share in the joy of partnering with God’s mission.
Embrace the call to live prophetically by standing for God’s truth in your workplace, family, or community. Trust that God will give you the strength and wisdom to speak with grace and boldness.
To be a prophet, in the biblical sense, was to be a servant of God, wholly devoted to His voice and mission. For us, living prophetically means aligning our lives with God’s Word, listening to the Holy Spirit, and courageously sharing the hope of Jesus. It’s about being a light in a dark world, calling others to repentance and faith, and trusting God’s promises, even when the path is hard.