Prophets

In the biblical context, prophets are individuals chosen by God to deliver His messages to the people. They serve as intermediaries between God and humanity, often called to guide, warn, and encourage the people of Israel and the early Christian church. The role of a prophet is both a divine calling and a significant responsibility, as they are tasked with conveying God's will, foretelling future events, and calling people to repentance.

The Old Testament is replete with prophets, including major figures such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, as well as the twelve minor prophets like Hosea, Joel, and Amos. These prophets often spoke during times of crisis, providing divine insight and guidance. For instance, Isaiah prophesied about the coming of the Messiah, saying, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).

In the New Testament, prophecy continues to play a vital role. John the Baptist is recognized as a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus Christ, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him'" (Matthew 3:3). Jesus Himself is considered the ultimate prophet, priest, and king, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies and revealing God's plan of salvation.

The Apostle Paul also acknowledges the gift of prophecy within the early church, encouraging believers to "eagerly desire the greater gifts" (1 Corinthians 12:31) and to "pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy" (1 Corinthians 14:1). Prophets in the New Testament church were instrumental in edifying, exhorting, and comforting the believers (1 Corinthians 14:3).

False Prophets

The Bible warns extensively about the presence and danger of false prophets. These individuals claim to speak on behalf of God but instead lead people astray with deceptive teachings and false visions. The Old Testament contains numerous warnings against false prophets, emphasizing the need for discernment. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 provides a test for true prophecy, stating that if a prophet's predictions do not come to pass, they are not sent by God.

Jeremiah faced opposition from false prophets who contradicted his messages of impending judgment. God declared through Jeremiah, "The prophets are prophesying lies in My name. I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, worthless divinations, and the delusions of their own minds" (Jeremiah 14:14).

In the New Testament, Jesus warns His followers about false prophets, saying, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). He further cautions that false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Matthew 24:24).

The Apostle Peter also addresses the issue, stating, "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves" (2 Peter 2:1). The early church was vigilant against such threats, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine and adherence to the teachings of Christ and the apostles.

In summary, the Bible presents prophets as divinely appointed messengers of God, while false prophets are depicted as deceivers who lead people away from the truth. Believers are called to exercise discernment, testing the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1), and to hold fast to the truth of God's Word.