the Word the prophets will speak

The Word for today:
Deuteronomy 22, 23


The basic, unadorned definition of a prophet is that he speaks the word of another.

Thus Moses was God's prophet. He spoke the word of God.

In the same way, Aaron was Moses' prophet:

So the Lord said to Moses: "See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet.” (Exodus 7:1)
Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. So he shall be your spokesman to the people. (Exodus 4:15-16)

Yesterday, we became fore-telling prophets. Just like Moses and Isaiah and Hosea And Daniel and Zechariah, we foretold the future. (You, too, can be a fore-telling prophet. Just Read yesterday's article to find out how it's done.)

Today, we are going to find out how to become forth-telling prophets…

The church-era prophet is a forth-teller, giving out the Word of the LORD as it was already spoken through Moses, Samuel, David, Matthew, Paul, Peter, etc.

The church-era prophet, then, is very much in the position of Aaron the prophet.

Canonical Prophets.
No more prophets like Moses, Isaiah, Zephaniah, Zechariah, etc. will arise. That is, prophets whose words are canonical--to be included in scripture (see Revelation 22:18).

If a prophet claims new revelation from God on the level of canonicity (that his words should be considered scripture) that prophet is false. Jesus was the fulfilling, culminating Word (Hebrews 1:1-2).

The fore-telling prophet had to speak into a local situation so that the truth (or falsehood) of his prophecies could be tested:

You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?" If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18:21-22)

The words of the church-era prophets are to be tested against every word that proceeds from the mouth of God--against every verse of scripture (2 Peter 1:20, 2 Timothy 2:15).

The forth-telling, church-era prophet will teach Christ crucified--the price God paid to expiate sin. (See 1 Corinthians 1:23.)

He will teach Christ according to scripture (1 Corinthians 5:3-4).

Survival guide:

The fore-telling prophets were tested when they predicted something in the near future that the people could verify.

Today, the prophet tells forth Jesus, according to scripture. If today's prophet is not teaching Jesus according to scripture, then he is a false prophet.

So who is Jesus, according to scripture?

He is God, the eternal Son of the eternal Father; He entered humanity via a virgin womb;
He performed miracles, the Creator with the means to direct His creation to His chosen ends;
In the power of the Holy Spirit He lived a sinless life;
He died for my sins according to scripture, and rose again the third day according to scripture.
He will judge the living and the dead.
Of the increase of His kingdom and peace there will be no end.

He is the Word the prophets will speak.

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