Points and Scriptures are shared, today, on prophecy and spiritual gifts bestowed upon the church of Jesus Christ. While Jesus fulfilled prophecy by his actions and words, defined divine love and peace for all who would follow him, performed as a spokesperson sent from GOD (we say, prophet), and was the agent of heaven to govern as king and Messiah, his official title among those at the Temple in Jerusalem was merely that of rabbi. At his first coming, the holy writings once spoken of as “the law and the prophets” were being interpreted to be “the law without the prophets.” Given the politics of the times, and increasingly to please the Romans, the Pharisees and Sadducees both were pressured to eliminate the notion that prophecy would be filled on the basis of conditions (blessing and cursing). This implied the covenant of Moses was provided on condition (i.e., strictly upon the basis of obedience); and that the nation’s law was provided only as a loose system for guidance made up of instruction, principles and recommendations that could be applied in commerce and exchange. Jewish “law” and rule could not be seen on the level of one-world government, with codes and systems for legislation imposed upon them by Rome. Law was to be an instrument for assimilation and control, where prophecy was an instrument for faith, relationship, trust, and worship. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Ahsan” (Level 2 with 520 points, a member since January 23, 2015) posted the following:
When Jesus isn't the last prophet?
When Jesus isn't the last prophet then what Christianity says about who will be the last prophet? How many prophets are alive, and where they are?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2: 14-22, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Jesus Given A Divine Ministry? (08/18/2015); Christ Brought A New Nature? (07/15/2015); Fulfilling Divine Law? (07/14/2015); The Decalogue A Moral Guide? (04/15/2015); The Spirit of Truth? (02/11/2015)
“Ahsan”, far from being the last prophet, Jesus Christ may be spoken of as a “father of prophets,” and the one who restored the “school of the prophets” described in the Old Testament. The revelation given to Christ by the Father is to be received, understood and passed on by every member of the church to others. Here are a few points and Bible verses to consider that may be useful as you continue your study:
(1.) Prophecy is a process and spiritual gift being used by divinity for communication, instilling hope (i.e., sacred expectations), responding to consciousness of GOD within the living (we say, adding certainty), and revealing the character and nature of Deity. While both secular and sacred events (we also say, miracles) may be described and made known (e.g., that a virgin would be with child), the function of prophecy is not predicting human history and detailing the future before it occurs. Prophecy declares the will and intent of GOD, and, therefore simultaneously embraces the past along with the future and the present. 1st Corinthians 14: 1-4, King James Version (KJV): 1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
(2.) Prophecy as a sacred gift was first bestowed upon Adam and continued to appear among those serving as priests and Patriarchs. The prayer that all the people in covenant with GOD might have the same gift of prophecy is recorded as coming from Moses at what may be taken as the founding of the Sanhedrin court. Numbers 11: 24-29, KJV: 24 And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle. 25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. 26 But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. 27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. 29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!
(3.) The gifts from GOD to mankind through the new testament in his blood founded by Jesus Christ upon the earth are described being in hierarchy and rank that suggests differences in authority for various offices within the body (e.g., bishops, deacons, disciples). However, within the church status is determined on the basis of humility, meekness (readiness to be directed and learn through the Holy Spirit), and willingness to serve the collective. (2) 1st Corinthians 12: 27-29, KJV: 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
(4.) All the spiritual gifts that are bestowed at no cost to the receivers within the church have been purchased through the suffering, death, obedience, and service of the resurrected Christ as a high priest in the temple of heaven. 1st Corinthians 12: 1-3, KJV: 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
(5.) The gifts of GOD through Christ and the Holy Ghost are not to divide and separate believers on the basis of sacred knowledge, sacred practices (we say, ceremonies, rites, rituals, sacraments), or church organization and policy. Prophecy is to establish unity in the same way as shared praise and prayer, divine proclamation, and sacred promise. 1st Corinthians 12: 7-11, KJV: 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
(6.) There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, The gifts for the church are not provided for the pleasure and satisfaction of the clergy, particular individuals, or of a peculiar class of believer. Prophecy is an evidence of things unseen, and accomplishes multiple works that pertain to creation, judgment, and salvation as well as the transformation of mankind to exist as immortal and incorruptible at the coming of Christ to harvesting his church from the earth. Ephesians 4: 10-14, KJV: 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 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;) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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