Chapter 2 - The Prophets of the Bible (Continued)
New Testament Prophets
Named Prophets
Shortly after the Holy Spirit moved many Greeks in Antioch into believing in Jesus, many disciples came to Antioch, including Barnabas and Saul (before his named was changed) to help in teaching and preaching the gospel message. They remained in Antioch for one year. It was during this time when believers were given the name ‘Christian’. Luke, in the book of Acts, notes that during this time the prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch and one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold that there would be a great famine. So the disciples thought they should, based on everyone’s ability, to send relief to Christians in Judea, which they did (see Acts 11:19-30).
[Message: With the rise of Christian persecution many left Jerusalem, some went up to Antioch and were able to preach to the Greek population. As the church in Antioch grew, prophets came to Antioch and one of them named Agabus prophesied that there would be a wide-area famine. Hearing the prophecy, the people of the church in Antioch were moved “to send relief” (see Acts 11:29, the text doesn’t specify what was sent) to the Christians in Judea that would be hand carried by Barnabas and Saul. Later when Paul was heading back to Jerusalem on his final voyage, Agabus was the prophet who dramatically warned Paul that he would be bound by the Jews and given into the hands of the Gentiles (see Acts 21:7-16). With the validation of the first foretelling coming true, Agabus made an impression with the believers in Caesarea who urged Paul not to leave. But Paul knew that God wanted him to go to Jerusalem (see Acts 20:22-23). This prophecy carries the message that life as a Christian will not be easy. We can ask God to spare the pain or persevere, Paul chose the later, “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)]
God spoke to Ananias of Damascus in a vision. He was to go and find Saul, who just had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and has been blinded. God told Ananias, “For behold, he is praying.” (Acts 9:11b) Ananias queried God as he recognized Saul’s name and knew of his reputation as being a hunter of Christians, but God told him that Saul was His chosen instrument to preach the gospel. Ananias went and laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17b) Saul was then able to see and was baptized. There were two other individuals named Ananias in the book of Acts (see Acts 5:1-11; 23:2; 24:1).
[Message: The story of Saul’s (later his name was changed to Paul) conversion is well documented and repeated in the book of Acts (see Acts 22:6-11; 26:12-18). During his encounter with Jesus he was blinded and somehow, undoubtedly aided by others, made it to a house on a street named Straight owned by Judas (a very popular name during this time, eight people named Judas are mentioned in the New Testament). It should be noted that God specifically told Ananias that Saul was praying. At first, Ananias was concerned as he had heard about Saul’s campaign of terror against fellow believers. But God reassured him that Saul was chosen by Him to “carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” (Acts 9:15b-16) So Ananias went to Saul and laid his hands on him and prayed over him. Immediately something like scales fell off Saul’s eyes and he was able to see again. Perhaps the most important element in this event is to see the power of prayer. Saul was praying undoubtedly seeking God’s healing and guidance followed by Ananias laying his hands on Saul while praying which launched the incredible career of perhaps the greatest teacher and evangelist. Did God need someone to pray over Saul? Probably not. So why send Ananias? To send the message of the importance of prayer, where the heart of man touches the heart of God. He wants us to utilize this incredible privilege of talking directly to our Lord, Savior and Creator of all. The King always has the time for your prayers.]
Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, was a prophetess that lived on the Temple grounds. When Jesus was a newborn, He was taken to the Temple to be presented before the Lord, as required by God’s law. After the sacrifices were made, Jesus was seen by Simeon of Jerusalem (see below) and Anna who gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all that were there (her message is not recorded, see Luke 2:36-38).
[Message: Even though Anna’s message is not recorded, her recognition of Jesus as the Messiah offered verification to Joseph and Mary, Jesus’ parents, as well as to those that understood prophecy and were staying near the Temple waiting for His arrival.]
The nickname of Barnabas was given to a man named Joseph (sometimes called Joses), a Levite from Cyprus. The name Barnabas is explained as meaning “son of encouragement” (see Acts 4:36). Some debate that the Greek ‘paraklēseōs’[1] (translated here as ‘encouragement’), actually refers to “a prophetic word.” Barnabas and his companion Paul were indeed used by God to plant several churches and to bring the gospel message to a great number of people. But, the only reference to a ‘prophetic’ application was when he, along with Simeon of Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manahen, and Paul (still known as Saul at this time, see below) while worshiping, fasting, and praying received word from the Holy Spirit to “set apart” Barnabas and Saul for work He had prepared for them. They then laid their hands on them and sent them off. (See Acts 13:1-3)
[Message: Barnabas, Simeon of Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manahen, and Saul, during a time of worshiping God and fasting, received word from the Holy Spirit to “set apart” Barnabas and Saul to go out and serve the Lord. Then after they were done fasting and praying, the others laid hands on those two men launching their careers as evangelists. While the validation for this prophecy can easily be seen in the book of Acts and several of the epistles, there are a few facts that can be gleamed from these three verses in Acts chapter thirteen: 1) God will come to us when we seek Him (see also Zechariah 1:3; James 4:8); 2) The Greek word ‘aphorisate’,[2] translated in verse two as “set apart,” essentially means “to appoint,” God wanted the other three men to pray over them and bless them as leaders; and 3) The laying on of hands is once again emphasized (the second time for Saul). While this procedure should not be considered ‘formulaic’ (such as something to be done automatically every time a leader is installed), it should be done when prompted by the Holy Spirit. Note that the action of being separated from the world is the definition of a believer as the word ’saint’ (Greek ‘hagios’)[3] means to be set apart (be holy).]
Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, when visited by Mary, the mother of Jesus, the baby immediately leaped inside her. She told Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:42-45)
[Message: Elisabeth reconfirms that Mary is pregnant with Jesus and is overwhelmed with her visit. She tells Mary that her own child, who will be known as John the Baptist, leaped for joy when Mary arrived. While being a little more than six months from conception, John, who will be born with the Holy Spirit (see Luke 1:15), was able to perceive and interact with his mother. Elisabeth then offered a blessing to Mary for believing the angel of the Lord.]
On a few occasions Jesus referred to Himself as a prophet (see Matthew 13:57; Luke 4:24; John 4:44). He of course is a lot more than a prophet as He is God. The entire Bible is about Him and the message of salvation that He made possible for all humans. A list of prophets would not be complete without Him.
[Message: Jesus spoke prophetically on a number of occasions and His miracles more than adequately validated the fact that He was sent by God the Father. His prophecies of future events will be discussed later in this book (see “An Examination of the End Times”). The primary message that Jesus conveyed is salvation is available through Him. Since all of humanity is condemned to hell and there is nothing that anyone can do to change that destination, God the Father sent His Son to die on our behalf. Eternal life with Jesus is available to all those who choose to believe in Him. But His prophetic insight did not stop at salvation, He offers a look into the future, so that we can be informed. Remember John 15:15, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” All Christians, especially those that are devoted to the study of Scripture and are obedient, are friends of Jesus, He has revealed through His Word the future. He promises to be with every believer to the end of the age (see Matthew 28:20).]
God chose John the Apostle to observe and write about the future. While the debate goes on as to when what John reported in the book Revelation has already occurred or is yet future for us today (which will be discussed later in this book, see the “Book of Revelation Commentary”), it truly is a prophetic book, making John a bona fide prophet.
[Message: The book of Revelation provides an ‘end cap’ to not only the Bible, but also to our time prior to eternity starting, it completes the story of salvation. Eternity begins with life as it was originally intended without sin, pain, or any form of corruption. John tells us that the book is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him. That revelation was shown to John who then shared it with us. It is interesting that even though it is the only book of the Bible that promises a blessing, it is one of the least-taught books. God did not need to “let us in” on how the final days will “play out,” but He did. While the prophetic messages are many, there seems to be two primary messages that emerge from John’s writing. The first is that God, being a ‘just’ God, will stop disobedience and condemn those who refuse to accept His offer of salvation. Secondly, is that believers in Jesus should always be ready for His return. This is not a call to “sit and wait,” but to be found doing what each believer has been called to do. To go and tell the world!]
As the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist prophesied the coming kingdom of God. Jesus Himself call John the Baptist, “More than a prophet” (Luke 7:26b) and that up to that time, no one was greater, as he prophesied the coming of Jesus and was able to see His arrival and watch the beginning of His ministry (see Luke 7:24-35).
[Message: John the Baptist himself was the subject of earlier prophecy, who then prophesied about the coming of the Messiah, of which, as already pointed out, was able to see for himself. John the Baptist is mentioned in all four gospel accounts. His ministry started just before Jesus’ ministry began. So, what did he do to deserve Jesus’ praise, “I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John.” (Luke 7:28a)? Considering the many godly men and women recorded in the Old Testament, that is a powerful endorsement! The second half of that verse helps to explain, “Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Luke 7:28b) In the gospels the phrase, “kingdom of God” (except Matthew uses “kingdom of heaven”) refers to believers of Jesus (the church), the beginning of a new covenant, one that freely offers salvation to all people. It would be accurate to call John the Baptist the last of the Old Testament prophets, as the new “better” covenant would soon begin. After four hundred years of not hearing from God, John heralded the coming of Jesus, the people of Judea and Galilee responded.]
The genealogy of Joseph, the father of Jesus, is well documented in the book of Matthew. When he saw that Mary, his wife to be, was pregnant, he thought to himself that he would divorce her quietly to prevent her from being shamed. That night he had a dream where the angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him what was going on with Mary, that he should not divorce her, and that the child she was going to give birth to would be the Savior, and that His name was to be Jesus (see Matthew 1:18-25).
[Message: Not a prophet in the classic sense, as his prophetic insight was mainly for himself. Joseph was to married to Mary, who in his eyes did something unacceptable, that of being unfaithful. After the dream he accepted what Mary was going through and undoubtedly had to endure significant ridicule (in the minds of others only two scenarios were possible, either he ’slept’ with her before marriage, or she had slept with a different man). Prophecy can be for the benefit of one person, here it answered the question of how Mary was pregnant and sufficiently satisfied Joseph to accept Jesus as his own son.]
Jude, the brother of James, and the half-brother of Jesus, wrote the one-chapter book of Jude. He opened his epistle to all believers with a statement that he originally intended to write about their “common salvation” (faith in Jesus), but he notices a serious problem that needed attention instead. False doctrine was penetrating the churches and people were being misled. Jude appeals to believers to contend for the faith as they were originally taught and watch out for those that intentionally seek to destroy and replace the truth with lies. Jesus and each of the epistle writers warn of false teachers and false prophets, and now Jude informs believers they have arrived as they have “crept in unnoticed” (see Jude 4).
[Message: Again, perhaps not a prophet in the classic sense, Jude clearly identifies a serious problem within the church at large and relates the problem as being the subject of previous prophecies. He notes that these false teachers will be harshly judged by God. But in the meantime believers are to persevere and ignore the false teaching. By focusing the attention to several Scriptural references, Jude’s prophetic message is to encourage believers to remain true to God’s Word and when possible “weed out” false teachers from within their midst.]
Mary, the mother of Jesus, whose lineage is recorded in Luke 3:23-38 was betrothed to Joseph, when she was visited by the angel Gabriel. The angel told her that she was favored by God and that she would give birth to a son and His name is to be Jesus. She was also told that He would be called the Son of the Most High and will given the throne of David, and reign over the house of Jacob forever (see Luke 1:26-38). Mary understood her role as she composed what has become known as “The Magnificat” (see Luke 1:46-56).
[Message: Mary hears something truly outrageous, that she has been chosen to bear a child conceived by the Holy Spirit, that will be the Son of God, the Messiah. But Mary understood the privilege, and while possibly overwhelmed with this encounter and incredible news, she immediately turns to praise. In that song of praise, Mary notes how God has been faithful to her people and prophesies how God will continue blessing the offspring of Abraham through her son.]
Paul truly had a passion for God, Jesus, and the gospel message. He was born in Tarsus with the name of Saul (see Acts 22:3), studied under one of the leading Hebrew teachers and both he and his father were Pharisees (see Acts 23:6). Paul became a notorious persecutor of “The Way” (the name early Christians used for themselves, see Acts 9:1-3; 24:14) and considered himself, “a Hebrew of Hebrews” (see Philippians 3:5-6). As a notorious ‘Christian hunter’, he was first feared, but then he encountered Jesus and everything changed. God used him to evangelize, plant churches, and encourage many believers. He endured and faced many challenges in his ministry, including shipwrecks, poisonous snake bites, imprisonment, flogging, and stoning. He also wrote thirteen epistles, nine to seven churches (two churches received two epistles) and four epistles to three individuals (one received two). In several of those epistles, Paul shared prophecy given him. In his second epistle to his protégé Timothy, he offered insight as to how people will become self-centered near the last days (see 2 Timothy 3:1-9), this, and other prophecies will be reviewed later in this book (see “An Examination of the End Times”).
[Message: Paul was both the recipient of prophecy as well as prophesied several times. His prophetic insight of Christian doctrine makes Paul’s epistles essential reading for all believers. For example just in his epistle to the church in Rome we have an understanding of: 1) the sinful nature and future judgment (see Romans 2:5-16); 2) the concept of reconciliation through justification (see Romans 5:9-11; 6:8; 8:1); 3) about how believers become God’s children and co-heirs with Jesus (see Romans 8:12-39); 4) see God’s sovereign will (see Romans 9:10-33); 5) realize that salvation is available now (see Romans 10:8-21); 6) hear about Israel’s future and restoration (see Romans 11:11-12, 22-27); 7) recognize the promise of a blessing (see Romans 12:1-2); 8) learn about the judgment seat of Christ (see Romans 14:9-12); 9) read that Gentiles will be saved and praise God (see Romans 15:8-13); and 10) hear that Satan will be crushed (see Romans 16:20). However, the story of Paul himself should not be forgotten. We all can learn a great lesson from his life as God turned an enemy into a mighty proponent of His. Which should tell us that nobody is impossible to reach. If you have a stubborn loved-one, keep praying for those barriers that are preventing them from accepting the truth to fall.]
Philip the evangelist had an interesting career, the Holy Spirit not only used him to evangelize on a number of occasions, he also ‘transported’ him where he was needed (see Acts 8:39). Once Philip was told to go south on the road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza. While on the road he encountered a chariot that carried an Ethiopian eunuch. The Holy Spirit told him to go over to the chariot, which he did and overheard the eunuch reading from the book of Isaiah (verses from chapter 53). He asked the eunuch if he understood what he was reading. He then explained who Isaiah was talking about and shared with him the gospel message. The eunuch believed and wished to be baptized, which Philip did for him. Then the Holy Spirit transported Philip to Azotus (thought to be the same as the Old Testament city of Ashdod) and preached the gospel to all the towns in Caesarea several miles away (see Acts 8:26-40, see also Acts 21:8-9).
[Message: Philip was an influential evangelist. His career began when the apostles laid their hands on him and six others (see Acts 6:1-7), each were to serve tables and devote themselves to the ministry of preaching the Word. Philip had a successful trip into Samaria where he did many miracles, “So there was much joy in that city.” (Acts 8:8) His healing validated his message, which was gladly received. There are three other individuals named Philip in the New Testament, this Philip is delineated as “the evangelist” for good reason. We read that he came to Caesarea and remained (see Acts 8:40; 21:8). While not a classic prophet, God spoke through him as he boldly preached the gospel wherever he was sent.]
Simeon of Jerusalem was “righteous and devout…and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” (Luke 2:25-26) The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not die until he saw “the Lord’s Christ.” He came into the Temple at the time Jesus’ parents presented Him to God (see Anna above). When he saw the infant Jesus, he took Him in his arms and blessed God saying, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32) Simeon then blessed Joseph and Mary, and then turned to Mary and told her, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35)
[Message: Simeon was a godly man that we know very little about. His ‘credentials’ were impressive as he was considered righteous, devoted to God, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. He recognized the infant Joseph and Mary brought to the Temple as being the Messiah. He proclaimed that the infant Jesus would bring salvation to all people, to the Gentiles and the people of Israel alike. He further prophesied that this baby would cause rifts among the people in Israel and be the source of grief for Mary. His brief prophecy also included the reason behind the rifts and grief, “so that the thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:35b) Jesus’ ministry truly revealed the self-serving hearts of many as He exposed the errors of their ways, as salvation is available through faith in Jesus alone, not of works.]
Stephen as a new Christian, stood in front of several powerful Jewish leaders and walked them through a concise summary of their own history and pointed out how they were like their ancestors by rejecting those sent by God and using their self-importance way of interpreting God’s law to improve their way of life (see Acts 6:8-7:60). Stephen warned them by saying, “As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.” (Acts 7:51b-53) In response they stoned him, Stephen’s final words were, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God… Lord Jesus, receive my spirit… Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:56, 59b, 60b)
[Message: Stephen carried the same message to the Jewish leaders as Jesus did, except now Stephen adds a murder charge. Some might say he was very brave to offer a history lesson in front of so many ‘learned’ men. When you read the whole speech Stephen presented, note that they did not interrupt him until he accuses them of resisting the Holy Spirit and killing those sent by God that bring a message that is contrary to their beliefs. He told them straight out that they were hypocrites, those that claim that the law came from God, but do not keep it themselves. Stephen became the first Christian martyr. His message was not only from God, he also offers the harsh message that has echoed throughout Christian history, that carrying the gospel message can be dangerous and result in death.]
Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was a priest who was considered righteous before God. One day while on duty at the Temple, he was chosen to burn incense in the Temple (likely the Holy Place). While inside an angel of the Lord appeared and told him that he will have a son to be named John. He also told him that he was not to drink any alcoholic beverages and that he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth. But Zechariah questioned the angel and for that lack of belief he would not be able to speak until John was born (see Luke 1:5-25). Shortly after the birth of John, Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:68-79)
[Message: After 400 years of no one hearing from God, Zechariah understood the importance of what was going on and the fact that he was being spoken to by an angel of the Lord led him to be overwhelmed. Although since he questioned what the angel said, he was unable to talk until John was born. But when he was free to speak he quickly praised God and proclaimed that God has provided salvation through the lineage of David, and that his son John would prepare the people for His arrival. That through the mercy of God, this coming “horn of salvation” (see 2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 18:2, a horn in the Bible is an emblem of power and strength) will give light to those in darkness and in the shadow of death, guiding their feet into the way of peace.]
Unnamed People Who Prophesied
-Two unidentified witnesses in Revelation chapter eleven. These two witnesses are given significant power and supernatural abilities. We read in Revelation, “They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.” (Revelation 11:6) Due to their unique powers, many have speculated that they are Moses, who had experience turning water into blood (see Exodus 7:19), and Elijah, who had previously shut the sky (see 1 Kings 17:1; Luke 4:25; James 5:17). These two witnesses will be discussed later in Book of Revelation Commentary.
People Who Prophesied With No Message Recorded
-Early in the books of Acts, several church leaders met in Jerusalem to discuss essential Christian doctrine. A decision was made to remove the burden of the law of Moses off believers with the exception of abstaining from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood. When the letter containing these new instructions arrived in Antioch, many rejoiced while Judas (known as Barsabbas) and Silas, being prophets who accompanied the letter, encouraged and strengthened the believers with “many words” (see Acts 15:22-35).
-Philip the evangelist had four daughters that prophesied (see Acts 21:9).
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[1] Strong’s Greek 3874.
[2] Strong’s Greek 873.
[3] Strong’s Greek 40.