Prophet: True and False

The word prophet has been very misunderstood by Christians today, especially among the charismatic preachers. Some dared to call themselves "Prophet" so and so, and take pride in it. They even dared to advertise themselves with their photos on a large billboard, on news and magazines. But the prophet the Bible reveals are meek, lowly, and humble. Therefore, the study on this subject is important. The message on "CHRIST—THE TRUE PROPHET TYPIFIED BY MOSES" from the Crystallization-study of Deuteronomy has shown me great light.

There are five burdens in that message as follows:

1. What or who a true, or real, prophet is?
2. Moses the prophet, who is a type of Christ the Prophet.
3. Know Christ the Prophet.
4. Paul, the counterpart of Moses, the chief prophet in the New Testament, the one who completed the word of God (Col. 1:25).
5. Know who the false prophets are.

Some key Bible verses are the backbone for the proper understanding of who and what the true prophet is.

Deuteronomy 18:15-19A Prophet will Jehovah your God raise up for you from your midst, from among your brothers, like me; you shall listen to Him. This is according to all that you asked of Jehovah your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear any more of the voice of Jehovah my God, and let me not see this great fire any longer, lest I die. And Jehovah said to me, They have done well in what they have spoken. A Prophet will I raise up for them from the midst of their brothers like you; and I will put My words in His mouth, and He will speak to them all that I command Him. And the man who will not listen to My words which He will speak in My name, I Myself will require it from him.

Acts 3:22-23 Moses said, “A Prophet will the Lord your God raise up unto you from your brothers, like me; Him shall you hear in whatever things He speaks to you. And it shall be that every soul who does not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.”

Acts 7:37 This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, “A Prophet will God raise up unto you from your brothers, like me.” 

Amos 3:7

Surely the Lord Jehovah will not do anything unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. 

2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of one’s own interpretation; For no prophecy was ever borne by the will of man, but men spoke from God while being borne by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit. 

1 Corinthians 7:10 But to the married I charge, not I but the Lord, A wife must not be separated from her husband 

1 Corinthians 7:25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who has been shown mercy by the Lord to be faithful.

1 Corinthians 7:40 But she is more blessed if she so remains, according to my opinion; but I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 14:31 For you can all prophesy one by one that all may learn and all may be encouraged.  

Having known who the true prophet is, there is also a need to know who the false prophets are.

False Prophets

1. First, the characteristic of the false prophets is that they are actuated by the spirit of deception (1 John 4:6; Jer. 14:14; 23:25; 27:10, 14; Ezek. 13:8); that is, their prophecies are filled primarily with lies.
2. Second, they promise people vain and fleeting prosperity and pleasure (Jer. 6:14; 14:13, 15-16; 23:17, 21; 27:9; 28:16; Ezek. 13:19).
3. Third, they are greedy (Jer. 6:13; Micah 3:11)
4. Fourth, their teachings are somewhat religious on the surface but actually help people to do evil (Jer. 5:31; 23:14, 27, 32; Ezek.  3:22).
5. Fifth, we should discern prophets not by their preaching or the fact that they can perform signs and wonders but by checking the fruit of their work (Matt. 7:16-20).
6. Sixth, false prophets have received some kind of special inspiration to do their work; however, that inspiration is not the Holy Spirit. The source of the words is darkness and deception.
7. Seventh, they are wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing (v. 15).

Therefore, there is a stern warning concerning the false prophets: 

2 John 10 and 11, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not say to him, Rejoice! For he who says to him, Rejoice, shares in his evil works.” This is a very serious warning concerning heretical and false teachers.

The conclusion is, first, we need to regard God’s prophets. Second, we need to live a life of prophesying, a life in the principle of incarnation, that is, a life of oneness with the Lord where both His word and the anointing abide within us. Finally, we also need to beware of the false prophets lest we be led astray.

This learning from the ministry of the word was very helpful to me. I have shared the same to the saints I am fellowshipping with and am shepherding. Praise the Lord for such a healthy word!