“IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets, [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order]. He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high,”
Hebrews 1:1-3 (AMPC)
The Language of God
Long time ago – in the past God spoke through the prophets, at different times in different ways, but in our generation, He has spoken through His Son. The plan of God concerning man was displayed through Jesus. He is the power of God. He is the nature of God. He is the plan of God.
Jesus is not a prophet but God speaking through Him to us. Recent prophecies have become a hindrance to the growth of the church and made followers irresponsible. The believers future is not dependent on the “prophets” or the “prophesy”.
“And [Jesus] said to them, O foolish ones [sluggish in mind, dull of perception] and slow of heart to believe (adhere to and trust in and rely on) everything that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary and essentially fitting that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer all these things before entering into His glory (His majesty and splendor)? Then beginning with Moses and [throughout] all the Prophets, He went on explaining and interpreting to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning and referring to Himself.”
Luke 24:25-27 (AMPC)
Jesus came as the message of the Scripture Himself. He is the Word made flesh
“And [Jesus] said to them, O foolish ones [sluggish in mind, dull of perception] and slow of heart to believe (adhere to and trust in and rely on) everything that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary and essentially fitting that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer all these things before entering into His glory (His majesty and splendor)? Then beginning with Moses and [throughout] all the Prophets, He went on explaining and interpreting to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning and referring to Himself.”
Luke 24:25-27 (AMPC)
Faith brings one to a place of salvation
Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy. [At the same time] you receive the result (outcome, consummation) of your faith, the salvation of your souls. The prophets, who prophesied of the grace (divine blessing) which was intended for you, searched and inquired earnestly about this salvation.”
1 Peter 1:8-10 (AMPC)
All the prophets saw a season of Grace through Jesus. When God became a man, He fulfilled all the prophesies and plan concerning a man. All we need to know is the Son of God and His message and all the plans of God concerning us will be fulfilled. In the knowledge of Christ, prophesies are just a bonus!
So, then the question is: Do we need prophets in our generation? – YES – To equip us in the knowledge of Christ so that we can do the work of Ministry and grow spiritually.
“Therefore, it is said, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive [He led a train of vanquished foes] and He bestowed gifts on men. [Ps. 68:18.] [But He ascended?] Now what can this, He ascended, mean but that He had previously descended from [the heights of] heaven into [the depths], the lower parts of the earth?
And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers.”
Ephesians 4:8-9, 11 (AMPC)
“[That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.”
Ephesians 4:13 (AMPC)
We have to all reach to the fullness of the growth in Christ. Is the judgement of God under our nation? Are the locusts and the signs we see a judgement of God. The bible says, “Christ died for us while we were still sinners.” Judgement in biblical definition is the absence of God.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR RESTORATION?
1. The preaching of the message of Christ and His Grace in church. Not just limited to the “prosperity gospel” or that of “deliverance”. Our minds must be tuned to think about Christ. Money, career, and earthly prosperity have no spiritual gain or eternal reward.
“Whoever is in Christ, is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come.”
2. The definition of Church must change. We must be active and committed in the church by not being destroyers but builders of the church or ministry. We must commit to loving each other and helping in the hour of need and to the progress of church