WE LIVE IN A TIME both informed by and yet disproportionately influenced by reason, intellect, and science. This began with the “Age of Enlightenment” of the early eighteenth century, and has been a dominant force shaping especially the worldview of the western cultures since that time. From then to now, Theism has morphed into Deism, Existentialism, and into the Nihilism that is the underlying shaping force of the evolving Post-and-Post Post Modern worldview. The Agrarian Age gave way to the Industrial Age, and from there to our currently blended Ages of Technology and Information past which looms the Age of Artificial Intelligence. The ‘voice’ of the current culture is not one, but those whose “name is Legion, for we are many . ” (Mark 5:4) It is a very confused voice, having knowledge but not wisdom, purpose without a vital direction, and which has focus, but not clarity. It is the voice of ancient Babel, when “the Lord confused the language of the whole world” (Gen. 11:9), inherited and replicated in our times. In any given moment it is the voice of both individualism and isolation, idealism and division, and promise and chaos. It is a voice without prophetic unction, reaching for the stars, but having turned its back on God.
The prophets of the O.T. spoke as they were directed by God. “The word of the LORD came to Abraham…to David…to Nathan…to Gad…to Jeremiah…to Ezekiel…to Haggai…to Zechariah.” In every case, whether the prophecy was to a man or a nation, God’s voice is spoken to achieve a particular outcome. “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isa. 55:10-11) Most often, that purpose is to call people to himself, and away from a path of woes. And more often than not, the people, from the king or the priest to the common man, do not listen and heed the word of the LORD. The path forks, and the path taken leads to a destination with a sign saying “Disaster, This Way.”
In the N.T., Peter tells us “we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2 Pet. 1:19) His voice speaks beyond initial repentance as a call to a disciplined life in Jesus Christ, one that is made fruitful for the glory of God. Both Peter and the ancient prophets call us to a different path. Their voices have always spoken of the greatest voice of the prophets, the one who says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) This same voice promises, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” (John 14:13) Paul, both an Apostle and a prophet himself, says that we who are becoming mature should “should eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” (1 Cor. 14:1) Peter, however, cautions us that “prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet. 1:21) And Paul furthers our understanding. “Everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who prophesies edifies the church.” (1 Cor. 14:3)
So as you and I live out our lives in a confusing age, where are the prophets of God today? We have many self-proclaimed prophets. Some are from the chaotic voices of the culture, blaring out financial or political truth claims. Some are from highly publicized and televised Christian churches, blaring out the message that God loves you and wants to bless you; some are charlatans, some are well-intended. But Jesus warned us, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.’” (Matt. 24:3-5) The question is not “who is speaking the revelatory word of the LORD, and how do we find them?” Instead, the unction of God is upon all who are called into a disciplined relationship with Jesus. All of us are to “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Tim. 4:2)
The prophetic word of the LORD today is what it has always been. His purpose was veiled in the O.T. but revealed in the N.T. That purpose is the redemption of all mankind who will listen from the power of sin and the sting of death. “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Eph. 2:4-5) That great goal of God has already been achieved in and through Jesus, and that is the ultimate and finished word of the voice of true prophecy. That finished word is a finished work in the heart of every true believer. If we ‘eagerly’ desire to prophesy, realize this: It is God “who gave some to be prophets, to prepare God’s people until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God.” (Eph. 4:11-13)
Q. Am I “salt and light” (c.f. Matt. 5:13) in a world dark and putrescent?
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