THE PROPHETIC MINISTRY (2)

“As He spoke by the mouth of His holy PROPHETS, who have been since the world began” – Luke 1:70

The crying need for our time includes THE PROPHETIC MINISTRY: “As He spoke by the mouth of His holy PROPHETS, who have been since the world began” (Lk.1:70). The prophetic has been since the world began, and still is. It’s not just about certain persons bearing the title, “Prophet.” The ministry also transcends foretelling – a predictive, futuristic function. It unveils full, original, and ultimate Purpose of God in and through His people. The prophetic often arose as response from God to the course and drift of things among His people.

The prophetic ministry is the Voice that interprets the Mind of God to His people. Prophets, as His representatives, speak on God’s behalf. They carry an intense desire for the ‘Word of the Lord’ and stand in the gap seeking to give birth to this Word. The functions of the prophet usually comprise awakening and recovery. The prophet comes to set up that which is upset; and to call into line those who are out of line!

Austin Sparks writes in the book, ‘Prophetic Ministry: A Classic Study on the Nature of the Prophet’:

“He marches to another drummer! He breathes the rarefied air of inspiration. He is a “seer” who comes to lead the blind.

He lives in the heights of God and comes into the valley with a “thus saith the Lord.”

He shares some of the foreknowledge of God and so is aware of impending judgment. He lives in “splendid isolation.”

He is forthright and outright, but he claims no birthright. His message is “repent, be reconciled to God or else...!”

His prophecies are parried. His truth brings torment, but his voice is never void. He is the villain of today and the hero of tomorrow.

He is excommunicated while alive and exalted when dead!

He is dishonored with epithets when breathing and honored with epitaphs when dead.

He is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, but few “make the grade” in his class.

He is friendless while living and famous when dead.

He is against the establishment in ministry; then he is established as a saint by posterity.

He eats daily the bread of affliction while he ministers, but he feeds the Bread of Life to those who listen.

He walks before men for days but has walked before God for years. He is a scourge to the nation before he is scourged by the nation.

He announces, pronounces, and denounces! He has heart like a volcano and his words are as fire. He talks to men about God.

He carries the lamp of truth amongst heretics while he is lampooned by men. He faces God before he faces men, but he is self-effacing.

He hides with God in the secret place, but he has nothing to hide in the marketplace.

He is naturally sensitive but supernaturally spiritual. He has passion, purpose and pugnacity...”