In the Old Testament, and some in the New Testament, there were prophets of God, who could speak the mind of God to the people and who could speak of things to come. People such as Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, David and others from the Old Testament were used mightily of the Lord. In the New Testament, there were prophets such as John the Baptist (Luke 7:28), Agabus (Acts 21:10), Philip’s four daughters (Acts 21:8-9), and others.

In the church, we read of the gift of prophesy given to some in Ephesians 4:11, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” The Apostle Paul spoke of the value of love by saying in 1 Corinthians 13:2, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.” While he is speaking of love here, he also mentions the existence of the gift of prophesy in his day. Do we still have those kinds of prophets today? Does the scripture tell us whether this ability to prophesy and predict the future still exist today? I believe that the scriptures speak plainly of it.

Let’s read Ephesians 2:19-22, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” These verses speak of how that we, as believers, are a habitation of the Lord. We read in 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” While individuals are also spoken of as the temple of God, Paul is speaking in a collective sense here. The body of Christ, the church as a whole, is the temple of God. Notice that this temple, this building is “built upon the FOUNDATION of the apostles and prophets…” It is the apostles and New Testament prophets that laid the foundation of this holy temple.

As most of us know, when a foundation to a structure is built, you do not put another foundation on top of it. No, rather you build upon it. Paul speaks of this in 1 Corinthians 3:10, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed HOW HE BUILDETH THEREUPON.” The foundation has been laid and we build upon that foundation. There is no need today for ‘foundational gifts’. There work, having been completed, is over. We build upon the foundations the apostles and prophets laid. There is just no need today for someone to be able to predict the future. We have a complete Bible that has all we need to know. We do read of prophesy in 1 Corinthians 14:3, “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” This gives us the definition of prophesy that is for us today. Instead of ‘foretelling’ events to come, we ‘tell forth’ the good news of the Word of God. Prophesy for today is for “edification, exhortation, and comfort.” How necessary that is for us today. EDIFICATION removes weakness. EXHORTATION removes sluggishness, and COMFORT removes sadness.

Who is it that has the ability to offer that kind of prophesy today? 1 Corinthians 14:31 tells us, “For YE MAY ALL PROPHESY one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.” Every believer, as led of the Lord, and offer prophecy today. Words or messages that will edify, exhort, and comfort the Lord’s people. How we need that today! May we all wait upon the Lord and allow Him to use us to prophesy to one another. (235.10)