UNDERSTANDING THE CALL AND NATURE OF THE PROPHETIC MINISTRY
I. The Divine Call
Every true prophetic ministry begins with God’s sovereign call, not the appointment of men. No human leader can make someone a prophet; only God separates and anoints whom He chooses.
Jeremiah 1:4–5: “Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
This shows that prophetic calling is determined before birth. It is divine, not earned or inherited.
Amos 7:14–15: “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of ycamore fruit: And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.”
Here, Amos testifies that his call came directly from God, not through prophetic lineage or training.
II. The Nature and Purpose of the Prophetic Ministry
Prophets are God’s mouthpieces, not self-made voices. They reveal God’s heart, share His counsel, and call people to repentance, holiness, and obedience.
2 Peter 1:21: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
Prophets are moved by the Spirit, not emotions or ambition.
Deuteronomy 18:18–19: “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.”
Prophets are entrusted with God’s words, not personal opinions or imaginations.
III. The Prophetic Role in God’s Plan
Throughout Scripture, prophets played vital roles in shaping nations, guiding kings, warning about sin, and revealing the mind of God to His people.
Hosea 12:13: “And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.”
Prophets are instruments of divine deliverance and preservation.
2 Chronicles 20:20: “And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.”
Faith in God and obedience to true prophetic guidance bring stability and prosperity.
IV. Old Testament vs New Testament Prophets
Old Testament prophets often served as the primary channel of God revelation, since the Holy Spirit had not yet been given to all believers.
Numbers 12:6–8: “And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold.”
Under the Old Covenant, prophets were mediators of divine revelation.
In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is given to every believer (Acts 2:17–18), and the prophetic ministry operates in partnership with the indwelling Spirit within the Body of Christ.
Acts 2:17–18: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.”
New Testament prophets do not replace the written Word but confirm and apply it. They equip and edify the Church (Ephesians 4:11–12).
Ephesians 4:11–12: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
V. Christ, the Perfect Prophet
Jesus Christ is the ultimate and perfect Prophet — the full revelation of God’s heart and mind.
Acts 3:22–23: “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.”
John 12:49–50: “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
Every prophetic voice today must reflect the humility, obedience, and purity exemplified by Christ.
VI. The Prophetic Burden — Holiness, Humility, and Truth
True prophets live in holiness, humility, and truth. They speak only what God says and do not manipulate people for personal gain.
Micah 6:8: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
2 Corinthians 2:17: “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”
Prophets must not sell prayers, charge for prophecies, or build dependence on themselves rather than on God.
Matthew 10:8: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”
VII. The Responsibility of a True Prophet
The prophet must guard his tongue, heart, and motives, understanding that he represents God to the people because God speaks to the people through him .
Ezekiel 33:7–9: “So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.”
The prophet is accountable to God for what he says — both in words and in silence.
VIII. Testing Your Own Prophecy
Before declaring “Thus saith the Lord,” every true prophet must test the word through Scripture, prayer, and humility.
1 John 4:1: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
Five ways to test your own prophecy:
- Is it Scriptural? Does it agree with the written Word of God (Isaiah 8:20)?
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
- Does it glorify Christ? True prophecy points to Jesus, not self (Revelation 19:10).
“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
- Does it produce godly fruit? True words lead to repentance, righteousness, and peace (Matthew 7:16–20).
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
- Does it witness with the Holy Spirit within? (Romans 8:16)
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”
- Does it align with love and humility? (1 Corinthians 13:2)
“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge… and have not charity, I am nothing.”
IX. Conclusion
The prophetic ministry is sacred, holy, and weighty. It is not merely a profession or a platform but a divine trust. The Lord continues to raise true prophets today—men and women who love Him, fear Him, and serve Him faithfully.
Revelation 22:6: “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.”
