Today’s Bible Study – The Five Fold Ministry- The Prophet continued
As we look further into the gifts and the office of the Prophet we can find events in the execution of this service that reveal severe trial and sacrifice.
As explained in the preceding post, the Prophets role is to let people know when they are in violation of GOD's laws. While executing the duties of this office the cost can be great.. consider the Prophet John, the forerunner to Jesus many Prophets render a similar fate;
Mark 6:18
For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
The consequences:
Mark 6:24
And she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."
Mark 6:27
Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison,
In order to endure the demands of the office preparation is required. It is not unlike a soldier going to war that recognizes that there are difficulties ahead and is therefore required to train. Only after the training is completed is the soldier released into warfare. Preparation for this office produces discipline and obedience.
The Prophet cannot be carried away by the world’s lust; He is wholly devoted to GOD. The discipline for this ministry is not brought about by necessarily a self imposed discipline. God Himself is the disciplinarian for HIS servant. Through circumstances orchestrated by our LORD a purging of the carnal impulses will occur. This purging produces a Godly humility and a Godly discipline in the character of the Prophet.
I find the life of Moses to be a clear representation of the process of preparation for GOD's servants:
Num 12:3
(Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth.)
Did Moses decide one day that He was going to just be humble from now on..??? No, not at all, humility was something acquired and learned through circumstances in the life of Moses. The Prophet spent 40 years estranged from his people in the wilderness until the LORD called HIM from the burning bush..
I cannot emphasis enough that this office is an appointment solely from the LORD. Also, it is not unlikely that the Prophet remains single because of a lifestyle focused on pleasing the LORD alone.
Once the Prophet completes the necessary preparation we find someone very sensitive to the moving of GOD’s Spirit. We also find a person very obedience to the promptings of the LORD and we find someone the LORD can trust. The Prophet now moves in the authority of the Lord and in the accompanying power of the LORD. The results have produced a servant of the LORD to be both feared and respected.
GOD’s Prophet has a very close relationship with the Lord and because of this relationship the Prophet, endures challenges that are inevitably forthcoming. This ministry is so vitally important the LORD declares that the church is founded on the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ Jesus being the chief cornerstone.
We have seen that GOD's Prophet is oftentimes marked for death. Our world and the enemies of GOD, within this worlds system target the Prophet of GOD for extermination. The death of any servant of God can only happen however with GOD’s permission and for the ultimate fulfillment of GODs purposes.
For example, if we take a moment to review GOD’s will in the death of Jesus we find the higher purpose of GOD being established. We find out that if the enemies of GOD had known the intent of GOD in the death of Jesus they never would have crucified our LORD. And this astounding wisdom from GOD is many times the will of GOD for the Prophet.
John the Baptist's (Who was Elijah the Prophet as well) death was fulfillment of Prophecy and therefore the purpose of GOD stands solid and infallible;
Matt 17:12
But I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know or recognize him, but did to him as they liked. So also the Son of Man is going to be treated and suffer at their hands.
Matt 17:13
Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them about John the Baptist. [Mal. 4:5.]
Today Prophets, again do and did exist in the 20th century, There are countless names and stories ; but let me name a few;
Watchman Nee, Jesse Penne Lewis, and William Seymour for example.
Perhaps we can provide a short bio of these servants of the Lord at a future date.
