Monday, March 21, 2016

Ever Met a Prophet?

My first expectations might be older man; long, dusty robe; an understanding of God's word as though he had written down at least part of it, and other characteristics along those lines. Of course, we don't know that the prophets were aged when their calling began. It seems likely that Isaiah and Jeremiah at least were somewhat younger when they began receiving the word of the Lord. As for the long robes, Ezekiel did some of his prophetic work in the buff. Nathan apparently didn't go for the writing thing, and some of the others had such short messages that their time as prophets may have been but one long afternoon in May of the year 725 BC. Daniel on the other hand received his prophecies spread out over a big span of years as kingdoms rose and fell around him. The prophets make for an interesting study in and of themselves.

So, no, as far as I know I have not met an Old Testament-style prophet. How about an angel? Okay, there's a whole new bag of characteristics to look for. Meeting an angel or a prophet would be a story to tell, as well as being just plain cool. But angels and prophets cannot save me, only Jesus can do that. As John drew near to the end of the Revelation, he was probably more than a bit overwhelmed by the mighty angels and great signs and big events he had witnessed. In verse 19:10, John goes a bit too far:

And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

John will make the same mistake again before the Revelation closes. It may seem strange to our sinful selves to think of prophets and angels as our fellow servants, but we worship God and His worship we must not give to a fellow created being.

Have a great week in Christ!
Bucky

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