Prophets And The Gift of Prophecy

God Needs a Good Press Secretary

he prophetic gift represents one of the most endearing gifts God has given to “those who are called by God to be His prophets” (Revelation 19:10).

God introduced us to His gift of prophecy in the garden of Eden during the discourse with the Godhead, Adam, Eve, and the Serpent (Genesis 3).

There, in that moment, God prophesied His plan for humanity and the end of the Serpent (Satan). Rather than a forbidden, eerie taboo or practice, God endowed this gift with meaning and power, bequeathing it to men and women in the history of His church from the beginning.

…For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus” (Revelation 19:10, NIV).

In the organizational structure of God’s redemption wheelhouse, and to keep communication flowing with humanity despite the barrier sin created, God chose intercessory “Press Secretaries.”

We have seen this terminology before in government such as the White House and other organizations.

This is a model found in the Bible, when God chose men and women to speak to His people on His behalf. Here is a Kingdom definition: God’s press secretary, is the senior human official (prophet) who oversees the communication of the Godhead and who communicates on behalf of the King of Kings in days of old, down through the ages, in modern and end times across print, broadcast, and internet channels. God’s press secretary is appointed by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and testifies of Jesus.

2 Peter 1:20-21 (NIV) “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
Numbers 12:6 (NIV) “he said, “Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams.
Amos 3:7 (NIV) “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
Hebrews 1:1-2 “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.”

Diversity In The Gift of Prophecy

There are 40-plus prophets mentioned in the Bible, but it is imperative to note that the office of the prophet was not gender exclusive. God chose both Holy men and women who had close relationships with Him to be His spokesperson to the people.

Deborah rose to lead Israel, both as a prophet and judge:

“Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time” (Judges 4:4).

In the New Testament, Anna heralded the arrival of Christ:

“There was also a prophet, Anna… She never left the temple but worshiped night and day… and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:36-38).

God’s press secretaries, His prophets, are not extinct! They are present, diverse, and Spirit-filled, called to amplify God’s voice in every generation.

And most decisively, the prophecy of Joel 2:28-29, fulfilled in Acts 2, makes it clear:

“‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.’”

In addition, the role of the prophet who carries the Spirit of Prophecy or the Testimony of Jesus is not taken lightly by God, and a stern warning and judgment awaits anyone who despises or assigns violence to these chosen men and women beginning with Abel son of Adam “…[F]rom the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all” (Luke 11:51, NIV).

Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) believers consider these biblical teachings consistently presented from Genesis to Revelation. The Scriptures affirm that the Testimony of Jesus proclaimed by the office of a prophet is revealed in the church until the end of time. Further, Scripture supports the working of the gift in relatively modern times, as was “manifested in the life and work of Ellen G. White.

Just as the Bible has written accounts of prophets in the Old and New Testaments, the spiritual gift continued beyond the pages of the Bible and is an identifying sign of the remnant church foretold in the book of Daniel and ratified in Revelation 12:17, NIV:

“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” God’s press secretaries, His prophets, are not extinct! They are present, diverse, and Spirit-filled, called to amplify God’s voice in every generation.

The only question that remains is: are we listening…today?

Latoya Hazell-Alcide, MDiv

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