This ministry had a special place in the Old Testament as well as in the New. It furnished the people with a direct link with God. He communicated His mind and will to the people by the means of His servants the prophets.

There were times when He made His mind known by dreams and visions; then again by the medium of angels; but in the ministry of prophecy, the prophet had a special nearness to the Lord; to him He revealed His secrets (Amos 3:7) and to him communicated His messages to the people. This fact the woman of Samaria recognized when the Lord read the secrets of her life before her:" The woman said unto Him, Sir, I perceive that Thou art a prophet" (John 4:19).

The ministry of the prophets has a dual form, both in the Old Testament and in the New.

First. When the Lord communicates His word it has a present day application to His people-a ministry for both their heart and conscience according to the need. If the prophecies from Isaiah to Malachi are read with care, it will be readily seen that a large part of them take this form. They are by no means confined to predicting future events. Only a part looked forward to the future; much that fills them was a searching ministry from a faithful God to His people-a people who had, alas, of ten wandered from the truth already given, and known by them. And in this we learn how grieved He was on account of their neglect of the truth already known, or their departure from it. By means of the prophets He sent searching messages concerning their sins; then follow the tender heart-yearnings of a Saviour-God. who desired their return of heart to Himself-their restoration.

This form of prophecy, which dealt with the present state of the people, is as truly telling out the mind of God-as all prophecy does-as foretelling future events. Anyone can see this.

In this first form of prophecy the principles of righteousness were never overlooked when there was departure from God. The need of repentance was pressed, because grace then as now must be through righteousness. When those faithful messages were unheeded by them, as was too often the case, alas, then there followed further revelations (all consistent with God's perfect government) which necessitated the punishment of the guilty. He held the rod, and at the proper time inflicted the chastening. These principles abide for us now, the same as in Old Testament times-through all dispensations alike. God's government in this does not change.

Second. The other form of prophecy is concerning the, future-a foretelling of what is in the mind and will of God toward His people Israel, and the other nations of the earth. In the plans and purposes of God, unfolded in this, Israel has a special place; the other nations are in relation to them. Prophecy in this form embraces the whole world, with the land of Palestine for its center. In these prophecies we are furnished with light and truth concerning the judgment of the wicked on the earth, whether among the Jews or among the nations. None are exempt. In the New Testament prophecies apostate Christendom will not escape. Their light has exceeded that of past dispensations; their
privileges have been greater, and their judgment will be correspondingly greater. (See Rom. 11:13-26 ) After this judgment of the wicked upon the earth -which will be when the Lord again returns to the earth-there will follow the establishment of a kingdom upon earth in which men, Jews and Gentiles, will do the will of God on earth as in heaven.
In this form of prophecy, as all can see, God by His servants foretells future events. In all these communications the things to come are opened up for all who have ears to hear, and that with no uncertain sound. All the outlines are given with such precision, with such detail and perfection, that it commands the admiration of all that reverence the word of God; and so much of what has thus been predicted along the way has already been fulfilled, fulfilled with such accuracy, that not a doubt can lurk in their souls concerning further portions yet to be fulfilled.* *If the "Higher Critics" understood this fact, that prophets " spoke of things that be not as though they were," hundreds and even thousands of years before their fulfilment, they would have no difficulty about prophecy, and never need to name a second Isaiah nor second Daniel of Post-Captivity.*

But we do not need prophets now to bring new and fresh revelations to us, for Scripture is "completed " (Col. i:25, margin). What we need now is to search the prophetic scriptures, and learn from them what God has said. They are as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn and the morning star arise (2 Pet. i:19).

If we do not need prophets now to furnish new revelations, we yet need teachers from the Lord to open up the Scriptures already given, and to rightly divide the truth which we possess. These gifts, Christ, the Head of the Church, has furnished, and will furnish to the end of the Church's stay upon earth.

In the written word of God we possess the mind and will of God for the present and for the future, and for the two spheres of blessing-heaven and earth. It also distinguishes between' the blessing of the Jew and of the Gentiles-to be given to each by and by. It gives both the calling and destiny of the Church, which is the body and bride of Christ.

This double form of prophetic ministry it is important to observe. The overlooking of the distinction has confused many minds. The second has ceased. The first abides; and our next article will (d.5:) give it due consideration. A. E. B.