The ministry of prophecy 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, often 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.
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, and when those faithful messages were unheeded_as was too often the case, alas_there followed further revelations concerning the punishment of the guilty. These principles abide for us now, the same as in Old Testament times. God’s government does not change.
The second 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 Israel has a special place and the other nations are in relation to them. 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 take place 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 God by His servants foretells future events. 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 who 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 our souls concerning further portions yet to be fulfilled.
But we do not need prophets now to bring new and fresh revelations to us, for Scripture is completed (Col. 1:25). 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 Peter 1:19). The whole purpose of God has been given, and the Word of God now in our possession is the believer’s prophetic chart to guide him unto the end.
There is, however, an aspect of prophecy that abides, namely, presenting the mind and will of God to His people. As already stated, this is not from any new revelation from God, but the bringing out from the Word of God needed truth according to the condition of God’s people. If chapters 12 through 14 of 1 Corinthians are carefully read, the place of this ministry will be clearly seen; they who prophesy now, whether in the assembly of God’s people or otherwise, will be those who bring home to the hearts of His people the mind of God from the suited portion of His Word for present "edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1 Cor. 14:3).
Would that we felt and realized now the need of such a ministry as the apostle pressed upon the assembly at Corinth in 1 Cor. 14! May there be among us everywhere a revival of this much-needed ministry of prophecy, a ministry that will keep the mind of God before us, so as to preserve us from the influences which prevail at the present time.
Evil doctrines abound and multiply in seductive forms to seduce the weak and those young in the faith; the ministry of the Word of God alone can build up and fortify them against the rising tide. Worldliness in a multitude of forms is seeking to press in to the destruction of piety; and that not only here and there, but in most places. To check this and reprove it with such ministry is so very necessary! When this is neglected, little by little forms of teaching neither wholesome nor edifying are liable to develop. If the neglect continues, the Christian standard of walk is lowered, worldly associations are formed, and the words of the prophet may be applied:"Woe to them that are at ease in Zion" (Amos 6:1). Are there not many gatherings of the Lord’s people which bear this characteristic mark? Where this is true the world comes in, and devotion and spirituality depart.
"Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy" (1 Cor. 14:1). These words throw much light on the need and use of this ministry in the assembly. Evangelists may preach the gospel and sinners be saved; teachers may expound the Word, and many be enlightened; these gifts have their God-given place, for which we can be truly thankful, yet they can never supply the ministry of prophecy.
For a gathering of God’s people to maintain a true Christian testimony, there is need of more than the evangelist, more than the teacher. The Word must not only be preached and taught; it needs also to be applied; and this is prophesying. This ministry appeals especially to the conscience, so much so that even unbelievers coming in are searched by it (1 Cor. 14:24,25).
Oh, for a revival of the ministry of prophecy in the power of the Holy Spirit among us everywhere, so that the standard of true spirituality of life and heart may be on a higher plane, and freshness and devotedness take the place of indifference and worldliness. We need the exercise as individuals_prayerful exercise of heart_as to what first pleases the Lord Jesus, the Holy and the True; then, by those thus exercised, both men and women, private prophesying from house to house, between individual and individual (Acts 21:8,9; 1 Cor. 11:5); and also in the assembly of God’s people, with the men only participating (1 Cor. 14:23-40).
"Wherefore, brethren, covet [or desire] to prophesy. . . . Ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted [or encouraged]" (1 Cor. 14:31,39).
(From Help and Food, Volume 29.)