Think on this! “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”…”Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these things were true.”… “Surely Yahweh does nothing without revealing his plans to his servants the prophets.” (Matthew 24: 36; Acts 17:11; Amos 3:7)
Pray on this! Gracious Heavenly Father, be pleased to answer the prayer of Jesus who asked you to “Sanctify them by the truth…your word is truth.” Grant that we may search the Scriptures daily to know that truth. And grant the revelation of your plans to your servants the prophets that they may correctly instruct your people. In Jesus name, AMEN
We know that since the Temple was destroyed, Prophesy has left the world. All prophesy since Moses can only happen in Israel. (Even Ezeikiel received his prophesy in Israel). A prophet can only be from a man, totally immersed in his learning and separated from all worldly occupations. He will be seen and known by his holy language that will be checked and verified by the sages of his generation. It will also come with no fewer than 2 witnesses who will be told that this prophet speaks the truth. We can be sure that there is no prophesy by these loudmouths in the US. This is all spelled out in the Rambam in his Halachot on fundamentals of Torah.
The prophet Daniel was not in Israel when he prophesied about Nebuchednezzars kingdom and several other kingdoms to come, including the last ones. Remember also the handwriting on the wall and his interpretation of it, and how it came to pass. Jesus was prophet, priest, and king. He answered his cousin John the Baptist when John was in prison and asked if Jesus was the one of prophecy that the Jews were waiting for. His answer mentioned some of the things he had been doing–things the Messiah would have done. Jesus prophesied about his coming death, his resurrection, and about future events concerning the nation of Israel and also the end times.
Thank you Jim;
Although we do not know the time… HE says we will know the seasons… and yes, we need to study as the Bereans.. and not listen to men! Maranatha… Susan in Israel
Rabbi Baruch, with all due respects, Pastor David Wilkerson of Times Square Church in Manhattan was a modern-day prophet. He has gone Home now, but he was spot on with the prophetic words he gave. He had a number of visions, all of which came true and he wrote a couple books about these visions. You can probably still find them on amazon.com He would not have fit your criteria for a prophet but he fit YHVH’s as written in Torah.
I am only relating to what the G’mara reflects and as we have as a tradition coming from Moses, that there are criteria for ‘prophesy.’ After Billam, there were no more non-Jewish prophets. Daniel and Ezekiel, who prophesied outside of Israel had their prophesy in Israel, or learned in Israel sufficiently to receive prophesy. However, we do have what we call ‘holy spirit’ that does exist today in many people, but to reach the level of prophet, where we know with 100% certainty of the truth of their words, there are very clear and testable criteria which don’t happen today. Anyone else may make true predictions, but the Bible says not to listen to these people, they will give signs and perform wonders, but if they are not true prophets of G-d, we may not follow them, regardless of how many correct predictions they give, it is possible that at least one will be false. How will you know which is correct and which is not correct, so even these people may deceive you.
Great discussions. Here are a few Scriptures to consider:
(1) “Everything you want men to do to you – you do those things to them – for THIS IS the law and prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
(2) Yeshua said the greatest commandment is, “Love Yahweh your God with all your heart, soul and mind. THIS IS the first/greatest commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commands hang ALL THE LAW AND PROPHETS.” Few make it a passionate goal to LOVE God, AND others – no doubt the gift most needed. Humans are more excited about striving to tell the future. It may be why God withholds it.
(3) Luke 16:16: the LAW and PROPHETS WERE UNTIL JOHN (the Baptiser): since that time the Kingdom of God is preached. We believe with a full heart in the coming of Messiah to fully establish that Kingdom and we believe that Messiah is the same Yeshua who was born in Bet-Lechem (Bethlehem).
Meanwhile, the New Covenant instructs there are prophets today, varying gifts & diaconates (ministries, services), all coming from the Spirit of the Holy One. (2 Corinthians, chapter 12), dispersed as God sees fit. Among these are wisdom, knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, etc. Prophesy (vs. 28) is on the list of God’s gifts, defined by “bringing forward, predicting, speaking under inspiration.” In Hebrew Scriptures “navi” means, “prophesy, inspired one.” Certainly followers of Messiah Jesus are to seek to prophesy, but under authority with two or three and with a “judge” there to add further balance. This would include inspirational words preached in accord with the Scriptures and if God allows, a word about things to come – but never the day or hour. Only the Father knows that (Matt. 24:36).