The prophets were ordained since their mother's womb to the designated purpose and ministry (Jer. 1:5). At first they were called "seers", because they saw visions (I Sam. 9:9, 18). They received the inspiration while seeing a vision, and so brought forth the revelation from God (Jer. 1:11+12). The Word of the Lord always came to the prophets, "And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream" (Num. 12:6). A true prophet is a mouthpiece of God. Like John and the rest he would need to have the "Thus saith the Lord" for his day. All who would receive such a prophet and embrace his ministry would be given a prophet's reward (Mt. 10:41). The Lord himself said, "Do my prophets no harm" (I Chr. 16:22; Ps. 105:15).

The Old Testament prophets were until John; from that time the Kingdom of God is being preached (Lk. 16:16). This Scripture is sometimes used to defend the idea that God would not have a prophet in the New Testament period. But John himself was a prophet, Symeon was a prophet, and Jesus, our Lord, gave the promise, "Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes…" (Mt. 23:34; Lk. 11:49). The word "scribe" here certainly does not refer to anyone who sat at the feet of Gamaliel. "Then said he unto them, Therefore, every scribe who is instructed concerning the Kingdom of heaven is like a man that is an householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old" (Mt. 13:52).

Anyone who reads the Book of Acts will find the trace of various prophets, ministering in the churches (chs. 11 + 13). In ch. 15:32 we read, "And Judas and Silas, being prophets…". In I Cor. 14 Paul places the ministries and finally makes the statement, "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord" (v. 37). In Eph. 3 Paul writes about the revelation he received. He speaks of the mystery of Christ, "which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (v. 5). In Eph. 4:11 and I Cor. 12:28 the office of a prophet is included in the different ministries which God has placed into the church. The prophetic part of the plan of salvation requires a major prophet.

All who are acquainted with history will know that already Mohammed and a number of others have claimed to be the prophet referred to in Mai. 4:5, who was to come before the great and terrible Day of the Lord. In fact, some have openly called themselves "Elijah" or spoken about the "Elijah ministry". But not one of them has turned, the hearts of God's people back to the Lord and His Word. In the contrary: they themselves were far away from the true apostolic and prophetic teaching and made their own followers. However, all these imitations will not hinder God to accomplish His promise at His time.

The prophets were ordained since their mother's womb to the designated purpose and ministry (Jer. 1:5). At first they were called "seers", because they saw visions (I Sam. 9:9, 18). They received the inspiration while seeing a vision, and so brought forth the revelation from God (Jer. 1:11+12). The Word of the Lord always came to the prophets, "And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream" (Num. 12:6). A true prophet is a mouthpiece of God. Like John and the rest he would need to have the "Thus saith the Lord" for his day. All who would receive such a prophet and embrace his ministry would be given a prophet's reward (Mt. 10:41). The Lord himself said, "Do my prophets no harm" (I Chr. 16:22; Ps. 105:15).

The Old Testament prophets were until John; from that time the Kingdom of God is being preached (Lk. 16:16). This Scripture is sometimes used to defend the idea that God would not have a prophet in the New Testament period. But John himself was a prophet, Symeon was a prophet, and Jesus, our Lord, gave the promise, "Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes…" (Mt. 23:34; Lk. 11:49). The word "scribe" here certainly does not refer to anyone who sat at the feet of Gamaliel. "Then said he unto them, Therefore, every scribe who is instructed concerning the Kingdom of heaven is like a man that is an householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old" (Mt. 13:52).

Anyone who reads the Book of Acts will find the trace of various prophets, ministering in the churches (chs. 11 + 13). In ch. 15:32 we read, "And Judas and Silas, being prophets…". In I Cor. 14 Paul places the ministries and finally makes the statement, "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord" (v. 37). In Eph. 3 Paul writes about the revelation he received. He speaks of the mystery of Christ, "which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (v. 5). In Eph. 4:11 and I Cor. 12:28 the office of a prophet is included in the different ministries which God has placed into the church. The prophetic part of the plan of salvation requires a major prophet.

All who are acquainted with history will know that already Mohammed and a number of others have claimed to be the prophet referred to in Mai. 4:5, who was to come before the great and terrible Day of the Lord. In fact, some have openly called themselves "Elijah" or spoken about the "Elijah ministry". But not one of them has turned, the hearts of God's people back to the Lord and His Word. In the contrary: they themselves were far away from the true apostolic and prophetic teaching and made their own followers. However, all these imitations will not hinder God to accomplish His promise at His time.