Yes I am well aware that some denominations and some translations of the Bible deliberately attempt to either redefine the word prophecy or to relegate it to the past, but that is NOT what the word of God says:

"For I am the LORD, I do not change; (Malachi 3:6, NKJV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8, NKJV)

Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. (James 1:16-18, NKJV)

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:27,28, NKJV)

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8, NKJV)

The Word of God say that the Lord God NEVER changes. If prophecy was ever ordained by the Lord, then it still exists. Further, in the New Testament, the Lord reaffirms the calling and ministry of both prophecy and prophets (all believers can prophesy, but some are actually called to be prophets). So what is prophesy? Let us look at the book of Ezekiel for guidance:

"Therefore you shall set your face toward the siege of Jerusalem; your arm shall be uncovered, and you shall prophesy against it. And surely I will restrain you so that you cannot turn from one side to another till you have ended the days of your siege. (Ezekiel 4:7-8, NKJV)

And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, 'Hear the word of the LORD!'"

Thus says the Lord GOD: "Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! (Ezekiel 13:1-3, NKJV)

To prophesy is to speak on the Lord's behalf, either by declaring the very words the Lord has provided, or by relating a vision the lord has given. Yes an inspired preacher may prophesy, but so do actual prophets whose ministry is to speak for the Lord. Regular believers may, in the course of regular conversation, speak a few words the Lord has given, or relate an image, vision, or thought the Lord has put into his/her mind.

Since the Lord NEVER changes, prophesy still exists, even though the Enemy does all he possibly can to suppress it. Satan does NOT want any legitimate prophecy, ever, and he does everything he can imagine to either suppress or discredit it. As can be seen in the verses above, the fact that there are people who deliberately proclaim false prophesy does NOT discredit true prophecy. In fact, the Lord goes to great lengths to expose the differences between true prophecy and false prophecy. Since the Spirit of Prophecy is one of the Seven Spirits of God, the Lord will never terminate prophecy, but rather merely change its form of expression since all who inhabit the coming Kingdom will clearly hear the voice of the Lord.

Copyright (c) 2007 Jon Straumfjord