Wednesday 15 November 2017

A True Prophet

Scripture: Mark 6 v 3 - 6: "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 
 4  But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
 5  And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
 6  And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching."

Moses was a great prophet who delivered the Jews from slavery during their exodus from Egypt, and he ran into a multitude of problems which affected his popularity. He was accused of leading them to starve in the wilderness and when he prayed God sent Manna from Heaven.

The word Manna means 'what is it?'.  It had never been seen before on this Earth.  Then they grumbled at Moses because there was no water.  God told him to strike the big rock and water gushed forth like a river to satisfy man and all animals.  Then they complained that Manna was boring, so God sent millions of quails every day that dropped down upon them to give them meat.
  
God drew Moses to Mount Horeb to give him the ten commandments and when he returned to the people they were busy worshipping a golden calf.  Even his sister, Miriam, murmured at him and her hand was instantly filled with leprosy, until she repented and was instantly healed!  

So Jesus said to His followers in Israel, and to us today, Beware when all men speak well of you and acclaim you, for they did this to the false prophets in the days of your fathers.  True prophets are feared and shunned, hated and killed, because absolute truth is unnerving.

In Galilee, Jesus knew they did not believe He was anyone special.  He was just a neighbourhood boy, son of a carpenter.  Because they did not discern the purity of His spirit, and the power of the Holy Spirit upon Him, He could do no miracles among them.  He healed a few sick folk but even that did not move them.

They judged Him by His background among them and not what God had done to reveal Jesus as the Lamb of God who has come to take away the sins of the world.  John the Baptist knew Him and said that he was not worthy to tie His shoelaces.  Jesus called him one of the greatest prophets who ever lived.  He also said of John, This is Elijah!  

Matthew 11 v 13 - 15: "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
 14  And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
 15  He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

I have come to realise who the Order of Melchizedek really are!  They are sent one's who have multiple entry visas to Earth.  Jesus will come again.  As Moses and Elijah also appeared with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17.  Who knows who else may come?  In Psalms the Lord calls David one who is of the Order of Melchizedek.  Psalms 110 v 4: "The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."

The two prophets who come to bring confusion and tribulation on the Earth in Revelations 11 are also thought to be Moses and Elijah.  They were slain and their dead bodies lay in the street of Jerusalem for three days while the whole world sent gifts to each other because they were dead.  Revelations 11 v 10 - 13: "And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
 11  And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
 12  And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
 13  And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven."

The last Millenium is called the Throne of David.  The original Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes, was also known as the Prince of Peace.  That is one of the titles of Jesus.  Certainly all the people who have been part of this Order were true prophets of God.

John the Baptist was imprisoned for pronouncing truth on Herod's brother Phillip and his adultery. He was eventually beheaded. Uncomfortable truths can be life-threatening!  Prophets are messengers who stand in God's presence and hear His words, and deliver them to those who should hear them.

Jeremiah was cast into a dungeon for a long time because he prophesied contrary to the other advisers to the king.  Jeremiah said that Israel would be defeated by the Babylonians and carried away as captives, and the king and his family would be put to death.  The other 'prophets' said Israel would be victorious.  They were wrong.  The prophet Daniel was one who was taken captive and he did much to enhance the life of the Jews in exile, and lived to see them return to Israel 70 years later.

True prophets are not popular because they say things that nobody wants to hear.  It is usually the wisest thing if you listen to the one who is least esteemed.  The one everyone else mocks and puts down is the one who speaks for God.

I remember a meeting where the pastor called on a man with a severe speech impediment to open the meeting in prayer.  Hardly a word he said was intelligible but the power of the Holy Spirit came down on the congregation in that meeting through the humility and submission of this man of low esteem.  Healings, miracles, and deliverance from demons were experienced that day.

So don't be quick to acclaim those who call themselves prophets and apostles and have large followings of people and great riches.  Don't be deceived by fame and fortune but rather check with Jesus if this is one of His prophets.  Let Him reveal the truth so we are not deceived and misled in this time when many false prophets abound.  This is the end times and Satan knows he has a short time and wants to turn many away from the truth.

In Thessalonians we read that in the church there will be a great falling away and then the son of perdition, the Antichrist, will be revealed.  This falling away is well-advanced already aided by false pastors, teachers, evangelists, and prophets so take heed that you are not deceived.  The Lord also said that anyone who gives even a cup of water to a prophet will not lose his reward in Heaven.

Jesus was and is much more than a prophet, He is the Son of Almighty God who redeemed us from Hell, sin and death. Any who claim to be prophets but water down these truths are deceivers.  Put faith in Jesus and follow Him through the darkness of this world.  He is the true Light leading us to eternity in Heaven.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, let the Holy Spirit show us who are Yours and let us follow them in truth.  Let us not even hear the lies and falseness of those who want to capture our souls and brainwash us with error.  Let the Blood of the Lamb separate us to You and make us holy before You.  In Jesus' name. Amen.