The UPLOOK (November 2004) pt. 2
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the "Prophet Company"
—with apologies to David Wilkerson
no short cuts here . . .
then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?
I Samuel 10:11
That which we will examine today is so radical that even Pentecostals may consider it strange: that modern Christians, living in the West within the twenty-first century, may experience (much less pursue) the true heart of a prophet within such an ungodly age. For what possible purpose, would one embark upon such a quest?
In what “prophetic sense” might this fulfill the will of God? —To what eternal good?
First things first. First, let us consider just what the heart of a prophet is, and is not. It is not something automatically conferred upon one indwelt (or anointed) by the Holy Spirit. For, if such were the case, king Saul would most certainly have qualified for this rare experience. Nor is it necessarily evidenced within the life of one manifesting supernatural gifts: ditto. In fact, what is most amazing in this distinction is that king David performed no miracles, and it was Saul who prophesied among the prophets. Yet although he evidenced no outward manifestations as a prophet, there are few men who lived with a heart more joined to God’s, with a prophet’s heart, and with His eye, than did king David for the future.
So profound was David's insight . . . that Christ used it to shut the mouths of Israel's most learned teachers. . . .
To what caliber, then, are Christian disciples expected to attain?
Of this truth, even the Lord Jesus testified, when speaking of David’s ability to discern the future of Messiah. [Christ] saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Matthew 22:43,44
So profound was David’s insight into the significance of this truth—that Christ used it to shut the mouths of Israel’s most learned teachers. Further, this golden nugget is the core of the most intense truth conveyed by the epistle to the Hebrews: that Christ is the eternal priest, springing from eternity itself, after the order of Melchisedec (chapters 5 – 8).
Of course, even if the Pharisees had managed to answer the first question (above)—the very next would have turned their faces red, indeed. For the next question is, “How does the Lord, speak to the Lord?” and “What is the difference between the Lord, and my Lord??” –Unveiling the secret of the Trinity, right within the pages of the Old Testament.
Such secrets were the stuff of which the prophets and angels love to chew on (I Pet. 1:10,11).
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or are we to assume that it is only in the Old Testament that kings and priests, were called to the prophetic experience of intimacy with God. Was not John the Baptist considered a prophet? Yet Christ said, plainly, that the very least within the Kingdom of God is greater than he (Matt. 11:11).To what caliber, then, are Christian disciples expected to attain?
Are we to think that this is a “soft prophetette” experience, in which we may carelessly engage? For Christ points to the most serious blood and grit, of the calling, when saying:
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Matthew 5:11,12
What is Jesus saying here? Is it not at least that we should seek a sort of kinship with the prophets within our everyday living? We do not normally consider such things, but upon re-reading the text, the message is undeniable. And, just in case we thought that Christians should think that the above description were to be a rare experience, He warns likewise:
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Luke 6:26
It does appear that the prophets of old have “raised the bar” for the new covenant experience, doesn’t it?
These thoughts come as we consider gem stones locked within John’s Revelation concerning ministry for the two witnesses. Although unlocking these gems will require a systematic approach, this has been one of The UPLOOK’s primarily missions, and is well suited for our present discussion.
