Arise, the Jesus Prophets!
For years voices in the global prophetic movement have prophesied in one way or another that a new breed of prophet is emerging. They are often referring to the Elijah prophets, or the Joel prophets and so on, each with their own flavour to bring rebuke, restoration and revival to the planet.
Often these new breeds are not really new at all and can be seen as an attempt to resurrect the old covenants. The OT prophets operated by the Holy Spirit to correct Israel and bring the nation into right relationship with God. Therefore, they would call out sin and expose idolatry etc.
When calling for a new breed of Elijah prophets or Jeremiah prophets, one crucial element is often forgotten; the cross!
Jesus’ life and atoning death on the cross as well as His resurrection have brought the Law to fulfilment. This means it has been fully completed. The Old Covenants have been fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John (the Baptist). Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it” (Luke 16: 16).
This means that the line of prophets that the Old Testament brought forth ended in the ministry of John the Baptist. He was the last and greatest. Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). John was greater than all the other prophets before him because he had the privilege of something they never had. “For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it” (Matthew 13:17).
John saw the promise of the Father in the person of the Son and recognised “...My joy is complete. I must decrease and He must increase” (John 3: 30). He recognised that an era of the Law and Prophets had come to an end and a new era of Messianic grace had begun. Indeed, the message to the world has changed. It is: “For God so loved the world...Therefore, repent and believe”. It’s no wonder Jesus said that everyone is ‘forcing their way into it’. It’s such good news. All sin has been atoned for and our Great High Priest has opened Heaven and invited everybody to come to the party!
Hebrews 1: 1-3 says “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”
Let’s consider this for a moment.
The Father speaks through the Son.
Jesus’ sole purpose was to represent His Father exactly.
And He did. He was kind. He was gracious. He forgave. He was comfortable with sinners. He did not expose. He empowered. He loved the vulnerable. He gave freely. He was fatherly.
The role of the prophetic then is to express the heart of the Father. Hence, Paul’s admonition to fuel the gifts of the Spirit with the agape love of God. The love of God is crucial to the functioning of the true prophetic. So, if you want to be a prophet and you’re looking for what type to be, be Jesus. In fact, be Jesus being the Father!
So, here’s the deal... any prophetic ministry that cultivates fear, anxiety and a withdrawing from God’s Presence is a false prophetic ministry. For does not the Scripture say, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4: 18). Be Jesus being the Father!
Any prophetic ministry that operates in exposure is a false prophetic ministry. For does not the Scripture say, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4: 8). Be Jesus being the Father!
The world is not looking for a new breed of the old prophetic movement. On the contrary, it is looking for the Father as revealed in the Person of Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is time (and has been for 2000 years) for the Jesus Prophets to arise. Be Jesus being the Father! These prophets are those that will reveal the heart of the Father to a world that He adores. Prophets that will love fiercely, cover gracefully, speak kindly and give freely.
I believe that when we see the Jesus Prophets arise, we’ll see the kindness of God flow like a river and our joy will be complete!
By Adam Graves