PROPHETS AND PROPHECY IN TODAY'S CHURCH
By Rev. Jim and Carolyn Murphy
Table of Contents...
PART FOUR - WHAT ABOUT END-TIME PROPHECY?
CHAPTER 23
WHERE OUR FOCUS SHOULD BE
What should be the principal lesson learned from
this historic review of end-times prophecies? I believe the lesson the
Lord wants His church to learn is not to focus on various end-times
scenarios. It wastes too much time and energy. And we can't know
anyhow! In fact, Jesus Himself specifically told us that we can't know!
In response to the disciples' question about the time that Jesus is
going to establish His kingdom on earth:
He (Jesus) said to them: “It is not for you to know
the times or dates the father has set by his own authority.” (Acts 1:7
NIV).
Thus, because Jesus told us, we know with certainty
that we will not know the dates, the times, or the sequence of end-time
events with any degree of accuracy. Deuteronomy 29:29 states, “The
secret things belong to the Lord our God . . . .” Certainly knowing the
end-time events with a degree of certainty is one of the “secret
things” which only God knows.
I believe we also have very good direction from the
Apostle Paul on this issue. Some of Paul's writings make it fairly
clear that he caught a glimpse of the end-time events when he was
caught up in the heavenlies and was taught by Jesus. (See Gal 1:12, II
Cor 12:2). Paul also stated:
He also wrote:
These verses of Paul's give us rather definite
statements as to at least some of the events at the end of time. Yet,
how much focus did Paul give to end-time events in his writings? How
much energy did he give to trying to fit the current events of his day
into some end-time scenario? He gave almost no thought or writing space
to it, did he? Rather his entire being was dedicated to the building up
of the church of Jesus Christ as it awaited Jesus' return. Paul took to
heart Jesus' words and fulfilled the great commission powerfully,
didn't he?
Where Then Should Our Focus Be?
I believe our focus should be exactly where Paul's
was. As Christians, our energy, time, and money should be on spent on
personal holiness and on evangelism. And I believe all Christians
should be so directed, including today's prophets.
1. Personal Holiness
God has called each and every believer into a
personal relationship with Him and into a holy and sanctified life. He
has directed us to, “Be holy, because I am holy.” (I Pet 1:16 NIV).
We are also told to, “Make every effort to live in
peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the
Lord.” (Heb 12:14 NIV).
2. Evangelism
In additional to personal holiness, I believe every
Christian is called to fulfill the great commission:
These were the last words of instruction by Jesus as
recorded in Matthew's gospel before He was taken up into heaven.
Let's look again at the first chapter of Acts, when
Jesus was talking to his disciples after His resurrection:
Thus Jesus' last directives to his followers were to
go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. In other
words, to go into all the world, to preach the good news of Jesus
Christ, to lead people of every language, nation, and tribe to Jesus,
and then to make disciples of them by nurturing, teaching, and
discipling them. It is in this way that the world wide church of Jesus
Christ is and will be established and strengthened.
Please don't misunderstand me. I believe that we all
should be aware that we are in the end-times. Indeed, I like the
saying, “Live as if Jesus is going to return today, but plan as if He
is not returning in your lifetime.” If we live this way, and if we each
do our share, then the focus of every Christian will be on personal
holiness and reaching the lost in our generation.
To the extent that anything, any person (including
“prophets”), any doctrine, or any current, trendy end-times prophetic
word deflects us from these two goals, we have lost our way.
Conclusion
We Christians are involved in an epic battle. Every
believer is unquestionably called to join the army of the living God
and to play a part in accomplishing His eternal purposes and plans in
this generation. The church is privileged to have God's prophetic word
and His servants, the prophets of today, play such a vital role in this
endeavor. Let me close by quoting one of the most powerful prophets in
Scripture, Elisha. In this passage Elisha has angered the king of Aram
who has sent his army to capture him. For me this passage sums up all
the vision, power, and spiritual authority one finds in God's truly
mature prophets.
When the servant of the man of God got up and
went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had
surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the
servant asked.
And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open
his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and
he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all
around
Elisha. (II Kings 6:15-17 NIV).
Yes, the church of today does need its prophets!