Should God's True Church Have Prophets?

We have a prophet living on the earth today. This prophet is the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has the right to revelation for the entire Church. He holds “the keys of the kingdom,” meaning that he has the authority to direct the entire Church and kingdom of God on earth, including the administration of priesthood ordinances (see Matthew 16:19). No person except the chosen prophet and President can receive God’s will for the entire membership of the Church. The Lord said, “There is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred” (D&C 132:7). The President of the Church is assisted by his counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve, who are also prophets, seers, and revelators. (Taken from the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints)

Just as the Bible places great importance on the spiritual gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 14), Seventh-day Adventists believe this remains just as true today. This gift can be used any time to edify and warn God’s people, giving guidance on how to live now and how to prepare for the coming events and the end of the world. One of the most prominent co-founders of the Seventh-day Adventist church, Ellen G. White, demonstrated the gift of prophecy and also met the criteria of the Biblical tests of a prophet. (Taken from the Official SDA Website)

Given above a two mega-denominations who lay claim that they have prophets in their midst. What does the Bible say about prophets in the church? First of all, let us the key components that identify a prophet.

The book of Revelation is undoubtedly a prophetic book by nature, written by the apostle/prophet John during his exile on the island of Patmos. Within his writings, his guiding angel states that he was John's fellow-servant along with his brethren the prophets. (Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9) The prophets of old, like John, have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Anyone who joins their ranks must also have the Testimony of Jesus which is known Biblically as the Spirit of Prophecy. 

However, that wasn't the only identifying mark of the prophets. The Bible says that God's true Remnant people "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." (Revelation 12:17) A prime example of this fact was Abraham, the father of faith, of whom God said, "Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." (Genesis 26:5) If Abraham was a commandment keeper and a law abiding son of God, the same must apply for all who claim to be his children. "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:27-29)

Christ came to battle the ever growing apostasy that has plagued the children of Abraham for centuries. In order for God to achieve this, He, through Christ established His church upon earth, starting with the twelve disciples and spreading throughout the world. 

Did the early church keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (spirit of prophecy)? Let us answer from Biblical examples:

• On the day of Jesus' death (Friday), "It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment." (NIV Luke 23:54-56)
  
  
• When the Spirit of God took control of the disciples on the day of Pentecost, the people thought they were drunk. Then Peter stood up and said, "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy." (NIV Acts 2:14-18)
  
  
• There was an evangelist in Caesarea called Phillip who had four daughters "...which did prophesy..." (Acts 21:8-9) These four girls surely have the Spirit of Prophecy working through them.
  
  
• "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." (KJV 1 John 3:4) "Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God's law, because sin is a breaking of the law." (Good News Bible 1 John 3:4) Written almost a century after the death of Jesus, the definition of sin by John the Apostle of Jesus implies that the Law should be kept.
  
  
• When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women. (NIV Acts 17:1-4) It was Paul's custom to go to church and preach on the Sabbath day.
  
  
• Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day, he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. (NIV Luke 4:16) And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. (KJV Luke 4:16) The keeping of the Sabbath day was a tradition practiced by our Lord and His apostles. Surely we must keep it too according to the commandment.

Why is it so important that we keep God's commandments, especially the 10 Commandments, which include the command to keep the Sabbath? Because it determines which side you're on. The moment to enlist yourself with people who keep God's commandments and have the testimony of Jesus Christ, you invoke the wrath of the Dragon against you. Otherwise, the Devil does not bother about you because you're not an enemy, but a friend. Jesus says, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." (KJV Matthew 12:30)

Like it or not, the keeping holy of the Seventh Day Sabbath is one of the identifying marks of the servants of God. Otherwise, they're false prophets. "To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isaiah 8:20)

Will God's last day people have prophets who wield the power of the Spirit of Prophecy? The Bible answers yes! God said, "I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit." (Joel 2:28-29) Prophecy, dreams, and visions are ways that God communicates through His prophets, e.g. Daniel. In these last days, God will have raise up a people who will fulfil Joel's prophecy. Yes, God's last day church will have prophets who adhere to the commandments of God and whose teachings never contradict those of their predecessors. 

The Lord Almighty says, “The day is coming when all proud and evil people will burn like straw. On that day they will burn up, and there will be nothing left of them. 2 But for you who obey me, my saving power will rise on you like the sun and bring healing like the sun's rays. You will be as free and happy as calves let out of a stall. 3 On the day when I act, you will overcome the wicked, and they will be like dust under your feet. “Remember the teachings of my servant Moses, the laws and commands which I gave him at Mount Sinai for all the people of Israel to obey. “But before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes, I will send you the prophet Elijah. 6 He will bring fathers and children together again; otherwise I would have to come and destroy your country.” (GNB Malachi 4:1-6)

Look around you and see how many people hold the title of "Prophet" and compare their practice with those of the prophets of old and what the Bible says. Are they true prophets of God or ministers of Satan? Only the Bible can tell. 

Until the next post, God bless you.