We have a lot of so-called prophets running amuck in these days which we live. They are quick to "give a word" from the Lord. But praise God there are also really true prophetic believers walking among us. Those who are more concerned with standing before God and pleasing HIM than bowing before man and pleasing them with a "word-for-today" message.

The significance of the true Biblical Prophet lies not only in what they say but also in what they did and who they are. They are men who stood “face to face with man” while being “faced by God.” The true Prophet affirms and reflects the mind, will, and ways of God to the people and faced the consequences of doing so. The true Prophet is a man who has an internal struggle with his mental knowledge and facts, versus the supernatural Words from God that has been imparted to him.

A true Prophet has the realization that the Words he speaks forth defies both the religious theology and intellectual psychology of man. A true Prophet has the realization that the Words he speaks forth defies the social and cultural climate of the day and stands against the immoral and amoral condition of mankind both individually and to a nation.

His words are revelation, response, and spontaneity. The true Prophet is a person who is a mouthpiece and voices the truth on the behalf of the King of Glory and not a microphone echoing people-pleasing messages as a hireling. He is a voice to the nations and not an echo of the world or the religious system.

He is endowed and empowered with a mission, and backed with the power of a Word which is not his own. The Word of God echoes in the voice of the true Prophet. The main task of the true Prophet is not the artificial fluff and duff that we see today in the so-called prophetic voice. The main task of the true Prophet is to convey a Divine Way. He does not offer “his opinion” or “his point of view” or a "self-help message." His call is not a call to compromise to the world or be tolerant to the ways of sin.  

When the true Prophet speaks it is "God's point of view” and a spiritual rudder to an immoral ship. This is because he speaks from God’s perspective as he perceives it from his own situation. The true Prophet considers the times he lives in and considers the ways of the people. The true Prophet expounds not only the VIEW of God, but also the ATTITUDE of God. These are the things that we keep in mind when we ask, “What are the features that set the Prophets apart?” “What constitutes their uniqueness?” For we need the true Biblical Prophet to walk among us today and call the nation back to God through repentance.

Ephesians 4:11-14 ESV
THE WHAT:
(11)  And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

THE WHY:
(12)  to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

THE HOW LONG:
(13)  until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

THE OUTCOME:
(14)  so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Ezekiel 33:31-33 ESV And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. (32) And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it. (33) When this comes—and come it will!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them."

Although I warn people of the false prophets of today, I am thankful that the Father has given the true prophetic ministry to the Body of Christ. We all need the voice if the Prophet just as a huge ship needs the rudder. The rudder does not power the ship as the engines do. The rudder does not hold the people and cargo up safely from the waters below as the hull of the ship does. However, the rudder, being small in size in comparison to the rest of ship, is vital in turning and giving direct to the ship. In like manner the Prophet although mostly unknown and unseen gives direction to the church and keeps us aware of the dangers that lay ahead of us. Hear the Prophet with a heart to obey. 

The Prophetic Mantle:

John the Baptist was MUCH MORE than a Prophet. He was one who was a messenger who knew the importance of standing before God first, so that he could stand before men with boldness.

We need those who claim to be Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, Prophets and Apostles to learn how to be before the throne of God first until they receive a message for the people that causes them to leave their beautiful buildings of worship and go out into the desert places to hear a Word from heaven.

The spirit of prophecy today is starting to raise up a mantle likened unto John. There will be those who have the fear of God as they stand and kneel before a Holy God. Stand fearful before a Holy God and you will stand before man without fear.

Luke 7:25-28 KJV But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. 26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and MUCH MORE than a prophet. 27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

In the New Testament we find our Lord walking out all five of the Eph.4:11 ministry gifts. He was the great Apostle, the Prophet, the Evangelist, the Pastor, and the Teacher. He said that He came not to do away with the Old Testament Law but to fulfill it.

Therefore, along with His work in the New Testament as Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher the Lord also showed us His work as the Old Testament Prophet, Priest, and King. Our Lord's work falls under three headings:
(1) His work as an O.T. PROPHET
(2) His work as an O.T. PRIEST, and
(3) His work as an O.T. KING.

Why is this important? Because as believers we carry the same anointing and the same work as our Lord. This includes His anointing from the offices of the Old Testament Law. The Lord said that all He did we will do. We know in Rev.1:6 that we are kings and priests. 

Revelation 1:6 ESV  and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Now with that thought, go back and read these Scriptures listed below and see yourself in them. Then look for all the ways our Lord manifested Himself in the works as Prophet, Priest, and King in the Gospels and then say, Lord, I can do this in and through You.

John 5:17 ESV But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I am working."

John 4:34 ESV Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work."

John 9:4-5 ESV We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. (5) As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

John 17:4 ESV I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.