In this article, we explore the Bible’s teachings on prophets and prophecy in the context of the New Covenant, emphasizing their continued existence today and until the return of Jesus. While many Evangelical Christians accept the cessationist view, which argues that the Holy Spirit’s gifts have come to an end, this is a serious misconception that needs to be addressed and corrected.

Here, we make the case for the continuity of the gift of prophecy and of the prophetic office. More in-depth counterarguments to the cessationist perspective will be covered in a follow-up article. If you lean towards the cessationist viewpoint, I genuinely hope you’ll read this with an open heart. I encourage you to reflect on the arguments presented and perhaps see things in a new light.

What prophecy is

Prophecy is revelation received directly from God through the Holy Spirit. This revelation can take verbal or visual forms, with prophets acting as channels that relay God’s message.

It’s crucial to understand that prophetic revelations come straight from God, sidestepping the prophet’s conscious thought processes. Sometimes, the communication can be corrupted. A prophet’s personal beliefs or emotions can introduce distortions and noise. Moreover, if a prophet isn’t living a life of holiness, there is a risk for interference from the enemy.

While some forms of preaching might seem prophetic in nature, prophecy and preaching are distinct. A common misconception is equating preaching from the Word of God with prophecy, but they are not the same.

Why many reject prophecy

There are several reasons why people tend to dismiss prophecy and prophets in our day and age.

For some, it’s because they’ve never experienced the prophetic gift in action within their church communities. Instead of asking themselves (and the Lord) why this might be, they choose to interpret the Bible in ways that support their preexisting beliefs. Regrettably, this mindset is all too common.

Others have been influenced by teachings from churches and seminaries which suggest that, once the New Testament was completed, prophets and prophecies are no longer necessary since we now possess God’s full revelation. Taking this as truth, they end up reading the Bible through a cessationist lens.

A more understandable reason for skepticism is exposure to prophets and prophecies that turned out to be false, such as those predicting Trump’s reelection in 2020. Regrettably, false prophets today vastly outnumber the true ones, much like in the days of Jeremiah. This, however, doesn’t mean all prophets are false.

While many might not dismiss the concept of prophecy altogether, their fear of being deceived causes them to be wary of all prophets. The challenge of discerning true prophets from false ones is real. Yet, avoiding the prophetic entirely out of fear isn’t the answer. Instead, it would be wise to earnestly seek discernment from the Lord in this area.

Why God uses prophecy

The Bible is a record of revelations that God wanted to share with all humanity, targeting people across all eras, geographical locations, and walks of life. It is comprehensive in providing everything we need to know for salvation and initiating a relationship with God. However, the idea that God is limited to the Bible or that the Bible contains everything He ever intended to say is a stretch. The Bible itself doesn’t make such a claim, and such a belief often arises from theological indoctrination.

Through prophecy, God can share messages tailored for individuals, groups, churches, nations, or the entire global community. Such guidance, suited for specific moments in world history, is essential to understand our role within God’s prophetic plan. Prophetic messages can guide, encourage, or rebuke, and not all of them necessarily predict the future.

While God continues to use prophecy, the Bible remains the foundational and the most trustworthy prophetic Word. True prophecy will never contradict the Bible. Still, it might challenge our personal interpretations of it, which can be flawed or incomplete.

Why prophecy hasn’t ceased

Allow me to present two clear arguments against the cessationist view.

Firstly, the Bible doesn’t say anywhere that prophecy would come to an end with the completion of the New Testament. I challenge anyone to present a single verse supporting this claim. The Bible does allude to the ceasing of prophecy, but this is clearly linked to the return of Jesus.

[1 Corinthians 13:8-12] As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. … For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

If “when the perfect comes” refers to the completion of the New Testament, then logically, shouldn’t knowledge have also passed away? Shouldn’t we now possess a full understanding? Obviously, that hasn’t happened yet. We still see “in a mirror dimly.”

Secondly, the Bible speaks of prophets and prophecies in the end times. If prophecies were alive during the early church and are foretold for the last days, how can we rationally assume their absence now?

The Book of Revelation clearly speaks of the two witnesses as prophets:

[Revelation 11:3-6] And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.

[Revelation 11:10] These two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.

Furthermore, Joel’s prophecy, reiterated by Peter, declares:

[Acts 2:17-18] And in the last days it shall be that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy…

Lastly, Jesus Himself warns us about false prophets in the last days:

[Matthew 24:11] And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

Wouldn’t the presence of false prophets suggest the existence of true ones? Why would Jesus warn us if prophecy was to cease long before the prophesied end times?

The Old Testament times

Long before the time of Jesus, God revealed Himself to mankind through prophets and prophecies. Consider these biblical figures who were either prophets themselves or who received divine prophecies and revelations: Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Balaam, Joshua, Deborah, Gideon, Samuel, Nathan, Gad, Jehu, Elijah, Elisha, and all those whose prophetic writings found their way into the Old Testament.

Some of these prophets were women. Some were not even Israelites. Balaam was a prophet with a prophetic gift from God, even though he ultimately proved unworthy of his calling.

Throughout history, not everything God revealed through prophets was written down. And of what was written, only a select fraction was included in the Old Testament. There’s a wealth of prophecy that either remained oral tradition or simply didn’t make it into the canonized scriptures.

Even after the Old Testament canon was completed, God continued to speak to mankind through various prophetic voices. Many assume that during the so-called intertestamental period, the roughly 400 years between Malachi and Jesus, God was silent, but such an assumption is not reasonable.

Around the birth of Jesus

The Gospel of Luke mentions a couple of prophetic voices around the birth of Jesus, demonstrating the ongoing nature of prophetic revelation during the intertestamental period.

When Mary came to visit Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist and Mary’s relative, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed a prophetic blessing acknowledging Mary’s baby as the Lord.

[Luke 1:41-45] And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Then Mary offers a prophetic hymn in praise of God.

[Luke 1:46-55] And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

After John the Baptist is born, his father Zechariah prophesies about the role of his son and the coming of the Savior.

[Luke 1:67-79] His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

After the birth of Jesus, Simeon, led by the Spirit, goes to the temple and prophesies about Jesus when Mary and Joseph bring the baby Jesus for the rituals of purification.

[Luke 2:25-35] Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. … “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” … And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Also after Jesus’ birth, Anna the prophetess speaks about Jesus to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

[Luke 2:36-38] And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. … She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Jesus the prophet

Jesus Himself was a prophet, obviously.

[Matthew 21:11] This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.

[Mark 6:4] Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”

[Luke 7:26] What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

[Luke 24:19] Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people …

[Acts 3:22-23] Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’

The Book of Acts

Right after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, Peter explicitly says that this outpouring is the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy about the last days.

[Acts 2:17-18] And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

As with many Bible prophecies, this prophecy has a dual fulfillment. It was to an extent fulfilled on the day of Pentecost and in the early church era, but its final and most powerful fulfillment will be during the last days, before the return of Jesus, just as the following prophecy with dual application says.

[Haggai 2:9] The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts.

The early church had prophets, some of whom are mentioned by name.

[Acts 11:27-28] Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).

[Acts 13:1] Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

[Acts 15:32] Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.

Prophesying can sometimes accompany the receiving of the Holy Spirit.

[Acts 19:6] When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.

In another instance, we see that Philip’s daughters prophesied, and Agabus makes another appearance.

[Acts 21:8-10] We entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

Paul’s letters

Paul’s letters clearly mention prophets and prophecy were something normal in the early church. It’s evident that the gift of prophecy was particularly vibrant, especially in the Corinthian church. Rather than delving into interpretations, we let the Bible speak for itself.

[Romans 12:6-8] Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

[1 Corinthians 11:4-5] Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.

[1 Corinthians 12:7-11] To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

[1 Corinthians 12:28-30] God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

[1 Corinthians 14:1-6] Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

[1 Corinthians 14:22-25] Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

[1 Corinthians 14:27-32] If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

[Ephesians 2:19-20] You are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone…

[Ephesians 3:4-5] When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

[Ephesians 4:11] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers …

[1 Thessalonians 5:19-21] Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.

[1 Timothy 1:18] This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience.

[1 Timothy 4:14] Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.

The Book of Revelation

The entire Book of Revelation is prophecy.

[Revelation 1:3] Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

[Revelation 22:7] Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.

[Revelation 22:10] Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.

[Revelation 22:18-19] I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

The apostle John was a prophet and he prophesied.

[Revelation 10:11] You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.

[Revelation 22:9] I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book.

The two witnesses of the last days are prophets. This proves beyond any reasonable doubt that the prophetic office and the gift of prophecy have not ended.

[Revelation 11:3-6] And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. … They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.

[Revelation 11:10] Those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.

Furthermore, the continued presence of prophets (and apostles) in the end times is highlighted in the following passages.

[Revelation 11:18] The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.

[Revelation 16:6] They have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink.

[Revelation 18:20] Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!

[Revelation 18:24] In her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.

And ultimately, a profound truth is encapsulated in a single statement:

[Revelation 19:10] The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

False prophecy

False prophecy can cause great damage, either directly, by negatively impacting individuals and entire communities, or indirectly, by tarnishing the reputation of genuine prophecy and diminishing its influence.

Jesus warned of the dangers posed by false prophets:

[Matthew 7:15] Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

He explicitly told us to beware of them during the end times.

[Matthew 24:11] And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

[Matthew 24:24] For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Sadly, the emergence of false prophets wasn’t a distant prediction. The early church confronted this challenge head-on:

[2 Peter 2:1] But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you…

[1 John 4:1] Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Before venturing into the prophetic, I strongly encourage everyone to first build a strong foundation in the Bible, the most reliable prophetic word.

My personal journey with prophecy

On April 9, 2017, the day of my baptism, I received the gift of speaking in tongues. Eager to explore this gift, I started practicing it immediately and prayed for God to send someone with the gift of interpretation into my life.

God’s answer came swiftly and exceeded my expectations. Within a few months, in the summer of 2017, not one but two individuals crossed my path, both introduced by the same brother who had baptized me. The first was Sister Noelia from Argentina, a prophetess with an amazing prophetic gift. The second was Brother Nicu, the pastor of a small countryside church in Romania. Remarkably, both have the gifts of prophecy and interpretation of tongues.

Over time, I received numerous prophetic messages through these two vessels, especially through Brother Nicu. The depth of these revelations was amazing, revealing insights that neither Noelia nor Nicu could possibly know. There were instances when God would first tell me something through Nicu, then confirm it through Noelia, or the other way around, without the two of them talking to each other,

So, whenever someone claims that the era of prophets has ended or that the gift of prophecy has ceased, I can’t help but smile and ask them, “What Bible are you reading?”

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve explored what the New Testament says about prophets and prophecies by highlighting all pertinent verses. We challenge the cessationist position which contends that these gifts have ceased and are no longer active today.

The Bible clearly encourages us to desire the gift of prophecy and urges us not to disregard prophecies.

[1 Corinthians 14:1] Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

[1 Thessalonians 5:20-21] Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.

Do you earnestly desire the spiritual gifts? If not, have you ever wondered why? Do you despise and dismiss prophecies? If so, why?

It’s intriguing to note that many Bible teachers often quote the above two verses in a truncated form:

One has to wonder, why the selective quoting? Why overlook the context?

It’s because they do despise prophecies. It’s because they don’t want the truth; they want to be right.

Greek vocabulary