PROPHET

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Key Verse

Now Samuel grew; and the LORD was with him and He let none of his words fail [to be fulfilled]. 1 Samuel 3:19 AMP

Prophet: Defined

One who speaks/sings by divine inspiration & foretells events

Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet¹ to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV
All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord. 1 Samuel 3:20 NASB

Prophetic Levels

Prophet: All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord. 1 Samuel 3:20 NASB
Prophetic Gift: earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people]. 1 Corinthians 14:1 AMP
One off Prophesy: Then the LORD came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again. Numbers 11:25 NKJV

Receiving Messages

1. Revelation

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation²^&³ comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop. 1 Corinthians 14:29-30 BSB
In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will prepare [a prayer and a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart]. Psalm 5:3 AMP
For behold, He who forms the mountains and creates the wind And declares to man what are His thoughts, He who makes the dawn into darkness And treads on the heights of the earth—The Lord God of hosts is His name. Amos 4:13 AMP

2. Seeing

Amos: The words of Amos, who was among the sheepbreeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. Amos 1:1 NKJV
Habakkak: The prophesy which the prophet Habakkuk saw. Habakkuk 1:1 NKJV
Micah: The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. Micah 1:1 NKJV

Seers

(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: “Come, let us go to the seer⁴”; for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.) 1 Samuel 9:9 NKJV
Yet the LORD testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.” 2 Kings 17:13 NKJV
Who say to the seers, “Do not see,” And to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. Isaiah 30:10 NKJV
Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, his prayer to his God, and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, indeed they are written in the book of the kings of Israel. 2 Chronicles 33:18 NKJV

Examples of Seers

Then Amaziah said to Amos: “Go, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah. There eat bread, And there prophesy. Amos 7:12 NKJV
Moreover King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. 2 Chronicles 29:30 NKJV
And the singers, the sons of Asaph, were in their places, according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer. 2 Chronicles 35:15 NKJV
And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. 2 Chronicles 16:7 NKJV
Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat? 2 Chronicles 9:29 NKJV
All these [men] were the sons of Heman the king’s seer to exalt him in accordance with the words of God; for God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 1 Chronicles 25:5 AMP
The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 2 Samuel 15:27 NKJV
Now the acts of King David, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer 1 Chronicles 29:29 NKJV

Seers may hear as well

Then the LORD spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying 1 Chronicles 21:9 NKJ V

3. Hearing

Isaiah: He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple [as One who is taught]. The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. Isaiah 50:4-5 AMP
Ezekiel: And the word of the LORD came to me, saying Ezekiel 21:1 NKJV
David: You have opened my ears and given me the capacity to hear [and obey Your word] Psalm 4:6 AMP
Agabus: And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” Acts 21:10-11 NKJV

4. Seeing & Hearing

Moses: And He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself known to him in a vision And I will speak to him in a dream. “But it is not so with My servant Moses; He is entrusted and faithful in all My house. “With him I speak mouth to mouth [directly], Clearly and openly and not in riddles; And he beholds the form of the Lord. Numbers 12:6-8 AMP

Examples

Micaiah: And Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak.” … Then he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.’ ” 2 Chronicles 18:13&16 NKJV
Gad: Then the LORD spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying 1 Chronicles 21:9 NKJ V

How one Prophesies

prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved⁵ by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21 NKJV

Start prophesying when

1. In the presence of other Prophets

Saul: After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying. Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person… When they came there to the hill, there was a group of prophets to meet him; then the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.1 Samuel 10:5-6 BSB & 1 Samuel 10:10 NKJV
Saul’s messengers: When Saul was told that David was at Naioth in Ramah, he sent messengers to capture him. But when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came upon them, and Saul’s messengers also began to prophesy. 1 Samuel 19:19-20 BSB
Saul’s other messengers: when Saul was told, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. Then Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. 1 Samuel 19:21 NKJV

2. When filled with or on receiving the Holy Spirit

Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took some of the Spirit who was upon Moses and put Him upon the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied [praising God and declaring His will], but they did not do it again. Numbers 11:25 AMP
Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied Luke 1:67 BSB
Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 1 Samuel 10:6 NKJV
Two men, however, had remained in the camp—one named Eldad and the other Medad—and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those listed, but they had not gone out to the tent, and they prophesied in the camp. Numbers 11:26 BSB
Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants, as he stood in the midst of the assembly. And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: … 2 Chronicles 20:14-15 BSB
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed, … Luke 1:41-42 BSB

3. Laying on of hands by Anointed

when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:6 NKJV

4. Transferred from a Prophet

Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed that Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they never did so again. Numbers 11:25 BSB

Prophetic Transformation

1. Samuel

And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli.
Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was located. Then the LORD called to Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.”
Once again the LORD called, “Samuel!”
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, because the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed⁶ to him. Once again, for the third time, the LORD called to Samuel.
Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” Then the LORD said to Samuel …
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and He let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. So all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD. And the LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, because there He revealed Himself to Samuel by His word. 1 Samuel 3 BSB

2. Asaph

Kinsman/Singer: These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. And they performed their duties according to the regulations given them. These are the men who served, together with their sons… Heman’s kinsman was Asaph, who served at his right hand: Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea 1 Chronicles 6:31-33&39 BSB
Chief: Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, and Obed-Edom: Jeiel with stringed instruments and harps, but Asaph made music with cymbals 1 Chronicles 16:5 NKJV
Singer: Then on that day David first entrusted to Asaph and his brethren the singing of thanks to the Lord [as their chief task] 1 Chronicles 16:7 AMPC
Prophesies: Moreover David and the captains of the army separated for the service some of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals. And the number of the skilled men performing their service was: Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah; the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied according to the order of the king. 1 Chronicles 25:1-2 NKJV
Seer: Moreover King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped. 2 Chronicles 29:30 NKJV
Exaltation: For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chiefs of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. Nehemiah 12:46 NKJV

Asaph’s Descendants

Descendant Prophesies: Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants, as he stood in the midst of the assembly. And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: … 2 Chronicles 20:14-15 BSB
Sons Singers: And the singers, the sons of Asaph, were in their places, according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer. 2 Chronicles 35:15 NKJV
Sons Overseers: Also the overseer of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha, of the sons of Asaph, the singers in charge of the service of the house of God. Nehemiah 11:22 NKJV

Partial Revelation

Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.” 1 Samuel 16:3 NKJV
So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” 1 Samuel 16:12 NKJV

GOD reveals more as you obey Him.

GOD's Confidantes

Certainly the Lord GOD does nothing Unless He reveals His secret plan To His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7 NASB

God does not do anything major without revealing it to His prophets. See example below

So now return the man’s wife, for he⁷ is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. Genesis 20:7 AMP
The LORD said, “Shall I keep secret from Abraham [My friend and servant] what I am going to do Genesis 18:17 AMP

1. Born a Prophet

Then the word of the Lord came to me [Jeremiah], saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:4-5 AMPC

2. Made a Prophet

Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: “I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit. Amos 7:14 NKJV
(Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.) … So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been confirmed⁸ as a prophet of the Lord. Then the Lord appeared again in Shiloh. For the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord. 1 Samuel 3:7,20-21 NKJV

Confirmed = properly to build up
God can make you a Prophet overnight.

Who becomes a Prophet?

The secret [of the wise counsel] of the LORD is for those who fear Him, And He will let them know His covenant and reveal to them [through His word] its [deep, inner] meaning. Psalm 25:14 AMP

Received Word to a Prophet

Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not. Jeremiah 20:9 NKJV

Other versions

But if I say, “I will not remember Him Nor speak anymore in His name,” Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; And I am tired of holding it in, And I cannot endure it. Jeremiah 20:9 NASB

All Prophets or Prophesy

Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” Numbers 11:29 NKJV
earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people]. 1 Corinthians 14:1 AMP
I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied⁹ 1 Corinthians 14:5 NKJV

God would have us all become Prophets or at least Prophesy

All Prophesy

But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all 1 Corinthians 14:24 BSB
For you are all able to prophesy one by one, so that all may learn, and all may be exhorted. 1 Corinthians 14:31 BLB

Other versions

But if all prophesy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and an unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted [of his sins] by all, and he is called to account by all [because he can understand what is being said] 1 Corinthians 14:24 AMP

Children Prophesy

it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young¹⁰ men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. Acts 2:17 NKJV

See example (these were not just prophesying they were actual Prophetsesses)

Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. Acts 21:9 NASB

Prophets more than Prophesy

Healing: the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife. Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:2-3 NKJV
Miracles: So the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. 2 Kings 6:6 NKJV

A Prophet may do more than Prophesy.

Prophetic Facts

Prophesying

the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29 NKJV

In the context of the prophetic, whether you get to prophesy through the gift of prophesy or by being called as a Prophet, once given the gift or made a Prophet, God does not take away the ability to prophesy.

Past, Present & Future

Past: Samuel: As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them, for they have been found. 1 Samuel 9:20 BSB
Present: Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” 2 Kings 6:12 NKJV
Past & Present: The Lord Jesus: The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. John 4:17-19 NKJV

Prophets can know the past and the present; not just the future.

Prophesy at will

the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets [the prophecy is under the speaker’s control, and he can stop speaking] 1 Corinthians 14:32 AMP
Now Samuel grew; and the LORD was with him and He let none of his words fail [to be fulfilled]. 1 Samuel 3:19 AMP
He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! … So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Ezekiel 37:4, 7 NKJV
he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” Revelation 10:11 NKJV

GOD's Promise to Prophets

Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell¹¹ you of them.” Isaiah 42:9 NKJV

Specific Prophetic Instructions

So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him, and whichever house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” So the disciples left and went into the city, where they found everything as Jesus had described. And they prepared the Passover. Mark 14:13-16 BSB
Now it came to pass the same night that the LORD said to him, “Take your father’s young bull, the second bull of seven years old, and tear down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the wooden image that is beside it Numbers 16:25 NKJV
When you depart from me today, you will meet two men by Rachel’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah, and they will say to you, ‘The donkeys that you went to seek are found, and now your father has ceased to care about the donkeys and is anxious about you, saying, “What shall I do about my son?”’ Then you shall go on from there farther and come to the oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall accept from their hand. After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim, where there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying. Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you. Then go down before me to Gilgal. And behold, I am coming down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do.” When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day. 1 Samuel 10:2-9 ESV

Time bound prophecies

Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’ ” 2 Kings 7:1 BSB
And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” 2 Kings 4:16 BSB

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Footnotes

Post Views: 942

Strongs 5030 נביא [nâbîy'] \naw-bee'\ From 5012; a prophet or (generally) inspired man: - {prophecy} that {prophesy} prophet.
5012 נבא [nâbâ'] \naw-baw'\ A primitive root; to {prophesy} that {is} speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse): - prophesy (-ing) make self a prophet.
601 ἀποκαλύπτω [A)POKALU/PTW] {apokalýptō} \ap-ok-al-oop'-to\ from 575 and 2572; to take off the cover, i.e. disclose:--reveal.
Revelation could mean something known (internally), heard or seen.
7200 ראה [râ'âh] \raw-aw'\
A primitive root; to {see} literally or figuratively (in numerous {applications} direct and {implied} {transitively} intransitively and causatively): - advise {self} {appear} {approve} {behold} X {certainly} {consider} {discern} (make to) {enjoy} have {experience} {gaze} take {heed} X {indeed} X {joyfully} {lo} look ({on} one {another} one on {another} one upon {another} {out} {up} {upon}) {mark} {meet} X be {near} {perceive} {present} {provide} {regard} (have) {respect} ({fore-} cause {to} let) see ({-r} {-m} one {another}) shew ({self}) X sight of {others} (e-) {spy} {stare} X {surely} X {think} {view} visions.
5342 φέρω [FE/RW] {phérō} \fer'-o\ a primary verb (for which other, and apparently not cognate ones are used in certain tenses only; namely, οἴω [OI)/W] {oíō} \oy'-o\ and ἐνέγκω [E)NE/GKW] {enénkō} \en-eng'-ko\ to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows):--be, bear, bring (forth), carry, come, + let her drive, be driven, endure, go on, lay, lead, move, reach, rushing, uphold.
1540 גּלה [gâlâh] \gaw-law'\ A primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively to reveal: - + {advertise} {appear} {bewray} {bring} ({carry} {lead} go) captive (into {captivity}) {depart} {disclose} {discover} {exile} be {gone} {open} X {plainly} {publish} {remove} {reveal} X {shamelessly} {shew} X {surely} {tell} uncover.
GOD here is talking about Abraham
539 אמן ['âman] \aw-man'\ A primitive root; properly to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or {faithful} to trust or {believe} to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain; once (in ; by interchange for 541) to go to the right hand: - hence {assurance} {believe} bring {up} {establish} + {fail} be faithful (of long {continuance} {stedfast} {sure} {surely} {trusty} {verified}) {nurse} (-ing {father}) ({put}) {trust} turn to the right.
Strongs 4395 προφητεύω [PROFHTEU/W] {prophēteúō} \prof-ate-yoo'-o\ from 4396; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office:--prophesy.
3495 νεανίσκος [NEANI/SKOS] {neanískos} \neh-an-is'-kos\
from the same as 3494; a youth (under forty):--young man.
8085 שׁמע [shâma‛] \shaw-mah'\
A primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of {attention} {obedience} etc.; causatively to {tell} etc.): - X {attentively} call (gather) {together} X {carefully} X {certainly} {consent} {consider} be {content} {declare} X {diligently} {discern} give {ear} (cause {to} {let} make to) hear ({-ken} {tell}) X {indeed} {listen} make (a) {noise} (be) {obedient} {obey} {perceive} (make a) proclaim ({-ation}) {publish} {regard} {report} shew ({forth}) (make a) {sound} X {surely} {tell} {understand} whosoever {[heareth]} witness.