Where Are the Prophets?*

We see the Word of God scorned on social media, and hateful comments coming against Israel and the Jewish people. During this dangerous time of warfare in the Middle East, where are the prophets of God? There's an account of a wise king, preparing to go into battle as an ally with another king, and asking that question. He was not satisfied until a true prophet of God was found and enquired of. The prophet Amos warned us of a time when the guiding prophetic Word would be lacking: "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it." (Amos 8:11-12). This is true today. There are seminars for the church on how to prosper, while the signs of the times are ignored, and no one is asking, "What is God saying?" There is a refusal to hear when God's Word does come forth, as Isaiah prophesied: "Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin...children that will not hear the word of the LORD: which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophecy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits." (Isa. 30:1, 9-10). Paul, warning of Christ's judgment when He returns in His kingdom, wrote: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound dotrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Tim. 4:1-4). It is lust for everything and anything that causes men to turn away from God's word. Isaiah also said above that it was because of men's sin. Compromises to truth are made in the Church, and tolerance of abominations rather than a desire for pure, sound, doctrine. The whole counsel of God requires, not just a positive message, but reproval and rebuke as well. Much of the compromise in the Church today is determined by financial considerations, but man cannot serve God and mammon, the god of wealth and riches (see Mt. 6:24). Peter wrote on the same subject: "...there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall brng in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways...the ways of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you..." (2 Pet. 2:1-3). Lies are taught for money. Peter also wrote to remind the Church of the words of the prophets of old, and the commandment of the apostles of Christ, that there would be scoffers in the last days. who would be walking in their own lusts, as we saw mentioned above also. They mock the idea of Christ's coming, and of the accompanying judgment, saying, "all things continue as they were from the beginning", which is a lie. The flood proved that judgment did come to the world previously, which they deliberately ignore in order to bring their scoffing words. (2 Pet. 3:1-6). However, the coming judgment will not be by water, as before, but by fire, and we should not be ignorant of the prophesied timing of the Lord: "...one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (v. 7-8, see also Hos. 6:1-3: two days, or two thousand years have passed since Christ's death, and the third day, or thousand years of His reign on earth, is about to begin). As Paul wrote about his ministry on earth coming to an end, he said that he had done all that he could, at every opportunity, to preach the kingdom of God, and the whole counsel of God. Because of this, he was free from men's blood on his hands. (Acts 20:25-27). He continued: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." v. 28). Paul warned of "grievous wolves" who would enter among the flock, not sparing them. Some would rise up from within the Church, "speaking perverse things", to draw away disciples to themselves. "Therefore watch..." (v. 29-31). Jesus also warned of the ravening wolves disguised in sheep's clothing, who were false prophets. The only way to know them was by their fruits, because a tree of corruption could not bring forth good fruit, and a good tree could not bring forth evil fruit. Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire (Mt. 7:15-19). Jesus added, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (v. 21). The word of the LORD came to Ezekiel regarding the spiritual shepherds of His people, Israel: "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say unto them...Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have you not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which were broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them." (Ezek. 34:1-4). Where are the prophets who will bring the Word of the Lord? Where are the shepherds who will properly feed and minster to the flock? One way that the Lord has led us to minister to all is to make available a free book titled "The Perfect Summary", now being read in many nations, and in several languages. You can get your free copy at TheShroudofTurin.org. The hour is late, and Christ's return is at hand. *Based upon the 10/22/23 message of Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson Jr. to the Church. To hear the full message, look for Dr. Stevenson's Facebook page. You can contact this ministry at PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705.