Bible Training

Prophets Hear What God is Saying and Then Proclaim His Message As we have looked at the opening Chapter of the book of Jeremiah, are there any common concepts that might help us understand the nature of prophecy in 2026? When sweeping through the Bible, seeking to have an overview of these past 3,000 years, we come to the prophets. It can be helpful to sweep through parts of the Bible at times and have an overview of what God was doing and how God was moving. Since the days of Moses there have been prophets - but it is when we come to around the year 700 B.C. that we have these books written by the prophets. Previously the words of the prophets are included in the content of the historical books. The prophets were very ordinary men - but they were given a BURDEN or ORACLE or WORD - which they spoke or preached or proclaimed or shared. The prophet not only spoke for God, but he first had to hear from God. We have to receive, before we can give. The prophets basically challenged the people of God - and occasionally confronted kings - or priests - or false prophets. They also comforted the people, and that is also part of New Testament prophecy. Jeremiah has become a nickname for ‘doom and gloom’. He prophesied serious and sad words, which came true. If someone calls you a Jeremiah, and that is true - then that is a great compliment - it means you are speaking forth the Word of God. Jesus reminded many people of Jeremiah! In the prophets we learn about GOD. We learn that God is powerful - that He is a God of miracles - that He intervenes in history - that He raises up men - that He judges men and nations, even His own chosen people – and that He is a God who pardons and shows mercy. The prophets indicate how personal God is - and how GOD draws near to His people - and that He speaks to people. When considering Isaiah - we looked at his testimony - and we know precisely when he lived. Isaiah is one very long book - and we have a scroll of this entire book, dated around 100 B.C.. I have seen it in Jerusalem. Let's take one famous verse – Chapter 2 verse 4 - "They shall beat their swords in plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks". That is outside the United Nations building in New York. But - look at the whole verse - "He shall judge among the nations". This was sung at Donald Dewar's funeral - and I remember thinking - these people have not a clue as to what these words mean. The first part of the verse is essential before the second part of the verse can happen. When Jesus walked onto the world’s stage, Jesus preached from Isaiah 61 and saw the fulfilment of that prophecy in his coming into the world. Isaiah - Jonah - Joel - Amos - Hosea - Micah - Nahum - Habakkuk - Jeremiah and Obadiah - they were all before the Exile. They heard from God – they heard what God was saying at that time – and they had the courage and ability to proclaim and preach what the people needed to hear – and often a great cost. “Lord God Almighty, open us to the prophetic Word – open our hearts and minds to what You revealed to ordinary men, many years ago. We thank You for their boldness and courage – and for the truth and truths they delivered. We thank you for these details regarding the coming of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen” (This week's Word from Scotland" - previous articles may be found at Studylight - warmest greetings, in Christ Jesus.)

Daniel – The Young Hebrew Man with a Bright Future From Habakkuk we turned to Jeremiah – now let us turn to the book of Daniel and read something of what happened to one group of Hebrews as they went off to Babylon. Daniel Chapter 1. There is more in this book than the fiery furnace and the lion's den. These Chapters cover some 75 years of a man's life - the life of a man of God. Daniel was brought up in a palace. He was man with tremendous courage - which he must have been able to pass on to his assistants or colleagues. And he was quite old when thrown into the lion's den. When we see him in Chapter 1, he is around 16 years of age - and yet, he goes on to outlive four kings and two Empires. Jesus spoke about Daniel the prophet - Matthew 24 verse 15. Here is a man of God who heard the word of God in a very trying situation - in prison in Babylon. One lesson we can learn from this book is that God is in charge - in control of our lives - of national situations - of international situations. The Risen and Living Lord Jesus Christ IS in control. The affairs of men are in the hands of our Creator God. The decisions we make - can determine how we will be living when we are 60 - 70 - 80 and 90, as in Daniel's case. That is another message and lesson from Daniel. What we decide when we are in our teens can have such an influence upon us in later life - and some learn that too late. We read of Daniel's strange surroundings. Daniel came to terms quickly with his situation - and God used him in his situation - a displaced person away from home. You don't drown by falling into water - but you might drown if you stay there. Daniel had been born with royal blood in him. He had everything going for him. He was good looking - handsome - intelligent - had a good education - and Daniel is set to go to the top – but the top people were taken away to Babylon first. At the age of around 16 - he is taken off in chains to another land - to Babylon - and he never returned. King Nebuchadnezzar came and invaded Israel - destroyed Jerusalem - and took away the people. When you touch Jerusalem - that is different. That is the city of God - that is where God decided to be present and live. What was God going to do? You have to be bold to attack Jerusalem - but we know that God gave Nebuchadnezzar the victory. God allowed him to overrun Jerusalem. Lord, God what are You doing? Nebuchadnezzar was a tyrant - he would roast men alive. It wasn't because he was good - but because Jehoiakim was a bad king. That is why God allows this. II Kings 23 verse 36f - and 24 verse 13. Remember, God had said to Israel - if you do not change you will have to leave! You will be taken away captives and prisoners to a foreign land. Nebuchadnezzar said - "Their God is nothing - my god is everything. He took the sacred cups from the Temple and he set them up in the house of his god." These vessels had had a history. II Kings 21 verses 13 to 18 – Hezekiah the king had boastfully shown those cups and vessels, to visitors from Babylon who had come with a ‘get well soon’, greeting. Word was passed down - they have some nice stuff in Jerusalem - and Nebuchadnezzar came and took them. Later they were used at Belshazzar’s Feast - Chapter 5 - that was the last night of his reign, as they all got drunk. We must never abuse the things of God. Nebuchadnezzar also took some human vessels of God - men who were later to announce his downfall. He was seeking to destroy Jerusalem and God and all things Hebrew and kingly - but what was actually happening was that God was moving to Babylon. These young men were taking the living God into pagan Babylon. Now - there's a lesson. “Lord our God – we thank You for what You do within our lives, even when we are unaware of what is happening. We thank You too for warning us regarding abusing spiritual gifts and riches and truths. We thank You for the life and example and witness of this man Daniel. Help us to be as loyal and faithful and courageous. Hear us as we pray in Jesus’ name.” Amen. ("Word from Scotland" - previous articles may be found at Studylight - warmest greetings to you, in Christ Jesus.)

Prophets Do Not Get Promoted – They Get Pelted! Having looked briefly at the Prophets during this sweep through the scriptures let’s pause and consider the person of the prophet, and the place of the “Prophetic Ministry". There is such a great need for Prophetic Ministry - men hearing from God and speaking what God would have them say – and we hear a lot today about Prophetic Ministry – but much of what we hear as ‘Prophecy’ is no more than ‘wishful thinking’ – or people wanting to bless you with some encouragement. One major difference between Old Testament and New Testament Prophecy - is that in the New Testament the people judge whether or not the Word is from God. When a prophet speaks you have a choice – 1 - Change - or 2 - Kill the Prophet. Luke Chapter 11 verse 52. The prophet is a key to what God is doing - and what He is doing He reveals to the prophets. Sometimes it will be for sharing immediately - at other times, the prophet may have to be quiet regarding that word, for weeks or months. There is the need for a clear trumpet sound - and the prophet is regarded as the voice or trumpet of God. Now there can be false prophets - the teller in the bank can feel a false 'fiver' without looking at it. He does not even have to look at it - all he has to say is - "Excuse me sir". He has been so trained. And you do NOT go in with a coin and kid on it is a £5 note - you make it as like the real thing as you possibly can. Luke Chapter 7 verse 14. That is a prophetic word. In a miracle - various ‘gifts’ of the Holy Spirit can be at work at the same time. Verse 16. Jesus is referred to as 'great prophet'. These are real men in this Book - Jesus - Peter - Paul - Moses - Isaiah - Jeremiah - and all the others. They put their trousers on one leg at a time. Verse 39. Religious people do not recognise prophets. Verse 40. This is called confrontation. Jesus goes on to teach – verse 45 - do not miss what God is doing. It is so easy to be doctrinally correct and miss what the living God is doing. Verse 37. The alabaster box was part of the equipment of the prostitute. A prophet can penetrate and pierce and shock the whole religious world. Luke 24 verse 19. Jesus – A prophet in word and deed. Being a prophet - being prophetic, is NOT a 9 to 5 job - it involves all his life. God touches everything - work - car - home - finances - everything. The prophet is an oracle - a mouthpiece - one who acts as a mouth for God - His Words in your mouth. It almost by-passes your brain - sometimes it has to - or you would never speak the words. So the prophet has to be sure that God has given him the Word. Don't say "The Lord told me" - when He didn’t! I have met very few people who have heard the voice of God - and received the word of God to speak prophetically. Larry Christenson - "I decided to go to the Conference in Kenya. Others might say, ‘The Lord led me to go to that Conference in Kenya.’" Now of course, both may be true – but there is a need for balance. In prophecy - when prophesying - when the Lord stops speaking, that should make two of you. When God chooses a prophet - when He is raising up a prophetic ministry - He chooses someone in the Body of Christ - and most of the time that person is very reluctant. He is a prophet or an imposter. The Church judges. God calls a man - gives a gift of a prophet to the body of Christ - and the body recognises it. In the ‘Didache’ - when a prophet comes among you - let him stay two or three days - do not permit him to speak - then let him prophesy. They needed two or three days to discern. A prophet cannot stand - idolatry - injustice - formality - false weights. Moses and the golden calf - the prophetic Moses - he was concerned about the moral character of God – and the character of the people of God. Jeremiah Chapter 1 - four negatives and two positives - and Jeremiah wanted to run a mile. I cannot do that - do not ask me to do that LORD!! I have been there – I know the reality of that one – do you? God had left the Church of that day - and not even the priests knew – Jeremiah Chapter 2 verse 8. They did not miss Him. Jeremiah is on a demolition mission. A prophet is a seer - he sees something - they could see what was a-coming. Jeremiah and the underwear - Chapter 13 - pretty dramatic - we'll better withdraw the word pretty. This thing is a mess O God - but I have to bear it. Chapter 20. Prophets were given strong heavy burdens at times. In the New Testament, prophecy is always to strengthen - encourage - and comfort. I Corinthians Chapter 14 verses 1 to 5. Speaking in Tongues plus Interpretation has the value of Prophecy. Verse 27. (If he were writing to our present situation, it might probably be something like - at least one of you should.) Verse 29. A prophecy is given. If God speaks, do you not think the least we can do is stop and consider what He has said - its significance - and what all might be involved. It is not for guidance - but to confirm - or impart insight. The edifying of the Church is important - the edifying of one's self is equally important but that is done in a different way. Everything is done to edify The Church - to build up the Church. And in the case of prophecy - the Church judges! That is NOT the same as criticise - or have a sneaky suspicion. The first prophetic word I was aware of uttering was in November 1969 at a Fountain Trust Conference in Yorkshire - “I have a work for you to do, and in My Name you will do it”. It was for my brother and friend, Jim Kincaid, as he was being prayed for, prior to leaving Scotland for South Africa – and he, and his wife Val, went and did the job! Verse 37. Prophets should be aware of Control - Order - Regulation. A bad spirit interrupts. The prophet reminds people of GOD - JESUS - the BIBLE. Do you want a Definition of Prophecy? “The ability granted by the Holy Spirit to a believer to speak forth words which proceed from God that do not come from the believer's own wisdom, understanding or education. Some people see words written - or see visions - or they just begin to speak.” Verse 39. Seek to - want to – be prepared to take the risk. “Almighty God – loving Father – teach us – guide us – use us – in this dark hurting world – where there is such pain and suffering. Raise up men to speak and preach and teach Your Holy Unchanging Word. Jesus, anoint those whom you have called, with love and grace and power and courage – and sensitivity and tenderness, when these are needed. Amen.” (This week's "Word from Scotland" - previous articles may be found at Studylight - warmest greetings, in Christ Jesus.) See less

The Lord bless you in future days

Amen 🙏🏻 God bless you

Alan Marshall

God bless you Stephen 🙏xxx

Amen 🙏

AMEN 🙏

Thank you

Amazing Bible College. They live the Word of God.

Stephen - so nice to hear from you. Congratulations on the birth of Hugh. Love the name!

Well done Mel !! 🙏✝️❤️

Stephen … I think your Mum must be Donna? You look very like her 💕