Exploring the role of a prophet in the modern era
In this new series, I feel compelled to offer a well-grounded and biblically defensible apologetic on the role of prophets in the modern era. As with other challenging doctrines I have explored and taught over the years, let us approach this subject with humility, setting aside prejudice and preconception, as we seek a comprehensive understanding through Scripture. The role of prophets today is often misunderstood, undermined, or even rejected—an oversight with significant application not only for the Church but also for the nations and regions to which prophets are called. This is a vast and well-documented subject, with many books already written. My aim, therefore, is not to add another volume to the conversation but to provide a concise, Scripture-rich exploration of the prophetic office, focusing on Call2Come’s unique position and understanding. As a ministry rooted in prophetic calling (while working to include apostolic partnership), we hope this teaching will bring greater clarity and understanding to this enigmatic yet vital role. The Call2Come mandate rests upon three foundational prophetic principles: 1) “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come,’” 2) the Bride has come of age, and 3) the Bridal restoration of a nation. These principles underscore the integral connection between the prophetic and the Bride’s preparation for the Lord’s return, which will frame much of the discussion in this series.
The relationship between the Lord and His prophets in Scripture provides a profound and vivid insight into the dynamics of divine communication. The Old Testament reveals a rich tapestry of encounters that demonstrate the partnership between Heaven and human vessels through whom the counsel of the Lord was delivered. As we shall see, I believe these encounters were not merely historical but foundational in understanding the prophetic office today. They show how the Lord chose to reveal His will, release His power, and direct His people through prophets who served as His spokespersons.
One of the most striking examples is Isaiah’s throne room encounter (Isaiah 6:1-8), where the prophet found himself standing before the majesty of the Almighty. The seraphim cried, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (v3), and Isaiah’s response was one of awe, humility, and consecration: “Here am I! Send me” (v8). This moment exemplifies the profound and transformative nature of divine commissioning, where a prophet’s calling is sealed by a direct encounter with the holiness of God.
Jeremiah’s calling further illustrates this deep intimacy, counsel, and commission that characterize the Lord’s relationship with His prophets. Before Jeremiah’s birth, the Lord revealed His sovereign purpose: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). This statement highlights the personal and intimate nature of God’s calling, rooted in foreknowledge and divine intent. Jeremiah initially responded with hesitation, declaring himself too young and unqualified to speak (Jeremiah 1:6). Yet, the Lord assured him with the intimate promise of His presence and empowerment: “Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1:8). The commission was sealed as the Lord touched Jeremiah’s mouth and said, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth” (Jeremiah 1:9). This act symbolized the transfer of divine counsel and authority, equipping Jeremiah to proclaim God’s judgment and restoration over nations and kingdoms. Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry would be marked by profound relational intimacy and partnership with God, who shared His secrets (sôd) with the prophet, and an unwavering commission to speak challenging truths despite great opposition.
Additionally, Ezekiel’s calling also vividly demonstrates the powerful intersection of intimacy, counsel, and commission in the life of a prophet. In Ezekiel 1, the prophet is transported into a vision of God’s glory, described with awe-inspiring imagery of fiery wheels and the radiance of the divine throne. This encounter emphasizes the intimate nature of Ezekiel’s calling, as he is brought into the holy presence of the Lord to witness His majesty. Overwhelmed, Ezekiel fell face down in worship, a response of reverence that reflected his proximity to divine holiness (Ezekiel 1:28). In Ezekiel 2, the Lord spoke directly to him, addressing him as “son of man” and commissioning him to a rebellious house of Israel: “I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God’” (Ezekiel 2:4). The Lord’s words imparted counsel and authority, equipping Ezekiel for the difficult task ahead. In Ezekiel 3, his commission is solidified as the Lord instructs him to eat a scroll filled with words of lamentation, mourning, and woe, symbolizing the internalization of God’s counsel (Ezekiel 3:1-3). This act of consuming the Word not only nourished Ezekiel spiritually but prepared him to deliver it faithfully. The intimate encounter, divine counsel, and clear commission defined Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry, enabling him to bear witness to God’s justice and mercy in an extraordinary and challenging time.
Amos 3:7 reads “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” The word “secret” in this verse is the Hebrew term sôd (Strong’s H5475), which conveys the idea of intimate counsel, a close deliberation akin to a divine assembly or consultation. This word underscores the nature of God’s communication with His prophets—not as distant directives but as shared confidences born out of intimacy. The same word, sôd, is used in Jeremiah 23:22: “But if they had stood in My counsel (sôd), and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings.” Here, the Lord rebukes false prophets who fail to stand in His counsel. Genuine prophets are those who enter the secret place of the Lord’s presence, receiving and accurately conveying His Word. This relationship is not mechanical but deeply relational, requiring the prophet to align themselves with the heart and will of God.
In all these passages, the emphasis was on standing in the counsel of the Lord, which involved not only hearing His Word but also being transformed by it. The prophet, therefore, was not merely a passive recipient but an active participant in the divine-human partnership. They were entrusted with releasing words that carried the precision of arrows, piercing both seen and unseen realms. And just as the Lord promised Jeremiah, He was watching over His Word to perform it. Jeremiah 1:12
Questions naturally arise: Do such encounters still happen today? Do prophets exist in the modern era? Is the relationship between the Lord and His prophets today characterized by the same intimacy and revelation as in the Old Testament? Has anything fundamentally changed? Is there still a heavenly council to which prophets are summoned?
As we consider these questions, we might ask whether the Lord has altered the way He invites us to partner with His purposes. Clearly, since Christ’s mission statement in Matthew 16:13-20, governmental authority has been given to the Church to exert Kingdom jurisdiction on the earth. However, these verses neither affirm nor refute the operation of prophets within the heavenly council. So, where can we look for answers? Are there other Scriptures that weave a tapestry of understanding, offering clarity on these matters?
I believe there are—and before we finish the first part of this series, I present one here for your consideration.
Malachi 3:6a NKJV declares: “For I am the LORD, I do not change.” This profound statement underscores what scholars refer to as the immutable nature of God—His eternal consistency in character and essence. While some argue this immutability extends solely to God’s nature, others contend it includes His ways. Indeed, while God’s acts are often new, responsive to specific contexts and circumstances, His ways endure unchanged, for they flow from the constancy of His character.
If this premise holds true—that God’s ways are consistent because they reflect who He is—then the dynamics of prophetic summons and the divine-human partnership they represent remain as relevant today as they were in Scripture. In the Old Testament, we see that prophets were called into the sôd of the Lord, His intimate counsel, where the seen and unseen realms converged, and where God’s heart and purposes were revealed and released. The role of the prophet was not merely to predict events but to act as a bridge between these realms, voicing the heart and Word of God to human ears and hearts. This argument places the modern role of the prophet firmly within the framework of God’s unchanging ways. The necessity for individuals called into His counsel, standing in His presence, and receiving His Word for proclamation to the nations remains imperative. Through this enduring partnership, the prophets act as conduits of divine revelation, bridging heaven and earth and empowering the Church to fulfil its Kingdom mandate.
Later in this series, we will further explore how both the Old and New Testaments provide solid affirmation for prophets today, not only in the council of the Lord, but also in their foundational role in the church with apostolic partnership.
“God made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” – Psalm 103:7 NKJV
