prophet-sharing
"Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, but never again prophesy in Bethel." —Amos 7:12-13
Prophets and prophetesses are bad for business and disturb the status quo. They comfort the afflicted and afflict the comforted. They challenge our lifestyle and refuse to accept our rationalizations. Prophets tell the truth that we must repent or receive the wages of sin, that is, bondage, death, and damnation (Rm 6:23). Prophets will be the ruination of our religions, denominations, and cultural Christianity. They will strip off our carnal body completely and leave us with nothing but Jesus (Col 2:11).
We should set our "hearts on spiritual gifts — above all, the gift of prophecy" (1 Cor 14:1), although deep in our hearts we don't want anything to do with prophecy. A prophet is not accepted in his native place (Jn 4:44). We must either die to ourselves or put the prophets to death. When we reject the prophet, we reject Jesus and the Father Who sent Jesus (Lk 10:16). But if we don't reject the prophet, we must reject our sin, deny our very selves, and take up the daily cross (Lk 9:23).
Will we continue to sin and live the lifestyle of selfishness? Will we force the prophet to shake the dust from his feet in testimony against us? (Mk 6:11)
Prayer: Lord, send an Amos into my life. (Do you realize what you just prayed?)
Promise: "Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens!" —Eph 1:3
Praise: Praise Jesus, Who is the fulfillment of all prophecy and by Whose stripes we are healed!
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape What is Prophecy? on audio AV 14A-1 or video V-14A.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2005
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