Their roles and impacts acrossthe Testaments
A prophet is divinely appointed to proclaim God’s will and often receives knowledge of future events before they occur. In the Bible, prophets are God’s spokespeople, delivering His messages, warnings, and revelations to His people.
MESSENGER OF GOD’S WILL In the Old Testament, prophets were chosen by God to communicate His will to Israel. They conveyed divine laws, moral principles, and instructions for living. Moses, one of the foremost prophets, received the Ten Commandments directly from God on Mount Sinai and relayed them to the people (Exodus 20).
WATCHMAN AND ADVISOR Prophets often warned Israel of the consequences of sin, calling them to repentance and urging a return to God. For instance, Jeremiah warned of Jerusalem’s fall due to unfaithfulness (Jeremiah 25:4-6). Similarly, Habakkuk questioned God about the prevailing injustice and was given a vision of coming judgment, urging the people to trust in God’s timing and justice (Habakkuk 1:2-11).
FORESHADOWERS OF THE FUTURE Prophets foretold both judgment and deliverance, offering glimpses of God’s future plans. Isaiah prophesied the coming Messiah, promising salvation (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6). Likewise, Daniel envisioned future kingdoms and God’s eternal reign, reminding the people of divine justice and hope (Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14).
PERFORMERS OF MIRACLES Some prophets performed miracles to demonstrate God’s power and validate their divine messages. Elijah, for example, called down fire from heaven in a dramatic showdown with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:36-38). His disciple Elisha also performed miracles, such as multiplying oil for a widow (2 Kings 4:1-7).
Since the final prophetic words have been recorded in Revelation and the Bible has been canonized, it stands as the ultimate authority, fully revealing God’s truth through Jesus (John 1:18). Additionally, the gift of prophecy continues in the Church through preaching, teaching, and guiding believers to align their lives with Christ, offering comfort, and preparing them for future events.
Learn more:
