Chapter 2


IMPORTANCE OF PROPHECY

By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
Raphael Okechukwu Nweze

1. True knowledge
   
Prophecy helps man to have pure and true knowledge of the past, present, and the future. In Hosea 4:6, God said, “My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge.” The true knowledge frees us from ignorance and problems. Hence, Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and truth shall set you free” (John.8:32).
         The Holy Spirit is a spirit of prophecy. He enables man to know and understand, even without being told. Jesus made this clear, when he said that when the spirit of truth comes, He will direct our way in truth. Moses was able to tell of the ancient past, because of the spirit of prophecy in him. Jesus foretold many of the end-time events. He did this in the past when there were no signs of their possibility.


2. Prevention of Undesirable Events
   
Prophecy makes us to know beforehand the misfortunes which shall occur in the future, and helps us to prevent them. A vivid example is found in 2 Kings 6:8-12.

‘Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and a place”.
         The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there”. So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. “This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”
         “None of us, my Lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom”. 2 Kings 6:8-12


3. Solutions To problems
   
Examples of prophetic solutions abound in the scriptures. Some the Bible portions are:


1. Healing of waters

The men of the city say to Elisha, “Look, our Lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and land is unproductive”. “Bring me a new bowl, “He said,” and put salt in it. “so they brought it to him. Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into the spring, saying, “this is what the Lord says, I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive”. And it was so. 2 kings 2:19-22


2. Help to the needy

         1 A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves."
         2 So Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil."
         3 Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors — empty vessels; do not gather just a few. 4 And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones."
         5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. 6 Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, "Bring me another vessel."
         And he said to her, "There is not another vessel." So the oil ceased. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest." 2 Kings 4: 1-7



4. Eradication Of False Beliefs
   
Prophecy gives pure and perfect knowledge. Thereby, it eradicates false beliefs, which are superstitious, presumptions, misconceptions and fictions. According to Daniel, God “….reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light” Daniel 2:22


5. Guide To Pilgrims
   
Prophecy is like the road which guides a traveler to his destination, just as the compass determines direction. Prophecy tells the children of God His will, guides them in doing it and redirects them when they go astray. This was why David asserted: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”. Psalm 119.105 God confirmed this saying,
“I am the Lord your God,
Who teaches you what is best for you,
Who directs you in the way you should go.”
Isaiah 48:17

Hence, prophets are watchman.

I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
They shall never hold their peace day or night.
You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent,
7 And give Him no rest till He establishes
And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
Isaiah 62:6-7


6. Victory Over Satan
   
Before Jesus came into the world, He foreknew the temptations, oppositions, difficulties and sufferings He was going to meet, and therefore adequately prepared Himself. Likewise, prophecy helps Christians to know beforehand the plans and attacks of Satan and arm themselves well enough to defeat him.


7. Salvation Through Righteous Obedience
   
When the rich man saw Lazarus by the side of Abraham, he requested for a kind help. But the help was not granted. Therefore, he appealed to Abraham to send Lazarus to his father’s house in order to warn his five brothers. His request was to prevent the five from joining him in the place of torment. Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them.” Luke 16-31


8. Gainful Employment
   
It is true that the prophet of God do not charge money for the work they do. Yet, through freewill gifts from the people, God provides for them. Joseph’s ability to interpret prophetic message made him a ruler in Egypt.

         39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you." 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt."
         42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, "Bow the knee!" So he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Pharaoh also said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt." Genesis 41:39-44

A similar thing happened to Daniel.

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. 47 The king answered Daniel, and said, "Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret." 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. Daniel 2:46-48


9. Prophets Act As Intermediary Between God And His People
   
Even the people of God who have seen divine majesty may prefer to have an intermediary, as was the case with people of Israel when the Lord visited them on Mt. Sinai. The strength and glory of Gabriel was so great and awesome that John fell down to worship the Angel. How much more the glory and power of God! No wonder the Israelites said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will hear. But do not have God speak to us or we will die”. Exodus 20: 19


10. Direct Communication With God
    
By prophecy God communicates with His people through dream, vision, oracle, lot, inspiration, etc.


11. Conversion Of Unbelievers
    

24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25