Spoken Through the Prophet

There’s a vast difference between ‘it was said by the prophet’, and ‘it was said through the prophet’. In the first case the prophet is the author of what was said, in the latter case he’s simply the messenger, bringing a message from an unseen authority.

In these days, when worrying things are taking place all over the world, there are many of us who are trying to understand what’s going on. We do sense that the things we see and hear are only the tip of the iceberg, and that much more is going on, unseen by most, and is just waiting to happen. As Christians we search our Bibles, asking “God, where are we in Your timetable right now?”

This brings us to a fundamental question: Were the prophets speaking out of their own under¬standing, or were they messengers, sent with a message from someone else? Were they just people of good intentions, or were they entrusted with something very important, something they didn’t fully comprehend themselves?

Daniel had visions and revelations. He was worried by what he saw, because he couldn’t understand when and how all these things were to happen. And Peter says in 1 Peter 1:10-12 that this was the case with most of the Old Testament prophets, ‘Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. They did not themselves understand the message they were bringing! But they were sent, and they were faithful in delivering their message, and the message was for us!’

We don’t by any means understand all the prophecies of the Bible. But we do know who is the giver of the prophecies, and the sender of the messengers. And He has a faultless record. There are no inaccuracies in His words, no reservations in His promises. And no doubts as to His trustworthiness. It is He, Almighty God who’s in charge, even in troubled times.

And these are troubled times for many Christians. More and more believers are following in the steps of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Jeremiah, Peter, Paul and many others, who trusted God so much they didn’t even fear death. Others are not yet in such severe circumstances, but they’re sensing a storm is brewing.

What should our rock and shelter be in times like these? It’s the Word we trust and stand on. It’s not the result of human reasoning. It’s the eternal truths and everlasting promises of the One who holds in His hands the earth, the heavens, the past, the present and the future. It was He who spoke, and He who sent His messengers. He did so to strengthen and encourage us - to show us that there’s a way through, and to show that evil, violence and death won’t triumph in the end. Christ Jesus will triumph, and with Him all those who’ve chosen to trust and follow Him. God’s Word says that the nation of Israel won’t disappear again. It’s come on the centre of the stage, and it will remain there. He who spoke will fulfill every word He’s spoken.

No wonder Jesus says: ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33). In His steps we follow!